Best Piece of Advice?

Great question - while there have been many bits and pieces over the years, sticking to the rules the one piece would be:

Enjoy every minute of the ride because high school baseball will be over before you know it.

It was implied and not gingerly; the advice was don't get too excited here about your son or his accomplishments, lest you get to wear the wet blanket. Good advice in that it reminded me to be humble.

Dad04, great, great topic.
Best piece of advice came from bbscout, and he had lots of great advice.
That advice was to the effect that I should quit worrying about whether a DIII kid can get drafted. Pro Scouts get paid to find players who can play and are projectable. If they don't find those type of players, they get fired.
I quit worrying and the professional scouts, one at least, did the rest.

It is a great topic Dad04.

Time and time again, I just feel that Fungo's advice is a strike right across the middle of the plate for the way I look at things. It just resonates with me.

Have appreciated the opportunity to have more-or-less a running dialogue with PGStaff...sometimes disagree, many times agree...but always from experience...from someone who has "forgotten more about baseball than I'll ever know."

And bbscout...like infielddad said...some really great conversations at Sunken Diamond over a number of years.

But the very best "advice" I ever got from this site...came from infielddad, TPM and Fungo. When our son got injured...and had some hiccups on the road back the following season...TPM and Fungo were constantly emailing me, encouraging, listening, helping.

And infielddad, well he just said, "Meet me at the Goose!" (Thats a local burger/beer joint). And we'd get a pitcher of beer and sit and talk and he'd just listen...and gently steer me to thoughts/places/ideas that I was able to use to help my son.

By helping me...offering advice to me as to how to handle some tough times as a parent...TPM, Fungo and infielddad made a BIG difference in our son's comeback. That was the best "advice" or therapy in this case.

Thanks!

"Be nice" but I don't completely buy into it , so,

I don't know if it was advise but I think it was the most important message ever posted.

"Baseball is important but it will never beat family"

Very few need to be told, but when baseball becomes an obsession, it's nice to be reminded.

I was astounded when I first started lurking and figured out who the likes of bbscout and PGStaff were. It really highlighted the power of the Internet where a family in the East could connect with a West Coast scout thousands of miles away.

Meeting OPP in the chatroom was a thrill.

Some of my best friends are right here on the hsbbweb. I can't really point to any advice. For me, the inspirational stories are what keep me coming back for more. We get a few knuckleheads here every once in a while but there are an awfully lot of nice people out there

Some of the very best writers and storytellers in the country are right here on the hsbbweb. We have dozens and dozens of them.

Justbaseball, Strange you should mention me when you speak of your son's phenomenal comeback after the injury that would have ended most pitcher's careers. I was thinking of the many things associated with the HSBBW that have shaped me over the years and I immediately thought of your son and the way he handled adversity. His perseverance will always be a great example and a true inspiration for those that are faced with a huge obstacle. That had to come from within ---- and above.
Fungo

For me Coach May has been just what the doctor ordered on several occasions. I don't always agree with him but I respect his passion and energy for the game... he provides great mentorship for me.

Justbaseball,

You would have done the same. The day I found out about Justbaseball son, we were in Omaha and leaving for a game. Needless to say I don't remember much that day, my thoughts and prayers were with you and your family.

So I hope that you truely enjoyed YOUR trip to Omaha.

Seriously folks, I am very sad that many of you never got the chance to know bbscout. I am sure that he has helped a lot of folks here, he is missed.

The person who started this thread ain't too bad on giving out good advice either.

But in my opinion, Fungo isn't known as the wise one for nothing. I suggest that those first coming here read carefully, he knows his stuff and he knows how to express it to! JMO.

quote:

Some of my best friends are right here on the hsbbweb. I can't really point to any advice. For me, the inspirational stories are what keep me coming back for more. We get a few knuckleheads here every once in a while but there are an awfully lot of nice people out there

Some of the very best writers and storytellers in the country are right here on the hsbbweb. We have dozens and dozens of them.

