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New York Today: Trying Out for the Open New York Today: Trying Out for the Open
(about 5 hours later)
Good morning on this spritzy Wednesday.Good morning on this spritzy Wednesday.
The task was simple: Dart across a tennis court, scoop up loose tennis balls with two hands and run the shortest distance off the court.The task was simple: Dart across a tennis court, scoop up loose tennis balls with two hands and run the shortest distance off the court.
We found ourselves sprinting across the court earlier this summer as part of the U.S. Open’s tryouts for ballpeople, those lighting-fast runners who snatch balls off the court so play can continue.We found ourselves sprinting across the court earlier this summer as part of the U.S. Open’s tryouts for ballpeople, those lighting-fast runners who snatch balls off the court so play can continue.
We were among a group of news media members, invited to see if we had what it took to be one of the Open’s 277 ballpeople, ahead of the tournament’s start on Monday.We were among a group of news media members, invited to see if we had what it took to be one of the Open’s 277 ballpeople, ahead of the tournament’s start on Monday.
Representing New York Today, we arrived at the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, eager for the challenge.Representing New York Today, we arrived at the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, eager for the challenge.
After a few minutes of darting across the sunbaked court, most of us were left panting and sweating. But there was no time to rest. We were immediately tested on how well we could throw a ball across the court with a single bounce.After a few minutes of darting across the sunbaked court, most of us were left panting and sweating. But there was no time to rest. We were immediately tested on how well we could throw a ball across the court with a single bounce.
“Herkey and jerkey” was how the assistant manger of ball persons, Cathie Delaney, described our movements across the court. So, not good.“Herkey and jerkey” was how the assistant manger of ball persons, Cathie Delaney, described our movements across the court. So, not good.
“We want the ball people to move like little gazelles,” she said.“We want the ball people to move like little gazelles,” she said.
That’s probably why the average ballperson is 16. Last year, 206,224 balls were plucked up by ballpeople at the tournament, according to the U.S.T.A.That’s probably why the average ballperson is 16. Last year, 206,224 balls were plucked up by ballpeople at the tournament, according to the U.S.T.A.
After the tryout, we asked our coach if we would have been called back for a second round of tryouts.After the tryout, we asked our coach if we would have been called back for a second round of tryouts.
“Maybe” Ms. Delaney said, in an obvious attempt to try and keep our ego intact.“Maybe” Ms. Delaney said, in an obvious attempt to try and keep our ego intact.
But we pressed for the truth.But we pressed for the truth.
“Probably not,” she said.“Probably not,” she said.
As for the other journalists she judged, she added, “I probably wouldn’t take any of them.”As for the other journalists she judged, she added, “I probably wouldn’t take any of them.”
Ouch.Ouch.
Billy Haisley, 28, a writer for Deadspin, predicted that would be the case.Billy Haisley, 28, a writer for Deadspin, predicted that would be the case.
“It doesn’t seem like a pretty athletic crowd,” he said before the running and throwing began. He was docked points for wearing skinny jeans, he said.“It doesn’t seem like a pretty athletic crowd,” he said before the running and throwing began. He was docked points for wearing skinny jeans, he said.
A PIX 11 reporter showed up in neatly pressed slacks and boots. An intern from Men’s Health was told he needed more hustle.A PIX 11 reporter showed up in neatly pressed slacks and boots. An intern from Men’s Health was told he needed more hustle.
Perhaps we’d all be more suited to watching the pros than helping them. This week, you can do just that, for free, during the qualifying rounds.Perhaps we’d all be more suited to watching the pros than helping them. This week, you can do just that, for free, during the qualifying rounds.
Here’s what else is happening:Here’s what else is happening:
It’s not a bad day to sprint across a tennis court — at least it’s much better than yesterday’s sizzling heat.It’s not a bad day to sprint across a tennis court — at least it’s much better than yesterday’s sizzling heat.
An overcast morning, with the chance of isolated showers, will eventually clear up and reach a high of 85.An overcast morning, with the chance of isolated showers, will eventually clear up and reach a high of 85.
A perfect serve for your evening commute: nearly cloudless, cool and dry.A perfect serve for your evening commute: nearly cloudless, cool and dry.
Expect lots of sun and highs in the upper 70s for the rest of the week.Expect lots of sun and highs in the upper 70s for the rest of the week.
