Its a scary word, one that a player fears hearing his entire career. You try to play pretending its something that can never happen, but in the back of your mind the possibility is always there. Well today that possibility became a reality to me. The day seemed normal, but for some reason as i walked into the clubhouse today i had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, almost a sense of what was about to come, and as the clubby came up to me and said the bosses wanted to see me, i wanted to hope it was a normal meeting, but as i saw others walking around with pink slips i knew it wasnt so. As i walked into the office my heart was pounding and thats when i knew it was done. "The organization no longer has a spot for you, we have to give you your full release" One of the most chilling sentences i have ever heard in my life and one that i hope i never have to hear again. It was more of a shock than anything since you never think it will happen to you, and your almost trained to block it out. Strangely i dont think its hit me yet that im no longer employed in baseball, it probably will as i pack up my car and head towards home. However i am not yet ready to give up my pursuit of the dream that is baseball. Its still a great game that i love and my agent and i are working our butts off to try and find another team for me to hook up with this year. If worse comes to worse i'll pick up with an Independent league team and play my cards from there. Whatever the case i still have my spikes,glove and the will to continue on, hopefully that will be enough to get me through life from here on out. As for now im still blind to the fact i could never play again, until im sitting on my couch in Panama City Beach, FL in June i refuse to believe its over. Anyways, i dont really know the point of this post, but i kinda needed to tell someone what has happened besides just my friends and family, and i have also kept all of you informed on my life in baseball through the years and i figured i owed all of you an in depth look at the darker side of the game, as maybe this will help some of the younger players in the course of their baseball careers. As for me, i'm off to find another team, on another diamond somewhere, as i go to find my Field of Dreams!

So sorry to hear that, AHSPitcher. My son had to hear that a few years ago, and it still haunts him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on what must be a very difficult day. Keep us posted on where you go from here!

AH

I hate to be cold but welcome to the "real"life business---this is just first bump in the road of life for you---I think it is great you want to continue to pursure your dream but be realistic


May I ask this--what are you qualified to do work-wise other than baseball?

as a fall back i can work for my dad as a salesman in his Steel Manufacturing company, but im gonna hold off on that and go to college most likely if i cant get up with a team. Take advantage of the college money i negotiated in my contract. Plus i still have 80K put up in mutual funds and my car paid off so im not off too bad. Until the fall semester though i also plan to get an insurance adjusting license, thats a 6 week course and living in hurricane country isnt a bad side job if a disaster comes. But its looking like going to college for business management is plan B right now, then i start workin with my dad after that.

AHS

I wish you the best of luck. I have enjoyed your contributions to this site and wish more of the young men that have been drafted would offer their experiences. It sounds like you are prepared for whatever comes up and I don't think we have heard the last from you in the baseball world.

Go get em

AHS:

I'm really sorry to hear this - I have always enjoyed your contributions to HSBBW.

Best of luck to you in the future - whatever that may hold for you...

08

AHS - I certainly hope that you find another opportunitiy out there in baseball. If not, I have no doubt that you'll take advantage of being well prepared to head off to school and further your education. TR is right when he refers to this as a "bump in the road". We all have them... at 20... at 40.... and 60 I'm sure. The key is how we respond to that bump. I wish you many blessings in the years to come and hope that a lot of them remain on the field. Good luck kiddo!

shane
very sorry to here that. keep your head up. you've been where few have, but many aspire to go. and be proud of what you have done, thanks for posting your journey so far, it's not over i'm sure.

AHS;

are you interested in playing baseball in Australia or China? Very little money, but
you play baseball and gain knowledge. Your future is "up to you"!

Bob Williams

Shane,
So sorry & surprised to hear this...
I hope you don't mind, but here's the link to your "journal"...I read the 3/06 entry, too...your descriptions of "life in the minors" are a huge help to others contemplating this step.
I wish you all the best...You are right, 2 years isn't enough!!

[URL=http://www.topprospectalert.com/shane-funk-journal.htm]

And, I thought it would be good to remind some & introduce the newcomers to many of your posts here on hsbaseballweb...esp. when you signed your first contract.
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWords=s...rum_scope=6991037901

Consultant,

it might be an option to look into, australia i would consider dont know about china, language barrier would be a problem. I'm gonna see what i can find in the states first though

wow ! I'm in complete shock...
what ever you decide to do good luck, remenber being a baseball player is only a small part of who you are.
Best wishes

Shane ...

I too feel badly that you have hit this bump, but it sounds like you have some good options available if baseball goes by the wayside for you, and that even tho you are still in a bit of shock over the news, you have done some thinking about your options. Your family is supportive of you, I know, and that should help the transition.

Best wishes on your search for another team. (I wish these MLB clubs didn't wait so long into spring training to tell their players they are being released ... it hampers the job search for you guys and seems unfair. But then, as TR might say, life isn't fair sometimes.) I know if my son were in the same situation (and it too could happen) I would wish the same for him.

Mary Ann Shappi
just another player's mom
(but not to be confused with another player's pop)

I'm so very sorry to hear your news. I'm sure you're feeling pretty crushed right now. We all STILL think the world of you and are your biggest fans!

Don't give up on your dream just yet. Hopefully, your agent will find a team that's a better fit. Be open to whatever comes your way. No matter what happens, always remember that God gave you many special gifts and talents and He has a plan for your life.

Keep the faith, AHS. Everything is going to be fine!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't depend on your own understanding. Remember Him in everything you do and He will guide your paths."

I think this should be posted under "still want to play pro ball" topic,

Shane,

I just returned from Fl.... probably was on IH75 & IH10 at same time that you were. Sorry to hear of your situation, but from your posts, you seem to be dealing with your situation better than many. Your attitude will make all the difference in the world, plus, you have shown through your contributions to hsbaseballweb that you are not just another ballplayer. Life will continue and baseball will remain a hard business to understand.

Best wishes whatever directon you head. If you have any interest in independent ball in Texas, PM me, I have a contact that may work for you.

Shane,

Very sorry, but if you can still throw, it aint over by a long shot.

Feel free to give me a call if you want. Or have your agent call me. There is someone you should go see once you get back to Florida.

Northern League Open Tryouts April 2-3
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February 20, 2007 - The Northern League of Professional Baseball will host its 2007 Open Tryout on Monday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 3.

The Open Tryout will be held at Red McEwen Field in Tampa, Florida, on the University of South Florida campus.

The Open Tryout is open to all players over the age of 18. The Northern League will provide baseballs. Participants should wear general baseball attire and must provide their own gloves, wooden bats, batting helmets and catching equipment.

The Open Tryout will be conducted by Northern League personnel and attended by Northern League managers and coaches. The eight Northern League teams will conduct a player draft from the camp participants at the conclusion of the second day.

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. on April 2. On-field activity gets underway at 8:00 a.m. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is required to participate in the 2007 Northern League Open Tryout. All participants will be required to sign an injury waiver form on-site prior to the start of the tryout.

Registration with a credit card can be made on the Northern League site by clicking on the red '2007 Open Tryout' button on the right side of the home page. For participants wishing to register on the day of the Open Tryout, registration will begin at 7:00am on April 2. The registration fee will have to be paid by cash, cashier’s check, or money order.
http://www.northernleague.com

Shane,

I can only imagine how you feel right now, but as others have said, life is far from over and if I was a betting man, I'd venture to say your baseball career isn't over either.

It sounds like you've thought things out and have prepared yourself for life after baseball. I wish you well.

Frank

Shane - you have always been one of my all-time favorite posters. That took a lot of courage to write that and I agree with the others. It's all up to you. The challenge is in your mind. Accept the challenge and you can have victory. All the best to you in this next part of your journey