The faces behind the poster

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Great message lafmom!...

The beauty is that you are always one of the most compassionate and thoughtful posters...you not only "post the post", but you walk the walk...

44
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quote:

BTW, I'm one of the posters that's smarter than she writes!

You are very smart then, because you write very smart imho

Nice thoughts

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May all of you have an abundance of blessings in the upcoming year. May we also have an abundance of compassion during that off season here on the HSBBW.

Great post and it is so true. We share a common bond. We love the game of baseball. And it has been or is a big part of our lives and those we love. That makes us part of the baseball family. We understand things about one another that non baseball people will never understand or appreciate. Thank all of you for letting me share my thoughts with you. I appreciate all you and your friendship.

lafmom,

Thanks for the thought provoking post. It was neither rambling nor preachy.

I think that you are right. It is awfully easy to get caught up in discussions here, partially because it is not face to face and has the illusion of anonymity.

I know that I have images in my mind's eye of what some of the posters here look like. I can hear how their voices sound. I feel like I somehow "know" some of the people on this site. Coach May stated what I am trying to say more eloquently in his post.

But, in truth, I don't really "know" anything more about people who post than what they chose to reveal in their posts. Occasionally, someone will post something about a challenge in their life, or a difficult time that they have gone though, and it adds a whole new dimension to the image I have of that poster. Funny stories they tell about themselves, or sharing stories from their childhood, flesh out the image even more.

But I also know that the HSBBW can provide a respite from "real" life. It can be a place to go and not have to talk or think about problems. I have found that most posters here are supportive and kind. I try to repay the kindness to others. But your post, lafmom, reminds me that it might not always be obvious if a poster needs some kindness or a safe, fun place.

O44 and CD are right on. You set a wonderful tone here and you very eloquently share your thoughts. Thank you for going out on a limb to do so. The picture of you that I have in my mind has taken on a little more depth. Thank you for letting us "know" you a little better.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

What a nice thread. I have had the opportunity to meet a few members in person and talk to a few more by phone, and it surely adds to my enjoyment of the friendships here.

At other times, I've had the opportunity to get to know a somewhat controversial poster, not as the screen persona, but as a parent trying to help his son. What a difference that makes in how you take the on-screen comments.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all sit down and watch a ball game together someday? I wonder how much that would do to smooth over the occasional ruffled feathers.

Lafmom, you are a treasure, and I hope I get to meet the face behind your posts some day!

Julie

Perfect.

May God bless all of your families this Christmas season.

quote:

Wouldn't it be great if we could all sit down and watch a ball game together someday?

We will..........

I don't think anyone enjoyed their anonymity more than me.....................

I don't think anyone has enjoyed meeting other hsbaseballweb members more than me either.

Most recently the beautiful shawtstawpmawmma..........

Yes, she looks just like she posts...............


I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too

Peace on Earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see

Forgive me for the rearrangment to fit our purposes...............

And, with our hsbaseballweb deeply rooted in Dixie here's the full version of this one....

By now in New York City.
There's snow on the ground.
And out in California.
The sunshines' falling down.
And maybe down in Memphis, Graceland's all in lights.
And in Atlanta, Georgia, there's peace on earth tonight.

Christmas in Dixie, its snowing in the pines.
Merry Christmas from Dixie to everyone tonight.

Its windy in Chicago.
The kids are out of school.
There's magic in Motown.
The city's on the move.
In Jackson, Mississippi to Charlotte, Caroline.
And all across the Nation, its a peaceful Christmas time.

Christmas in Dixie, its snowing in the pines.
Merry Christmas from Dixie, to everyone tonight.
And from Fort Payne, Alabama..Merry Christmas tonight.

We've all been fortunate to play ball with kids from New York City to California.

Played games in Memphis and Atlanta, Georgia.

Been through Jackson, Mississippi on the way to Carlotte, Carolina to play baseball.

Played in Chicago just this summer and maybe next spring................

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Lafmom,
Great post. You are absolutely correct in your assesment of all of us, and that besides baseball we all have many other things going on in our lives.

For example, I recently sent a pm to a poster who has been missing for awhile, posted regularly and very cheery only to find out they are suffering from some health issues. I myself had some health issues going on last year, only a few knew.

Baseball is a big part of my families life, always has been, but it is NOT the most important thing to us. I have posted that on several occassions, parents and players need to sit back relax and smell the roses and we have learned that through the years. Sometimes I read posts and think that there is so much anxiety going on with baseball and their kids which is so unnecessary. What I have found, the farther son goes the more complicated it gets but the less important it seems to become because as your players get older, they take on more ownership about what they want in their lives, I hope that makes sense.

May you all be blessed with joys of the season and most importantly a healthy new year.

Without doubt, if it wasn't for the moms on this site, the rest of us would be content eating our young. Merry Christmas and Bon Apetit.

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TPM..

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...I hope that makes sense.

A great deal.

44
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Thank you for your post, lafmom. I agree with a lot of what's been said so far. I do tend to make the occasional blunder - almost as often in real life! There are some very helpful, kind, understanding, and funny people here that make the workday go faster. For me, sometimes it does seem like baseball is all-consuming, especially when injury or hardship strikes and baseball is taken away, even for a short time. It helps a lot to learn about what others have done in similar situations, and that things really are going to be OK. I appreciate tremendously the advice, encouragement, and humor that has come from the folks here.

