there are two sides to every conversation, this one is no different. Is baseball supposed to be played for fun? Absolutely. I hope the kids are learning skills, making lasting relationships with teammates, and taking their game as far as it can take them. At the same time, baseball is pretty serious for some of these kids with aspirations and abilities that can take them to the next level. Some work on their game year round, and when the time comes they want to be recognized for their accomplishments. When they play with members of other teams in the offseason, there is certainly a pride factor that comes with honors and awards, especially if you play for a team that struggles. And let's not be naive in thinking that there aren't some benefits that come with first team all-state honors. Coaches at the next level will absolutely take you a little more seriously and make the extra effort to evaluate you. Lower rankings or even worse being overlooked in the ballot process is certain to cast doubt, though that can be overcome. And like it or not, high school baseball is really a small business for some of these players, as a partial scholarship can equate to $100,000 over the course of a college career as well as assistance in the admissions process and a pre-season slot on the roster. A near-perfect system that promotes fairness to the benefit of those that bust their humps and produce on the field is owed to these kids in whatever form possible. Otherwise why go through the exercise at all?