This website

Thanks @Dadbelly2023

FWIW, I have a little, albeit really dated, experience hosting sites like this one. And, I would bet that the 465 online now contains a lot of "bots." I doubt that there's really close to 500 on here at any given time. In any event, people should feel free to post and comment. That's the whole purpose of these forums. And, for those mulling it, there's A LOT of really smart, kind and giving people here. They are very helpful.

You just have to learn to ignore the few who aren't so nice.

Great post, and agree with your points.

Also agreed there are probably a lot of bots. AI developers love to use forum sites for training their models. We're all here making ChatGPT smarter.

I started to lurk around here in 2019 and it has been an awesome place and have connected online and in person with several folks here. One can find out quite a bit by poking around here. I updated my profile because that is one way lurkers (like I was) can learn more about some of the regulars and occasional posters (like me). I found the search function fairly helpful in researching certain topics that were relevant to my kid and our situation. Examples being things like hamate bone injuries, labrum issues, certain schools that my kid were participants in my kids recruiting process, and the Arizona Fall Classic high academic game to name a few that were very helpful to us.

Enjoy the ride...mine is nearing the end and it's great and not so great at the same time.

@used2lurk posted:

Enjoy the ride...mine is nearing the end and it's great and not so great at the same time.

My son loved baseball with all his heart and it was tough for him to say goodbye to the game.  He found out he was about to be a father and he could no longer pursue his bachelor ways.  Thus, life made the choice for him.  He cried when he admitted he could no longer do (earn a living) at what he loved most.  I told him when you see your son someday hit a homerun or do something good in baseball, the thrill is the same as if YOU did (or were still doing) those things.

Great topic for a thread @Dadbelly2023.  What I find interesting about this site is you get a 360 degree view of a baseball topic.  I love it for that purpose.   Whether that is tips for making the high school team, getting college recruited or getting drafted.   

So much has changed in the last 15-16 years including the questions, temperament of the posters, and the whole baseball ecosystem from LL to MLB.   Like any social setting (electronic or face to face) you have to read the crowd and that can be challenging for newcomers.   Early on, I had some interesting comments by some of the old timers about my approach with my oldest son.   None the less, I listened to the data points of their message and generally ignored how the message was delivered.  Some were very strongly worded.  Regardless, I was seeking their knowledge and experience so you sometimes have to take the bad with the good.  I didn't agree with everything they had to say, but always considered their viewpoint.  There many here who have strong opinions and unique experiences.  That is the "HSBBWeb gold", and what makes it a success in my opinion.

JMO. 

Long time lurker, occasional poster and parent of 8th grader here. Feels a bit like the calm before the storm (high school). Lots of what I've read here has been helpful in knowing what to expect.

One of the best pieces of advice I got was just recently (thanks @TPM) son was 15 (now 16) and I was asked if he had a trainer?  I’m thinking to myself , he’s a bit young, but was told he should get one.  We found one and it has completely changed his life.  Not only is he bigger faster stronger, but he changed his eating habits.  So many people have taken notice.  A number of his friends are now going as well.  I’ve learned a lot from this website and am enjoying the ride.

@ClevelandDad posted:

My son loved baseball with all his heart and it was tough for him to say goodbye to the game.  He found out he was about to be a father and he could no longer pursue his bachelor ways.  Thus, life made the choice for him.  He cried when he admitted he could no longer do (earn a living) at what he loved most.  I told him when you see your son someday hit a homerun or do something good in baseball, the thrill is the same as if YOU did (or were still doing) those things.

Great perspective. In my own personal experience I got more enjoyment out of watching my sons do something great than anything I ever did myself.

Agreed.  My oldest son (non baseball) is about to graduate college and I am so excited for what his future holds, its a big world out there.  One of my other sons is playing this year as a freshman at a very good D3.  The advise and sometimes wisdom found here helped him get to where he is at, and we could not be happier with the transition.  In a social media / sound bite dominated world the kind of thoughtful, real-world experience found here on HSbaseball is highly valued.  Like anywhere else, people have differing approaches and perspectives but that, too, is part of the process.  Yes, I donated.  Thank you!

I know this site is officially titled "high school baseball web," but I think it is an excellent resource for all amateur ball players and their parents.  I've found it helpful to answer the (sometimes very specific) questions that pop up during a player's journey.   I try to contribute the little I know from our family's experience, as needed.  Thanks to all the organizers and posters, no matter what the level.

@adbono posted:

Great perspective. In my own personal experience I got more enjoyment out of watching my sons do something great than anything I ever did myself.

I haven’t made this comment in quite a while …

Even when your kids finish playing they will still do great things. It just won’t be baseball/softball. My daughter made national news with a prosecution when she was a prosecutor taking down a military academy rapist. She’s now in a law firm. But the thing I enjoy the most is watching her be a mother.

My son texted me today asking if it’s weird to have two kids in their thirties. I responded raising them has been the best part of my life. Now his sister has a daughter and another on the way and he will soon start a family makes this the second best part of my life.

I think I found this site by a Google search when my son was in 7-8th grade.  I remember sitting down one night with a glass of wine and reading everything @Coach May had written.  Printed off a few pages to show my son.  He heard more than once, "the HSBASEBALLWEB" said..."

