I will make the clarification one final time. And that is my comment was made in regard to a player's development.
From both personal experience and from observation, I have come to the conclusion that you best build skills by playing against the toughest competition you can find.
When I played sports, I gained the most when I played competition that was better than I. I played both team and individual sports. And in both I wanted to play against the best. In individual sports, I would play against someone until I could beat them. Then I would move on and find someone I couldn't beat and play them. And when I could beat them, I found someone tougher yet. I learned something from each opponent. And I raised my game far more than I would have otherwise.
I gained next to nothing - in terms of developing skills - from whipping up on weak competition.
If a ballplayer is on a top tier select team, he plays against tough competition. And he gains from doing this not only in terms of physical skills but also in mental toughness.
I have seen several of the HS teams that went to state (5A and 4A) play. And I know a couple of those teams well. And those HS teams, as good as they are, don't hold a candle to Kyle Chapman, the Houston Heat, Columbia Angels, etc. If you want to play at the highest level, you will find that in summer and fall ball. Not in HS.
Please note that the above does NOT mean that a player doesn't give it everything he has every time he steps on the field - whether game or practice. Please don't incorrectly extrapolate from what I posted. I always taught my son & my players to give it 100% all the time. My son has taken that to heart, and built a reputation on this trait. As a scout said about him (after seeing him spend many hours, year round, on the practice field when no one else was around), "Nobody works harder."
But if anyone thinks that every single situation is just as important to a player's skill development... Well, I just don't agree with that. And I hope that is not what Ken was saying.
And I agree with KD in that there are many, many fine young men out there. I have had the privilege of coaching some of them over the years. And my son has had the privilege of playing with or against many more.
Merry Christmas all...
Texan, your disdain for HS baseball is just plain strange.
Would the best summer select teams beat most of the UIL state finalists? Most of the time, but again remember that most of the UIL state finalists have the same upper echelon starting pitchers that are on the best summer select teams.
Could the MLB World Champion Chicago White Sox beat the American League All-Star team in a 7 game series? Probably not - but does that lessen the achievement of the White Sox? Not to me.
HS and summer select baseball are DIFFERENT - but one is no less or more important than the other. My son would be lost without both.
I hope you have not passed your negative attitude about HS baseball on to your son. He would be a fun guy to have on the HS team - someone who shows up every day but thinks it is beneath him to have to be on the field with a bunch of lesser players than he.
Would the best summer select teams beat most of the UIL state finalists? Most of the time, but again remember that most of the UIL state finalists have the same upper echelon starting pitchers that are on the best summer select teams.
Could the MLB World Champion Chicago White Sox beat the American League All-Star team in a 7 game series? Probably not - but does that lessen the achievement of the White Sox? Not to me.
HS and summer select baseball are DIFFERENT - but one is no less or more important than the other. My son would be lost without both.
I hope you have not passed your negative attitude about HS baseball on to your son. He would be a fun guy to have on the HS team - someone who shows up every day but thinks it is beneath him to have to be on the field with a bunch of lesser players than he.
quote:Originally posted by indugu:
No wonder the Lake Highland Wildcats won the Connie Mack Regional Tournament and proceeded to the Connie Mack WS. They had lesser high school players on their team.
Lake Highlands Wildcats = TEAM!!!!
I think this discussion is traveling down the wrong path. The LH Wildcats weren't necessarily the best team in this region, even though they were a very good TEAM. The Farmington results revealed that fact. I don't think they played in East Cobb or the other "big" national tournaments -- DBAT gave up how many runs in Georgia??? Yadda yadda yadda -- who cares....
The Wildcats played a great regional tournament -- they deserved to win. But tournament results do not always reveal the team with the most talent -- likewise, the team with the most talent does not always win -- the point is worth the redundancy. Besides, teams win the year-end tournaments with rosters that resemble those used during the previous 2 months....the line-ups are rarely the same. The teams that win in July and August find the right combination of TEAM and talent -- and string together 5-6 wins in a row in a given event.
