Where's PG?

I respected PG.  he started Perfect Game as a parent looking for what was best for his son which is why we do most of what we do in baseball.  He was blessed to have built something that became incredible.  Just like most of us would, he took advantage of a blessing and made something great from it. 

On here, I was always thankful for his comments even when they were not always the best for PG.  He said numerous times that PG was a tool to be used.  Not for everyone.  Both of my younger sons were blessed to have been helped tremendously by PG events.  I hope he is still around and gives his insights.

If you don't like PG, then don't take your kid.  That simple.  Just like everything else in life.  But don't blame it for where baseball has moved to.

Personally, I think the attacks on Mr. Ford are unwarranted. If a person took the time to read the posts that he made over the years, you could see that he cared about the kids. He offered to help many kids that he didn't even know.  

Currently there are 286 visitors (as I am writing this post), I think he could find a better way to advertise, so thinking that he is here to just push his agenda is not sound, IMHO.  

Ryno attended several PG Events, but he also didn't attend as many as he was invited to, because we just couldn't afford them.  I do not resent PG at all for that. We had to pick and choose, and in the end, PG wasn't the reason Ryan ended up at CSI, or Purdue.  Fact is, Ryno had many opportunities and some were because of:

• HS Coach Connections
• Travel Team Coach
• Showing well at a tournament
• PG Events
• HS Baseball Web

There were a myriad of ways that a kid can get better and get exposure.  Why would you eliminate a potential tool?  An invaluable piece of knowledge?

I guess to each his own, but some of the posts I am seeing, seem more like sour grapes.  Why? I'm not sure, but there is a chip on someone's shoulder, and it is an unhealthy way to be.  

Did their kid not make an all tournament team?  Did their kid not go to PG National? Etc.?  That's what it seems like.  Attacking a good person, because of jealousy.  That is a bad way to be IMHO.

PGStaff is still around.  With a couple of clicks, he last posted in November and was on this site yesterday.  

Now, to get JH back on now that he has moved on out of baseball.

I really wish this site had an ignore button.

keewart posted:

PGStaff is still around.  With a couple of clicks, he last posted in November and was on this site yesterday.  

Now, to get JH back on now that he have moved on out of baseball.

what?

cabbagedad posted:

keewart posted:

PGStaff is still around.  With a couple of clicks, he last posted in November and was on this site yesterday.  

Now, to get JH back on now that he have moved on out of baseball.

what?

JH?  Not in scouting anymore.  On to a new venture.

You can research by name to see the activity of members.....like I did with PGStaff.

I second the voice of others.  Again, this is not the typical generic message board.  This is a community.  PG has been a long standing pillar of the community and has proven a thousand times over to be not just an invaluable resource but more importantly, a very good person who has gone above and beyond to help so many.  

As Ryno inferred - while this community is an amazing resource, the time PG has spent here would be a truly awful investment if "driving business" was his primary motivating factor, particularly considering the fact that he often comes out and states "we're probably not right for you" toward many.  Sometimes it can be a bit tricky to determine if a person is genuine or not.  It is glaringly obvious with Jerry.

It is really unfortunate, IMO, that a few regular members cannot recognize these things.  In fact, they seem downright determined not to.

keewart posted:

cabbagedad posted:

keewart posted:

PGStaff is still around.  With a couple of clicks, he last posted in November and was on this site yesterday.  

Now, to get JH back on now that he have moved on out of baseball.

what?

JH?  Not is scouting anymore.  On to a new venture.

You can research by name to see the activity of members.....like I did with PGStaff.

I know JH has a ton to offer any industry.  I knew he went to a front office type of position.  I just couldn't see him leaving baseball any time soon.  He seemed to have a fire for matching his baseball experience with the business/analytics side of the game. 

Chicago643 - what's the gig? 

Jerry is by no-means thin-skinned but he is human and I am sure criticism bothers him.  He is the foremost expert on our site and shares his knowledge generously.  His business interest has never interfered.  He knows every college coach, every MLB front office guy and scout, and he knows all the top players and their families.  Nobody (other than him) has that type of knowledge or insight.  Now we want to run him off?  If I have to choose who to run off the site, I know who is getting run.

