I Always Knew ......

Bob,
Even though I haven't posted much, I have visited this site since my son was a junior in high school. He is now in his second year of professional baseball. I still visit now and then just to see what is happening with all the other posters' sons. Just want to say "thanks for the memories." The site has been a priceless commodity to all baseball parents and players everywhere! Best of luck to you and your family!

Bob,

Thanks for all you have done for so many. Heaven has a special place for those such as you and your family.(We know Sue was the real "worker" in setting up the site ).

I have appreciated ALL of the relationship/contacts that hsbaseballweb.com made available to me over the years. Best of wishes to ya'll!

See ya' on the dirt roads!

OPP

SOS!! Save Our Site!!

Bob,

I have always thought you were a very special person for all the things you did to help young players and their parents.

Thanks for all of it Bob - and thanks for being a friend.

God bless you and your family - Paul

Bob,
My family is one of the many that this site has helped.
Thank you for all that you have done.
Best wishes to you and your family
njbb

Add me to the list of those grateful to have found this site. My son just finished his freshman year in college. The info and advice from this site helped put him in the great place he is today. NEVER seen another website like this (no offense to anyone else out there trying to do the magic that this site does).

Bob, I love you man! I have expressed my appreciation many time for Bob Howdeshell and all he’s done for youth/high school baseball. Today is no different. I will always feel that way. What Bob has done is one of the greatest things to happen to high school baseball. The one thing I think we should all do is respect Bob’s wishes. I’m sure Bob has muddled over every conceivable way that would allow his hard work and innovative ideas to continue to be that one bastion of baseball information that every young player needs and every parent searches for. If BOB wants “THE” HSBBW to continue, he knows there are MANY that will be willing to step forward and do their best to carry on the tradition. On the other hand I know the HSBBW is very special to Bob Howdeshell, the HSBBW is a personal monument he has built with his personal sacrifices molded from his own ideas. There was no template for the HSBBW ... it is the result of his vision and his desire to help his son and others like his son. How do you pass that on? How do you give that to anyone? I don’t think you can give something so personal. If we look at the big picture we understand Bob has given the baseball world the template for a HSBBW. There are many that can re-create the nuts and bolts of a high school baseball website but the real character and worth of a website will always depend on the person behind the screen. In order for the tradition to continue, as we know it, a person will have to emerge that has the same commitment and the same unselfishness as the one we call “MR. HSBBW“.
Thank you Bob.
Luke Bell....or Fungo, as I used to be called.

Bob,

This is a wonderful site and resource for clodhoppers like me. I don't bring much to the table, except a hunger for knowledge to aid my child, and I have found it here. I know of no other site that provides what is found here.

You have done a tremendous service for all of us, and although I understand your reasons for moving along, I would also ask that you consider the offers from others who have the ability to continue to make the HSBBW a viable resource.

Best of luck and many thanks,
Eddie Kemp

Gosh Bob I've been in the background reading and learning from this wonderful site for several years. As a matter of fact, BeenthereIL and I met in 2002 at the CABA World Series where my son played on his team from conversations from this site. I have told countless baseball people about the resources on this web page. You have helped so many parents and athletes with their progression that you will never be thanked for. This is truly sad news for baseball folks

Say it ain't so...Say it ain't so

Good luck in your future endeavors! To help as many people as this one did is truly awesome.


God bless you and the Howdeshell family.
Thanks for the years,

Barry

I would like to add my sincere thanks to Bob for guiding my son and our family since September, 1999 through the recruiting process. I doubt I will ever be able to say that any one thing was as invaluable as this website has been.

Bob, your genius and generosity are so valued by this one NY MOM.

With deepest appreciation,
Caroline Young

Wow, a friend just alerted me to this announcement.

Bob, I would like to volunteer to recreate the site as www.hsbbweb.com, or with your original domain name if you wish to transfer it. This site has done too much good for so many people to just fade away! I own a very small Web development company as my fulltime job. I don't know how expensive it would be for me to rent sufficient web space to host a site with this level of activity, but I'll look into it.

It wouldn't be the same without you Bob, but I'd be willing to try. We'll see what happens here, but if any users of this site want to be put on a list for notification if this site transitions into hsbbweb.com send me an e-mail at jas@pclink.com with a subject line of HSBBWEB, and make sure to include your name and e-mail address.

MN-Mom

Wow, all good things come to an end I guess, but hopefully it doesn't. This site has meant everything for me as a player and a person. Without this site, I would be completely lost in the recruiting process and I would not even know what a showcase is. This site has exposed me to all of the important factors included in baseball recruitng. Thank you for such a wonderful site and helping many others like myself.

-Leftycatcher

Thanks to you, Bob, this site was of immeasurable benefit to a family who, when they stumbled upon it, only knew that one of its sons carried a passionate dream. Like hundreds, if not, thousands of this board's beneficiaries, today he lives that dream.

With deepest gratitude,
Clayton Woodard

Memories... oh the memories we shall always have of "The World Famous" hsbbweb - by Bob Howdeshell and also known by his regular websters as "The Grand-Pooh Bah"...

