New Posters = New information!

What a great thread, and a very true statement.

New members with their "I'm new here" questions are the primary reason for these forums. Don't be shy about asking a question, even if you fear it will be "wrong".

I still remember my first post, which was probably about 7 years ago (when the website was on a previous server before moving here). I must have started the post and cancelled it 4 or 5 times before I finally decided to take a deep breath, click Post Now, and hope no one thought I was foolish. Sure am glad I asked...

Julie

I still remember my first post, which was probably about 10 years ago (when the website was on a previous server before moving here). I must have started the post and cancelled it 4 or 5 times before I finally decided to take a deep breath, click Post Now, and hope no one thought I was foolish. Sure am glad I asked...

And, Fungo responded.

Thanks to both of you.

I lurked for more than a year before daring to jump in... only to find out the water was fine!!! Don't think about it - just jump!!!

FO,

I am pretty sure Fungo was one of the first to respond to my first post, too!



Julie

Fungo, ya got me to wonderin' what my first post was

Here it is, in its entirety, posted in the Northwest Forum:

Hi,
I'm with the US govt - Yongsan Army Base - over here in Seoul - and will be for the foreseeable future. In fact, my kids have basically grown up here. We do, however, get to spend our summers - from late June to mid-August - in the States, and much of this in the Puget Sound area as Grandma lives in Univ. Place (Curtis HS) and Uncle lives in Lake Forest Park. My oldest is 13 1/2, and a good ballplayer. He's determined to play college ball. Time will tell. We do have a competitive, albeit small, Pony League over here and myself and a couple other USFK guys put together the first-ever US-Korea Goodwill FallBall league this past autumn. (The Korean kids are awesome by the way - they work out six days a week, year-round - scary). So, our kids do have some good opportunities to play good baseball. BUT, I'd love to see the eldest play summer ball when we're back in the States. I have no access to info over here, so I turn to you all!
How does it work? Would any summer team ever pick up a kid who will show up around June 26th or so? My boys went to camp last summer (TBI in Ephrata) but camps are only 4-5 days and we'd sure like a whole summer season. Any ideas?
I appreciate, in advance, all suggestions/opinions/advice!
Posts: 2231 | Location: Neither Here Nor There | Registered: November 26, 2003

Man, that doesn't seem like it was almost five years ago . And when I posted that I knew nothing of the Stanford Camp, PG, or HeadFirst or summer leagues or ANYthing! Like Julie said, sure glad I pressed "Post Now" that first time or my son would never, ever be where he is today.

New Posters -- go for it!!!

As a newer member I am glad to hear you like us. Sometimes us new kids get responses like we have talked about this a million times go to the old thread. We personal love hanging out here and have invited several others to join us!

Thanks for being here!!!!

New Poster!
My son is now a senior in HS, left-handed pitcher who was being recruited by several D1 schools in his Jr. year. I cannot express how beneficial this forum has been. The recommendation of doing your homework seemed trite at the time but was eye-opening once we started the recruiting process this past July. At each college visit, I kept thinking about what had been shared by so many of you and how you had dealt with the situation. Great Help!
My son recently gave a verbal commitment to the Univ. of Alabama and seems very confident in his decision.
Also, when I finally posted I unknowingly gave a site that was outdated (recruiting guidelines)and 3fingers very politely deleted the info and gave me the correct information and advise,(thanks for your kindness to a new poster).
I would like to thank each of you for your thoughts, information, and concerns for others.



*** We sometimes find out, we do not know near as much as we did when we knew it all.

Lefty34, Good points. What we (the old posters) fail to realize is the most important span of time that the HSBBW focuses on will never change --- in spite of what we try to do. I have been on the HSBBW since the time my son started HS, the high school years, a pro draft, three years of college ball, another pro draft, and 4 years of pro ball. The years that the HSBBW really helped my son was as the name implies ---- the high school years. These are the years that determine if he will play college ball or pro ball (for the most part). These are the years the the man emerges and the kid evaporates. He decides during those years what baseball is to him. In my opinion the steps these players take during his high school years should ALWAYS be the main focus of the HSBBW.
Thanks,
Fungo
PS to Clint Taylor: You should have asked me about the University of Alabama.
War Eagle!!

Clint Taylor, congrats to your son!