Indugu, I'm not sure I understand your point. The Connie Mack regional tournament was not a high school tournament, it was a select tournament for high school age kids. The LH Wildcats were not a HS team, they were a select team.....and the statement, "they had lesser high school players on their team" will ALWAYS translate to "they had lesser SELECT players on their team". So......huh?
Some of you just like to argue. Most of you agree with the basis of Texan's comments concerning HS versus select, we've seen it in other discussions -- you just want to argue with him.
I suppose we're all tuning in because there are no other active discussions....but what benefit is there in analyzing "today's kid" any more than "today's coach" or "today's parent"?
The original topic was about young HS players and whether playing JV versus learning by watching on Varsity was most beneficial to their development. And, in most examples, we aren't talking about kids that dominate JV -- we're talking about kids that could possibly contribute on V. I think the comments were split -- before we wandered ------ some felt like the innings and experience were more beneficial, others think the learning experience is better. In either case, we all know that these are coaches' decisions.
Where do we go from here? Isn't this a good time for catcher to provide details on the next Marshals event?
The Wildcats played a great regional tournament -- they deserved to win. But tournament results do not always reveal the team with the most talent -- likewise, the team with the most talent does not always win -- the point is worth the redundancy. Besides, teams win the year-end tournaments with rosters that resemble those used during the previous 2 months....the line-ups are rarely the same. The teams that win in July and August find the right combination of TEAM and talent -- and string together 5-6 wins in a row in a given event.
Indugu, I'm not sure I understand your point. The Connie Mack regional tournament was not a high school tournament, it was a select tournament for high school age kids. The LH Wildcats were not a HS team, they were a select team.....and the statement, "they had lesser high school players on their team" will ALWAYS translate to "they had lesser SELECT players on their team". So......huh?
Some of you just like to argue. Most of you agree with the basis of Texan's comments concerning HS versus select, we've seen it in other discussions -- you just want to argue with him.
I suppose we're all tuning in because there are no other active discussions....but what benefit is there in analyzing "today's kid" any more than "today's coach" or "today's parent"?
The original topic was about young HS players and whether playing JV versus learning by watching on Varsity was most beneficial to their development. And, in most examples, we aren't talking about kids that dominate JV -- we're talking about kids that could possibly contribute on V. I think the comments were split -- before we wandered ------ some felt like the innings and experience were more beneficial, others think the learning experience is better. In either case, we all know that these are coaches' decisions.
Where do we go from here? Isn't this a good time for catcher to provide details on the next Marshals event?
PD, I know this is off original topic and sorry to extend the discussion but wanted to offer my opinion.... and it's a very slow day at the office.
Texan said:
IMO, the proportion of good-to-bad teams is about the same in both HS and summer ball.
There are good HS baseball coaches and then there are lots of HS football coaches that run the HS baseball team. Most cities that have one or two schools tend to have better programs than schools in the much larger cities. It's give and take. If you are fortunate enough to play for a strong baseball program at the HS level - enjoy it. Many players do not have that luxury and place more importance on summer ball.
Just as it is unfair to paint all HS programs with a broad stroke it is equally unfair to do the same with summer teams. Even the very best teams have limited opportunity for practice and making the players better in the two months they are together whereas the HS coaches have months and months of practices to teach the kids the game. Often, some of the best players don't even join their summer teams until well into the summer due to the HS playoffs. In my personal experience, our first summer practices at the 18U level focus primarily on teaching players fundamentals such as how to properly run bases, make relay throws and play defense. Nothing is a given. You would be surprised how many players (even elite ones) there are that have not been taught properly through years of HS and summer baseball.
Like HS, in the summer there are good baseball coaches and then many not-so-good ones. The best teams are generally comprised of the best players and therefore considered the "elite" teams. However, just because you have the best players does not mean you will go the farthest. Some summer teams are obscenely talented but saddled with coaches that just make a lineup and run them out there without teaching them anything at all. I have witnessed "elite" teams underachieve because of poor coaching even though they had the most talent in the Regional tournament. More and more I am seeing organizations with teams that have kids teaching kids. Because of the explosion in the number of summer teams it is becoming more practical for teams to hire head coaches that are just recently out of baseball themselves and have little coaching experience. This often does not bode well for the players.
