Unlike many sports, baseball is really long and can cover so much which makes it so compelling. As someone who covers the minor league team out here in Staten Island by the beautiful Ferry Terminal, it always gives me such joy to interview players on a daily basis and get acquainted. I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years covering the Baby Bombers and can’t wait to get season four underway next month!

For now, I continue to keep up with the former players I covered still in the Yankee organization as well as a few Met prospects who came up with the Verrazano rival Cyclones. Shaolin vs BK represent! Yeah. The rivalry is pretty intense as evidenced by the bench clearing incident we witnessed at Richmond County Bank Ball Park late last season.

Those are the best games to cover cause they’re usually well played and with more fire and passion. That they play each other right away when the NY-Penn League opens up just makes it that more appealing for this writer as well as others to come out to the ballpark as well as the fans. Sure. BK is always well represented because of the strong baseball following dating back to the Brooklyn Dodger days. That’s why it was such a no-brainer for the Mets to have a minor league Single-A affiliate down by Coney Island.

As for home here, it’s been a little tougher to get fans to come out. Part of it has to do with what this place has become. Honestly, people would rather chill at home on their block than ride the train or drive all the way to the other side of town. Me personally, I travel from a good section on the South Shore and never seem to mind the drive because I know the backcuts and can appreciate the scenery on those paths. Staten Island is overcrowded and the highway’s always a mess but if you know your way around, then just go a different way, kick back and blast some music.

Is the parking situation a little cruddy? Depends. Is it the area with a lack to do much afterwards? Possibly. But the ballpark itself is poetry in motion right by the water making for the perfect place for players to play and for us to come and watch.

For myself, the experience has always been worthwhile. Now, most beat reporters just like to hang in the press box which is a tad small with not much food compared to what I’ve gathered from the Cyclone contingent. Not yours truly though. I can’t stay in one place sitting on my ass. That’s not fun. I’ll maybe watch a couple of innings upstairs and then move down to some seats. Whether it’s in right field near the foul pole or by third base right by the S.I. pen where you can always find pitchers warming up, I have always enjoyed hanging with fans and taking in the action.

So you’re probably wondering how I can move around and pay attention to the game? Easy. I got a good memory and am always able to pick out key plays and which players I want to interview. Just ask the BC kids back at the Slope. I memorized a couple of their games by heart and did solid write ups.

If you enjoy covering sports as I do, then it’s really not that difficult to write a story. Whether it’s a recap or feature, I’m always game. For myself, recaps are pretty routine. Now features is where it’s at! You get to ask the questions and whatever feedback you are provided with will help make your story. Got to do the research!

I don’t think I’ve ever come away disappointed in any feature I took the time to work on. I know I’ll ask good questions and initiate solid responses.

Aside from my appreciation of covering the S.I. Yanks out here, naturally I follow the Yankees, Mets and as much as the majors as I possibly can. Sometimes, the coverage around here can be a tad insane. But that’s New York in a nutshell. We’re never satisfied when it comes to our sports teams. Sometimes, I think people should just chill the hell out and dance or get drunk.

It’s not healthy to live and die with our teams. So this summer, I’m going to make it my business to change how I cover the team. Oh. I’ll still do the work but it will be even more fun. I’m encouraging people to come out. Maybe we’ll chill afterwards.

So come out to the ballpark next month. I promise it will be a good time. Looking forward to greeting a few of you at a great setting.

Play ball!