I ask you firmly at this point to back-off.  Your points have been made and heard.  If this goes any further we just may have to part ways.

I have begun a change.org petition to have Chicago643 banned from the site. 

https://www.change.org/p/mods-...rs?just_created=true

Teaching Elder posted:

I have begun a change.org petition to have Chicago643 banned from the site. 

https://www.change.org/p/mods-...rs?just_created=true

 

Lol.....nice work

just ignore Chicago..... it's not worth anyone's time and effort.  We all know Jerry is a class act.  He as helped more kids over the years, heck some kids he has helped....... they are not even aware he did.

rynoattack posted:

 

.......I guess to each his own, but some of the posts I am seeing, seem more like sour grapes.  Why? I'm not sure, but there is a chip on someone's shoulder, and it is an unhealthy way to be.  

Here's why:

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people."

Nick Saban

Guess into which group Chicago, et al. most likely falls.

Chicago643, 

One definition of a fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.

You've expressed your opinions. That's fine. Everyone has heard them.

Now figure out another baseball-related subject you're willing to talk about because people who meet the above definition don't keep their posting privileges here.

Oh my. I love PG. His perspective is like anyone else’s - take it or leave it - and even more interesting because of what he does and the insights he has. 2019 has done 3-4 PG showcases, ranked in top 1000 and fairly high in our state and if we wanted could take him again because he’d probably rank higher now. But we’ve chosen to focus on high academics and related showcases where he’s gotten a lot of attention. I think Perfect Game was really helpful as we got to understand the ropes. And PGStaff is insightful even when I don’t completely see it as he does. His motivations are clear and he’s transparent. He’s here to help us, offer his opinion and he makes money off of his business which is highly related to this site. Who cares if he’s a sponsor of the site?  Also, ClevelandDad can you comment to those of us who haven’t been around forever how the site is funded and if donations are accepted and how we do that?  

I am pretty sure that Chicago and perhaps other identities he has will be gone soon as well.

It's pretty easy for any moderator to pull the switch.

Regardless, I am sure that Jerry is fine, and I understand why he probably hasn't been around.

As far as why the PG events aren't being discussed, it's not recruiting season and D1 coaches are getting their teams ready for season.

True, the showcase circuit ( all showcases) can wear any player down, but the ULTIMATE responsibility lies with the parents.  

It is your job as the parent to monitor your players time on the mound, rest between events, not pitch and catch or play shortstop all at once. To blame others is just wrong.  WRONG. Parents educate you and your sons

Chicago seems like a real a$$hole. I'm no PG proponent but Jeessh, this guy  and the "PG causing all the human maladies inflicted upon the youth in our world today" BS, get real man. Get productive with that anger/energy and shovel some snow for the old ladies on your street.

Buckeye 2015 posted:

Teaching Elder posted:

I have begun a change.org petition to have Chicago643 banned from the site. 

https://www.change.org/p/mods-...rs?just_created=true

 

Lol.....nice work

Nice work and a classic move.

Teaching Elder posted:

I have begun a change.org petition to have Chicago643 banned from the site. 

https://www.change.org/p/mods-...rs?just_created=true

 

I will just erase TE from the one I started and put Chicago.

JK TE!  I didn't start it.  LOL!

Midwest Mom posted:

Oh my. I love PG. His perspective is like anyone else’s - take it or leave it - and even more interesting because of what he does and the insights he has. 2019 has done 3-4 PG showcases, ranked in top 1000 and fairly high in our state and if we wanted could take him again because he’d probably rank higher now. But we’ve chosen to focus on high academics and related showcases where he’s gotten a lot of attention. I think Perfect Game was really helpful as we got to understand the ropes. And PGStaff is insightful even when I don’t completely see it as he does. His motivations are clear and he’s transparent. He’s here to help us, offer his opinion and he makes money off of his business which is highly related to this site. Who cares if he’s a sponsor of the site?  Also, ClevelandDad can you comment to those of us who haven’t been around forever how the site is funded and if donations are accepted and how we do that?  

