New Members and Old Timers

Well said!

"You don't think experience means anything until you have it." ~ Walt Weiss

A much-needed post!! Think about it -- how many truly 'new' members (not just New ID trolls and flamers) post very often?

There are new friends and new perspectives out there - leave the light on for them!!

And congratulations to me on my 500th post

Very well said Fungo.

I would like to add something to your challenge though.

At least once I think every "old timer" should ignore their gut feelings about a hidden agenda, or there being more to the story.

If someone has a hidden agenda grilling them won't get to it. If there is more to the story that will usually come out with simple, friendly questions, no interogations needed.

So answer anyhow. After all, there may very well be others out there with a similar question, who will appreciate the responses.

.

FUNGO...





Good food for thought, good self check, good advice, good plan, good policy....

.

Great reminder Fungo.

Wonderful post, Fungo. Thank you!

A much needed post Fungo....thanks.

I remember the first time I posted.....talk about being intimidated.....and scared.....was so worried that my question would seem "dumb".....and it probably was.....but I asked and I learned....and I asked again.....and again....and learned more....and helped my son greatly in the process.

There are some great people who post here......old timers.....thank you too for sharing your knowledge.......and......newcomers.....do yourselves a favor....read the articles and ask the questions.......my son and I are here to tell you.....it's a great site!

Fungo, thank you. I have to tell you that sometimes the responses of some of the old timers, makes me feel real dumb. Though, I think that is a good thing. I have grown to really love this board the short time I've been here. Hopefully soon enough, my son will join in the fun and learning to. BTW, the only old timer that makes me nervous is TRhit. Just kidding TRhit. I loved chapter 4 in Peak Power Baseball, "College or Pro."

I've always enjoyed the site. What makes it great is the exchange of information from the those that have gone through HS, the recruitment process, college, and those whose son's are living the dream. The site continues to be a source of information as the issues are revisited by the newer members and their perspectives.

Nice post Fungo. You sure are a wise man!

I had visited this side for some years now. I don’t have to reply a bunch of post to show others I am a knowledge person, but one thing I always respect is the opinion of other people, even when I disagree with them.

Nice idea, Fungo.

I would like to comment on an observation.
It does involve questions from all types of posters.

When someone comes and asks for info re: a specific college or conference, it would seem that we should do our best to answer with any direct knowledge we may have of both. Often, rather than give specifics on the college program in question, we make assumptions that perhaps we shouldn't.

If I ask about X Y or Z...it MAY be because I have determined I want location and size first and will narrow it down from there. I may have targeted location and major? Who knows?

I have just noticed that sometimes the thread goes off on a tagent and info about schools
(and especially divisions) gets inserted without the need.

Thanks

Nice post, Fungo. I too was a bit nervous when I joined a couple of years ago, because it was like going to school. The teachers knew everything and I knew nothing, well, not much anyway. I found this site because my son looked like he had some talent and might be able to go further than HS, baseball-wise, so I knew I'd need some advice about a lot of things. Among other things, I discovered Christmas-break college clinics that I didn't know existed. He has been twice and will go two more times. They were a great benefit before his Freshman year, really helped kick off a great year. He is now playing fall wood-bat ball and is one of the better players on his team.

I still don't post much, but I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned from reading on the HSBBW. Most of what I've picked up here seems second nature now, like I've always known it. It makes me feel like I somewhat fit in as an old-timer, too, though I am still far less knowledgable than most of you old-timers. Thanks to all who contribute.

To the newbies, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. And even if you don't, you can learn a ton on here, so hang around and keep reading.

Sometimes the best threads are ones that spin-off an original. I understand Chill's concern but even in face-2-face discussions very seldom does the conversatation stay on target. I think the main reason for this board is to share knowledge thoughts, and opinions and if a poster throws out something that is a spin-off it does not mean that the original topic is dead. I'll take anyones 2cents of information because it's 2 cents more than nothing.

I think it is true that there is an intimidation factor at first. One small suggestion I have is to try posting in the state or regional forums first (if you feel shy about posting here for instance) before going out on the main boards. These forums provide a built-in association between you and the other members who post therein. These members will be more than willing to welcome you with open arms.

Another idea for breaking the ice is to politely chime in on a given thread and offer encouragement to another poster when they have written something that moves you. This way you can ease into a wonderful community without feeling like you are forcing things. Baseball people in general are the best.

Good Job, Fungo!

ClevelandDad, Excellent suggestion!

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
One small suggestion I have is to try posting in the state or regional forums first (if you feel shy about posting here for instance) before going out on the main boards.

I agree...a pretty good suggestion.

It does, however, remind me of one of my first posts on this board. I ventured into a regional forum (not from my area) to ask about a player I had seen earlier that summer. One of the veterans challenged me pretty quickly..."why are you asking?...are you sure you're really from N. Calif.?...are you really somebody else?"

Scared me for a little while ...but I just kept trying.