I belong to professional listserves and have visited community message boards. Often the replies at those locations can be sharp and make one feel stupid for asking.
I, too, lurked here before posting. I have always found the advice here sound and delivered with good spirits. I also love to live vicariously through the many stories which are posted. If you are new and are wondering, "Should I ask..." go ahead, you'll be glad you did.

quote:

My son recently gave a verbal commitment to the Univ. of Alabama and seems very confident in his decision.

And to think he grew up so close to AUBURN and still chose to go the wrong school......


WARRRRRR EAAAAGLE!!!


(congrats to your boy anyway!!)

quote:

Originally posted by Clint Taylor:
New Poster!
My son is now a senior in HS, left-handed pitcher who was being recruited by several D1 schools in his Jr. year. I cannot express how beneficial this forum has been. The recommendation of doing your homework seemed trite at the time but was eye-opening once we started the recruiting process this past July. At each college visit, I kept thinking about what had been shared by so many of you and how you had dealt with the situation. Great Help!
My son recently gave a verbal commitment to the Univ. of Alabama and seems very confident in his decision.
Also, when I finally posted I unknowingly gave a site that was outdated (recruiting guidelines)and 3fingers very politely deleted the info and gave me the correct information and advise,(thanks for your kindness to a new poster).
I would like to thank each of you for your thoughts, information, and concerns for others.



*** We sometimes find out, we do not know near as much as we did when we knew it all.

You do realize that since this place has helped you and your son you are now stuck. In the fine print it says you have to stick around and provide sage advice to other newbies who come here.

Sorry but we are like a cult - except that we don't drink Kool Aid (well I do because I love that cherry stuff).

Seriously congrats to your son and best of luck in the future to him. Oh yeah another fine print is you have to stay to keep us updated on him.

I miss when I was member number 666! It showed in my posts. I miss the old Tennessee VS. Alabama battles.

Coach2709

I have been on this site so much the last year that my wife asked if "I have a girlfriend on here?", Today I told her, "not a girlfriend but a GREAT BASEBALL FAMILY".
It is amazing how I am constantly checking the site for updated information on players and parents.
What a great support group! It's addicting!

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:

You do realize that since this place has helped you and your son you are now stuck. In the fine print it says you have to stick around and provide sage advice to other newbies who come here.

Sorry but we are like a cult - except that we don't drink Kool Aid (well I do because I love that cherry stuff).

I shared in the thread with "first posts" about how I lost my login ability a couple months of so after I had joined - Bob quickly responded and "fixed" me, but for about 24 hrs I couldn't get in to my new toy. I was LOST!! It is adictive, especially when you're hungry for good info for your son.

I originally joined because "Tasmit" was so nice and chatty in a baseball email. Felt very welcomed by many others. Remember the first "chat" I ever went into - greeted by Fungo and OnePlayer'sPop! Fun fellas!!

Coach2709 - You will keep wearing KY Blue in NC, correct?

I've been a member here for little over a year now and I still feel like a newbie. I only have about 90 posts but I am on here at least 5 times a day. Compared to 5000-10000 posts by some of the old heads I have a long way to go to be an old timer.
One of my first posts was a question about the draft, it got many responses and eventually was "nominated" for, and made it to the Golden Threads. I was strangely honored and very excited. When I bragged to my wife and son about the Golden Thread they had no idea what I was talking about and thought I was nuts.

This site really is helpful, informative, addicting and a must read for all baseball families. I am very glad I found it.

I began reading when son was going into 10th grade, but not actually posting much until the summer of his senior year. At the time I discoverd that Fungo's son was at Auburn with one of son's coach's son. I wrote to him and he was so nice, I have much respect for him. One person I never stop learning from in Fungo. I agree with hs post, we all can learn from everyone. I am getting a kick reading some of teh posts from some of the websters who first began asking questions. One of those that comes to mind is Jerseydad. It's so great to see him post now and give advice after the journey he has been on with his son since we first met. Amazing!

One thing that sticks out in my mind was Kraks first post (wow that was 5 years ago). I remember reading it and saying to myself, "now this is going to be a challenge". I don't know if I ever gave him advice, but whatever advice he got sure paid off bigtime for his player.

BTW, I have not posted 10392 posts. I think that when Julie changed servers my karma doubled.