Midwest Mom - PG is the main financial contributor to this site and I hope that continues after the beatings he takes.  You can contribute by going to the top of the screen in the menu bar and hovering over HSBASBALLWEB.COM where a Donations tab will show.  Thanks for asking.

I don't come here as often as I once did, but I check in and see there is actually some level of serious question about PG's presence here? AYFKM? His contribution to this site stand on their own merits, and I would guess that 99.9% of members here appreciate him very much. (I'm guessing there are 1,000 active members, which would mean there is precisely ONE person who is of Chicago's view.)

I say this as a father whose son was not highly rated by Perfect Game, and who Jerry happily acknowledged after his college career was over that he surpassed their predictions for him. 

Jerry is a class act through and through. To lose him from this site would be a shame.

Rob Kremer posted:

I don't come here as often as I once did, but I check in and see there is actually some level of serious question about PG's presence here? AYFKM? His contribution to this site stand on their own merits, and I would guess that 99.9% of members here appreciate him very much. (I'm guessing there are 1,000 active members, which would mean there is precisely ONE person who is of Chicago's view.)

I say this as a father whose son was not highly rated by Perfect Game, and who Jerry happily acknowledged after his college career was over that he surpassed their predictions for him. 

Jerry is a class act through and through. To lose him from this site would be a shame.

That's great. Glad for your son, really.

Rob Kremer posted:

I don't come here as often as I once did, but I check in and see there is actually some level of serious question about PG's presence here? AYFKM? His contribution to this site stand on their own merits, and I would guess that 99.9% of members here appreciate him very much. (I'm guessing there are 1,000 active members, which would mean there is precisely ONE person who is of Chicago's view.)

I say this as a father whose son was not highly rated by Perfect Game, and who Jerry happily acknowledged after his college career was over that he surpassed their predictions for him. 

Jerry is a class act through and through. To lose him from this site would be a shame.

RK you have a note on your FB page from me!

FYI to anyone who doesnt know Robs son is a Duke grad.

PG has so much information. It would be sad if he doesn’t go on anymore. The fact that he is willing to share his opinions with us shows us what kind of person he is. I am not sure why anyone feels the need to attack him anyway. I’m sure he doesn’t care because Perfect Game has been putting on the most popular showcases and tournaments for years now. 

Teaching Elder posted:

I have begun a change.org petition to have Chicago643 banned from the site. 

https://www.change.org/p/mods-...rs?just_created=true

 

A petition is not necessary.

Ding dong the witch is dead?

Teaching Elder posted:

Ding dong the witch is dead?

The witch is indeed dead. 

I hope Jerry sees this thread and replies as he is missed around here.

It's very easy for some people to make assumptions. It's also very easy for some people to throw stuff out there behind the safety of a keyboard. The bottom line is I know Jerry. Many here know Jerry. I could tell story after story of how he went out of his way to help a young man he didn't know. I could tell stories about how big his heart is and how much he has shown time and time again how much he cares about young people. Jerry comes here because he loves baseball and enjoys the conversation. He cares about people. Let's face it he doesn't have to come here to promote his brand. He doesn't have to come here to defend himself. This place is somewhere he can go and get away from the every day grind of running a business and life itself. But can anyone blame him for taking a break? You come here and see these idiotic posts and then get attacked by idiotic strangers who don't know you.

We have lost some great posters over the years because they simply found it wasn't worth it. Instead of coming here and enjoying the conversation, sharing and taking a break from the stupidity that life can bring it ends up adding to the negative and not being a positive. I don't post nearly as much as I used to. With the season starting officially today I doubt I post much over the next few months. But I do hope my friend comes back because I miss seeing his posts. And more importantly because this site needs him.

PG has done some amazing things for people in the HSBBWeb community without being asked.  Definitely a top contributor on this site, and a man with a big baseball heart. 

But where is he?  I can't find him either?

