I think you answered on the micro level. Do you think the better level of play has resulted in better players at the minor and major league level? That would be the logical result.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

They're all trying to out-B.Rick each other.

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In my opinion, I don't like to compare one era of players to another, I think that is a very difficult thing to do. But yes, I think overall the play is better. The superstars then would be superstars now and vice versa.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

RR is talking about the great travel teams that are true multi age programs gathering from regions rather than rag tags who pat themselves on the back for blowing away kids who are scared of the ball.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

two guys whose sperm can't swim

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Ok that made me laugh.

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In the last 10 years Illinois has produced the 5th most major league players behind California, Texas, Florida and Georgia.

I'm not talking about superstars. Greats will always be great. I think you would be hard pressed to say that this is baseball's golden age, which really is the genesis of this discussion. However, with all the focus on the game by those who play, shouldn't this be the best level of baseball we have ever witnessed?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

So, like AAU style?

Yeah, I was more talking about the expansion of house leagues travel teams

I know because I read that from you before. I'm assuming you would answer that the level of play in Illinois is at an all time high. I'm wondering about MLB, minor, college, high school across the entire state of the game. You and RR are guys who are boots on the ground with this stuff. Is the play of the game better at each level than it was 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Nah. Kids are just a total nuisance and headache. Nothing but a pain in the ass. Keep 'em. I can live my life with total freedom and spend all of my money on ME.

That's what I'm here for

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't have much experience but it seems to me that "travel" baseball has been diluted from what I recall it being. It seems no to be just another tier up from the basic "house" or babe ruth league. It really is just the all star team (or whatever kid that has parents that can afford it) from each suburb playing another suburb. Maybe two out of town trips total per year.

It is glorified all star teams. Not the kick you in the teeth and make you like it travel teams of old.

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Elections have consequences.

Anybody know what happened between Mac and meat to make Mac salty? Or did he just realize it wasn't flight miles and meat is a smarmy grandstanding wussy?

Ya know it's really not right for Mac to say shitty things about him even if it's entertaining.

Just from a casual view, I would say its not as good. I think kids practiced more with Less Distractions available to them . Top flight was always top flight, apples to apples I would say they're about the same. It seems that there are more kids who are not very good now ( the kid in Frank's example for instance ) than there were in years past at the little league level.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

enjoy the bed sores and rape of a nursing home populated by old people who have no one who cares for them

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Football has a lot more problems looming than baseball.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

True, but, unlike baseball, irrelevancy isn't one of them.

I'll ask some of the old tymers what they think. Those guys drop names and tell stories about guys I've never heard of before but I would say the level of play is better now than it has ever been.

So that's why you had kids? So they can change your diaper because you changed theirs? I'm good.

TRAVEL TEAM is a status symbol and that's it.

When I played Little League there was 300+ kids and there was one travel team, they played once a week and it was a true ALL STAR team of kids 13 and younger.

Part of the reason was that they didnt have a high school or JR High team to play on. So the team was made up of all kids 13 and under. Most of the kids were 13 and the 12 year olds were the best (5) 12 year olds.

Now, every level has a TRAVEL TEAM and the parents need to put some big time and money into it. Thus it's not the best players, it's the ones who can afford it and can make the time.

Best kid on the team I coached, didn't even tryout for travel because his parents couldnt accomodate the time and assuming he keeps playing he will be better than each of the shits I coached who had $500 worth of equipment in a $100 bag.

I think the talent is there, just not developed into skills.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

That elite athletic talent can be spotted by kindergarten is somehow sad. Coming up to some six-year-old at a baseball diamond, "kid, I've been watching you, and you've got what it takes."

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Yeah, in my opinion I don't agree with that. Who knows how a 6 year old is going to grow? I have seen many kids in my coaching days that were the best players when they were younger, but after some growth spurts they are not even playing anymore.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

No? Would you prefer she had a penis? She's definitely not a 10, but she's also not somebody you say no to.


This was a good read. I'm glad BRick wasn't around for it

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Frank, he was saying no to my assertion that Ryan Miller's wife is hotter.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I see. You never can be to sure with dolphin.

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Sorry Q, but I don't understand what that has to do with what I am saying.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Gotcha yes, and you played pick up games with teams and some kids had to sit out. It was fun.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Im pretty sure he's not Spiegel, but if he is, credit for hiding it well with posts like this

Clutch is a hipster band?

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"I'm not smiling because I thought what you said was humorous. I'm smiling because one day I know you'll be dead..."