In my select baseball experience I have been associated with some of the best baseball coaches to be found in youth baseball but also with some of the worst. Some that give freely of their time on and off the field and others that push products on their kids to make money. I have known summer coaches on "elite" teams to yell at and embarrass their players on the field for not doing things the coach thought they should have known to do at that level - even though he did not and could not teach them to do it himself. Coaches that have taken the fun out of the game and caused the players and parents to despise him. On the other hand, I have known coaches that are revered by players and parents and have done more to help a player's baseball development over one summer than had been thought possible.
At a glance, it is not so easy to differentiate between the good and bad coaches in summer ball. Often they all look alike, talk a good game and tout their personal playing experience. Just about anybody can recruit a good summer team and fill out a lineup card, however, I have long thought that the best indicator of good coaching is evidenced by the teams that get better from the start of the season to the end of the season whether it be HS or summer. Too many would-be good coaches talk a good game but the truly good coaches are the ones that teach a good game.
Texan said:
quote:And perhaps I should have been more clear - the really important ball in terms of the player's development is the select ball played in the summer & fall.
IMO, the proportion of good-to-bad teams is about the same in both HS and summer ball.
There are good HS baseball coaches and then there are lots of HS football coaches that run the HS baseball team. Most cities that have one or two schools tend to have better programs than schools in the much larger cities. It's give and take. If you are fortunate enough to play for a strong baseball program at the HS level - enjoy it. Many players do not have that luxury and place more importance on summer ball.
Just as it is unfair to paint all HS programs with a broad stroke it is equally unfair to do the same with summer teams. Even the very best teams have limited opportunity for practice and making the players better in the two months they are together whereas the HS coaches have months and months of practices to teach the kids the game. Often, some of the best players don't even join their summer teams until well into the summer due to the HS playoffs. In my personal experience, our first summer practices at the 18U level focus primarily on teaching players fundamentals such as how to properly run bases, make relay throws and play defense. Nothing is a given. You would be surprised how many players (even elite ones) there are that have not been taught properly through years of HS and summer baseball.
Like HS, in the summer there are good baseball coaches and then many not-so-good ones. The best teams are generally comprised of the best players and therefore considered the "elite" teams. However, just because you have the best players does not mean you will go the farthest. Some summer teams are obscenely talented but saddled with coaches that just make a lineup and run them out there without teaching them anything at all. I have witnessed "elite" teams underachieve because of poor coaching even though they had the most talent in the Regional tournament. More and more I am seeing organizations with teams that have kids teaching kids. Because of the explosion in the number of summer teams it is becoming more practical for teams to hire head coaches that are just recently out of baseball themselves and have little coaching experience. This often does not bode well for the players.
In my select baseball experience I have been associated with some of the best baseball coaches to be found in youth baseball but also with some of the worst. Some that give freely of their time on and off the field and others that push products on their kids to make money. I have known summer coaches on "elite" teams to yell at and embarrass their players on the field for not doing things the coach thought they should have known to do at that level - even though he did not and could not teach them to do it himself. Coaches that have taken the fun out of the game and caused the players and parents to despise him. On the other hand, I have known coaches that are revered by players and parents and have done more to help a player's baseball development over one summer than had been thought possible.
At a glance, it is not so easy to differentiate between the good and bad coaches in summer ball. Often they all look alike, talk a good game and tout their personal playing experience. Just about anybody can recruit a good summer team and fill out a lineup card, however, I have long thought that the best indicator of good coaching is evidenced by the teams that get better from the start of the season to the end of the season whether it be HS or summer. Too many would-be good coaches talk a good game but the truly good coaches are the ones that teach a good game.
Dbat18 gm do you claim this Indugu dude?
Don't be so hard on Kermit. He's new to the 18U ranks. 
DBAT 18 GM,
Teachers of the Game like you and others on your staff, are the reason we spend so much time at DBAT every week; in season and off season. Merry Christmas!
Teachers of the Game like you and others on your staff, are the reason we spend so much time at DBAT every week; in season and off season. Merry Christmas!