Any baseball site should love to have PG as a contributor. All of the discussions here are worse off if he is no longer going to post. He is THE leading figure in the youth baseball industry. I have never understood peoples complaints about PG. All he did was figure out there was a huge demand for information on youth baseball players by college and pro sources. He figured out a way to fill that hole in the market by creating the number one source for that information. That's great, I love hearing the stories of how entrepreneurs are successful.

PG isn't driving the kids to try to be in baseball shape to showcase and throw max effort all year. Its PARENTS misreading what they need to do to get their kid recognized. PG is only offering a product and picking up money that parents are putting out there. if you want to complain after the fact that throwing all year and chasing a scholarship didn't work out I don't really feel bad for you. I feel for your kid, not the parent. Its not too hard to find information that doing this is not the best for your kids health and a lot of players get scholarships showing they can play at other places than PG. Most complaints about PG come off as sour grapes because parents plans didn't work. My kid is playing in the WWBA why is he not getting offers? Because he can't hit or pitch better than other kids in his grad year not PG selling you a shady product that over promised.

I need to throw in here.  Been reading the posts, but have been very busy at work and haven't taken the time to post.  PG is/was(?) a great asset to this board.  Hopefully the idiotic posts have not run him off and he is just taking a break.  For the life of me I can't figure out why folks will bash on him.  He has given sound advice that has helped many folks over the years.  So he mentions his business from time to time.  Normally its in relation to a specific question or complaint.  Its not like he is spamming these boards every day.  Nor have I seen him dump on competing businesses on here (PBR, et al).  

Ja'Crispy posted:

Any baseball site should love to have PG as a contributor. All of the discussions here are worse off if he is no longer going to post. He is THE leading figure in the youth baseball industry. I have never understood peoples complaints about PG. All he did was figure out there was a huge demand for information on youth baseball players by college and pro sources. He figured out a way to fill that hole in the market by creating the number one source for that information. That's great, I love hearing the stories of how entrepreneurs are successful.

PG isn't driving the kids to try to be in baseball shape to showcase and throw max effort all year. Its PARENTS misreading what they need to do to get their kid recognized. PG is only offering a product and picking up money that parents are putting out there. if you want to complain after the fact that throwing all year and chasing a scholarship didn't work out I don't really feel bad for you. I feel for your kid, not the parent. Its not too hard to find information that doing this is not the best for your kids health and a lot of players get scholarships showing they can play at other places than PG. Most complaints about PG come off as sour grapes because parents plans didn't work. My kid is playing in the WWBA why is he not getting offers? Because he can't hit or pitch better than other kids in his grad year not PG selling you a shady product that over promised.

^^This.

Coach_May posted:

It's very easy for some people to make assumptions. It's also very easy for some people to throw stuff out there behind the safety of a keyboard. The bottom line is I know Jerry. Many here know Jerry. I could tell story after story of how he went out of his way to help a young man he didn't know. I could tell stories about how big his heart is and how much he has shown time and time again how much he cares about young people. Jerry comes here because he loves baseball and enjoys the conversation. He cares about people. Let's face it he doesn't have to come here to promote his brand. He doesn't have to come here to defend himself. This place is somewhere he can go and get away from the every day grind of running a business and life itself. But can anyone blame him for taking a break? You come here and see these idiotic posts and then get attacked by idiotic strangers who don't know you.

We have lost some great posters over the years because they simply found it wasn't worth it. Instead of coming here and enjoying the conversation, sharing and taking a break from the stupidity that life can bring it ends up adding to the negative and not being a positive. I don't post nearly as much as I used to. With the season starting officially today I doubt I post much over the next few months. But I do hope my friend comes back because I miss seeing his posts. And more importantly because this site needs him.

Coach May don’t go away!  Most of us are positive. I can count on one hand the jerks. I always call them out or post in opposition and the really bad ones get kicked out. This is how communities are though. Hope you stick it out. We all need those who’ve been through it. 

Jerry has always been very honest PG isn’t for everyone. It’s not his responsibility to make the decision for players. It’s the player’s parents and their coaches (advisors) who are responsible for the decision.

