“It’s something worth saving (community baseball) and I wish that more people were patient for the process of kids learning how to play and act in the natural course of growing up. Thank you.” (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Even on vacation opinionated readers of Press Pros took the time to write and air their concerns and grievances – youth baseball, criticism of the Reds, Tavien St. Clair, and summer music. We thank you all…and don’t forget to send a postcard.
Exactly a month to the day from our last June post of the The Reader Speaks, July has slowed because of vacations and a lack of high school and college sports.
But people still took the time from travel to weigh on in community baseball, in particular, with the pros and cons of home cooking.
“Gentlemen, I was so impressed with your taking the time to write about Little League baseball (in Minster, OH). As a new reader of your site I have family in the Lima area and agree that those activities go a long way towards encouraging kids – the values and support of a community paying forward. It’s something worth saving and I wish we could be more patient for the process of kids learning how to play and act in the natural course of growing up. Thank you.” … Geo. Solomon (Belmont County, OH)
“While it was a nice feel-good, it’s also contradictory to your constant complaint of kids not playing to win or playing against better competition.” … Jack Riess
(Ed. Note: When they’re ten years old, Jack?)
“Baseball is just the tip of the iceberg of what we’ve lost in our communities. You don’t have to play sports to have courtesy, respect for each other, and trusted adult leadership. Good for Minster.” … James Milhoan (via Twitter)
“It seems that you could write about a number of other activities that benefit kids who aren’t athletes, but you don’t. Your biases are an obstacle.” … Tom Owen (via Twitter)
“Community teams made up of boys learning to play the game together at such a young age are, in my opinion, one of the biggest aspects of high school programs becoming successful…the years of hoping to play for that HS coach, continuing to play alongside their buddies. Fun! I loved this.” … Rose Pottkotter (Via Facebook)
“Sonny, you speak the truth.” … Chuck Harlow (Via Facebook)
“Great article. I have enjoyed 8 of my grandkids playing in these tournaments over the years.” … Gary Kremer
“There was girls softball at the same tournament. I would have been nice if you had written about them, too.” … Cory
(Ed. Note: Cory, I won’t disagree. As it was Alan Brads and Julie Wright did a great job under severe time limitations. And a lot of people could have written, but they didn’t)
Hal McCoy aroused either a sleeping giant, or the ambivalent mass of people who have similarly loss interest in Reds baseball with his July 10 post.
“Please remind Hal that bad Reds baseball is better than no baseball. We’re thankful to have the Reds.” … Eric Gillenwater
“Bitter, Hal? Seems they [the Reds] treated you pretty well all those years.” … Greg Arnold
“The Reds are not fun to watch anymore because there is no commitment to sustainable winning baseball. Elly De la Cruz will be gone as soon as he can get out of there. They won’t pay him. (They’re) the epitome of the big tease. Go get ’em, Hal.” … Roger Morgan
“Bob Howsam is spinning in his grave.” … Jack Bond
Bellefontaine High School quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
“Right about now Marge Schott looks pretty good as an owner, doesn’t she. It’s been 35 years!” … Leon Lane
Ohio State fans enjoyed Jeff Gilbert’s lengthy expose on Bellefontaine quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
“Thanks for writing this. It’s good to see that a player from a town like Bellefontaine can be recognized for his talent and dreams of playing with the best. Thoroughly enjoyed it.” … Brett Higgins
And last, some words about summer music on a sports site….!
“Please count me as one of those who enjoy your posts on Press Pros about music and songs from the past. I was ten years old when the Ventures recorded Pipeline and had no idea about surfing. I just loved that song. Still do.” … Marc Russell
“Nothing wrong with learning something new. You do a great job with the stories behind the songs. Keep it up.” … Matt Richardson
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