I don't coach so much anymore and I would not classify myself as a teacher of the game but I will certainly agree that there are currently some truly outstanding baseball coaches teaching the game for DBAT*.quote:DBAT 18 GM,
Teachers of the Game like you and others on your staff, are the reason we spend so much time at DBAT every week; in season and off season. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas back at you!
*These comments are presented purely for entertainment purposes without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform or IQ of any posters or lurkers involved herein. By no means are these comments intended to offend other select baseball programs or indoor facilities nor to be considered as an endorsement or advertisement for DBAT.
Now John, that was funny.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
PREFACE: It has been my experience that.......
I won't argue with Texan. I will praise him for his insight. His experience must be similar to mine. I have debated his points before and been blasted by the same people that now blast him.
Every team we faced in Jupiter was better than any 5A or 4A team that played last June in Round Rock. My son's comments after Jupiter were, "that was the most fun I've ever had playing baseball." That's a powerful statement considering he played in 12 HS playoff games, including two in Round Rock last Spring.
The difference as Texan stated was "the level of competition." Also the difference is the caliber of coaching and instruction that teams like DBAT and other top programs provide in the Summer and Fall. (no, he didn't play for DBAT)
He loves his HS team and Coach. But they also play for the School Board, City Council, Grandma, Cheerleaders, PTA and Booster Club. In Select he plays for the Team and himself. To some this will seem selfish and they can make a good argument. But select ball is why he will be playing at the next level.
PD, this circles back to your original post. I feel a "player with potential" should play at the highest level he can. I feel they will emulate the better players and become a student to them. This will benefit them more than playing time at a lower level.
Again, It has been my experience that.......
I won't argue with Texan. I will praise him for his insight. His experience must be similar to mine. I have debated his points before and been blasted by the same people that now blast him.
Every team we faced in Jupiter was better than any 5A or 4A team that played last June in Round Rock. My son's comments after Jupiter were, "that was the most fun I've ever had playing baseball." That's a powerful statement considering he played in 12 HS playoff games, including two in Round Rock last Spring.
The difference as Texan stated was "the level of competition." Also the difference is the caliber of coaching and instruction that teams like DBAT and other top programs provide in the Summer and Fall. (no, he didn't play for DBAT)
He loves his HS team and Coach. But they also play for the School Board, City Council, Grandma, Cheerleaders, PTA and Booster Club. In Select he plays for the Team and himself. To some this will seem selfish and they can make a good argument. But select ball is why he will be playing at the next level.
PD, this circles back to your original post. I feel a "player with potential" should play at the highest level he can. I feel they will emulate the better players and become a student to them. This will benefit them more than playing time at a lower level.
Again, It has been my experience that.......
quote:Now John, that was funny.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Same to you, Doug. Keep on postin'.......
Let post ONE more time about this...
My disagreement with Texan is NOT his statement that select ball is more competitive than HS ball (althought I think that is too broad of a statement). My disagreement was with his statement that HS ball "was not important".
Does everyone see the difference?
I will say one more time that the general disdainment for HS ball troubles me only because I have the feeling that this attitude may be pushed onto the player from the parents. Baseball is still a TEAM game in spite of the general tone on this board which is "what is best for my son". For the sake of the lowly HS team your son plays on I plead with those who think HS baseball is a waste of time to keep your attitude to yourself when around your son.
Now back to the superiority of "select" ball - I would never argue that select ball is not more competitive and better able to develop the individual skills of my son. That is true in MOST cases. But I can tell you from experience that some of the WORST baseball I have ever seen was last year watching my son play in the 16U BBI league and even in some of the tournaments (at least in the early rounds) that my son's team played in.
My son played for the Dallas Dodgers and it seems like for every good competitive game he played against good teams (DBAT and Tigers) he had to play three 15 run games against other teams that he got nothing out of except just time on the mound or field.
Part of that was because he played on a good team but alot of it was because he played against inferior competition. Believe me he was pushed much harder back in HS spring ball pitching on the Varsity as a sophomore against Carthage HS, Longview HS, Kilgore HS, or Marshall HS than he was against some of those so called "select" BBI teams or even AABC tournament teams.