A small beginning years ago when Bob Howdeshell thought of an idea to begin a communication dialogue with common baseball folks simply because he wanted to help his son get to the next level. He like the rest of us, had many questions about the who, what, when, where, why and how to help his/our sons get to the next level in this game we all love so much - BASEBALL.

Bob, you created the most sought after source of High School Baseball information to be found on the "World Wide Web" for the young player, his parents and other baseball vip's in the world today.

We all remember some of the first things "we use to do" in the morning to begin our day:

1) bathroom
2) coffee, tea, or soda
3) morning papers

Now...

1) bathroom
2) read the hsbbweb
3) coffee, tea, soda, morning papers, etc.

Thank you Bob, thank your family and everything you have done for the "thousands" of young baseball players in hope of fulfilling their dreams of playing baseball at the next level.

Like Fungo said, I love you man...

Best wishes, Mr. Scout...

Sincerely,

Mike Redwine & family

Bob,

As many of the other "websters" have posted, I thank you, for the hours of entertainment and information that you poured your time into...

Because of your web site, I was lucky enough to meet (in person) you, OPP, Trhit, Bama Bomber, Gloveman and several others. All of you guys helped my son through the recruiting process, and finally on to college.

Please, keep in touch. I wish all the best for you and your family.

Be good, my friend.
David Marshall

another sincere thanks Bob,
from our family for all your board has done for us and the many others to whom we have passed your site or info within along to -

also wishing the best to you and the family

also guess I pretty much feel the way - the poster formerly known as "Fungo" does -
the template is there for someone to continue, but I'd understand completely if ya just couldn't part with "YOUR BABY"

thanks again - Mark Hawranick - the poster formerly known as "Bee>"

Despite being relativly new, I too will miss this site. I stumbled across it a while back and have found it to be a very useful and fun place to learn and exchange ideas. I have learned of things I didn't know existed. Bob and the rest of you have fueled my desire to research and learn a lot more about baseball. It has been rewarding to hear of the joys and struggles and be reminded that behind all those ballplayers out there are a lot of families giving tons of support.

Before May 31 I'll need to print all the articles so I'll have the info available.

Thanks for a lot!!!

Today, my son stood in a beautiful D1 baseball park at the plate and stroked his first conference HR. It might not have happened if it were not for this site.

I am grateful.

And so it seems, we will now all be former observers................?

FO, How sweet it is......I am very happy for you, and will miss your posts.

Bob,

You're the best! Thanks for getting this thing started. I know the information from this site helped me along the way as well as many, many others.
There should be more people in the world that are as caring and giving as Bob Howdeshell. I am very honored to have met you, Bob. I just hope I have not seen the last of you.
Thanks again! Many lives have been changed for the better because of this sight. Here's wishing you and yours all the best!

Zach

bob,

you have a pm

bbscout,

Have missed you posts recently, too.

Now recalling four years or so ago, when my son was a HS freshman, your gentle guidance about getting drafting, enjoying high school, and just letting things happen.

You might not realize just how much impact you and the rest of the real "old timers" had on me and my boys baseball paths.

I listened and allowed your advice to impact our decisions.

This is a tremendous site for young high school baseball players to maintain a track into college baseball.

As the hsbaseballweb continues to evolve, I am not sure it can return to the same way it was four years ago for me, in any form.

But, there are paths there to be followed and certain players will continue to find those paths and reach the highest levels of baseball.

And without Bob Howdshell to continue, Perfect Game is a logical continuance, even with the howls of favoritism that are surely to follow.

One thing I noticed while my son was on his journey is that the others on the path with him weren't howling.........................

Bob,

My dad has always said to me "If you're going to do it, then do it right"

My dad would deffinately like you Bob,

All the best,

Dave

Dear Bob,

Although I have never met you, I would like to thank you for this site. I have only been here a couple of months but have learned so much. Please consider letting some of your "more trusted" posters continue this site. My boys (all 4 of them) are young and don't want to imagine going through the high school years without the HSBBW. Please consider PG or TRhit. I know they are passionate, as you, about this. Again, no matter how this turns out, thank you from my family.

Jodi

Bob,

It's funny how the HSBB site has become a part of my daily life, and the idea of it not being here leaves a big gap! Altho I am the only one in my family who frequents the site...I can't tell you how many times when we sit down to dinner my husband and/or kids will ask "So mom, what did you learn today on that baseball site?". Thanks to the HSBB, I now have a group of "mom friends" that I got the chance to meet personally, and consider some of my best friends due to our shared interests (our sons and baseball!). Thank you for bringing us together, and thank you for all that you do. You will definetly be missed...and I agree with a previous poster...you ARE the George Bailey of cyberspace!

Kathy (luvbb)

Bob,

I have been out of town and just jumped on my favorite site to see that you are moving on. Back in the day when I first registered, I never thought much about the site not being around anymore. I guess it is like anything else we like and are comfortable with; you just do not appreaciate it until it is gone.