This website was set up differently way back then with categories you could see on the side bar:  middle school, Coaches Corner, For Women Only, etc.   The categories are still there but are buried so that now you only see the most recent posts whatever category it is in.   Go to the top bar and search around a bit.

And I had to bite my tongue more than once in the stands when I heard mis-information.  I had learned so much from this site, and I didn't want to appear a know-it-all-mom when I heard some dads repeat mis-information about the game and the draft. 

My son is now on his next journey, but this site was so VALUABLE to me for knowledge for him at the HS level, the college level, and the pro level.   His playing days are over, but I feel like maybe I can give back a tid-bit of advice for someone along the path.  My son was a good player in little league, but I had no idea at the time that my 8th grader would play pro-ball.   

I would say about 2-3 years ago there was an influx of new parents visiting this site which was great. There were lulls in the offseason as usual, but once Feb hit it was lively with updates from all different levels.

For a lot of them, instead of taking in the advice from people who have been there and done that, they would argue and tell parents of college and pro players/coaches they were wrong and their son was special/different. It seemed (to me) to drive a lot of regulars away and participate less - who knows, maybe I'm way off base.

I've definitely been less active since. But I'm nobody, the people with valuable knowledge and experience are the people you don't want to lose.

There's a lot of good information on here and some valuable minds. If you're willing to listen and come in with an open mind there is a lot to learn around here.

I think I came across this site when my son was a freshman in high school, but I had never seen a discussion board before, so I didn't understand what all the comments meant.

I read more when it was college recruiting time.  Once I figured out how the site worked, I became absorbed.  I started reading old threads for relaxation (which I still do) - have you noticed that the General Items forum goes back to 2006 or something?  It's incredible how some things have changed, and some things have stayed the same.  I've made friends here; my son has played against other members' sons, which is kind of fun.  Everything I know I learned here, so I like to give back.

I donate at the start of every season, for luck. 

@keewart posted:

...He heard more than once, "the HSBASEBALLWEB" said..."

That's awesome!  Imagine how many hundreds of stories can be told with that tag line!?

@cabbagedad posted:

That's awesome!  Imagine how many hundreds of stories can be told with that tag line!?

I see HSBASEBALLWEB referenced on occasion.   Recently in "I Should Have Quit This Morning" by a mom who had two sons go to Stanford and be drafted.  Good read, btw!

@PABaseball posted:

I would say about 2-3 years ago there was an influx of new parents visiting this site which was great. There were lulls in the offseason as usual, but once Feb hit it was lively with updates from all different levels.

For a lot of them, instead of taking in the advice from people who have been there and done that, they would argue and tell parents of college and pro players/coaches they were wrong and their son was special/different. It seemed (to me) to drive a lot of regulars away and participate less - who knows, maybe I'm way off base.

I've definitely been less active since. But I'm nobody, the people with valuable knowledge and experience are the people you don't want to lose.

There's a lot of good information on here and some valuable minds. If you're willing to listen and come in with an open mind there is a lot to learn around here.

I remember that group. I think it was a little bit longer ago. I don’t offer as much as advice as in the past. COVID changed the recruiting dynamic. I’m more about just sharing the experience. It will always be about the player, the team, the coach, talent, health and academics.

My first post here as well. I joined not that long ago and love reading all the posts, new and old.

My son is a 2029 who plays both baseball and football, and about to go into a super competitive High School (in all sports).

He was always the smaller kid, but grinded and finally hitting significant growth spurts. He turns 14 next week and it seems he has flipped a switch and really starting to mature in sports and where he wants to get to.

The one key thing we did maybe a year or so ago is not focus so much on the private lessons. Yes, we still see a hitting coach a few times a month, also a pitching/fielding coach maybe once a month outside of normal practice. What we replaced all that with is a speed and agility coach. It has been night and day in his athletic ability and its showing on the field. This coach is also a mentor to both my son and me. He's seen a LOT of athletes and still works with pro guys in their offseason.

This site has been a huge resource for me trying to navigate what to expect coming into the HS baseball chapter. I hope the long timers stick around to answer questions and provide guidance.

@PDR58 posted:

My first post here as well. I joined not that long ago and love reading all the posts, new and old.

My son is a 2029 who plays both baseball and football, and about to go into a super competitive High School (in all sports).

He was always the smaller kid, but grinded and finally hitting significant growth spurts. He turns 14 next week and it seems he has flipped a switch and really starting to mature in sports and where he wants to get to.

The one key thing we did maybe a year or so ago is not focus so much on the private lessons. Yes, we still see a hitting coach a few times a month, also a pitching/fielding coach maybe once a month outside of normal practice. What we replaced all that with is a speed and agility coach. It has been night and day in his athletic ability and its showing on the field. This coach is also a mentor to both my son and me. He's seen a LOT of athletes and still works with pro guys in their offseason.

This site has been a huge resource for me trying to navigate what to expect coming into the HS baseball chapter. I hope the long timers stick around to answer questions and provide guidance.

I will reply with the best advice that was ever given to me about this site. When you read a post that creates an urge to respond (either positively or negatively) read the bio of the poster before you hit send.