Caldwell County Post 29

thank you d-back. as part of madison's family i will stick by any decision made by him because i know it will be well thought out. he is very savy about making baseball decisions so we tend to not interfere with that. i know his dad has alot of influence but ultimately he makes his own choices. he is very mature for a just turned 17 MANchild and i think he will do just fine.

 

Yeah...but you had it easy. You had Braves for counsel ...so you can always blame me if you were 2nd guessed

 

There are always decisions to be made, but when you sign up for Legion you know that you are committing yourself for the entire season, not just for when it is convenient for Madison.

 

as a 20 yr follower of caldwell i am more disappointed in the couple star players from the south caldwell team that played showcase ball all year. i know it is commonplace in other places but i think these two guys not playing were a bigger impact on the caldwell teams failure to bring home a championship than mb's not pitching the final game. just my opinion.

 

Please accept my apology!

As the father of one of those you are referring to, let me take the blame, and explain that there were alot of factors that went into the decision. I ultimately allowed my son to make the decision, but I was VERY, VERY, influential in his decision, so you might as well say that I made the decision. It was the right decision for us at that time.

There were alot of things that were going on at that time, that deserved a change, and I felt like showcase would provide that. He enjoyed meeting and playing with new players, and coaches, but really missed playing with his buddies. He had a good summer, but it weighed on him daily not playing with his friends and seeking a state title with Post 29.

He was pulling hard for Post 29 and his teammates all the way to the end, always having faith that they would bring home the state title. When it was all said and done, he wondered if he could have helped. So yes to some degree he feels that he has let his team down. That was never our intention.

Would having the two missing players changed the outcome, another strong arm on the mound, another hot stick at the plate? It is very hard to make that kind of statement when you had players stepping up and filling key roles all the way through the season, playoffs, and tournament.

I"ve coached the majority of those kids during the summer and fall, since they were 10, and they are a special group. I don't think that missing a couple of players here or there really weakens them, it just gives someone else an opportunity to get it done.

Some things are just not meant to be, at least not yet!

Coaches, Fans, and Players hold your heads high, you have a tradition of excellence, continue on and always win with pride and dignity, but also lose with pride and dignity, and remember even as much as you love the game, there are more important things!

GOD Bless!

 

No truer words were spoken

Everybody can play the what-if game, but did the kids that got to play help their team this season? If they did, then everybody wins!

There is not a legion team in this state that didn't have players playing somewhere else that could have helped them, but I sure like the fact that it created an opportunity for another person to rise to the occasion.

 

WHY?

TJ21 - I agree to just disagree. As far as the AFLAC Game, I totally agree. Madison should be at his best for the national audience. BUT as I said before, he did not pitch on Tuesday because of the "Showcase" in Wilmington, not the AFLAC Game. It is not till next weekend. He did NOT pass up anything to play in the State Tournament, just delayed his participation. That is the reason I asked what would be gained. Any organization that is at the showcase can or will have someone at the AFLAC game and there will be several more showcases before the end of school next year and before the draft.
NC Baseball Fan - I agree 100% with your statement that there were 16 (not 17) other players on the team. I am not trying "to hang the championship on his head". I am just trying to understand his decision and get the opinion and input from the other great baseball minds on this message board. As I said before, Post 29 may not have made it to Tuesday without his bat, but I know they stood a lot better chance of going to the regionals with him on the mound. The other 16 players DID leave it all on the field!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DownSouth - I agree whole heartily that Madison is not to blame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moose - AMEN! But there was one big difference. The other 16 players knew all season that the other two players were not there and that they had to step up. Casey Justice had a great season, led the team in HR's. Jimmy Messer pitched sensational. Brian Chandler was unbelievable out of the bull pen (especially considering he has not pitched in years). Ryan Hightower made numerous outstanding defensive plays and had several two out clutch hits. Heck they all stepped up their games. They did not find out Madison was not taking the mound in Game 2 until Game 1 was over. Kind of deflating, don't you think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Based on what I am reading and hearing (his future, more exposure, great opportunity, etc.), the answer to my question of WHY? is that there may not be an I in TEAM, but in this case there is a ME!

DME 12

 

Madison let NOONE down, he only did what any one of those other kids would do in the same situation. I don't know of anyone who gave any more of what they could give than he did. Any scouts that came to the games came to see Madison and therefore some of the other guys were seen then. It sounds like you are mad at Madison, because he wouldn't let you ride his arm and ability all the way to the championship.

 

well said u-r-out

 

Why ? Why??? Why??? Just thought I would add a few more whys to the mix. First off Madison and his family DO NOT owe anyone an explanation. Unless you are contributing to the never ending expense of school, gas baseball equipment and food ( and let me add that Madison eats alottt of food) you do not get consulted on any pending decisions, therefore you have no in-put. Madison and his family are making decisions that they feel are best for his future (yes I said his future, it is still his future isn't it??) Madison gave post 29 all that he could without compromizing his future. Everyone was fully aware of the situation. NO surprises> I don't believe for one minute that Madison Bumgarner disappointed Caldwell County, quite the contrary. He filled the high school stands with people who don't normally attend hs games, he attracted college and pro scouts, therefore giving his team mates the opportunity to make their own future and since the beginning of the hs season the Lenoir News Topic has given Caldwell County alot of reading material on MB. It is easy to say (if it were me I would have.....)but until you are exactly the same situtation ( and judging by the hint of jealousy in your comments, I will safely assume that you have not been) no one knows
how they will respond and just for the record Madison is not making all the decisions on his own. Parents that let 16-17 year olds make their own decisions will probably end up visiting them in jail.