For me it hasn't been one specific thing, at least I can't think of one right now, but it has been the collection of information about the entire world of high school, college and professional baseball. Getting advice and info from people who have gone through the exact same thing my son and we are going through is invaluable. To have hundreds of people willing to share their knowledge is fantastic. Just about any question that I have can be answered on this site. Priceless!!

What I find suprising now is how many people in my area who don't know about this site or don't check it out after I tell them about it. If they only knew what they are missing!

I started lurking here about two years ago. I had a 13 year old that I was hoping to give an upper hand to. I never played sports as a kid so I really didn't/don't know much about the process of becoming a better player.

The one thing that stuck with me, and that I have tried to instill in my son, is seen in many different ways here. It is that hard work, or working harder than the next guy, is going to get you somewhere.

That came to fruition this past weekend. My boy made the team but more impressive is the kid that was at the bottom of the roster on last years eighth grade team. He worked his tail feathers off and became the top prospect.

The only thing going for this kid a year ago was his bat speed. Another father and I discussed this last year. It was agreed that if someone worked with this kid and he was willing to work, he could be a decent ball player.

In tryouts he was the only freshman to hit one out. He went from being 2nd or 3rd in the depth chart at rf and 2b to being the starting SS. Picked up his speed, strengthened his arm, very good footwork. It is just impressive and I love seeing it.

The best part about it is that some of the other kids (mine included) now recognize what a little extra work can do.

When we started the recruiting process by following he timeline, contacting coaches and so forth, the responses from coaches began. The process started to get busy with junior days, Area Code tryouts etc, and then the phone calls started.

The most meaningful advice I got at that time was with all else being equal to "go where you are wanted". I don't remember who said it first, but it was echoed loudly and often by folks with very successful ballplayers in their families, alot of them still posting here.

That is pretty much what happened and it worked out nicely. Thanks.

Best advice came from RZ1 when my son tore his ucl and was facing TJ surgery. He pm'd me his phone number and we talked one night for about 30 minutes.
We were not as scared about the surgery as we originally were. He offered great insight on the rehab and everything. I don't think he will ever know how much that phone call meant to me and my family.

Great thread:

1. SSmom's with her bye line. "play both sports until the competition convinces you otherwise" Plus confirmation of this from HRDAD and others.

I still consider this the one of the most important questions for incoming freshmen.

2. Mary Ann (god bless) for her advice to not try to do too much too soon. Enjoy the ride and let the game come to you.

3. Many others for specific advice about various schools. This type information can not be found any where else.

4. Advice I have not read about or needed yet from 3fingeredglove. (will need you in about 1-2 years, thanks in advance )

quote:

"go where you are wanted"

Yeah, thats one of the very best pieces of advice we get around here.

"Hobby"?????

This is baseball.

It's pert near religion!

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Dad04, great, great topic.
Best piece of advice came from bbscout, and he had lots of great advice.
That advice was to the effect that I should quit worrying about whether a DIII kid can get drafted. Pro Scouts get paid to find players who can play and are projectable. If they don't find those type of players, they get fired.
I quit worrying and the professional scouts, one at least, did the rest.

Well...this NOW qualifies as the best 2nd-hand advice I have gotten on the board.

Infielddad and others were responsible for the best advice...in the savvy of D3 recruiting and especially OVER-recruiting.

.
Speaking of over-recruiting....

I think it was Beezer who posted this a few years ago. This continues to be VERY valuable to my family.

Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool

It used to be pinned up at the top of one of the forums....I don't remember which one and I can't find it anymore. I wish it could be pinned up somewhere again....

.
The next best piece of advice? To go to a school where you'd like to attend if the sport didn't exist. Things happen. Injuries, coaching changes, etc. It's said all the time, but I guess until you live it, do you know the important value of that suggestion. Because it could never happen to you!

But it can.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:

quote:

"go where you are wanted"

Yeah, thats one of the very best pieces of advice we get around here.

I remember reading when I first came, go where you are wanted not necessarily where you want to go.

