“If you’re being honest, seven divisions of baseball is for those who don’t want to play baseball for more than six weeks, or work at it like you have to if you want to be good.” – (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Commentary from near and far on content posted since May…on seven divisions of OHSAA baseball…softball coverage…all-state baseball…Lou Brunswick…Ohio State baseball…and Memorial Day.
It’s been brought to our attention that the last Reader Speaks post was over a month ago, and that’s true…on May 1.
The factors do pile up, but the biggest issue was simply being busy with trying to fit too much into too few available days. In the month of April and May, alone, we were rained out of eight different baseball and softball events. More about that in a minute.
But it’s obvious that we continue to reach new audience every day, as nearly half the emails and texts we received over the month were from northwest, northeast, and southeast Ohio; and we appreciate those new readers and their sharing their views with others. Unfortunately we can’t post them all, so we touched on as many topics as possible.
It came as no surprise that our post on the impact of seven divisions of OHSAA sports on the baseball would garner the lion’s share of reader sentiment, because it’s baseball season.
Knapke Kitchens and Baths sponsors University of Dayton sports on Press Pros Magazine.com.
“You made a point that had previously escaped me. Now I’m watching kids try to throw the baseball during infield practice, and you’re right. What a difference from I grew up playing baseball. All of us could throw, but we couldn’t hit the curveball.” … Jerry Hosea
(Ed. Note: Jerry, thanks for writing, and you’re not that far removed. You still can’t hit the curve.)
VPP proudly sponsors Ohio State baseball on Press Pros Magazine.com.
“Simply put, there’s so much demand on the best athletes, especially in the small schools, that it’s physically impossible to be good as you want to be in every sport. New reader, first-time writer. Love the site.” …. Jeff Crosetti
“I think it’s great to have seven divisions of baseball so more kids can play to just have fun. Having fun is more important than winning a championship because seven champions out of all those schools really isn’t asking that much.” … Linda Ellison
(Ed. Note: There’s a name for what you like, and it’s ‘intra-murals’. It’s where you play for fun, don’t care if you win, and you might get a bacterial infection in the locker room. And it does seem like we’re asking for less. Eh?)
“Enough with the window dressing, and calling it opportunity. If you’re being honest, seven divisions of baseball is for those who don’t want to play baseball for more than six weeks, or work at it like you have to if you want to be good.” … Thomas Flynn
“It’s amazing how many ways we find to justify mediocre?” … Larry Young
The all-state baseball teams were announced recently, and these readers reacted.
“Just looked at the all-state lists for seven divisions of high school baseball, and there must be three hundred. Really?” … Doug King
Butler’s Hunter Richardson is the Division III Pitcher of The Year, committed to play at Division I Marshall University.
“What’s your opinions on the all-state baseball selections, how many Division I college players are on it, and who makes those picks?” … Kenny Marko
(Ed. Note: I really can’t talk about the all-state teams, I through VII, because I only see the area teams in west-central Ohio. But I have no issues with players like Butler’s Hunter Richardson, Russia’s Braylon Cordonnier, and Grant Jolly at Wapakoneta. And I pick those three because I see them locally, they’re all going to Marshall (Division I), where Greg Beals is a good judge of developmental talent. Richardson throws strikes, and that’s a priority. Cordonnier has awesome power potential as a left-hand hitter. And Jolly was impressive on the mound at the state tournament, and he had a bad day. Hayden Fry and Aidan Gorman (Troy) are both nice players, and I think Fry is a commit to Toledo. Owen Roether (Beavercreek) is also a first-teamer, but I don’t know his college plans. As for who makes the picks? The coaches make them now, so there might be a bit of friendly give and take, but better than the days of the AP, when writers from from the south never even saw players from the north, and vice-versa. How many Division I players? I’m sure there’s several that I haven’t seen.)
Why isn’t there more softball coverage on Press Pros…?
“Nobody’s does high school baseball better than you guys, but they play softball on the same day, at the same school, and wonder why you don’t take the time to cover both sports.” … Mark Courtney (via Facebook)
(Ed. Note: Staffing, for one. It would be easier to do softball if it was played on a separate day from baseball. But they do it that way so they can transport both teams on one bus in many cases. That said, one person cannot run back and forth between a baseball game and softball and do a good job on either.)
We’ve only just touched on our new harness racing page, but Mr Delaware loves it.
“Love the photos, and enjoy reading about the drivers and trainers. You don’t see much written about harness racing. Hope you will continue.” … James Delaware
Mention the name Lou Brunswick and you hear from old-time fans of sports done right.
“Loved the picture of Lou. I played against his teams at Coldwater forty years ago.” … Jack Olendorf
(Ed. Note: Jack, the shot you refer to was one taken at the state ACME tournament about five years ago. Stories galore, and his favorite place to be.)
“He was a great person with a huge heart, always supporting me and others, and a man who devoted so much to our players and programs. I will always remember and treasure my conversations with him! The best of the best!” … Carolyn Dammeyer (via Facebook)
On the subject of time devoted to Ohio State baseball, 13 and 37, and what comes next…?
“No one sees as much of it as you do, so have we seen the worst of Ohio State baseball yet…how does it get fixed…is Haire secure…and what do you expect in 2026?” … Don Motz
(Ed Note: You’re asking for a column, not an answer in fifty words or less. Have we seen the worst? Maybe. How does it get fixed? Simply put, the eight guys behind the pitcher were good enough to be at least .500, but they need a giant infusion of pitching talent, and talent with its eyes open to the expectations of Division I baseball. What to expect in 2026? Well, more than an oil change. There has to be some engine work, too. Justin Haire has a five-year contract, the talk about him that I hear is favorable, so I would think he’s good for now.)
Finally…how Memorial Day has changed right before our eyes…..
“A friend sent me your post, I enjoyed it, and believe every word you wrote. Memorial Day is absolutely different than the holiday and the feeling that I grew up with. God bless what the United States of America used to be, and hopefully we’re in His hands for the future. Thank you for taking the time.” … Len Friedman
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