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Released

A AHSpitcher17100+ posts
Its a scary word, one that a player fears hearing his entire career. You try to play pretending its something that can never happen, but in the back of your mind the possibility is always there. Well today that possibility became a reality to me. The day seemed normal, but for some reason as i walked into the clubhouse today i had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, almost a sense of what was about to come, and as the clubby came up to me and said the bosses wanted to see me, i wanted to hope it was a normal meeting, but as i saw others walking around with pink slips i knew it wasnt so. As i walked into the office my heart was pounding and thats when i knew it was done. "The organization no longer has a spot for you, we have to give you your full release" One of the most chilling sentences i have ever heard in my life and one that i hope i never have to hear again. It was more of a shock than anything since you never think it will happen to you, and your almost trained to block it out. Strangely i dont think its hit me yet that im no longer employed in baseball, it probably will as i pack up my car and head towards home. However i am not yet ready to give up my pursuit of the dream that is baseball. Its still a great game that i love and my agent and i are working our butts off to try and find another team for me to hook up with this year. If worse comes to worse i'll pick up with an Independent league team and play my cards from there. Whatever the case i still have my spikes,glove and the will to continue on, hopefully that will be enough to get me through life from here on out. As for now im still blind to the fact i could never play again, until im sitting on my couch in Panama City Beach, FL in June i refuse to believe its over. Anyways, i dont really know the point of this post, but i kinda needed to tell someone what has happened besides just my friends and family, and i have also kept all of you informed on my life in baseball through the years and i figured i owed all of you an in depth look at the darker side of the game, as maybe this will help some of the younger players in the course of their baseball careers. As for me, i'm off to find another team, on another diamond somewhere, as i go to find my Field of Dreams!
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A AHSpitcher17100+ posts
as a fall back i can work for my dad as a salesman in his Steel Manufacturing company, but im gonna hold off on that and go to college most likely if i cant get up with a team. Take advantage of the college money i negotiated in my contract. Plus i still have 80K put up in mutual funds and my car paid off so im not off too bad. Until the fall semester though i also plan to get an insurance adjusting license, thats a 6 week course and living in hurricane country isnt a bad side job if a disaster comes. But its looking like going to college for business management is plan B right now, then i start workin with my dad after that.
jmepopjmepopHSBBWeb Old Timer
AHS

I wish you the best of luck. I have enjoyed your contributions to this site and wish more of the young men that have been drafted would offer their experiences. It sounds like you are prepared for whatever comes up and I don't think we have heard the last from you in the baseball world.

Go get em
L lafmom5,000+ posts
AHS - I certainly hope that you find another opportunitiy out there in baseball. If not, I have no doubt that you'll take advantage of being well prepared to head off to school and further your education. TR is right when he refers to this as a "bump in the road". We all have them... at 20... at 40.... and 60 I'm sure. The key is how we respond to that bump. I wish you many blessings in the years to come and hope that a lot of them remain on the field. Good luck kiddo! Smile
B baseballmom
Shane,
So sorry & surprised to hear this...
I hope you don't mind, but here's the link to your "journal"...I read the 3/06 entry, too...your descriptions of "life in the minors" are a huge help to others contemplating this step.
I wish you all the best...You are right, 2 years isn't enough!!

[URL=http://www.topprospectalert.com/shane-funk-journal.htm]

And, I thought it would be good to remind some & introduce the newcomers to many of your posts here on hsbaseballweb...esp. when you signed your first contract.
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWords=s...rum_scope=6991037901
Last edited by baseballmom
FutureBack.MomFutureBack.Mom1,000+ posts
Shane ...

I too feel badly that you have hit this bump, but it sounds like you have some good options available if baseball goes by the wayside for you, and that even tho you are still in a bit of shock over the news, you have done some thinking about your options. Your family is supportive of you, I know, and that should help the transition.

Best wishes on your search for another team. (I wish these MLB clubs didn't wait so long into spring training to tell their players they are being released ... it hampers the job search for you guys and seems unfair. But then, as TR might say, life isn't fair sometimes.) I know if my son were in the same situation (and it too could happen) I would wish the same for him.

Mary Ann Shappi
just another player's mom
(but not to be confused with another player's pop)
T TxMom500+ posts
I'm so very sorry to hear your news. I'm sure you're feeling pretty crushed right now. We all STILL think the world of you and are your biggest fans!

Don't give up on your dream just yet. Hopefully, your agent will find a team that's a better fit. Be open to whatever comes your way. No matter what happens, always remember that God gave you many special gifts and talents and He has a plan for your life.

