[NCASAUmp]

The dangers of writing something online is that it's missing what I would consider 90% of the most important information: context and tone. Words only say so much; how they're said makes all the difference, and the internet completely strips our words of that effect.

Now, I've been here for what? 2 years? Give or take? I've not known Mike or wade long, and I don't know how it started. However, I'd be willing to bet that if we somehow found the original thread that started all this, it would be attributable to the above-mentioned issue: context and tone being stripped from the words.

I respect the both of you as both umpires and contributors. You both have a ton of experience that can easily translate onto this board, and I appreciate the participation from both of you. I think that comments made by the two of you have made me a better umpire. I thank both of you for that.

Fellas, you both have more in common than you might think. Both of you have a passion for softball. Both of you have a passion for umpiring. Both of you have a passion for self-improvement, and in my estimation, advancement. I commend both of you for that.

I agree that it's time to bury the hatchet, fellas. You both have way too many positive things to contribute to softball to let an online fight drag either of you down. So let's hoist some beers, fellas. We're all on the same team!

Now where's that damned "kudos" button...?