I think the best team he played against in 2005 was against a "select" team - the Dallas Tigers.
But the best pitcher he pitched against was against Carthage High School - Clayton McMillan.
The best hitter he pitched against was against Kilgore High School - Casey Whitmer.
Now both McMillan and Whitmer played select ball in the summer but he never had to face them in the summer because they played on 18U teams and he played on a 16U team.
ALL baseball is good.
My disagreement with Texan is NOT his statement that select ball is more competitive than HS ball (althought I think that is too broad of a statement). My disagreement was with his statement that HS ball "was not important".
Does everyone see the difference?
I will say one more time that the general disdainment for HS ball troubles me only because I have the feeling that this attitude may be pushed onto the player from the parents. Baseball is still a TEAM game in spite of the general tone on this board which is "what is best for my son". For the sake of the lowly HS team your son plays on I plead with those who think HS baseball is a waste of time to keep your attitude to yourself when around your son.
Now back to the superiority of "select" ball - I would never argue that select ball is not more competitive and better able to develop the individual skills of my son. That is true in MOST cases. But I can tell you from experience that some of the WORST baseball I have ever seen was last year watching my son play in the 16U BBI league and even in some of the tournaments (at least in the early rounds) that my son's team played in.
My son played for the Dallas Dodgers and it seems like for every good competitive game he played against good teams (DBAT and Tigers) he had to play three 15 run games against other teams that he got nothing out of except just time on the mound or field.
Part of that was because he played on a good team but alot of it was because he played against inferior competition. Believe me he was pushed much harder back in HS spring ball pitching on the Varsity as a sophomore against Carthage HS, Longview HS, Kilgore HS, or Marshall HS than he was against some of those so called "select" BBI teams or even AABC tournament teams.
I think the best team he played against in 2005 was against a "select" team - the Dallas Tigers.
But the best pitcher he pitched against was against Carthage High School - Clayton McMillan.
The best hitter he pitched against was against Kilgore High School - Casey Whitmer.
Now both McMillan and Whitmer played select ball in the summer but he never had to face them in the summer because they played on 18U teams and he played on a 16U team.
ALL baseball is good.
Crawdad, I may be wrong here, but I don't think anybody on here "disdains" high school baseball. Some may feel that their summer select team provides a better enviorment for developing their sons skills and more opportunity for exposure to college coaches. But "disdain"...that is pretty strong word to be throwing about.
Question- why do you and your son drive into Dallas to play select ball? Why dosen't your son play legion ball with is high school summer team?
Question- why do you and your son drive into Dallas to play select ball? Why dosen't your son play legion ball with is high school summer team?
I obviously don't write very well.
This is my final post on this subject....My gripe was with the post that stated "HS baseball was not important". I AGREED that summer select baseball was more important in regard to individual player development and exposure.
I did, however, point out that HS baseball could be a very competitive brand of baseball. This was especially true for my son last year who was the #1 pitcher on a 4A baseball team as a 15 year old sophomore. Believe me he was challenged every week.
But it was a let down playing in a BBI 16U league over the summer. The majority of the teams he played were inferior to the Varsity HS teams he played. There will be some changes this summer for him - a new team, probably a new league, and at least playing in the 18U age group.
My only point (and this is my last post on this subject) is that BOTH HS baseball and summer select baseball are valuable to a player - for different reasons but valuable none the less.
That's it - Merry Christmas and I will take my usual 2 months off before I post again.
This is my final post on this subject....My gripe was with the post that stated "HS baseball was not important". I AGREED that summer select baseball was more important in regard to individual player development and exposure.
I did, however, point out that HS baseball could be a very competitive brand of baseball. This was especially true for my son last year who was the #1 pitcher on a 4A baseball team as a 15 year old sophomore. Believe me he was challenged every week.
But it was a let down playing in a BBI 16U league over the summer. The majority of the teams he played were inferior to the Varsity HS teams he played. There will be some changes this summer for him - a new team, probably a new league, and at least playing in the 18U age group.
