Delicate subject

I don't know how to word this delicately, but I want to try because it is not directed at one poster and I don't mean to offend or anger anyone. I fully understand the sentiment "if you don't like a topic, don't read it!!!" <-- I get it. But, one of the things that turns people off most about the recent line of discussion in the Texas Forum (common in several topics) is the somewhat blatant promotion of a kid, a few kids, or a team of kids -- summer or otherwise.

I love high school baseball -- and I love hearing about good HS baseball players. I cannot possibly see them all -- I'm tied up on Tueday and Friday nights. I watch my son's team in the summer....not the younger age groups. Based on the insight provided here and through other baseball "sources", I think (haha) I have a pretty good handle on the top tier varsity players in town --- and a few in other parts of the state. I don't see myself as a Jason Becker or the like -- who work hard to know the best kids around the state and in other parts of the country. But, DFW....ok, I know of most of them. If your son or your best friend's son or your son's summer team of great players are the real deal, they will be noticed and recognized.

My son played V as an underclassman. I'm sure I ruffled more than a few feathers with some of the things I posted back then. Maybe I was an idiot on more than one occasion? Was I an idiot?

I just want to provide advice as an old man. Be careful about outlandish promotion of your favorite players. Let their play speak for itself. Let their baseball "image" be formed by others that see them compete. Todd Wills will notice, David McNabb will notice, Jason Becker will notice, Perfect Game will notice, the scouts will notice, the HSBBWEB posters will notice. I suggest you think twice before getting involved in the promotion game.

Yes, we shower each other with congratulations at times. We recognize accomplishments. We salute success. We form friendships. We pray for each other. And, in this regard, perhaps we "promote" without the specific intent. Maybe we go too far on occasion.

The BEST 5A team? The BEST Plano team? The BEST 18U team? They say baseball is a talking sport....and many of us talk about little else. The BEST senior pitchers? Most of us read the lists, see whose on them, wonder why Johnny isn't, and talk more. For whatever reason, the discussions that focus on who's the best seem to offend others. Ken used to hate those discussions.....and many of us hated his blanket discard for lists because it made us feel stoopid for toying with them. I confess -- I like lists....I read the rankings....I form opinions based on them.

My comments are not directed at a single poster. They're not directed at the Plano posters (although I could start there) I suppose this is more of a vent. I'm venting.

GO...........TEAM!