Another thing to remember is that being an old timer indicates the number of posts that person has posted, nothing more. Take time to read some of the posts and you'll get a feel for the knowledge that the posters really have. There are a few like bbscout, PGstaff, TRhit, et al, whose credentials stand out and some like fungo whose common sense stands out.

Members and new members many times can have more constructive advice than some of us who are only "old-timers" because we've been posting for a while now.

I love going through all of your posts , especially FUNGO's, I feel that I have a great place for me and my son to learn and appreciate the game of baseball. CADAD thanks for all of your wisdom too!

This is quite an interesting thread with a load of great posts

If you are new you will feel at ease rapidly and get to know many many people here on this site

Many of us have met in person
Many of us talk frequently on the phone
Many of us email each other regularly

There is a world of knowledge to be used on this site so do not be afraid to ask questions and by the way THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DID NOT ASK !!!!

So join us and enjoy

I read the HSBBW everyday, but I have taken myself out of the frequent posting mode.....

Even in the "Ask the umpire forum" I only post when I feel I can contribute...I see myself remaining a poster and resource for anyone who has an umpiring need or question beyond my sons collegiate playing days, but I have hopes that the site will provide new posters and new members.........

I have always treasured my interactions with the people here at HSBBW and with my fellow "old timers"

GREAT POST, Fungo. Unfortunately I think the suggestion that new posters try posting on a regional forum first misses your point entirely.....just my opinion.

Fungo is a 400 hitter on this board in my book...I really have enjoyed his thought provoking posts for many years now. Hey that makes me an old timer too

Even though some of the info comes in the form of tangled subterfuge by some it is there for the taking. Like a low 80's fastball some will not miss it.

Take your swing!

I think PG and Jerry also deserve some credit for offering such valuable info when he does not have to... it tells me his heart like Bob's and Old Timer is in the right place!

BG

I think us as players learn more than anyone else because we use the information on this site during the game. Thanks Fungs it helps alot and the ladies help too fo sho!

Fungo or'Fungs':

Thanks for the post. Drenched with wisdom as always.

I'm telling you again... you should bottle that wisdom of yours! It would be an instant top seller. The reality though is that wisdom is NOT acquired from a bottle. You have to earn it!

You obviously have learned well from all of your experiences and we appreciate that you share them with us. It's hard to imagine you as a nervous, first time poster.

To all of those that enjoy the HSBBW please tell others,particularly those with younger players, that this site exists.

Since we have discovered this site (very recently) I have been telling almost everyone I see that might benefit from the site to look it up and utilize it. It's amazing that many of those that I approach have never heard of it! Let's not keep it a secret.

I don't know if anyone remembers, but Bob created a HSBBW poster a few years ago! It was for parents so that they could let others know about the site. The poster can be found on the homepage. Here's the link:

Free High School Baseball Web poster

RHP05Parent:

Thanks for the link. I'll print some of these and pass them out. I noticed that the second from last and third from last 'bullet points' are in need of correction since part of the original has been deleted.

Would anyone know how to correct them?

Thanks Fungo:

As a dad of a now HS freshman who hopes to play beyond HS, I take great comfort in knowing this board will exist as he makes his way.

I've learned a lot from it already, and I am almost certainly still in the stage of "not knowing what I don't know!"

But I do know where to go with questions when I have them, that is for sure.

Wow...once again I come here to seek information and find wonderful posts like this one. I have been coming to this site off and on since 2003 and I have to say that it has been a salvation for me. I lurk more than post because I have found that many of my questions were the same as questions asked by others who have come and gone. I don't post often because I feel intimidated, but because someone usually beats me to the post...so to speak. I have seen well thought out questions met with sincere responses. Anytime I see a negative response...I just scroll on past because I know that someone will take the time to help when they can.

Fungo, you may not remember me at all, but my son played in the same summer organization as your son. My son, however was only 15 when yours was a senior in high school. As a matter of fact I think your son took one of my boy's fastballs to the wall in centerfield at Millington one night. lol. That was a while ago. We have kept up with Josh and many others from that summer organization over the last few years. It's great to see these guys as young men moving on to the next levels.

As my son continues to follow his dreams I hope that I can be as helpful to others as you and many others on this site have been to me. We are in the process of moving out of the JUCO ranks to the D1 ranks and it has been a great experience for our son. He has so many options right now that he is a little intimidated by all that is happening right now. Any time he has a question I know that if I can't answer it I can always come here at get some good advice from those who have been there before.

Thanks for the post and know that this family will be following Josh as he pursues his dream. (Oh...tell Josh there's a young LHP from Southaven that hopes to either throw the pitch Josh calls or face him at the plate in the bigs one day!)

gotwood4sale -
Here's the EXCEL version of the poster without the error: Free HSBBW Poster

RHP05Parent:

Thanks for the link to the correct copy of the poster. I'll print up a bunch and hand them out as necessary.