I had intended to post the following under the "Restructuring" thread, but it has mysteriously "disappeared" while I was composing my thoughts. Some of my comments reference things that were said in that thread and may appear "out of context" on this thread.
Gentlemen,
When I first discovered this site (sometime around two years ago) a couple of things quickly became apparent to me.
1. This site is an incredibly valuable resource (possibly unmatched) for someone who is interested in improving their understanding of the proper application of the rules of baseball.
2. The individuals whose contributions make it such do not "suffer fools gladly".
Out of respect and appreciation for the experience and generosity of those who were willing to share their knowledge - and realizing that I would have been "out of my league" in this forum at the time - I refrained from posting until April of this year. Plus, I developed a sneaking suspicion that at least some of those who posted really didn't like coaches. I've seen enough to realize that they may have very good reasons for this.
When I did begin posting, I thought about whether or not I should reveal that I was a coach. Deciding to follow an "honesty is the best policy" approach, I laid my cards on the table through both my choice of a nickname and by occasionally including self-deprecating references to the fact that I was a coach in my posts. Some readers initially appeared skeptical that I was a coach.
When I do post on this forum, I put some effort into what I write. I am pretty sure that I have never initiated a thread on this forum. In my responses to what others have posted, I make a real effort to actually contribute something to the discussion and frequently offer rule references and cites from accepted interpretations in support of the position I take on a given question. I do this because it helps me improve my understanding of the rules and because I'm trying to "give something back" in helping others develop their understanding just as I was helped in developing my level of understanding.
I am also trying to contribute something that may be valuable to some readers. Every time you umpire a game, Managers are part of the equation. By posting, I'm offering you some insight into how a coach understands the rules, how he perceives your rulings and mechanics, and what types of things might lead him to appeal or protest a given ruling. This might help some of the umpires who come to this forum improve their game management capabilities.
I am fully sympathetic with those who lament the dilution/pollution of this forum with questions that have been asked and answered a thousand times and could be fairly easily resolved with a little effort at research rather than imposing on the generosity of others. I also agree with those who suggest that mechanisms such as "FAQs" or a separate "Beginner's Forum" would do little to address the issue. Many of those who "barge in" with "stupid questions" would continue to do so even if those things did exist.
If I controlled this forum (which I don't), I would seriously consider doing two things:
1. Updating the "Terms of Use" to include a statement to the effect that those who post on this board are expected to have read the rules and have done some degree of "due diligence" in researching their question prior to posting on this board. There would be the traditional "I agree" checkbox required as part of the registration process necessary to post. In and of itself, this would obviously accomplish nothing. On to step 2.
2. Include a "rules test" as a part of the registration process - a fairly difficult one, but not ridiculously so. A "passing grade" would be required before the registrant would be authorized to post on the board. This would do a couple of things. First the "happened to be in the neighborhood" crowd wouldn't even take the time to complete the test and would just "bounce" to another website that turned up in their Google search. For those who did take the time to complete the test, it would provide a mechanism to weed out those who would be "in over their heads" on this board. I am quite confident that the membership of this board would be able to come up with a suitable test in a matter of hours (if not minutes) and it would be a trivial technical task to include the test as part of the registration process.
Now those who do control this board may consider increasing registrations a higher priority than "filtering" potential registrants who may be better suited to a different forum. Obviously, that is entirely their call. I merely offer the above as practical suggestions should they coincide with the wishes of the "owners" of this forum.
Some who have commented in this thread suggest that who posts is, in some sense, more important than what is said. I have a bit of a problem with this position, but I'm just a coach, so maybe I just don't understand.
Therefore, I have decided to leave the matter in your hands. If the majority of knowledgeable contributors to this board (I'm not going to "name names" because I wish to neither "damn with faint praise" nor "insult by inadvertant ommission") feel that my posts do not contribute to the forum, I will simply refrain from posting in the future and return to "lurking". Alternatively, I could change my nickname and avoid referring to the fact that I am a coach. Had I initially done so, I would venture to guess that none of you would have realized that I am a coach. Regardless, I will abide by the decision of the membership - from a sense of respect and gratitude rather than one of obligation. I await your decision.
JM
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