Mlb Shuts Down Fellow Blue Drake
 

Sorry to be accurate, but as predicted (and with sorrow):

http://theumpirelife.com/messageboar...opic.php?t=505

"Everyone,
Obviously, you have seen that we have run into some problems here at The Umpire Life. MLB has informed me that this site is not something that they want up and running. I am in the process of trying to see if there is anyway to continue the site, but in a different context.

One of the big concerns is if I have a controversial call that I miss. As shown by the possible homerun call in Oakland, there was a spirited discussion concerning it. If I were to have a play that I definitely missed and then went on the message board or the blog and admitted to missing it, the ramifications are something MLB does not want to have.

It is one thing to talk in the newspapers about a certain play, but to do it on a public forum like this is a little different. I am not sure what kind of resolution is going to come out of this, but I promise you that I am going to try and find a way to continue this. You guys have done an incredible job of building up this site and I am devastated to have to shut it down.

There has never been anything like this site out there and I was hoping to use it to show the human aspect of what we do. I really think that it was going to turn into something incredible. I can understand where MLB is coming from with there concerns and that is why I say that I hope we can find some middle ground. If we can't then we will just have to move on.

Tonight, I am going to have to shut the message board down, too. I was asked in a courteous way to shut the site down, so I am going to comply with their request. I apologize again to everyone that put so much time into this site. If I get it up and going again, I will be sure to e-mail everyone to let them know.

I will still have my e-mail address of:
[email protected]

If you have a question, please feel free to ask. I am not sure how often I will respond, but please try.

Again, I am sorry for this and let's hope something can be done to fix it.
_________________
Thanks,
Rob

Predicted and no suprises, yes, sad.

His forum was quickly becoming a winner, even Bob Jenkins had almost 100 posts there. Timmy Bigump56 and SanDiego had deserted, I'm not going to tell you who Drake claims Garth was incodnito over there <wink> Hint" Over 150 posts.

Too bad. Never had a 40 year old rookie A umpires chance of making the bigs.

Old news, my friend.This occured last week! We will miss the interaction but MLB has it's reasons for these guys not being able to host sites or post to them.

I'm not certain why someone who doesn't even have a full-time ML gig would risk getting his contract by being so public. Openings don't come up often and I figured that Rob was likely in line for the next one or two, so why start a blog and perhaps rub the wrong people the wrong way?

How about this: it's 2008, and everyone has a blog?

First, yes, several friends emailed and PM'd me the lie posted by FitUmp.

Fact: I viewed Rob's site a few times and enjoyed reading some of the posts.
Fact: Although extended a personal invitation, I never joined Rob's site.
Fact: I never posted at Rob's site.
Fact: I have sent Rob the IP address of my home computer and work computer, told his of the claim made on this site and requested that he check for any evidence that any posts were ever made from either computer.
Fact: FitUmp and his boss have crossed the line from merely annoying to maliciously fabricating.
Fact: I have not, until this post, mentioned either FitUmp or his boss for quite some time, yet I understand from some of you I am a daily topic in theirs. I don't understand the obsession and have refused to post in response to them to try to keep down the amount of crap on this site. I will continue to do so.

If anyone believes the garbage they post, there is nothing I can do about it. As the old saying goes, "You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think."

So, the question to ask is, "Why was it becoming a winner?"

Both sites had / have knowledgable posters, although his site did have pro (MiLB) umps (known to be) participating

His site had more "social" threads (who is your favorite umpire? where are you from? exactly what brand of equipment does (insert name her) wear? etc.)

This site has more "negative" threads, mostly fomented by a relativley small group of posters.

Frankly, I (personal opinion) don't care about any of the social threads and didn't participate in them (unless it was to opine on a rules / mechanics type question).

The pro umps were nice to have, but I don't think any "new" knowledge was provided -- that is, the answers given here to the same questions would have been the same.

So, that only leave the trolling.

Here's a challenge to the "new guard" who wants to promote change: Physician, heal thyself.

Personally, I found it a better site! There were no trolls to deal with, no know-it-all jacka$$es, no snippy brats - in short, no dick heads! We al got along no matter what the level. It was a clean site - just like this one was long ago before the aforementioned jacka$$es got onto the board.