Keep the faith, AHS. Everything is going to be fine!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't depend on your own understanding. Remember Him in everything you do and He will guide your paths."
Last edited by TxMom
O OnePlayer'sPop500+ posts
Shane,

I just returned from Fl.... probably was on IH75 & IH10 at same time that you were. Sorry to hear of your situation, but from your posts, you seem to be dealing with your situation better than many. Your attitude will make all the difference in the world, plus, you have shown through your contributions to hsbaseballweb that you are not just another ballplayer. Life will continue and baseball will remain a hard business to understand.

Best wishes whatever directon you head. If you have any interest in independent ball in Texas, PM me, I have a contact that may work for you.
Frank MartinFrank Martin1,000+ posts
Northern League Open Tryouts April 2-3
« Back

February 20, 2007 - The Northern League of Professional Baseball will host its 2007 Open Tryout on Monday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 3.

The Open Tryout will be held at Red McEwen Field in Tampa, Florida, on the University of South Florida campus.

The Open Tryout is open to all players over the age of 18. The Northern League will provide baseballs. Participants should wear general baseball attire and must provide their own gloves, wooden bats, batting helmets and catching equipment.

The Open Tryout will be conducted by Northern League personnel and attended by Northern League managers and coaches. The eight Northern League teams will conduct a player draft from the camp participants at the conclusion of the second day.

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. on April 2. On-field activity gets underway at 8:00 a.m. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is required to participate in the 2007 Northern League Open Tryout. All participants will be required to sign an injury waiver form on-site prior to the start of the tryout.

Registration with a credit card can be made on the Northern League site by clicking on the red '2007 Open Tryout' button on the right side of the home page. For participants wishing to register on the day of the Open Tryout, registration will begin at 7:00am on April 2. The registration fee will have to be paid by cash, cashier’s check, or money order.
http://www.northernleague.com
S southernmom100+ posts
Although I don't know you, but have read your posts, I too, hate to hear your news. We never know what the future holds, but one thing that seem apparent -- you have a great head on your shoulders. Not many young twenty-something year olds with 80K invested in anything. You have shown that baseball can be a great avenue to become a responsible and practicable person all the while pursuing one's passion and dream. Good luck in your future endeavors with baseball.
W wvmtner100+ posts
WOW! 6-6 225lb. 2005 4th round draft pick out of high school! You can't be more than 20 years old.

You have plenty of time to keep trying. Might ultimately be bad advice but I think if you love the game, don't quit until nobody will give you a jersey.

You can go to school anytime within the next two years. Give it your best so you'll never have to say "what if?"
Frank MartinFrank Martin1,000+ posts
Shane,

Dont despare your career is not over but you have alot of work to do. 1/4 the MLB pitchers have been released before they hit the MLB. I have seen you pitch a few times before your senior year. Good size and good arm, fastball in the 90's. Basic question, what happened?

You threw strikes in high school and summer ball , but not in pro ball and you were hit hard in the Arizona League and could not throw a strike.

That is either a mental or mechanically thing. So best get in touch with a pitching coach that KNOWS what he is doing and make you better.

You should get hooked up with an independent league team fast and try to attend some pre draft work out. The Indy leagues are scouted if you throw strikes and get people out, someone will take a chance at you again.
B BeenthereILHSBBWeb Old Timer
AHS...I, too, have been there, done that.

But I didn't have that big a bonus to fall back on.

Make sure you take advantage of the money available to you through that Major League baseball tuition plan...or whatever they call it.

I think you only have 2 years from the date of your initial release to use it or lose it.

What happened to you is what happened to hundreds this past spring. Another wave of Releases soon after the draft.

Isn't pretty.

$1150.00 or $1500.00 per month doesn't do much for anyone...and then you only get it for the months of the year you are actually playing during a season.

MLB...Biggest joke in benefits for minor leaguers. You get nothing but they keep on "pounding" you about dreaming for that "Million Dollar" payday!

Thank God that you have parents that can help you. What if you were a poor kid from some rural county in the South with nothing to go back to?
Last edited by BeenthereIL
B BeenthereILHSBBWeb Old Timer
opp....YOu well know that someone who goes to the top, i.e., your son, Zach...is the rare exception rather than the rule.

1500 kids drafted each year...tons of free agents from all over the Caribbean.

How many actually get to put on a big league uniform for more that a few years?

Likely less than 5%.

That is what I mean...95% are going to fail within a few years of the draft.

----------

Not like the NBA and the draft where every stiff is guaranteed millions.
Last edited by BeenthereIL
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
Shane,

I am sorry to hear about your release, but also want to make sure you know that you have a lot of fans here! You were drafted out of HS the same year my RHP son graduated. He is at a D3 college, playing baseball there (medical redshirt this spring), and is over halfway thru earning a degree. Believe me Shane, he would love to trade places with you!