My only point (and this is my last post on this subject) is that BOTH HS baseball and summer select baseball are valuable to a player - for different reasons but valuable none the less.
That's it - Merry Christmas and I will take my usual 2 months off before I post again.
I actually enjoy the comparisons of hs vs. select.
It matters not which one is the best.
It really is almost two different games.
I had the same thoughts as many here going into the hs process, but changed significanly after first son graduated.
Several issues I think make the comparison difficult.
First the talent pool comes from a more narrow selection in high school. The players within that relatively narrow pool have to compete for a spot. (Not too narrow at large five A schools)
Second, is the volume of play, which is far less in high school than select.
Only about 16-20 district games against maybe a ten game weekend for select at a big tournament.
But, in high school, most every school has 1 or 2 very good pitchers. With only two games per week, the number 1 and number 2 pitchers pitch every game.
In high school, the pool comes from players 15-18 and the 18's, as a group, are faster, stronger, more experieced and have a more mature perspective.
HS baseball and select baseball are really two different products.
It matters not which one is the best.
It really is almost two different games.
I had the same thoughts as many here going into the hs process, but changed significanly after first son graduated.
Several issues I think make the comparison difficult.
First the talent pool comes from a more narrow selection in high school. The players within that relatively narrow pool have to compete for a spot. (Not too narrow at large five A schools)
Second, is the volume of play, which is far less in high school than select.
Only about 16-20 district games against maybe a ten game weekend for select at a big tournament.
But, in high school, most every school has 1 or 2 very good pitchers. With only two games per week, the number 1 and number 2 pitchers pitch every game.
In high school, the pool comes from players 15-18 and the 18's, as a group, are faster, stronger, more experieced and have a more mature perspective.
HS baseball and select baseball are really two different products.
Crawdad, please don't read things in that aren't there. I should have been more clear, obviously.
What I originally said: "Personally, I don't worry too much about HS ball. The really important ball, IMHO, is the select ball played summer and fall. This is where my son plays against the best in the country."
I later added the clarification of what is really important in terms of player development.
That doesn't mean I dislike or disdain HS ball. I never said (I don't think) that HS ball was "not important". I did imply (intentionally) that it was less important than select ball.
Some folks get so worked up about what happens with their kid in HS ball. Seems to become a life or death situation. I am not getting that worked up about it.
And sure there are some select teams that don't play quality competition. But the answer to that is simple, don't put your son on one of those teams. {And yes, I realize that sometimes geography and distances make that difficult or even impossible.}
Don't run off. I hope that you haven't taken anything I said personally (for no offense was intended). And I sure haven't taken anything personally.
I do admit I would appreciate your leaving out references to how my son might be or might turn out. Your guess as to what effects my thoughts might possibly have on his attitude aren't correct. He gives it everything he has every time he steps on a field - whether practice or game, whether select or school. That is one of the things he is known for.
And kids aren't dumb. They can tell the difference between tough competition & easy competition - whether or not we parents tell them. Just because they have this knowledge doesn't mean they automatically turn into snobs. In fact, I see more of the type snobs you fear that only play HS ball than I see in select. The "I'm the best jock in the world" types. The kids who have played select have seen how good a ballplayer can be, and from my observation they are more humble in that respect. But that is not to it is always the case, of course, as exceptions exist in most things.
And FO is dead on with his observations, IMHO. Just like comparing 12 YO select ball with LL Inc. The "recruiting" restrictions (e.g., boundaries) make the two situations very different.
What I originally said: "Personally, I don't worry too much about HS ball. The really important ball, IMHO, is the select ball played summer and fall. This is where my son plays against the best in the country."
I later added the clarification of what is really important in terms of player development.
That doesn't mean I dislike or disdain HS ball. I never said (I don't think) that HS ball was "not important". I did imply (intentionally) that it was less important than select ball.
Some folks get so worked up about what happens with their kid in HS ball. Seems to become a life or death situation. I am not getting that worked up about it.
And sure there are some select teams that don't play quality competition. But the answer to that is simple, don't put your son on one of those teams. {And yes, I realize that sometimes geography and distances make that difficult or even impossible.}
Don't run off. I hope that you haven't taken anything I said personally (for no offense was intended). And I sure haven't taken anything personally.
