entbird79

Now a lot of the travel teams are just average or even sub-average level players, so they make tiers in the tournaments, so they can make sure they make money off everyone. The level of play often isn't any better than rec league. Rec league gets further watered down, and parents with the means move their kids to travel because they "have to." Coaching 8-year-olds in baseball isn't rocket science. Could parents take the time that they spend running to private lessons and use it to take their kids and some of their friends to the diamond? A bucket of baseballs and some other baseball gear can be bought from savings from lessons. I'm not saying private lessons are bad, but could a parent go on YouTube and basically parrot the same thing? I've taught many parents things to work on with their kids, and for those who take the time to spend with them, the results often come quickly. I don't know what the solution is, and I feel fortunate that in my area we still have somewhat of a rec league to go along with travel. I've coached all of my kids (rec and travel) with my last one being 8 as well, and I run into parents all the time who hate the idea, and the practice, of travel ball, but feel pressured from coaches to participate. I know many either don't have the means or shouldn't be spending it on travel, but they do it anyway.

Get outta here with that nonsense.

Bummer that this is happening to you, it's the same exact situation for me and has been for quite a while. It sucks.

Don't know if you changed something but suddenly my load times are normal. It wasn't loading slow when I clicked on a specific thread, it was when it would go back to the unread topics page that it would always be slow. Just in the last couple of minutes it seems to have resolved. The top-of-page issue isn't too bad because of the blue button at the bottom but sometimes it's covered up by an ad and not accessible which is frustrating.

Load times have been extremely slow for me the last couple of days across desktop and mobile using Chrome. Averaging about 13-15 seconds from click to page populating. Don't know if it's me or a server issue again. Also, while I'm here. Can we get the next page button to go to the top of the thread when it loads on mobile? I am used to using the button to go to the top at this point but thought I might bring this back up.

Please don't open the social forums to the newbies

That's never been what this place is about.

Me too please!

Someone must have heard that they're winning the division.

I think you forgot to mention how awesome the Ricketts are and how they'll always do whatever it takes to put a winner on the field.

Waiting for Schwarber Fan to give the official prediction

His bat would be a very slight nice to have for the bench, but the 'why' always has been and always will be the goodies that would come with him. You'd presumably be getting Robert Hassell or Luis Campusano, either one being our clear #2 prospect, and an MLB ready SP in either Chris Paddack or Ryan Weathers. Hosmer + Campusano + Caratini + Paddack + Weathers + Gore for Contreras + Bote + Alcantra + Mills. According to MLBtradevalues, the value comes out pretty even. We get a lefty bat, a cheap backup catcher, a future catcher, and pitching, they get infield help, a starting catcher, a SP, and get rid of Hosmer. Need to get a third team involved

Is that because those teams haven't played the Bears yet? Everyone's numbers would look worse prior to and better after playing the Bears.

How are clutch postseason numbers a benefit to this team?

You said it's none of our business who they employ. It is very much our business who they employ. At least half of our discussion, probably way more, is specifically about who they choose to employ. You made a really stupid comment, don't try and snark your way out of it. I’m more interested in learning more about how little the Cubs will get your attention *this time*. You could spend tens and tens of hours reading and posting about them in 2022 but this could be the last straw as well! I'm guessing that I'm not unique in that the Cubs have very little to do with why I spend time on this site at this point.