Thank you, thank you, thank you...and God Bless.

Clayton Woodard

Good luck to you in all endeavors. I've been more of a reader than participant, and the reading has been better than any library could provide.

Thank you Bob!
You have touched so many families over the years with your humor, kind heart, and guidance in the world of HS baseball! This family is very thankful to have been a part of this community!


MN-Mom,
Chapter II awaits us. Thank you for taking the helm and allowing HSBBW to remain "open for business" to help many more families yet to arrive at the recruiting doorstep!

Bob---

As your last day at the helm of this incredible site draws to a close, I must put my frayed emotions on hold (my son graduated from college a week ago, just after you posted your news---you and the friends I have made here have been with me through the agony and the ecstasy of it all) and join the team in abundant thank-you's and wishes for all good things to one who has brought SO much to SO many.

I can't thank you enough. God bless you and your family. You hit this one out of the park!!

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Bob

This not a goodbye but more of a good luck wish for your new future.

Many do not know but I have had the pleasure of knowing you from back before the inception of the fabulous site.

I thank you for all you have given to the people of the baseball world.

Good Luck and once again THANX !!!!

Tom

Why don't you sell a hsbaseballweb.com t shirt
I bet every one would buy one and this way you can make some money and put your kids through college I will buy at least 2

Banks 14 - go to the main website and click on 'online store' - you can buy a HSBW tee there.

Who's Bob????



Seriously though, THANK YOU. I've learned so much from this site. I lurk much more than I post but have enjoyed the interactions here. As my 12u son grows and moves to the next level, I will depend on this site more and more.

Who is Bob? This may sound strange to some but Bob makes no reference to himself on the HSBBW other than to author some articles and describe how the HSBBW started. There is no article that says: "Hi I'm Bob, I created the HSBBW". I guess we who have been here a long time assume everyone knows that. Maybe this article will explain a little about Bob and why he created the HSBBW. (I added the first sentence)
Hi my name is Bob Howdeshell. I created the High School Baseball Web and it went "online" in February of 1998. The reason it was created is this;

After wearing out several search engines I found that there was very little information about the high school baseball experience.

As the father of a potential college and/or professional baseball player I could find very little about the college recruiting process or the way the Major League Baseball free-agent player draft worked.

Having no knowledge about website design or how to begin "getting an internet site up and running" I foolishly set out to start a high school baseball only place in cyberspace.

Now over five years later, with our oldest son recently graduating from college having completed a career as a football linebacker at an NCAA Division III college and our youngest son heading into his senior year of college as the starting shortstop on an NCAA Division I college baseball program, I offer my experiences, thoughts and comments on the "ride." AND most importantly with the help of many wonderful people we have been able to form a community of people that share the same passion for high school baseball.

This site does not sell or promote ANYTHING! We don't bombard you with banner ads or "pop-ups." It is run the way we like to see web sites. All information on this site is free.

Welcome to the site ... Visit our message board forums and ask questions, share ideas and experiences. That's what makes this site special. Folks sharing information and ideas.

With a total of 450,000 high school players at 14,800 high schools we're a pretty small group. Add in a few alumni, some professional scouts, the occasional college coach and the true fan and you'll find that we're a close knit group!

Fungo -

Very nicely put -- you've captured this amazing place exactly!

Thank YOU, Bob, and thanks to ALL who have made this site so special.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
Who is Bob? This may sound strange to some but Bob makes no reference to himself on the HSBBW other than to author some articles and describe how the HSBBW started. There is no article that says: "Hi I'm Bob, I created the HSBBW". I guess we who have been here a long time assume everyone knows that. Maybe this article will explain a little about Bob and why he created the HSBBW.

Sorry Fungo. I was trying to add a bit of humor.

Hi all,
Haven't popped in for a while, so was surprised by the news. Bob, thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the years. I started here just after the sight was opened and what a wealth of information and sharing that helped our son reach his dream of college ball. Again, a heartfelt thank you!!!

Thanks for everything! This site is terrific.

Bob:

I've been off for a while and busy with the kids (including Matt's TJ surgery on 5/24).
The information you've provided on this site has helped our family understand the ins and outs of hsbb, establish wonderful contacts in the bb community, realize that if our son stayed academically focused he could qualify to play D1 baseball, (and as an "oh by the way" here's the entire NCAA BB link list) basically serve as a 'be all/see all" that's going on with hsbb, it's amazing.

It's also amazing how from your heart, you have spent what I know is countless hours over the keyboard assembling what I know is perhaps one of the greatest websites on the internet.

I know you have helped hundreds of families through the years find out what it means to play hsbb, and what it might mean to play beyond (either in college or professionally)

I provide this salute to you sir,

and wish to express my sincere thanks...

On a side and secondary note, I have a wide collection of info and data on the TJ procedure (including a detailed report that Matt's Dr (David Altchek) co-authored with the crew from the Hospital for Special Surgery (what a great team). I'd be more than happy to talk w/any parent who might be facing this with their son, just send me a quick pm or email...

Matt begins his rehab in a few weeks then it's off to Wagner in late August...

You helped us tremendously in this journey, and we are forever grateful .

Thanks

Jim Watson

Bob
I haven't been on for a long ,long time. I was surprised to see the news. I will say it has been a pleasure through out the years. I found this site way back in the rival years.. I think it was rival? and continued through the years. I was a reader more than a writer but would toss in my 2 cents now and then. This has been a great site,my son went through travel ball, high school ball,Connie Mack W.S, Babe Ruth W.S, recruiting and still going in college ball through out this time.. I have met new people and have seen some of the member's kids playing now ....Took others experiences and applied them and gave some of mine to others. I have recommended this site to up and coming ball families more than I can count.It has been relaxing and fun to be able to sit back and read nothing but baseball. You and your site have guided so many.The members info, sometimes their disagreements and off the wall comments some make are all priceless.
Thanks for your site and your time.
Lclcoach
Brett Villalobos
Glendora,CA

Bob, Thanks for all the help, support and information that thru your web site we have all some understanding of the baseball process.

(Bullwinkle is a little slow on the uptake, and still learning)

Bob,

Thanks so much for this wonderful site. My son found this website last winter and passed along the information to me. I have read many articles and posts and have thoroughly enjoyed all the relevant information along with the knowlegeable people and warm, caring atmosphere.
While I have been reading posts and enjoying others' questions and responses, it hasn't been until recently that I felt secure enough to venture into my own posting. I always jumped to General Discussions and never paid much attention to the Announcements category.
I was caught completely offguard when I stumbled onto your post. Luckily, I kept reading as was able to calm all my initial fears.
Bob, Thanks again for putting together such a WONDERFUL site and with all the best motives - helping boys and families realize their dreams with no selfish, personal motives of your own. I have been so impressed with all the information I have gleamed in the past months.

Thanks also to MN-mom for stepping up and continuing the site. You don't know the fear that was going through my mind as I was reading Bob's post. Thanks again for keeping on!!

Thanks also for welcoming me!

God Bless you both!

Bob,
Altough I have not been a big poster I have truly enjoyed all the time I have spent on this site. The people and info have been great. This has made the never ending baseball journey a complete joy. My son is going into his junior year in high school and the best is yet to come. Thank you for all your efforts and passion. Someone has some very big shoes to fill.

Again many many thanks!

Very, very helpful site. Thanks

Great site!!!!!!!!