• The Village Voice will end their print publication after 62 years. [New York Times] • The Village Voice will end its print publication after 62 years. [New York Times]
• According to a new report, more New York City patients are being treated at public hospitals as private hospitals face financial pressures. [New York Times]• According to a new report, more New York City patients are being treated at public hospitals as private hospitals face financial pressures. [New York Times]
• The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association in New York City admitted that describing the struggles of police officers as “blue racism” was ill-advised. [New York Times]• The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association in New York City admitted that describing the struggles of police officers as “blue racism” was ill-advised. [New York Times]
• A 14-year-old died after collapsing during football practice in the Bronx. [DNAinfo]• A 14-year-old died after collapsing during football practice in the Bronx. [DNAinfo]
• More outlet malls could be headed to New York after Attorney General Schneiderman reached a settlement with Woodbury Commons. [Gothamist]• More outlet malls could be headed to New York after Attorney General Schneiderman reached a settlement with Woodbury Commons. [Gothamist]
• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “You Don’t Call Me”• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “You Don’t Call Me”
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.
• Learn how to make honey and taste varieties of the sweet stuff at the Bee Smart! Honey Harvest Festival at the Voelker Orth Museum in Murray Hill, Queens. 1 to 3:30 p.m. [$5]• Learn how to make honey and taste varieties of the sweet stuff at the Bee Smart! Honey Harvest Festival at the Voelker Orth Museum in Murray Hill, Queens. 1 to 3:30 p.m. [$5]
• A screening of the documentary, “Equal Means Equal” at the AMC Loews 19th Street East 6 in Midtown. 6:30 p.m. [$17]• A screening of the documentary, “Equal Means Equal” at the AMC Loews 19th Street East 6 in Midtown. 6:30 p.m. [$17]
• A discussion with the author of the book, “Remaking the American Patient: How Madison Avenue and Modern Medicine Turned Patients into Consumers,” at the Bryant Park reading room in Midtown. 7 p.m. [Free]• A discussion with the author of the book, “Remaking the American Patient: How Madison Avenue and Modern Medicine Turned Patients into Consumers,” at the Bryant Park reading room in Midtown. 7 p.m. [Free]
• A performance of Mozart’s Requiem, part of NYChoral Summer Sings series, at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper East Side. 7 p.m. [$15]• A performance of Mozart’s Requiem, part of NYChoral Summer Sings series, at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper East Side. 7 p.m. [$15]
• Liberty at Indiana Fever, 7 p.m. (MSG). Yankees at Tigers, 7:10 p.m. (WPIX). Mets host Diamondbacks, 7:10 p.m. (SNY).• Liberty at Indiana Fever, 7 p.m. (MSG). Yankees at Tigers, 7:10 p.m. (WPIX). Mets host Diamondbacks, 7:10 p.m. (SNY).
• Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Sept. 1.• Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Sept. 1.
• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
The first Democratic debate of the mayoral race is tonight at 7 at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side.The first Democratic debate of the mayoral race is tonight at 7 at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side.
And there will be only two candidates on the stage: Mayor Bill de Blasio and the former City Councilman Sal F. Albanese.And there will be only two candidates on the stage: Mayor Bill de Blasio and the former City Councilman Sal F. Albanese.
To meet the requirements to debate, candidates must have raised and spent at least $175,000 on their campaigns.To meet the requirements to debate, candidates must have raised and spent at least $175,000 on their campaigns.
The other Democratic hopefuls — Robert Gangi, a police reform advocate; Richard Bashner, a lawyer; and Michael Tolkin, an entrepreneur — did not meet that threshold.The other Democratic hopefuls — Robert Gangi, a police reform advocate; Richard Bashner, a lawyer; and Michael Tolkin, an entrepreneur — did not meet that threshold.
The debate will be shown on NY1, NY1 Noticias and WNYC.The debate will be shown on NY1, NY1 Noticias and WNYC.
The second Democratic debate will be Sept. 6, and the first general election debate is Oct. 10.The second Democratic debate will be Sept. 6, and the first general election debate is Oct. 10.
Will you watch (or listen) to the debate tonight? If so, what question would you like to ask our mayoral candidates? Let us know in the comments.Will you watch (or listen) to the debate tonight? If so, what question would you like to ask our mayoral candidates? Let us know in the comments.
New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.
For updates throughout the day, like us on Facebook.For updates throughout the day, like us on Facebook.
What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.
Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.
You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.