It’s gotta be around 90% of ball players, HS/College/Pro players that utilize social media on a daily basis. Obviously I am active on both Facebook and Twitter myself. I rarely use my personal accounts, but am active on our Baseball Dudes business page on Facebook and our @BaseballDudes48 Twitter account.
Every year, professional players are given a lecture from the big league media staff about how careful they need to be. Players at this level learn early in their career that not only are the representing themselves, they are also representing Major League Baseball and the organization which they are playing for. These days the media uses social media to learn inside info quickly and learn personal things about specific players.
As for learning inside info quickly, let me explain this. Every year, we hear a story about a player, who was moved up or down, tweet about it before the other player, whoever is being moved from the other team, has been told they are being moved. You wouldn’t think this would be a big deal but often the move isn’t an obvious move and can send a panic through a clubhouse. It can disrupt that team for that nights game.
As for the media using social media to learn more about players, there is a fine line that players have to walk here. Social media is a great way for players to stay connected to their family/friends and even fans. The following that many pro players have on twitter can be very impressive but they have to be careful. As you saw last year with that college football player. That could happen to anybody who uses social media the wrong way. When you get to the college/pro levels of this game, it is crazy how some people out there will try and try to get into your life. More times than not, these are good people but you honestly never know.
Players also need to realize who looks at what they put out there. I’m talking about teammates, coaches, upper management and I’m sure even owners of teams. Just like in life when talking to someone, you should always think twice about what you are about to say. Especially when it’s out there for everyone to see. The simplest comments can ruin a reputation. Be smart boys!