After reading conference reviews it struck me how teams who had outstanding players returning but the returning senior players may have had a down year in 2004 as juniors were completly ignored in the on line team 2005 reviews after having outstanding freshman and sophomore years.

All the online reviews wanted to talk about was the guys who were all conference last year or graduated or were drafted from the team.

Example: Our team has two freshman all-americans who both have a three year career average of .311/.318 stepping in at third and first base in 2005. One is a two time all conference performer. They have both been parts of a conference Tournament Championship, A 40 win season championship and two NCAA regionals. They both hold over 300 averages against nearly every team in our conference for the total three seasons.

They both played as freshman, sophmores, and their junior years were not spectacular due to mistakes (Immaturity), bad luck and injuries. They are completly ignored this year in the reviews, they are not green freshman, they are veterans and I realize they have to reprove themselves but the talent is there for sure.

These guys could be in the top ten all time and be some of the top players who ever wore a uniform at our Div I school in lots of catagories offense and defense with a good 2005 season. This made me wonder if this is a trend across the country of what have you done for me latley.

We had a pitcher John Williams who was a freshman All-American lefty pitcher who was injured as a sophmore and did not have a great junior year but he was outstanding as a senior and was drafted by the twins last June.

Why do publications write off players the way the do? Is it a lack of knowledge on the background of the team and its players or is history ignored and everything based on the last year?

I think some people will be in for a pleasant suprise when they see how hard these players have worked in the off season to get in shape and regain the form they showed their first two seasons.

Maybe its sour grapes on my part but when players have been excellent all there lives and have one down year do you write them off?

TennDad----

I think you hit it on the head with your comment: "This made me wonder if this is a trend across the country of what have you done for me lately?"

The answer is: YES! And it is a shame. Rampant in sports...

I understand your thoughts perfectly and I agree with PAmom. IMO it's a definite "What have you done lately?" scenario. I've seen it at all levels. Not many can be perfect every year. For whatever reason, as Forrest says "**** happens". Here's hoping for great seasons and getting the respect they are due.

It's all about selling. You sell the so-called hot names; you win with experience (though talent helps).

A drafted player always has more sell than an undrafted one, even if the latter is the most productive player in your program. But once the games begin, which one is on the field?

Previews are about perception, not necessarily reality. If you want to know how the coaches really feel about the upperclassmen, who might not get the same notice in the previews, look at the media guide. You'll likely find them on the cover, or built up inside.

Those hot names don't necessarily get the star treatment there.