I do admit I would appreciate your leaving out references to how my son might be or might turn out. Your guess as to what effects my thoughts might possibly have on his attitude aren't correct. He gives it everything he has every time he steps on a field - whether practice or game, whether select or school. That is one of the things he is known for.
And kids aren't dumb. They can tell the difference between tough competition & easy competition - whether or not we parents tell them. Just because they have this knowledge doesn't mean they automatically turn into snobs. In fact, I see more of the type snobs you fear that only play HS ball than I see in select. The "I'm the best jock in the world" types. The kids who have played select have seen how good a ballplayer can be, and from my observation they are more humble in that respect. But that is not to it is always the case, of course, as exceptions exist in most things.
And FO is dead on with his observations, IMHO. Just like comparing 12 YO select ball with LL Inc. The "recruiting" restrictions (e.g., boundaries) make the two situations very different.
quote:Originally posted by crawdad:
I obviously don't write very well.
My only point (and this is my last post on this subject) is that BOTH HS baseball and summer select baseball are valuable to a player - for different reasons but valuable none the less
I agree completely with this statement. For what is worth, I feel like I struggle to communicate my thoughts with the written word.
Crawdad? Two months is too long! I will miss your opposing views. That's what makes this interesting. The usual lovefest is boring.
Besides, my opinion on this subject will never win the popular vote and I'm ok with that. Controversy is healthy.
Merry Christmas!
Besides, my opinion on this subject will never win the popular vote and I'm ok with that. Controversy is healthy.
Merry Christmas!
quote:
That's it - Merry Christmas and I will take my usual 2 months off before I post again.
I'm right there with you.
We love to dog-pile here. I agree with crawdad that HS baseball is special. I love it. I love my son playing for his school against his friends in our town and kids he knows from other cities. I would rather his HS team win state than he make an all-state team. I loved the thrill of the playoffs in 2003 when my middle son played against Danks and Nachreiner and Wheeless and Peoples and Whitaker -- and Bishop and Clark and Miller and Smith and Glover and Furnish and Tolleson and Paramore in the regular season. My youngest played against Mansfield and Flower Mound and Marcus last year -- it's a thrill for him to play against great HS teams -- as much as great select teams.
I didn't read distaste from Texan for HS baseball. We often times turn to the comparison between HS and select. I suppose that will always happen.
Merry Christmas!
8 pages??? whoda thunk it?
I didn't read distaste from Texan for HS baseball. We often times turn to the comparison between HS and select. I suppose that will always happen.
Merry Christmas!
8 pages??? whoda thunk it?
I'm back for one more post before my sabbatical....
Just want to make clear that my "2 month vacation" is not because of anything on these boards have said. To the contrary - I have a good time going back and forth with everyone. I just can't stay focused and I tend to move on to other sites - I sometimes post on a bass fishing site and a Triton boat owners site. If you think this board gets hot just try stating your opinion on bass boats or bass fishing.
I caught a 6 pound bass yesterday (white spinnerbait, bleeding hook, 9' depth) but caught NOTHING today - not even a bite. The wind was real rough here in East Texas today.
Anyway just wanted to make sure everyone knew there were no hard feelings. My off hand remark about taking 2 months off was just because I feel myself taking my limited web time over to the Bass fishing arena for awhile.
But I can't wait until January 30! That will be like Christmas to me.
Ranger my son plays HS ball for Longview Pine Tree (District 17-4A)and this summer will be playing for the Tigers Ingram (17U).
Merry Christmas.
Just want to make clear that my "2 month vacation" is not because of anything on these boards have said. To the contrary - I have a good time going back and forth with everyone. I just can't stay focused and I tend to move on to other sites - I sometimes post on a bass fishing site and a Triton boat owners site. If you think this board gets hot just try stating your opinion on bass boats or bass fishing.
I caught a 6 pound bass yesterday (white spinnerbait, bleeding hook, 9' depth) but caught NOTHING today - not even a bite. The wind was real rough here in East Texas today.
