INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I covered the Norco-Corona Santiago softball game for The Press-Enterprise on March 22, 2011, and came away thinking I knew I was going to regret not getting a look at the official game book.

I had the chance. The home coach pointed me toward it but at that same moment I thought it more prudent to talk to the visiting coach, who I assumed would be walking briskly away from a deflating come-from-ahead 4-3 loss.

I was wrong. I apologize.

The visiting coach spent several minutes with a forlorn player and I stood around waiting and waiting and dodging an ATV that was raking the infield. The Santiago bench cleared out. The book was certainly gathered up by a coach and taken to the office. I didn’t chase after it. My fault.

To his credit, the visiting coach gave me several minutes and a very good quote for the article. I’m in no way blaming him. He seems like an admirable fellow.

Nevertheless, I got several facts wrong because of my choice. I chose to wait for a coach who could leave at any moment, not chase the game book and risk losing the interview in the process.

It never crossed my mind that the book may not stick around or what to do if it wasn’t there. I left. Figured I had done a good enough job identifying players and keeping stats to complete my assignment.

An uncomfortable call from the editor and an internet thread bashing later, I’m reconsidering my actions on that day. Mostly, what I could have done differently to be completely accurate.

The answer: Diligence. Check the game book. Go the distance.

Or make myself crazy with regret, wondering why I didn’t think twice.