Volume #3 of your best comments about posts on Press Pros for 2017. In this edition: The “outdoors, fishing, and birds”, pitch counts in high school baseball, Greg Hoard, basketball’s “black eye”… and “Mom(s)”.
It may come as a surprise to many, but for the six years that we’ve published Press Pros online the most widely read and appreciated writer on the site has consistently been outdoors columnist Jim Morris. Why? Because apparently people love to fish, or at least in the case of one writer this week, they would enjoy reading more “about” fishing:
“Dear Press Pros, I read Jim Morris’s column a lot because I enjoy fishing, and wonder if he could write more about “how” to fish. I also enjoy your hunting stories from Tom Cappell, and wonder if Mr. Morris might not share some thoughts about tackle and technique and stories about fishing the same way Cappell does about bird hunting. Either way, I really enjoy reading about the outdoors on Press Pros. Keep up the good work.” … Bill Justis (Jasper County, Indiana)
“I enjoyed the article on backyard bird feeders. I have had feeders in my yard for nearly fifty years and can count over 200 different species of birds I’ve catalogued over that period. As a point of clarification, there’s a fine line of difference between the house finch (that Jim Morris) identified in his photo and a purple finch. Kudos to Mr. Morris for getting it right. Love the Press Pros website.” … Ray and Janet Adams
The blog on the National Federation rule on pitch counts for high school baseball brought immediate reaction, pro and con:
“Generally I agree with you about over-regulation with just about everything. But in the case of pitch counts I stand with the NFHS because no two athletes mature physically at the same rate. I think the pitch count is a good thing because it protects those who do not know how to protect themselves,” … Eric Crandall
“As you stated in your article, the pitch count is probably a good idea to protect that one really good pitcher from over-use during tournament competition.” … Jerry (Westerville, Oh)
“Once again you make some very good points about amateur baseball. You hit the nail on the head when you said that all anyone seems to think about with this rule is the pitchers. I had never thought about catchers (and the amount they throw), but that’s an excellent observation. By the way, I am an advocate of playing high school baseball in the summer, as you’ve suggested in the past, because it just makes sense.” … Tim Sampson
(Ed note: But it doesn’t make sense to school administrators because high school baseball is not a revenue sport. It makes no money. So everyone’s schedule has to be re-arranged, pro bono. And, coaches worry that because some kids have actually graduated that it would be too hard to maintain rules, and hard for players with jobs to find time for baseball. Who knows if you don’t try?)
“I played baseball for almost forty years and I never had a sore arm. I will agree that not everyone can do that, because we’re not all made the same. But for the most part, avoiding sore arms is a matter of getting strong and staying strong. And the only way you do that is by throwing.” … David Waller
“The real problem is that many schools barely have enough kids to play. And if you limit the number of pitches there will be some teams that are going to have to forfeit games for lack of pitchers. At least that’s how I see it. For that reason I’m opposed to the new rule.” … Mike (Dayton)
“Seriously, you mentioned water-boarding as punishment for not reporting? Now that’s funny.” … Mike Maloney
You know that spring is near when people start writing and asking for more Greg Hoard baseball nostalgia:
“While I enjoy reading about college baseball from Greg Hoard, I wonder if he might also write more about players from the past. I’ve enjoyed his stories about Stan Musial, Bob Costas, Al Kaline, and others. Just a suggestion.” … Fred Moore (Huntington, W. Va.)
(Ed. note: We agree, and will see that your words get to ‘Hoardie’, also known in Cincinnati baseball circles as ‘Cool Breeze’. He shares that Tommy Helms once tagged him with that nickname, and if he decides to write about Helms you’ll be entertained for weeks.)
On the recent blog about the demise of basic skills in basketball, the reader wrote:
“What a great article on basketball. I’ll share with you that I’m familiar with Coach Wayne Wiseman and the Wisemans that played way back with the old Waterloo Wonders. And a lot of people in this part of the country still remember Carl York, too. His Fairland teams were wonderful and played the game by doing all the little things right. That was a great story to read and I thank you for it. … J.R. Greer (Rio Grande College, ’57)
And finally…
“I don’t know your mom, but reading about her on her birthday reminded me a lot of my own. I loved her picture because it demonstrated her pride and independence, even at 89. You’re a very lucky guy to have her.” … Joe B (Siesta Key)
Bruns Realty is proud to sponsor coverage of area sports on Press Pros Magazine.com.