Although I was much more active with my posting/opinions before you made the "switch" to the current website, there is not a day that goes by that I do not check in to see what is going on.

There is nothing I can say or write to express my gratitude for what you have done for me, my son, and more importantly the sport we all love....baseball.

I also had to make a difficult decision this year after 18 years of coaching and for better or worse will retire from coaching and enter into scouting as well. I wish you and your family nothing but success and maybe someday, somewhere, we will bump into each other at a baseball field.

Thank you again and take care of yourself and yours.

Mike

Wow! I haven't visited the site in a couple of weeks and am shocked! I found this site last summer. I've learned so much and am addicted-my son checks in some but mainly just lets me tell him what I find out. He is going to be a junior in high school next year and we need this site! I started as a mom with a son with some talent but had no idea what we needed to do. I can honestly say without this website it would still be true. I know we still have alot to learn and know we can find the answers here with the help of all the great posters and info.Please find a solution

Bob,
I just saw the announcement today and it hit a little too hard form me to say much right now. Too many emotions at the moment come to mind and too many friends to mention for the sake of missing someone.

No matter the outcome, our friendship is something to cherish. A friendship that would have never happen without this site.

Hiwasse: I'm with you - just got back and saw the posting. I suppose we all knew this could happen; I do hope someone can keep it going in a manner that pleases Bob, since it is his baby.
I do know that through the last six years with Brian this website has been a lifeline. Now he is coming to the end of his college career and the beginning of his life as a teacher and coach, and through it all, the HSBW family has been supportive, prayerful, encouraging and a downright hoot all of the time. Even our disagreements worked themselves out - poor Andy, where will he go???!!!
Bob, thank you for everything - the time, effort, money, aggravation, putting up with us, etc., etc. I could go on for pages - many of us are indebted to you for so much. If you are ever scouting up here in Maryland, please let me know!
Forever grateful,
Meg Brewer

I have very mixed emotions about this.
First:
Thank you Bob, THANK YOU and best of luck to you and yours going forward.

Second:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOT NOW!!!! The kid just finished his 2nd year of High School now what the heck are we gonna do?

Bob,
I have not been on the site in some time....this being "State" time, wanted to check out the scuttlebutt on the Admiral's.....I would like to thank you for all you did for HSBB in general, and specifically what you did to promote my son.
Thanks
Soupkitchen and Family

Bob:

Grand Pooooooh Baaaaaah!!!!

Thanks for the friendship over the last 7 long years. You will never know how much this site has ment to me and so many others. You are a class act and I will have fond memories of this web site and the friends I made for the rest of my life.

Thank you my good friend!

Wow Bob. I knew you'd been busy lately, and can certainly respect your decision.

What you've done for us on this site is immeasurable. There's no way I would have been as prepared as I was for college recruiting without the valuable knowledge I gleaned from you and others.

"Thank you" is not enough for what you've done.

This place will be missed.

I to have mixed emotions. I am not one of those who believe ALL good things must end someday.
Thank you Bob for creating this site, hope things can work out for a continuation somewhere. Without the HSBBW I would be missing out on a lot of meaningful relationships I have made in the past few years.
For me, it it was not about gaining knowledge or giving it, but about the people that have given and asked.
Best of luck to you and your family.
Barbara Kopp aka TPM

only 7 days till the 31st...

Bob,

What a wonderful atmosphere you have created. All of the lives that you positively impacted cannot be counted. I hope it comes back to you tenfold.

BTW, I sent you another PM. I would be willing to keep the site going.

Thanks so much for all HSBaseballWeb and you, Bob, have done for high school baseball. We all owe you a tremendous debt!! Here's hoping that Perfect Game will provide a similar outlet for information-sharing for our guys.

Thanks again,
DugoutDad

Bob,

Not much to say that others haven't. This site has taught me so much in my 4 years. What a great forum and great idea. It took my oldest to college and the knowledge gained should help my youngest.

Feels like a close friend has passed away.

I'd subscribe if it ever came to that.

Good Luck and thanks for all your years of time spent to help baseball.

What can I say that already hasn't been said? I found this site a couple of years ago and it has helped me and my sons to learn more and more about the process of baseball. I had one son to graduate last year, but he wasn't recruited too heavy and now he is supporting his younger brothers along their way. I hope and pray that something can be worked out to save this great site. And if not, I will miss it and the people who have gave me advice and knowledge to carry on my son's dream's.

Thank's Bob and good luck with the scouting.
Tim Smith, formerly tasmit.

has it been 7 years? I was in middle school when Dad started this site. This site has grown to be a very valuable resource for those that need the info. At first I laughed at dad for spending so much time working on the site. I never really got on here and read the things people post until my junior year of college. Like any other kid growing up I didn't fully appreciate the effort and love he put towards helping me get to where I am now. Of all the people on this site, I am the most appreciative of my father's hard work in putting this thing together. Without him I would have failed.

To everyone else that has made the site what it is: thank you. Thank you for all the amusing entertainment you have given my roomamtes and I over the years. I know we always got a kick outta what Jolly Roger would have to say.

Thanks Dad