At the end of the award voting, I decided that since the Baseball Bloggers Alliance had come along so quickly, it might be nice to get an idea of who was actually in the group. To that end, I’m working through the roster and asking ten questions of each member. The first five are standard, while the last five are a little more personalized. Hopefully this will help us get a feel for our fellow members. So, here’s entry thirteen in a recurring series.
Dave Nichols
Website: Nationals News Network
BBA #20
Personal info: 42, litigation analyst, married, no kids
Question 1: How and why did you get into blogging?
I was a communications/journalism major in college, and spent four years in radio when I decided I didn’t want to starve and got into the legal profession. It’s always been in me to continue a journalistic pursuit, and with the advance of the internet media, it seemed like a natural fit. I had a friend writing for a local sports site and they asked me to help out covering the Nationals.
I eventually decided I wanted to be my own editor, now I have a Nationals blog, a Washington Capitals blog, and contribute as a “Community Leader” to Bleacher Report for both as well.
Question 2: Do you have any blogging projects planned for the off-season?
With the Nationals very active this off-season, and running a hockey blog, I don’t really have an off-season. I’ve just been trying to keep up with everything that’s been happening with both teams.
Question 3: What’s been your most enjoyable experience as a blogger (particularly well-received post, a high-profile link, a connection you wouldn’t have had otherwise, etc.)?
My hockey blog has been credentialed by the Washington Capitals to cover the team just like any other member of the media, with press box, media center and locker room access. The Caps have been way out in front credentialling new media, and it’s been a great experience. It’s one I’m hoping to continue with the Nationals someday, hopefully not too far down the road.
Question 4: How did you find out about the BBA and what attracted you to the group?
Another member of the BBA, Kristen Hudak from We’ve Got Heart, brought it up to me and since we were trying to organize something similar with the Nationals blogs at the time it was of keen interest.
Question 5: What do you want to see out of the BBA in the coming year?
I really like the idea of cross-promotion and cooperation. I’m a big believer in “growing the pie” instead of cutting it up into smaller slices. It’s great that so many blogs, and good ones at that, are willing to participate so openly in the spirit of making things better for everyone.
Question 6: You founded the DC chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers of America. What is that and how is it going?
The DC-IBWA is an organization of independent online media outlets, internet writers, blogs and websites with the goal of increasing awareness and respect of its members as active and participating members of the media that cover the Washington Nationals.
Membership is based on four criteria: Activity, Participation, Performance and Promotion. All blogs are expected to update regularly and frequently, participate in meetings and discussions, conduct themselves professionally (in opinion and editing) and promote the organization and its member blogs.
The DC-IBWA also votes on yearly player achievement awards, named for great players in DC baseball history.
We are currently working with the Nationals on a proposal for guidelines for credentialing online media. Recently the team has been begun conducting availabilities for the online media to talk with the manager, general manager and occasionally the players. It’s the first small step, and the team has really been willing to listen and discuss the possibility.
Question 7: You are another one of the BBA members with a radio show of some sort. How do you enjoy doing that?
I really enjoy the internet radio show I do on the Prime Sports Network. During the season, it’s a weekly show discussing everything Nationals, from the big club all the way down to the low minors. As I mentioned, I spent four years doing radio early in my career, so it’s a return to my roots. I hope to produce a videocast this season with other members of the Natmosphere, sort of a “sports reporters” theme centered around the Nats.
Question 8: What are your opinions on the still-new ballpark?
I like Nationals Park. As a season-ticket holder, I spend a lot of time there, so my critiques are very specific in nature. But for the casual fan, it’s a great place to watch a game. It’s not quite as picturesque as Pittsburgh or San Francisco, but there are places in the stadium you can see the Capitol dome and the Washington Monument, which is pretty cool. There are cheap tickets available daily, and the Nats are really bending over backwards this season trying to build interest in season tickets.
Question 9: What are your expectations for Washington in 2010?
Avoiding 100 losses? Is that too much to ask? Seriously, Mike Rizzo has done a pretty good job addressing the needs of the 2010 team without mortgaging the future or getting tied down to bad long-term contracts. The play of the field this year should be better than the last two, and with Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Danny Espinoza and others on the way, the Nats could be an exciting ballclub in the not too distant future.
Question 10: Do you have a president you regularly cheer for in the races?
I’m a Thomas Jefferson guy. Teddy’s just in it for the attention.
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