I haven't been logging into HSBBWeb as much lately as I used to. In fact, its been a gradual decrease in JH-minutes here on this fine website. There isn't a particular reason I haven't been logging in...actually, I have gone on random HSBBWeb hiatuses in the past for no reason.
I logged in this evening to take a look at the new format, which I know Julie has been working diligently and efficiently on providing to our community. And might I say, what an unbelievably great update this is. The new interface, while significantly different, provides us with an outstanding and simple-to-navigate landscape that I am almost positive will further enhance the growth and magnitude of this wonderful community.
A few individuals here have become aware of the following information, but I'd like to share it with everyone who is involved with this community directly now that the official start date draws nearer. I came here as an ignorant egotistical 15-year-old lefty, not really with much direction or much experience in the baseball world. The only thing I knew was that I loved the game and I wanted to learn.
I've grown quite a bit since joining the HSBBWeb as a member. During that time, my baseball career kicked into full gear and I progressed through the roller coaster ride that is competitive high-level team sports. I've learned to hone my passion and zest for the game into some specific ideologies and theories, and thus have formed somewhat of a significant direction that I intend to pursue into my future professional life.
It is certainly not coincidental that the time I've spent maturing as a baseball player and as an individual correlates with my time absorbing the information and knowledge that has been accumulated here in this community. Whether it be from an anonymous poster speaking about some sort of American Legion tournament in the midwest or a poster I've become familiar with discussing the kinetic science behind the sport, each different piece of information I've received has been beneficial to me.
To a greater extent, this website has enabled me to form literal friendships with many posters. I've met some of you, spoken with some of you on the phone, exchanged humorous Facebook comments with some of you. With some of you, I've even met family members, been granted access to workout facilities and been provided references within a particular field I may have been interested in pursuing at that point in time.
Through the HSBBWeb, I've gotten assistance in being recruited to play college baseball, summer collegiate baseball, workouts, injury rehabilitation, financial advice. Through the HSBBWeb, I've become a published writer and a radio talk show host.
Through all of the years I've been a member here, directly or indirectly, each and every minute I spend on this site has influenced me as an individual and as a baseball player. The knowledge that I have gathered here, in my opinion, is second to only the knowledge I've gained from being on the field in terms of knowledge specific to the game. And the connections I've made, I assure you, can be directly traced back to this community.
One such connection is something in particular that I'd like to focus on here. About a year and a half ago, I received a phone call from Cleveland Dad (CD as he is widely known here) asking if I'd be interested in joining him on the HSBBWeb Radio Show, a new idea he'd come up with. I said sure...it seemed like an easy way to pass the time for the remainder of the summer and it'd be fun speaking with some baseball people. And boy...was it ever. We spoke to countless individuals- high school coaches, college coaches, professional scouts, athletic trainers, authors, college players, professional players, etc. It was truly a great experience getting to know each of these individuals we interviewed and I had a lot of fun while we did it.
I kept in touch with many of the individuals we interviewed over time, and some of those have turned themselves into working professional relationships. One individual I kept in touch with was a man named Vince Gennaro (www.vincegennaro.com), whom we had interviewed over a year ago. Vince and I exchanged thoughts and information about the game of baseball for a while, and gained a mutual respect for one another.
Just last month I found myself at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, working for VInce and the Society for American Baseball Research at the Baseball Winter Meetings. It was during my time in Nashville that I was afforded the opportunity to interview for several positions within professional baseball for the future.
Now that my graduate degree will be finishing up in May, everything is beginning to fall into place. One of the interviews that I had in Nashville turned into an official job offer, one which I accepted and will begin in June.
I will be working in the Advanced Scouting department for the Washington Nationals, providing minor league scouting reports to each team and the Nationals organization front office.
It is an opportunity that provides me with the opportunity to stay actively involved in the game beyond graduation, and provides me with the opportunity to work in an extremely desirable and high-demand environment. Most of all, it provides me with the opportunity to get paid to watch baseball...which in and of itself seems almost silly it sounds so cool to me.
As I continue to advance in years (I've learned from "old people" that the word "old" isn't fun), and my career on the field winds down, I find myself able to continue within the game...and a lot of thanks and credit is due in the direction of the HSBBWeb.
Thanks once again to everyone here. This is truly an amazing community.
And...as a sign off for this post, I suppose a new signature is fitting:
Go Nationals