So why tolerate the jackazzes?

Thanks for reporting it, oz, old chum. Old news to you.:eek: But alas, you had abandoned us as well.

nyuk.

Thanks
 

First of all guys, it is OK that things had to be stopped. There were some issues with certain things in the site and I am trying to resolve them.

The way the site was designed was to give everyone an insight into what the life is like. I had a great time doing it and hopefully at some point, it can be back in a different way.

If it does come back, what won't change is the way everyone interacts. There is no point in arguing and being rude to each other. This is why the site was so appealing to everyone. It was a site where it really didn't matter what level you worked at. You could be comfortable asking and answering any questions. If my site cannot continue, then please try and bring that same mentality to this board. There are obviously a huge amount of members on this board, so take advantage of that.

I will be sure to let you know what happens with my site, but for now, please continue to carry yourselves in the way that you did at TheUmpireLife.com.

Sincerely,
Rob Drake

Gee, you comprised an all-inclusve list of yourself then claimed you weren't posting there. That's a lie. :rolleyes:

Mr. Umpire, please email this to Garth!

nyuk nyuk :D

Projection: The attribution of one's own attitudes, feelings, or suppositions to others.

http://www.answers.com/projection?cat=biz-fin

Good luck to you, you know what you have to clean up and out to make it work. Well, until MLB decides to change their mind.....again.

Interested Ump and I often thought about coming over to pay you a visit but

1) We knew we might drag some kelp from here over and that would be Unfair:D

2) Someone has to keep the Old Guard in check(mate), Mate.:D

First, let me on behalf of all here thank you for your duality in loyalty. It takes a large man to split his time so.:D

Agreed with all of the above, please do something about the old Guard, will ya?:cool:

That would be Fittly...

Bobby, you don't mind if I call you Bobby since you called me Frankly, do you?, Bobby, honestly, I never spent a lot of time there, not sure I had more than one post or two, if that. if you were a successful troll, i have to take you word. :D

Such as how? by letting old Guardians plod along with yesterday's views and mindsets?

Here's a clue. it takes about ten minutes to set up a new forum. Why not set up "old Guard" forum and you and Garthie moderate it. Wait, that's here, what am I thinkng.

OK, set up an old Guard forum, and IU and I will never, ever come there. you can post about baloons are better, technology stinks, and all Old Guard ways, have a ball.

I'll set it up for you, no, I'm not kidding.

Deal?

Fact: :D :D Hearsay testimony is inadmissible. :D :D

Fact: means nothing, I have to proxy in from Virgin Gorda, no telling how many nondescript IP addresses I have. All depends on the exit node.

Fact: Fitump doesn't have a boss and if what he did is malicious, sue him and quit your jabberwocking. I, OTOH, have now been slandered, Sir, I say libeled, whichever or both!! Expect major consequences. I have stolen into your gear bag and switched out your mask for the one mskinsvas wore when he took a near-death blow to the wires!!

Fact: you mention us all the time as "they" or "them" or when you troll you use a denigrating name. How utterly absurd of you to attempt to claim any differently. :eek:

See denigrating above. Fact.

Mr. Umpire, do your (only as far as I can tell) usefulness! Email, sir, to the email!;)

The above post should be archived for all of posterity. it's a classic, IU.

Do you trolls ever comment on anything that is even remotely related to actual <i>beisbol</i> umpiring?

Just wondering.....

From Rob Drake to my response regarding the accusation made earlier in this thread by either Frick or Frack. I refuse to look at the post to determine which.

----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: garthbenham
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:22 AM
Subject: Re: Regrettable

Garth,
I never said anything about you. You never posted, so I really never even knew your name. I had seen it a few times on the other message boards, but never really read much of it. I believe you did send me an e-mail about deleting a thread on that site about the pornography and I thanked you for that.

I don't really know what they are trying to get on you about, but I have never said anything about you. Thanks for taking the time to write me and I hope that if I get it back up and running, you will decide to join.
Thanks,
Rob Drake

Okay, who to believe, Rob Drake, or the lying scumbags?

You're a glutton for punishment aren't you? :D

Garth, I think the answer has been obvious to all but 3-4 people for a while now.

Hopefully Rob can resurrect his site in one form or another, it was good reading.

