[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Let's clear a couple of things up.

I'm not the only poster here who is of the opinion that the hijacking of threads is a problem. That's very obvious. I just happen to be the one that brought it up.

Okay, fair enough. There are several here who don't care for the level of thread hijacking. Yet they're still here, so it can't be all that bad. BTW, I used to feel the same way, to be honest. I got over it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Heck, I don't even mind the images, as long as they're family friendly.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I don't have a board. I volunteered to moderate the NFHS board because they were gonna shut the damn thing down. For the NFHS to have to shut down their officials' discussion board because officials couldn't maintain civil discussion was ridiculous.

Kudos to you. Seriously. It's got to be a thankless job. I do value certain parts of the NFHS board. Not the basketball bored, mind you. But certain parts.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

This hijacking of threads with stale jokes is not a problem on the NFHS board. And it's not because I delete it. It simply isn't posted there. Yes, it's a slower board but it's rare that a thread is hijacked. In fact, the very few issues I have there are from a poster who does the same thing on this site: post inane images that mean nothing to anyone. Interestingly enough, JRutledge and Jurassic Referee have voiced their opinions on the NFHS board that they don't care for those posts either.

Hmmm, so basically, people who really just want an all basketball or nothing kind of place...have one? But yet they choose to be here instead, for the most part? I'm sure I must be missing something here.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

So you can think that this is all about me but it's not. I've been here about as long as anyone and can tell you that it hasn't always been this way. I can go away but the problem will still exist.

I'm not trying to be an *** here, I've already agreed to exercise more self restraint. At least on a trial basis. But...

This board is the best of its kind for basketball. It isn't what it once was, that's true (I've been here quite a while now too). A year from now, it won't be what it currently is. Change is the only constant. Yet still, somehow, we have a larger, more vibrant user community here than any other board like it. Including the NFHS board, which seems tailor made for those who would prefer no posts to off topic banter. So, it can't be all that bad.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is really not about one person. There is something going on and it was not like this just a few years ago. I do think right or wrong there are many people that have decided not to come here because of the tone of many of the discussions. When you have to read through a lot of stuff just to get to a solid discussion in this forum it makes people stay away on some level. Now it has not made me go away, but it has changed what and who I read stuff from. And this is not just happening in the off-season. Basketball is a sport that many of us work most of the year and heavily during the summer. This summer seemed to be very slow in comparison. I would never want to suggest this all comes down to the OT posts. I think there are other reasons for that decline, but I think it plays a significant role.

Peace

Here's something you and I both agree on. The "tone of many of the discussions" discourages people from coming here, and those that are here from posting sometimes. I am not talking about the OT posts. I, personally, have taken a page from your book. I can ignore them, choose not to read them, pretend they don't even exist. There's not even anybody on my ignore list.

The tone I'm talking about has to do with the completely uncivil way discusions are conducted as regards officiating philosophies, college mechanics, written rules v. the way things are actually called, etc. It seems that raising such a topic is like waving red flags in front of some of the old bulls on this board. No discussion can take place because those holding "unapproved" opinions are shouted down, drowned out, and driven from the herd. But it's all done in the righteous name of protecting all them newbie lurkers (who must be protected, even though they contribute little if anything to the community) from getting confused. It's true. It's true.

To me, that's a helluva lot more damaging that off-topic posts.

But oddly enough, nobody's talking about that elephant in the room.

That's not too off topic, is it?