Shane -
I haven't been on the board for some time and was sorry to read about your release from the Rangers. I just wanted to tell you how impressed I continue to be with your posts and your mature, positive attitude. As you know, I have had a chance to follow your prep career as you & son attended many of the same events in HS. You have a great arm. E & I wish you the best and hope you find another opportunity to follow your dream.

I suggested Shane, get your self signed up with an independent league team now, Signed up for some pre draft works out and start calling around and get worked about by some MLB scouts right now.

A little reminder 1,500 players are gonna be drafted in 7 weeks competing for a job with you.

Plus good idea to have video tape on you when your mechanics are good. So if you have problems in the future you can spot the problem fast and correct it

Shane,

I, along with everyone else in this thread, am rooting for you. Keep working hard and best of luck.

Sorry to hear you were released. The "business" side of baseball is pretty ugly and frankly not very professional. It's often not about performance on the field. I've seen top picks out performed by non-drafted free agents and then watched
the top pick move up the ladder. I've seen sons of
scouts and coaches and players advanced while better
players sit in extended spring training. Sometimes
it just about a coach or front office guy who likes you more than some other guy, even though the other guy hits 50 points higher. Maybe you went to his college or high school or are linked by a freind of a friend. Now don't get me wrong,
if you throw 98mph with every pitch on the corner
and you are a 1st round pick you'll move up fast.
But baseball is like almost every profession, who you know, the luck of the draw, and being at the right place at the right time is more important to
progressing than stats. Young men need to understand
that professional baseball is not like college or
high school baseball. It the entertainment business
just like the traveling carnival that pulls into the
parking lot at the mall. It's filled with many
people of questionable character and ethics who will
tell young players whatever serves their interest.
Despite all that - baseball is a great game and those who play (especially at the lower levels) sacrifice much to do so and are honorable young men.

Go into professional baseball with your eyes open -
don't believe what scouts or player development or
management tell you. Find coaches and players you trust, work hard, and hope for the best.

shane,
have you ever thought about being a coach. seems to me you would make a darn good one plus you would still be in the game. you should really think about it. your positive attitude needs to be passed on to others, thats for sure.

Hi Shane -

I don't post very often these days so didn't see that you were released until today. I did a quick Minor League search and see that you are still listed as active with the Nationals. CONGRATULATIONS for that, and I hope all is going very well with the new organization!

Shane: How did your summer go?

----------------

How about some sad stories from others who got released at summer's end?

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/Shane-Funk.shtml


Amarillo ( United League)

W-L ERA IP ER BB S0
0-0 0.00 0 2 2 0