Free legal advice:

Fact: Hearsay testimony is NOT always INadmissible; or, said another way, hearsay testimony is often admissible. ;)

http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rules.htm#Rule803

But you will read Mr. Umpire's emails which will have them word for word. my, how adult.:D

Quote:

Garth,

You sent him a pornographic email? Did I read that right?:(

Thanks, Counselor.

Fact: Four hyooge green smilies = sarcasm.

Can I count on you defending me against scurrilous libel (and potential slander) performed here, in front of God and Man, by one Garth BenHAM? :p

Post all the email headers otherwise, until Rob confirms, this is a bunch of hooey. You, sir, have been called out once again.

Someone email this to False Accusing lyingf scumbag Benham.

Thanks.:D

Fact: NO.

I missed your beisbol info in your post, Dinosaur Ref, please requote or troll on, Makes me no nevermind.

:eek:

I see, you only defend the poor, the homeless, the Garths? :D

Outside of fitty, who eggsactly is the other "lying scumbag", Gerth? Best you be careful, lawump is my counsel and is reading this very thread for ways to prosecute, persecute and strip you of all your riches, you know, your red umpire shirt and your hyoogly inflated ego. :D :D

Originally Posted by Interested Ump
Can I count on you defending me against scurrilous libel (and potential slander) performed here, in front of God and Man, by one Garth BenHAM?No you will not defend or No he isn't guilty?:eek:

Ozzy i agree and can you imagine the amount of threads that would have been posted concerning what happened in the Brave / Met game last weekend.

Pete Booth

From speaking with people at MiLB I can tell you that posters like our own Frick and Frack, or as a good friend refers to them, Muck and Mire, are among the reasons they don't want their umpires participating on the internet.

You beat me to it....;)

Seriously....do you or any of the other morons that form your little group ever post anything other than what is typically found in this particular thread?

I say that, recognizing that all of you are doing one helluva job as trolls. You get the <b>real</b> umpires upset, distracted and they end playing the same game as you. So, yes, you certainly are successful in accomplishing your aims. Gotta give you props for being so good at what you do. But you sureashell do get old to the casual lurkers like myself who aren't umpires, but love <i>beisbol</i> and would like to learn a little about the rules, mechanics, etc. of the game

Soooooo, if it isn't too much bother, I would be very appreciative if you and your other little friends fuk off. And stay fukked off.:)

please lock this thread and stop this madness

And one to whom I was referring just has to add his diarrhea to the toilet.

You know, we had a great site here once. You and Pete Booth, Jurassic and Tim C., Big One and his buddy from San Diego (just to name a few) were great to deal with. We had our share of idiots over the many years but they always seemed to get the idea that they weren't wanted and moved on. These idiots that have come in lately are just too stupid to realize that they just are not wanted! I mean really, how stupid are these people? Well, thank God for the ignore feature!

Almost enough to induce feelings of nostalgia in regard to the drummerboy and the bluedude. At least THEY were "entertaining".

JM

Hi Garth:

"Right on" in your assessment. This Forum is still good but unfortunately as you metnion above it's too bad there are the "frick's and frack's" that ruin it.
Heck you and I have disagreed on certain issues, but we have done so in a professional manor.

I personally thought Rob's site was good but for the most part new sites do start out good (even McGrifth's was good in the beginning)

Hopefully this Forum will continue to be a good site.

Off topic somehat but how's the healing process? Even though we have never met I gather you are itching to get back in there.

Pete Booth

First off Ozzy thanks for the kind words. We have all disagreed with one another over the years but as I metnioned to Garth it was done in a professional way.

Your post is probably one of the reasons we do not hear from Papa C or Peter Osborne anymore. They are probaly tired of dealing with the Trolls as well.

Regardless of the few posters we should try and keep this site as good as we can. It's my gut that new umpires still can learn from the info contained in this site.

Pete Booth

Can we just stop quoting and responding to them? Put them on ignore and leave them there.

Oh, give me a break, Booth. First, you have us on your Ignore List then have the gall to pontificate about trolls and troll posting. I consider you a troll and this post of your's a troll posting for that matter.

