Why does HSBBW exist?

To fill your weekday from 4:00 - 5:00.

Madly typing away, boss thinks his passionate employee is driving hard to the finish line. Dreaming of his yearly bonus, he ambles by the printer with his styrofoam cup of reheated coffee. He glances down at the printer. Eyes widened, cheeks turning red "Francis! Are you on that interchatboard thing again?!"

You don't know what you don't know. Ten years ago there was a lot I didn't know. By reading questions, good responses, bad responses, irrelevant responses, I started to know there was things I didn't know. But I then knew to find out, as much as possible, what was relevant. I'm sure there is a lot I still don't know. But what I do know is that when someone writes advice, there is almost always someone who disagrees with it. Such is the nature of humans and a chat board, especially mostly anonymous ones.

Just as important, I met a guy, who asked if my son would guest pitch on an out of state team, then met a bunch more guys/gals. The guest pitch appearance turned into three years of two or three tournaments a year. During those tournaments, my son grew into a better player, got exposure, got offered and is now sitting in a dorm with three other players fighting for their chance to contribute on a college team. And he got to go back stage to a Parker McCollum concert Saturday night by following the "older" baseball players and trying to look cool like they probably look to him.

I understand how the PO feels, I think. This is a baseball site and sometimes the suggestion is pick the school for the education and experience and Baseball second, or not at all. However that is good advice. 

One of my sons requirements was that Baseball was a strong otpion and that he was recruited to play there. Fortunately he had a lot of options in the D3, for the NCAC, and OAC, plus a few other conferences. Baseball was not the main requirement, however it was a requirement. Many of the schools were similar in many ways. So he narrowed it down, based on Academics and other school critereia, AND that he felt loved. 

He could have gone to other schools and played club or not played baseball at all. Some of those opportunities were very attractive. And there is nothing wrong with those options. However they were crossed off the list, because they did not meet the baseball requirement. 

I understand there is only so many seasons to play baseball. However setting yourself up for the next  40 years is more important. Plus you may only go through college once, so that should be agood experience as well. 

@BishopLeftiesDad posted:

I understand how the PO feels, I think. This is a baseball site and sometimes the suggestion is pick the school for the education and experience and Baseball second, or not at all. However that is good advice. 

One of my sons requirements was that Baseball was a strong otpion and that he was recruited to play there. Fortunately he had a lot of options in the D3, for the NCAC, and OAC, plus a few other conferences. Baseball was not the main requirement, however it was a requirement. Many of the schools were similar in many ways. So he narrowed it down, based on Academics and other school critereia, AND that he felt loved. 

He could have gone to other schools and played club or not played baseball at all. Some of those opportunities were very attractive. And there is nothing wrong with those options. However they were crossed off the list, because they did not meet the baseball requirement. 

I understand there is only so many seasons to play baseball. However setting yourself up for the next  40 years is more important. Plus you may only go through college once, so that should be agood experience as well. 

 

This is a great perspective imo - hard to find that balance between baseball and the 40 year horizon but that's where the answer should lie. We are frankly struggling a bit with that for my '22

The 40 years will "test" your skills learned from the game.

1. can you make adjustments in life that you learned from baseball competition.

2. Can you compete daily at work, as you did in baseball

3. can you plan your day of work, as you prepared for a game. the wind, the sun, the opposing pitcher, the condition of the baseball field, the depth of the fences.

4. when did you turn off the cell phone; 2 hours before the game.

Remember your baseball role "see the ball" also apply to life.

Bob

Thought about this one for a little bit and tried to understand where the OP is coming from before I posted a couple thoughts.

Simple answer to question - This is the time when most will stop playing baseball.  The under-current that some posters allude to is realism, no matter how blunt it may seem at the time in your life when you read it.

Take it for what it is worth, but the resounding message I read on this board is actually one of hope and optimism. You don't need to be the next Micky Mantle to succeed through baseball. If you target the right schools, put in the hard work, have a little talent, and sprinkle in a little luck you can use the 4 years to setup yourself up for the next 40. Makes a lot of sense if you ask me.    

@Consultant posted:

The 40 years will "test" your skills learned from the game.

1. can you make adjustments in life that you learned from baseball competition.

2. Can you compete daily at work, as you did in baseball

3. can you plan your day of work, as you prepared for a game. the wind, the sun, the opposing pitcher, the condition of the baseball field, the depth of the fences.

4. when did you turn off the cell phone; 2 hours before the game.

Remember your baseball role "see the ball" also apply to life.

Bob

You knocked this one out of the park, Bob! Couldn’t have said it better myself!!

Anti-Anxiety Medicine for the soul 

Bob is right!

Baseball teaches you and prepares you for life after baseball.  Besides, looks great on the resume!  

Choose wisely, baseball should be the catalyst that helps you get into a school that may have been unreachable and cuts college costs, no matter what division. Getting a chance to play afterward, is just icing on the cake.

And no I am not trying to be negative, just realistic.