I thought, now that makes no sense. But actually after going through the process, it does.

quote:

The only thing going for this kid a year ago was his bat speed. Another father and I discussed this last year. It was agreed that if someone worked with this kid and he was willing to work, he could be a decent ball player.

In tryouts he was the only freshman to hit one out. He went from being 2nd or 3rd in the depth chart at rf and 2b to being the starting SS. Picked up his speed, strengthened his arm, very good footwork. It is just impressive and I love seeing it.

Thats the stuff I love to see

There is so much good advice and so many great people on HSBBW it is hard to say. Some of the best advice I have taken to heart would be:

Enjoy the player you have right now.

Pick a school that you would attend even without baseball.

Trust your son, he will know when it's the right fit.

Thanks to you all.
I will back up and say the BEST advice would have to be being told about the HSBBWEB.

"Go to the school you like the most that wants you the most."

OMG, I just noticed I'm up to 1799 posts. Proof postitive you don't have to be smart to post on here.



p.s. to RZ: It is now..or was...

hokieone

Not to be a stickler, but that's 1800

quote:

what's the best piece of advice I received?

Someone walked up to me after one of my son's games about 6 years ago and told me I should check out the HSBBW. He said "there is some very good information on their that may come in handy if your son progresses."

Boy was that an understatement!

Julie should take the "best of HSBBW" and put a book together. I bet it would be a best seller in the amateur baseball community. FUNGO, OPP, PGStaff, Cleveland Dad, TPM, justbb, Coach May and others could have their own chapters. Gotwood and the Moose will have to wait for the comic book version to come out. After paying some web admin bills maybe Julie could use the rest of the proceeds to fund a HSBBW scholarship!

So many posters come to mind that I'm afraid I would leave an important one out if I were to try name them all. I began lurking years ago and much advice was gained initially through others being "brave" enough to post similar questions I had. The "Recruiting Timeline" definetly helped us be organized and pro-active. This site helped us to develop more realistic expectations. Lots of laughs "Bubba's Showcase," traditions "What are those Karma pts?" prayers shared (Future Back Mom/MaryAnn), meeting HSBBW folks from East to West Coast in person, All the college freshman and collegiate summer woodbat league info., following Real Experiences at EVERY Level - Thanks to all who take the time to share.

I have received so much great advice from people on this site it would be impossible to say which was best. But I will say that one of the most valuable things I have found here is the ability to talk directly to a parent who has a son in virtually any college program in the country.

There is no better source of information about a college baseball program than a parent. Just choosing a college is fraught with uncertainty - but when add to that uncertainty the question of fit into a college's baseball program, coaching staff, etc - and the uncertainty multiplies.

Having access to people with direct experience with virtually any college goes a long way to reducing some of this uncertainty.

I will also reiterate what others have said here as far as the most important advice: choose a college that you would want to attend even if baseball is not in the picture.

quote:

RK posted: Having access to people with direct experience with virtually any college goes a long way to reducing some of this uncertainty.

Amen to that.

don't tug on Superman's cape
don't spit into the wind
don't pull the mask off an 'ole Lone Ranger
you don't mess around with TPM

.





.

Don't spppittt intotoo teh windddd.....

quote:

In tryouts he was the only freshman to hit one out

That always works.

Best piece of advice we got was when my son didn't make the 9-10 AS in LL. When I asked the coach why he said, "He's not good enough. If you don't like it, go play travel ball." We didn't like it and we played travel. Well, it may not be the best, but it was the first one that started the ball rolling.

OK...I know I have answered once...but I need to relay the advice I got from a college coach long before I started lurking around the HSBBW.

He saw some talent and drive in my son as an 8 year old...and told me he would have a difficult time reaching his maximum potential just playing Little League...and told me about AAU baseball. I had no idea travel ball even existed.

The other advice he gave me was political..."Don't get trapped into your son as the SS...even if he is better. Expose him to ALL the positions...so if a kid gets moved around...it will be your's." (Although it didn't help as much with the politics of travel ball parents, it helped my son's development as a versatile player).