about — ‘The Past’

‘The Past’ section of the Norwood Sports Plus site is a more of a trip down ‘memory lane’. The primary content mostly be the writings of Frank ‘Sails’ Wall as they appeared in either the Norwood Messenger or Daily Transcript. Other tidbits will be included on occasions.

As with all great writers like James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, F. Scott Fitzgerald, etc., having an understanding about the particular writing style of a writer can add to a reader’s enjoyment. Such is the case with the writing‘s of Frank Wall. Let me provide a primer.

Frank’s coverage of Norwood sports was in a class by its own. Whether it was covering one of Richie Hebner’s major league Opening Days or a Norwood High baseball, football or hockey game, or an update on the annual Colombos baseball trip, Frank had his own unique genre of writing.

For games attended by Frank, his assessment of the outcome was accurate, he gave credit to the victors even if Norwood did not win. His account of the game, i.e., what happened between the lines, on the field, on the court, or in the rink was usually accurate with only slight embellishments or omissions surrounding the details (?).  As for who might be at the game, this is where things could get a little cloudy.   How many people attended the game, well, let’s just say Frank rounded up. As for quotes from players, coaches or fans, here is my breakdown. For games that he attended, about 80-85% of quotes are more of a paraphrase of what the individual said. Another 10-15% of the quotes were what Frank said AND the player said. Let me provide an example. In the locker after a big game, Frank might approach a player and say, “whatdaya think, this the biggest thrill of your life’ to which the player would chuckle and repeat with a smile, “Yeah, this is the biggest thrill of my life”. In the actual article about the game the player would be quoted as saying ‘This was the biggest thrill of my life”. The last 5 -10% of quotes were part of the literary license granted only to distinguished writers.

For games that Frank did not attend, everything surrounding the account of the game would be similar to the games he attended except the quotes. There would be player and coach quotes and they would fall into the last category previously mentioned.

When I think back on his articles the one thing that stands out to me is he had a great perspective on sports and life. He understood where sports fit in in one’s life. He gave kids credit for doing their best and giving their all. Always positive about a game and if it was a difficult loss, without coming right out and saying it, you knew that the only thing that was lost, was a game. It was not life and death. We were all going to wake up the next day in Norwood, and still be living the dream!