[JRutledge]

I am writing this to everyone. I just read an email from a longtime poster. It got me thinking.

I know I have been in some battles over the years. Some I started others just happen without much participation on my part at all. I think we need to refrain from the constant bickering and constant name calling. We are here to learn from each other in one way or another. Some of us have great experience at the top levels. Others are just getting started. I think those of us that have been around a lot longer, need to be more mindful of those that do not know any better yet. We all started somewhere. I was fortunate rather early to have very good umpires and officials take me under their wing and teach me things it would have taken others years to learn. I asked a lot of questions and did everything I could to get better. I read two books before my first game that Carl Childress wrote (at least some chapters in the book) and that was the beginning of my career. Many of the things I do now are based on those books. I just modified some of those things to fit current procedures and mechanics. But basically the similar philosophies apply.

I think we really need to put aside our egos and debate issues, not personalities. I know I say things at times that might be far fetched to many. But understand that I am a product of my environment and the things that folks in my area do.

I know saying this will never change many minds at all. Some will go back to the status quo and behave unprofessionally once again. Those are individuals none of us will ever reach. But I feel that we should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. We are all here to learn from each other, even if it is minimal. I know I like to hear how people all over the world do things, even when I do not agree with it. I still know that there is more than one way to the mountain top. Just because I do something one way, does not mean someone else doing something else is wrong.

I know there will come a time very soon when I will not be on this site very much. But I would like to come back from time to time and be able to discuss future plays without all the hostility between members. We are all not going to agree one indicators and positioning, but we should be able to discuss those without much conflict.

Peace