"Over the Monster": Informative and Engaging

“Over the Monster,” a blog concerned with the Red Sox, a major league baseball team, provides news updates and commentary on the team and makes predictions about players and trade agreements. Their audience of Red Sox fans has the opportunity to respond to posts and make comments about what was said. They can read the newsfeed provided by the site, and can be directed to sites where they can buy tickets to a game. It includes fun polls and links to blogs about other teams, and even other sports. The blog also lists links to other websites about the Red Sox. The site is maintained by chief editor Randy Booth and his two staff writers Allen Chance and “Soxdevil.” One of the blogs downfalls is that there is no information given about any of these people. Although it is well written and informative it is hard to take the writers too seriously without knowing their background and authority. They do, however, seem to be very interested in their subject matter and at times they even post more than once a day. These updates are very easy to follow with the newest post at the top of the page and subsequent posts below. The writers seem passionate but at times they include too much opinion and not enough fact. However, each writer seems to have their own opinions and, excluding their love of the Red Sox, they do not seem to be pushing any type of agenda. They do keep the reader engaged and amused, and posts such as the top ten moments of last season are entertaining and humorous while still informative. Statistics and the occasional picture help make the site exciting. Overall this blog seems to keep its audience interested and coming back regularly which is one of the most important aspects of blogging.