I don’t understand why this subject comes up a couple of times per year. It’s like defending Mercedes. If you don’t like them don’t buy one. But not liking Mercedes doesn’t stop it from being a great car in most people’s eyes.

Teaching Elder posted:

Ding dong the witch is dead?

I think to some it was obvious who the witch was. Fooled me at first. I thought that it was someone else.  The attack on PG sealed the deal.

Sounds like this dad has some issues going on, no interest in his player, it was evident the last topic he started, about how a coach may have mishandled an incident.  Hope he is reading this, Shoveit4ks was right, guy is a real a$$.

People be aware that when they pull the plug, you may be able to sneak in the back door, but your attitude will eventually give you away. 

"If a person took the time to read the posts that he made over the years, you could see that he cared about the kids. He offered to help many kids that he didn't even know."

Yes, and I'm one of those people. I realized right away that this guy's heart is in the right place by reading old threads. I'm an aunt who is responsible for helping nephew navigate his recruiting journey, and this site was a life saver. I've only been on here for a few months and never personally interacted with PG, but have read LOTS of old threads. I was impressed that anyone on staff at PG would take the time to provide such insightful and helpful feedback. I read many of PG's posts before I read a thread that gave away his identity.

I was blown away to learn that such an influential person would spend his "spare" time to help our kids! Kids he doesn't know! I read several of his old posts in which he offered to help kids who needed assistance (financially or otherwise). He even solicited PMs so he could personally assure that assistance. It was obvious he genuinely cares about the future success of baseball and the kids who are its future. 

PG is like the volunteer youth team coach who doesn't have a kid on the team:  he donates his time and expertise because he truly loves the game and the kids. That makes me respect and celebrate his entrepreneurial success even more! This aunt certainly thanks you PG for all the posts you have made thus far. Even if you never post again, your existing posts will educate for many years to come.     

Someone above mentioned that this site is a "community" rather than just a typical online forum. I have found that to be true. Thanks to all of you who have helped create and maintain that environment for us newcomers. 

adbono posted:

ClevelandDad posted:

I haven't noticed him posting in quite some time.  If I am mistaken about that, someone please let me know and I'll remove this thread.  Hope all is well with him.

Some of us know that Jerry Ford is the primary financial support behind the HSBBW site. If you don't know that, you haven't been paying very close attention.  He hasn't gone anywhere - and if he isn't posting regularly he has his reasons for that - whatever they may be.  But seeing as how you are an administrator on this site it stands to reason that there are many ways you could check in on Jerry Ford that would be more straightforward than this post. So I have to wonder about the intent behind it.  Its not too difficult to predict that a bar fight might break out over this subject  

I have been a moderator on this site for way over a decade.  I was fortunate to be asked by Julie to moderate a couple of forums when she took over from the chief cook and bottle washer.  You make assumption that aren't correct.  While I have certain abilities, I don't have access to all of Jerry's stuff.  I used to communicate with him a very long time ago when this site went through a major problem with an individual or two.  As was I, he was the target of this attack.  He was extremely supportive of me and what me and my family were going through.  

I've taken time to not respond to this while I went and read a history of posts from some critical of Jerry.  Jerry's contributions over this length of time reflect his original intent of his organization and then shows the progression and the efforts he made to create a quality business that has benefited thousands.  Go read them sometime.  I personally have had players benefit from PG Events.  I coach at a small HS where few knew my players back in the day but several now have gone on to play professionally.  I fail to see the breath of quality contribution for others but rather see only criticism.  It would be a shame if Jerry has decided to stop contributing to this site.  Maybe some of you critical could now provide more than opinions.  How about substance on how players should go about the process of recruitment, maybe posts about the game itself or otherwise positive contribution.  

Take care,

Darrell Butler

Chicago643 posted:

Look, can we just address the elephant in the room? PG has as many people who doesn't like the business model, or the monetizing of the college baseball recruiting process as those who feel your kids are where they are because of PG. 

Show me the data.