Second, you are a shell of your useful self, your forte' is comprehensive knowledge of the multiple rules but, too many times, you are so far off the rules (and interpretation of them) track as to be at a minimum jokingly pathetic. Imagine an unfunny clown.

Last, as with the majority here, you prefer straw man, third party attacks and innuendo as opposed to the more manly and truthful, public tete a tete.

Point: If you want to lecture, become a professor. If you want to ad hoc comment, get a megaphone, racoon coat and a pint of Old Drunk.

If you want to be treated like a man instead of the mouse you are, speak direct.

Mr. Umpire, email please!:rolleyes:

An observation
 

First of all Ozzy wrote: We had our share of idiots over the many years but they always seemed to get the idea that they weren't wanted and moved on.

What makes you think you have the right to diss posters who don't conform to your standards? There would probably be at least a few more knowledgable, credible posters on here if you tolerated people who initially came across as a bit naive. But no, internet bigshots such as yourself shoot down anybody who isn't deemed good enough. Let me provide a few examples: myself, Oyaisee, Boyinblue, LLumpDan,CO Ump, Dudeinblue, etc.

Pete Booth wrote: Regardless of the few posters we should try and keep this site as good as we can. It's my gut that new umpires still can learn from the info contained in this site.

That's a hypocritical statement if there ever was one. How many new umpires been chased away by pile-ons? I hate to burst your bubble, but this is not a place where newbies can feel comfortable asking questions. Say something that goes against the rulebook or umpiring custom and one gets labelled a troll. As it turns out, the only "trolls" here are the ones who put down others to cover up their own insecurities (cough LMan cough), kind of like the schoolyard bully who feeds off the weaknesses of others.

I will give credit where credit is due. I got great feedback on my plate mechanics video and appreciate the advice I was given. It's just a damn shame that people on here are not willing to give that kind of constructive feedback on a consistent basis.

Best Thread Ever!

What are you guys doing? This is exactly the crap that I did not allow. You guys are umpires, learn to get along. We are all in this together to help each other get better at this profession. You guys act like kids! Either talk about umpiring or don't say anything. This is almost embarrassing to read.

I agree, Rob, and I disagree. :D

Nothing is accomplished when everyone sweetbreads topics. This nation was founded on argument, blood and sweat.

Where I agree is that there are times when better use of this fine forum can be attained. For instance, the denigration of posters as "trolls", as "lying scumbags" and similar would accentuate the perfect examples of abuse of forum rights.

As to you, I would offer this advice, take or leave as you would.

You made a grievous error in starting your forum, this I and Fitump56 predicted would be demised. Your personal situation with the MLB umpiring Guard has been diminished, severely, or slightly, time will tell.

With only a few slots open each millenium, the question was rightly proffered "why did you take such a chance"?

I do not think that you are doing yourself any favors posting here, considering the circumstances. Again, I would offer this advice, take or leave as you would.

Certainly, in the order of things, havng you advise us on how to act is much like the donkey lecturing the carrot about moving along past its nose more quickly. :eek:

Who the hell are yu to bring this crap on us? You're a wannabe MLB ump who has prolly shot his wad over a st00pid forum. Hey, here's what you do. Post to your forum and leave us alone. WOW, can't do that? Try Outsports then.

Not so bad!

I actually agree with a very small portion of his post. Rob, do yourself a favor and lay low for a while. Consider your shut down request from MLB as a warning... Stay off the internet forums!!!! While your heart is in the right place, you have too much to lose. As the rats say "Let go - you're better than that" ;)

Which parts do you NOT agree of the following?

"Nothing is accomplished when everyone sweetbreads topics. This nation was founded on argument, blood and sweat. "

"Where I agree is that there are times when better use of this fine forum can be attained. For instance, the denigration of posters as "trolls", as "lying scumbags" and similar would accentuate the perfect examples of abuse of forum rights."

"You made a grievous error in starting your forum, this I and Fitump56 predicted would be demised. Your personal situation with the MLB umpiring Guard has been diminished, severely, or slightly, time will tell."

With only a few slots open each millenium, the question was rightly proffered "why did you take such a chance"?

"Certainly, in the order of things, havng you advise us on how to act is much like the donkey lecturing the carrot about moving along past its nose more quickly. :eek:"<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Sad.

Completely predictable, but still sad.