By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

One of the things I’ve repeatedly said is most rewarding about writing a column in this paper is the feedback I receive. I enjoy hearing from the readers, whether it’s via an e-mail, hand-written note or in person when I’m out and about. Granted, it’s not always positive, but I still like to know what people are thinking and how they respond to something I’ve written.

Some people have said I’ve moved them to tears and/or laughter. Others have told me they think I’m “way off base” and they wonder “how I got the job.” I think all criticism is welcome. It helps me re-examine my goals and purpose as a writer.

When I began this endeavor some six-plus years ago, I truly wanted to provide a space for all those involved in the world of sports to have their voices heard. I wanted to focus on things that mattered to the local casual sports fan. I also wanted to make sure that more than one person, family or group reading an article or column I’ve written would find it relevant.

I genuinely do appreciate people offering me story ideas. I know they believe in their heart of hearts it’s worthy of being told and printed. One of the most difficult things to explain to them is the concept of my philosophy of having a local angle and at the same time having a mass appeal. I’m fully aware that not every story or column I write will click with every reader out there — that’s impossible. I do want each article to generate or stimulate some interest with the majority of the people who take the time to read it.

I get the idea that a kid hitting three home runs in the Little League World Series is newsworthy. I couldn’t agree more. However, unless that kid has a tie to our area or is playing for a team with a tie to this area, I don’t think our paper is the right vehicle to tell that story. In my opinion, that belongs in the daily sports section of his/her local paper or, perhaps, in a paper with a regional or national audience. Therefore, I’m not going to give it much attention in anything I write about.

I know a few of our readers are cricket fans or, perhaps, won’t go to bed at night until they know who won the most recent international jai alai tournament. I get that. I’m a sports fan also, just not of the same sport. Neither are the majority of our readers. Those are the people I feel obligated to target my articles to. So, if you truly want the people who read The Rock River Times to know that Diego Salazar scored the 100th goal of his career in a Bolivian round-robin soccer tournament, might I suggest you take the time to write a guest column or letter to the editor? I’d love to read some of your writings, although I’m guessing I might be the only person who feels that way.

Keep those cards and letters coming! I assure you I do read each and every one.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com ^[1].

From the Sept. 5-11, 2012, issue