Thank You TBR Family........

Please bear with me. There is a purpose to this post

3 years ago, I used to post on a different website. I was amazed and somewhat troubled by what I was reading. " This player is no good...that coach sucks...so and so is gay" and I thought that there must be something better. Something that approached players in a positive way...someplace where you could get information that would be useful or even a place to get a recap of scores with perhaps a little more information then you could get a from your local fishwrap.

When I asked this in a post on that particular website, I was told, " Go away...if you don't like what is said...start your own". Well, I thought about what he said and he was right.....so I did. I was fortunate to have some great guys to help get it started: NCBBallfan, rc and Prepster. We all had the same goals and knew what we wanted to do, but weren't sure if anybody besides ourselves would find out about TBR. There was no advertising...everything was word of mouth. We weren't quite sure what we were doing but we knew what we wanted to do. The first year was a little difficult but a lot of fun.. It seemed that the same people were the only one's posting. NC and myself started all kinds of threads; from game recaps to the 1st annual TBR Fishing Tournament....anything that would draw some interest to our board.

I spent some time last night reflecting on some of the things that happened on here the last 3 years.

- Following Robert Woodard's senior year ( all the way to the State Championship) and having him as a member who posted often about his experience.
- having Applejack ( a ML pitcher for 5 different teams) answer questions from our members and giving advice freely to the players and their parents.
- Prepster posting so much wisdom about the recruiting process and the fact that he personally has helped many members to prepare their son for college.
- The players who became members and posted with so much class and wisdom
- The Interviews. It gave me a chance to get to know the guys a little better outside the white lines.
- The coaches that became members--Coach Evans, The "O", Catamount, nuff ced, Caroliner and Coach May. What a great honor that they would take the time to keep us informed.

I thought about the terrific moderators we have. Pops, rc, Mudcat, ss-05, NC-Dad. These guys understood from the beginning what we were trying to accomplish and have done a great job keeping us informed of their areas.

I thought about the relationships I formed through this board....Jere Morton, Chris Carrera, Bill Horniak, Steve Evans and to my two dear friends...Bruce Porter and Jimi Wilson ( two guys that I met through this board that will remain two of my closest)

I will always remember the "Miracle on Monroe" Ed Bryant and his family whom I got to meet last year. ( Kari, I'll be watching and following Tate's success this year)

I'll remember the great families who are members...The Buchanan's, the Shelton's, the Woodards, the Wilson's, the Basham's, Freda White...all people that were instrumental in getting the board started.

MVaughn, highntight, original, sabrefan, redsoxfan...some of our originals who I am thankful for.

But most of all I was thinking about the players. The only reason this board was started. To help promote the players that we have seen or heard about in the hope that maybe someday, someone would read what was said about the players and it would help draw interest.

There are/were some interesting people that visited our board that many of you didn't know...and I don't have permission to post their names...but they are HC's at some Major Dl schools...two successful MLB pitchers (one is currently active) and a host of HS coaches. ( I mentioned many times that one never knows who is reading)

I have enjoyed these 3 years and more important, I have enjoyed the many parents I have met through this board. It has been like a baby for me and to see this grow as quickly as it has is unbelievable. But.....for those that know me know that I am battling a family health issue. It requires much, much more time then I have devoted and I refuse to neglect my responsibilities. This Board has grown much too big and too fast for me to do it justice.

Although I will check in every now and then, ( I have 2 more Interviews to post) I'm giving the reigns of the board to NCBBallfan. I have complete trust in Pops and he will continue to make the best decisions necessary to keep TBR the best HS website in North Carolina.

I want to thank everybody for all of your great informative posts and shaping the way this board developed. It's been fun!!!!! I am so proud of TBR....see you on the fields!

 

Braves,
I'm pretty sure your a leader no matter what path you take.
I wish you the very best in your personal matters .
I'm also grateful for all that you do for the kids that play High School and College Sports and the parents that want knowledge about it.
Thank You
:applause: :applause: :applause:

 

Braves,

As much as I appreciate your kindness, the truth is that whatever I might have done is a small fraction of what you have achieved through your long, persistent efforts here. Many, many players and their families have been greatly aided because of your steadfast commitment and hard work.

