[Jim Porter]

I'll be honest with you.

I'm not upset. I just don't want discussions to degrade between us.

I have a hard time believing you when I have no idea who you are. I have a hard time putting credence to your ideas and methods without knowing who you are. And I'm not alone, I'm quite sure about that.

When Carl Childress speaks, it's quite easy to listen to him. I know who he is and I know his experience. I know well enough to dummy up and go into listening mode.

When Jon Bible speaks, it's quite easy to listen to him. I know who he is and I know his experience. I know well enough to dummy and go into listening mode.

When Ranger speaks, I think, "Who is this guy? Is this just another anonymous poster pulling our chains?"

You must understand that our chains have been pulled too many times on the Internet. I am cautious now. I will always be cautious. And until I know who you are, you have very little credibility. That's not your fault. That's just the way it is.

It would be beneficial to you and the umpires on this forum if you would identify yourself. You are not an NCAA umpire travelling all over the country teaching umpires unless we know who you are. You must admit, any Joe off the street can claim to be something he's not. I'm afraid that's how I have to view you until I know otherwise.

Sometimes you sound like a learned umpire with great experience. Other times your words and sentence structures sound all too familiar. This is a problem that will haunt you on this forum until you make the decision to stand behind your identity, and your experience. Until then, thanks for your thoughts.