I believe that YOU are not done playing baseball yet! There are decades ahead of you to pursue other careers, and I'm glad to hear that you have thought about that part of your life. But since you still have the dream, I am very excited for you to keep working on it for a while! Please keep us updated, and very best wishes to you.


Julie
A AHSpitcher17100+ posts
Thanks everyone for all the support, as an update i have a tryout with the dodgers on friday so we'll see how that goes.

Frank Martin- As for my control, well im not too sure where it went, i know it started out mechanically as they started fooling with my mechanics as i got to pro ball, but now its more in my head than anything, i've got a case of the Yips as they call it. Some days i paint the black and can dot a gnats A$$, then others i dont know where the ball is going, i think its more anxiety than anything, all depends on my first few throws of the day, if i throw them good and dont throw any away its perfect, if i dont, then its gonna be a rough day, i had it under control the first 2 1/2 weeks of spring training then it hit back hard, crazy stuff.

PG Staff- I will PM you to get your #, i'll call you for sure
M 02^04MomHSBBWeb Old Timer
Shane,

I appreciate your posts, before, during and after the draft. I hate this for you, but you do seem to have your head on straight and will make the right decisions for YOU.

Beenthere, oh come on, I LIVED in the midwest, why use rural county in the south? Dang, I should be quiet, I am sooooooooo trying to find some affordable land in Buncombe Co....
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Shane,
Good luck on Friday. Our son's roommate got released today. One of his very best friends in the organization got released yesterday. I have some sense of your feelings. Here is hoping Friday is a good day and you do what works.
One of the really good coaches in our son's organization gave him very sage advice. Told him there are a lot of players at home because they could not make the adjustments the organization suggested. Have the confidence you can succeed with the approach that got you drafted, and don't try and overthink things.
O Orlando1,000+ posts
Good mojo on the way from Orlando. You've got a good head on your shoulders....now get out of it in time for Friday! Wink

With all your options --- family support, tuition plan, some bucks in the bank --- you're in great shape. Your 20's are the time for exploration and you have a solid basis. It's all good here, kiddo.

It would also appear you have an excellant chance of catching on with another club. In the imortal words of Rick Vaughn:

"I got news for you Mr. Brown, you haven't heard the last of me. You may think I'm (blank) now, but someday you're gonna be sorry you cut me. I'm gonna catch on somewhere else and every time that I pitch against you I'm gonna....(you can fill in the rest)!"
KrakatoaKrakatoa1,000+ posts
Shane, I wish you the best of luck. Over the past couple years you've connected with me on a couple questions I had regarding my son (HS jr.), and you are truly one of the good people of this earth (and at age 20!)

Wishing the best for you in your pursuit -- and just keep in mind that someday there will be a kid, or a group of kids, five years from now, ten years from now, thirty years from now.....and they will look up to you in awe because YOU were a pro ballplayer, and you are spending time with them (as coach, parent, whatever).....it's a game that will stick to your ribs until it's time to move on to the Great Diamond In The Sky! You will ALWAYS be 'in' baseball!

KRAK
Last edited by Krakatoa
B BeenthereILHSBBWeb Old Timer
Interesting stuff.

If you're a pitcher and you get released when you're young, it is a good idea to try to catch on with someone else because maturity will help you dramatically as a pitcher.

If you're a position player and have been drafted in the lower rounds, head for greener pastures...

Making another $1150.00 per month for another 3 months just doesn't make sense. Be realistic, folks. Just delaying the inevitable. Another free agent draft coming up in June. Not to include twice that many Latinos on each roster getting paid "peanuts".

Nice to be encouraging everyone, but for the 1 in 10,000, position players, that makes it soon after being released by someone who has drafted you in the lower rounds and given you $12.00 in McDonald's coupons for a bonus...better to call it a career and finish college or start going to college if you're a high schooler.

Look at how many we've learned have been released this spring...just in this thread!
Last edited by BeenthereIL
FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
Yeah, to paraphrase BeenthereIL; "GIVE UP, QUIT DREAMING, SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AND YOU AIN'T GETTING ANY, YOU'RE A HASBEEN, GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE OTHERWISE YOU'LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING!"

P.S. WHAT'S WITH THESE INDEPENDANT LEAGUES?!?! DON'T THEY KNOW THEY SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE WITH THEIR LIVES!!

Roll Eyes Roll Eyes

Not that there isn't a time for self reflecting, but personally I wouldn't let anyone other than yourselves dictate how you live your lives.
Last edited by FrankF
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