By my estimates, there were about 230 boys and girls accorded some form of all-area honors in Sunday's newspaper.

That means, by my estimates, there were about  2,731 boys and girls  — from dozens of teams at the 100-plus schools in our coverage area — who did not receive some form of recognition.

We heard quickly from representatives of two athletes left off their all-area teams, wondering why. The answer applies to every choice made on our teams (not to mention those at the all-conference and all-state levels that you've seen published over the past few weeks): Because the ones who were chosen made a bigger impact — however slight — than those who were not.

Once upon a time, that reasoning was OK with people. Those who earned postseason recognition were gracious in their acceptance while those who did not used the perceived slight as motivation to work hard and make sure it never happened again.

Unfortunately — and contrary to what many want to believe — choosing these postseason honors teams is not a black-and-white process.

Names and numbers are not pumped into a computer, which analyzes every comparison and spits out the best of the best. It's not like the BCS rankings (sorry, bad analogy).

Instead, these teams are a subjective collection of talent.

Some teams are chosen entirely on statistics. Others factor in an athlete's overall performance with criteria that goes beyond the numbers.

Some teams go out of their way to honor seniors ahead of younger candidates. Some do so once all other comparisons have been exhausted. Others group all grade levels as one.

Some teams are open only to those whose coaches are members of their state coaching associations. Other teams are open only to those athletes who avoid athletic code or academic ineligibility (a provision that seems to eliminate more and more otherwise worthy young athletes every year).

If you want a snapshot of what a postseason honor is, take a look the Capital Times' photo of Middleton's Brooks Braga — its football player of the year — on madison.com. It shows the senior running back flanked by his entire offensive line.

But that photo says — and rightly so — it was a team effort. Sure, Braga ran for more than 2,100 yards this season, but his numbers and the postseason honors they've attracted would not have been possible with out the eight other teammates in the photo.

The same principle applies in most sports where the work of many will inevitably draw attention to at least a few. Distinguishing those few, unfortunately, can be challenging.

Some teams are a joy for coaches and media members to select. Others make those same individuals question their wisdom for making the effort in the first place.
Sadly, I think that pressure is why some postseason honors teams are starting to accumulate more members than the Verizon Network.

One area conference honored 116 football players in some form on its all-conference team. That begs the question: When does an all-conference team cross the line and become little more than a cumulative roster?
Like most of the garnishes served with prep sports, postseason honors teams tend to draw the most scrutiny from parents and coaches (and, generally, in that order).

Parents believe their sons and daughters' inclusion on one of these teams might just be the ticket to a college scholarship. (Just as I think PowerBall is my ticket to a golf course condo in San Diego and a 10:30 a.m. tee time every day for the rest of my life.)

Coaches believe their players' inclusion on these teams represents a deserving reward for years of hard work leading to their proverbial 15 minutes of fame at the varsity level. It's hard to argue with that, but, again, once upon a time there were other ways for them to express that appreciation.

My fear is postseason honors teams will go the way of the letter jacket if we aren't careful. The athletes that deserve them won't feel as honored to wear them because, in the end, everybody gets one.