Anyway just wanted to make sure everyone knew there were no hard feelings. My off hand remark about taking 2 months off was just because I feel myself taking my limited web time over to the Bass fishing arena for awhile.
But I can't wait until January 30! That will be like Christmas to me.
Ranger my son plays HS ball for Longview Pine Tree (District 17-4A)and this summer will be playing for the Tigers Ingram (17U).
Merry Christmas.
Crawdad,
The Ranger 522 is the best boat on the market. Put that Yama 250 HPDI on it and no Triton can compare.
East Texas in December? Must be on Monticello.
Bob Sandlin has been very good to me during tournaments. Caught a 9 pounder on the dam for big fish and won it with only 4 keepers.
Hard core duck hunter here though. Sold the Ranger for a duck boat.
Speaking of East Texas....this pic was in your neck of the woods. Wright Patman couple of weeks ago......
The Ranger 522 is the best boat on the market. Put that Yama 250 HPDI on it and no Triton can compare.
East Texas in December? Must be on Monticello.
Bob Sandlin has been very good to me during tournaments. Caught a 9 pounder on the dam for big fish and won it with only 4 keepers.
Hard core duck hunter here though. Sold the Ranger for a duck boat.
Speaking of East Texas....this pic was in your neck of the woods. Wright Patman couple of weeks ago......
AFLACCCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?
quote:Originally posted by Panther Dad:
AFLACCCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?
Funniest thing ever posted.....
Ken, I run a Triton TR196 w / Mercury Optimax 225hp. Ranger makes an excellent boat - I really like the new Comanche model. But I do like the top speed performance of the Tritons. The fit and finish of the Rangers however is what sets them apart.
BTW, some might be able to tell from your picture but we have a real crises looming on the horizon - NO WATER!! It is getting tougher every week to launch a boat. You city dwellers better be ready to be forced to let your yards burn up next year.
BTW, some might be able to tell from your picture but we have a real crises looming on the horizon - NO WATER!! It is getting tougher every week to launch a boat. You city dwellers better be ready to be forced to let your yards burn up next year.
I imagine you ate Duck for Christmas dinner Ken?
quote:Originally posted by KellerDad:
I imagine you ate Duck for Christmas dinner Ken?
Had to miss Christmas this year. Was at a showcase.
Good to see you have your priorities in order! JV or Varsity showcase?
Was wondering if you expected your dog to get drafted, or is he going D1?
quote:Originally posted by KellerDad:
Was wondering if you expected your dog to get drafted, or is he going D1?
Actually, he has had several D1 offers but we've been told that he is slotted for late first round. Gonna take a lot of money for us to pass up all the full rides though.
I assume he would rather stay close to home though.
By the way, anyone know of any good camps on the east coast for me to send him too?
KD and Ken,
Are you saying that some showcases are
"going to the dogs"
Is his bat made of "dogwood"?
Sorry just had to do it this morning........
Are you saying that some showcases are
"going to the dogs"
Is his bat made of "dogwood"?
Sorry just had to do it this morning........
This topic has been barking up the wrong tree since page 2.
I too was just getting a bit "doggone" tired myself after page 2 and then had a yin for a game of "duck, duck, goose" after the picture. BTW: It is a cute dog and what a line of ducks, one successful outing I would say for KG.
PD: Wedding day just around the corner? Are you keeping sane?
KD: Are you at the islands yet
remember sunscreen is your friend.
PD: Wedding day just around the corner? Are you keeping sane?
KD: Are you at the islands yet
remember sunscreen is your friend.
Here are a few more. Can anyone guess who the guys are in the second pic? Wonder if I could get one of them to share their thoughts on this forum. You would be amazed..... 
Dem dont lok lik bazeball peopel two me!
First picture just "quacked me up and the 2nd one looks like an advertisment for "Outdoor World"............
quote:Originally posted by Panther Dad:
Dem dont lok lik bazeball peopel two me!
Look real hard. Tell me your joking.
Okok, the guy on the left looks a little familiar....
Guy on the left just got traded to the White Sox if I'm not mistaken. Pretty good ballplayer, but don't know if he showcases very well.