Happy holidays to you all, and I hope all of your boys have very successful and healthy seasons in 2008!

lafmom,
Thanks for being you! I appreciate you very much. After taking the time to think about your post I have to agree with you. I'm guilty of being insensitive at times but I blame it on my genes and my "up-bringing" and call it is "my nature". I constantly have to work on it. Everyone needs a person like lafmom around to keep us aware of the things that really count. For all you other posters that have not had the pleasure of meeting lafmom let me assure you she is as sweet in real life as she is on the HSBBW.
Fungo

lafmom ... amen.

lafmom - What a really great and thoughtful post! Especially at this time of year.

Thanks for looking out for us all.

In the spirit of the title of this thread ("Faces behind the poster"), I'd like to share a little with you all about one of our "sons" on this website.

You all know (or should know) "infielddad." I have a little winter team running with HS freshman trying to get ready for their upcoming tryouts. Mostly, we're interested in getting lots of game-situation ABs and defensive opportunities. The kids come predominantly from a couple of very competitive local HSs where making the team is not a given and getting playing time is tough. The team practices once a week due to school and lack-of-daylight right now.

Anyways, we asked "infieldSON" if he'd like to come out and work with the kids in practice and coach some of their games. Thankfully, he accepted.

Folks, I cannot tell you what a terrific young man infieldSON is...to me he is the ideal coach for young HS players. He is patient and kind, yet firm. He is encouraging and knowledgeable. He is a terrific example for the kids in the way he carries himself and instructs. The parents have fallen in love with him in a very short time and the kids want to know where the heck he is when he's running 5 minutes late.

And as a coach, he is now undefeated with his first championship under his belt! I'm hoping Jason Armstrong goes into coaching someday...he is absolutely the kind of man we need coaching our kids.

I couldn't agree more with what lafmom said....and everyone's assessment of her. One of my blessings this year was to actually meet her and spend a little time with her one March weekend....

I also want to say that for as caught up in our worries and woes as I have been lately, I am very aware that we are very blessed....and I have thinking very much of all of our families who will not be spending the magic of this Christmas season together because their loved ones-- either sons or daughters, or husbands or wives, or sisters or brothers, and actually a few of the posters, so they are fathers or mothers-- are oversees in harm's way, defending our nation so that we can celebrate any holiday that we choose and celebrate every day if we also choose. There are also a number of families whose loved ones have made (or are making) a huge commitment to serve our country, and to them I am eternally grateful. I am keeping you all so very close in my heart.

My heart aches for all of our baseball families whose loved ones are celebrating the birth of Jesus in heaven. May their heavenly presence fill your hearts.

May we all know the peace and love of God's grace....

I love the French--Joyeux Noël! I wish you all a Joyous Christmas and a healthy, injury-free and satisfying new year.

Annette

Well said everyone. Best wishes to all and Merry Christmas...
~Mike

Merry Christmas everybody, and a Happy New Year.
EH

Thanks for the sweet thoughts folks.

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Originally posted by P&CMom:

But, in truth, I don't really "know" anything more about people who post than what they chose to reveal in their posts. Occasionally, someone will post something about a challenge in their life, or a difficult time that they have gone though, and it adds a whole new dimension to the image I have of that poster. Funny stories they tell about themselves, or sharing stories from their childhood, flesh out the image even more.

But I also know that the HSBBW can provide a respite from "real" life. It can be a place to go and not have to talk or think about problems. I have found that most posters here are supportive and kind. I try to repay the kindness to others. But your post, lafmom, reminds me that it might not always be obvious if a poster needs some kindness or a safe, fun place.

I think you're so right on mom. We do come here in spite of whatever challenges we might be facing at home. It does provide respite and a place where we can all share baseball which brings us all joy on varying levels.

I am always amazed at the humility of some of the posters that don't share some wonderful accomplishment of their son, whether that be that he's made the HS team, been drafted, had a standout freshman year in college. Humility is a trait I respect and enjoy seeing in so many of the folks around here. However, the ones that really amaze me are the ones that you find out they're facing super human challenges in some form and they continue to come here while sharing, encouraging, and teaching others. Those are the people I really wanted to salute in this thread I suppose. We can't reach out to all of our family members because we don't know for sure who's facing lonliness or hardships of some kind this holiday season. However, we can include our "HSBBW family" in our thoughts and prayers. I did so last night and will continue to do so through Christmas. May all those that are having some tears behind their friendly posts this year feel the support of our "family".

Justbaseball - What a delightful story about Jason. I think you may have hit on a great idea for a future thread - sharing about some of our wonderful young players through poster's eyes!

lafmom,

Very well said!

My real life is actually dominated by baseball. Thanks for the reminder that there are many much more important things in life than baseball or me.

There are a lot of real nice people who contribute here and in my opinion you are one of the nicest. (and smartest)

Merry Christmas to everyone

Lafmom, Wow, what a lady! God bless all here and Merry Christmas.

Lafmom,

What a beautiful sentiment. You are so right.

I hope you and your family - and every other member of our HSBBweb family - have a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year!

Well said mom!

Beautifully written!

Merry Christmas everyone, and mom don't forget to have those biscuits 'n gravy ready for me when I'm down at CU!

I also have had the pleasure of meeting a few of the very nicest hsbb websters and would love to meet some more! Thanks to all for your help and kindness and wish you all the best! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!

Lafmaom, thank you for the kind thoughts. You are absolutely correct. We all have real lives and all that is attached, good and bad, and for that we are all glad. Moms are intuitive like that. Thanks for the reminder.

To all posters, please sincerely have a joyous, peaceful holiday season and a Blessed New Year.

Dear lafom- your contributions here are invaluable. Thanks for your insight. Cheers to all and a greater 2008 that lies ahead.