All of us here support this necessary change in your direction, just as we wish you and your family all the blessings God may bestow.

See you on the fields!

 

Braves;

You always have been and will continue to be the best.

We all have our little niche's to fill. I'm amused that ss-05 considers my posts intelligent and thoughtful. I just post whatever I have learned as soon as I learn it. Everyone who has read the board knows as much as I do. I was kidding (somewhat) with one of the other posters, telling him that everything I know about baseball, I learned from my son.... as far as HS baseball, North Carolina and college recruiting, there is a lot of truth in that statement.

To the other posters on the board:

RC's son has gone off to college, nc-dad's son has also. This year, ss-05, Braves and I will all move off to "The Next Level". Mudcat doesn't even HAVE a son playing ball. What happens on this board after we travel on will depend on what the POSTERS want to happen. Leadership has to step forward. Braves has exemplified wonderful leadership on this board for 3 years. His situation now demands that he step down. Someone else must step up. Braves, rc and I have been discussing this moment for a few months as we all knew it was inevitable. Luckily, we have Caroliner joining us as a moderator, but he will need lots of help.

Needless to say, for this last spring, our standards aren't going to change. After this spring is over the flavor and possibly the nature of this board is going to change. The direction of that change is up to you guys and it isn't going to be imposed by us. It may be forced up from below by the example that we have set in the past. I certainly hope so.

It's now almost February. We've grown from being a Mecklenburg County board (in 2003) to a Western NC board (in 2004) to a state-wide board now. I hope the growth continues. I've posted about a lot of SC and Virginia guys in the past. My desire for this board is for it to become the best regional baseball board in the nation.

After this spring, my efforts are going to concentrate solely on bringing the same level of information to the college ranks. Luckily, every college team has their own website so find information won't be as hit/miss as it is on the HS level. The college board will become a place for old friends to catch up and visit while their kids play at far-flung Colleges and Universities.

A couple of other people who I would like to thank for helping us start up this operation: Original, playme and gonzo. I don't think you could have found better people to get a board rolling.

 

Braves,

Thank you for all you have done! While you have worked hard for the all the Prep Forums, we at Softball truely appreciate what your efforts have afford US. Your support and committment for TBR is evident in its members that post and the respect they exhibit when visiting.

May God Bless you and your family!!

 

Braves - although I don't really ever post in the prep forum I just wanted to let you know that all of TBR is very proud of all involved in it and its growth. I hope that the health issues get dealt with as well as possible - I know sometimes there is no good outcome, only the least bad one. Although I have only met you briefly, I can say that the softball game was one heckuva a good time and very well put on. And your son is a pretty funny guy, and a good sport to put up with a bunch of middle aged folks playing on "his" field.

God bless and take care.

 

Thanks and Prayers

Braves,

My entire family thanks you for all you have done to promote youth and high school baseball over the region...We have all learned and have been enlightened on so many subjects that we can't even begin to list....All of us that have been lucky enough to experience your friendship would never questions your motives, your loyalty or your intentions. My best to you and to your family - thoughts and prayers are with you. And yes, we are looking forward to seeing you soon on the ballfield!

NCBallFan, thanks for all you do as well....it is much appreciated and we look forward to the next level - the college baseball discussion threads. And of course, we will be seeing you on the ballfield too!

 

Braves, I know you have been battling the family health issue for a while. You are an inspiration to us all and I hope you know you can depend on us if you need any help of any kind. Ya know I love ya (well you ARE one of my favorite posters! ) and I hope when I'm back in town again, we'll be able to catch up with each other! Again, please let us know if we can do anything for ya.....

 

Braves,

I have only been here a year, and pretty much just read, but I just wanted to thank you.

I think you have created a gem through your hard work and your concern for young players. You are a special person IMO.

I will always remember you (and NCBBFAN) as the people who introduced me to the NC baseball scene - and I will be forever grateful for your kindness.

I pray that all works out well for you and your family.
May God bless you.

 

Hang in there, Braves. I've always had a lot of respect for you and wish you and yours well.

Be good.

Steve