Good Bye

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I deleted many posts from several threads (including some that hadn't been active for a day or so) this morning. I'll try to keep up. But, I ask that you *not* respond in kind to any attacks ("don't feed the trolls"). It makes the moderating more difficult and more time consuming.

Stay on-topic. Talk about umpiring (rules, mechanics, game management, equipment). Feel free to propose new ideas -- but recognize that an idea is not "good" or "bad" merely because it's new. Respond once or twice per thread per "session" -- do not feel the need to respond to every post in every thread. Treat new posters kindly -- at least until they prove they don't deserve it; then ignore them (and I don't necessarily mean to imply "use the ignore function.")

We've all known umpires with whom we "dreaad" working. The same applies here -- there are posters we "dread" reading. Don't be that poster.

Amen!

I have posted on BBS's (for other topics) for many years now. One thing I have noticed is that some members, usually ones in good standing and "popular" tend to "feed the fire" or certain personality types. If looked at objectively, they often are guilty of the very same type of thinking/actions they are complaining about!

I will not name names, or point fingers here. But I think maybe a dose of reality should be posted by SOMEBODY. If you don't agree with somebody, or their post seems really ridiculous to you, or silly, or just plain stupid, I certainly don't see any need not to share what you think. But to continue on with post after post of telling them that (which usually comes after a stinging retort by the offending person to you) with the intent of "changing their mind" is just as silly. Also, much of what some people say has to be handled just like we are encouraged to handle it on the ball field. If you know you are right in your mind, why even respond to ridiculous stuff? Let them have the last word and be done with the conversation. Sure, they might have taken a few cheap shots. Made a few underhanded comments. Beat around the bush of calling YOU an idiot. LET IT GO!

Garth doesn't HAVE to leave. Neither does Rob Drake. I have lost a little respect for both for even posting their little "Dear John" goodbye posts here. That kind of thing is just as silly as ANYTHING somebody here could have done.

I KNOW what I am about. I KNOW where I stand in umpiring. I KNOW I am not perfect. I KNOW I am good too! There is not one of you here that can shake any of that! I think most mature, rational, informed posters here know when somebody is being ridiculous. I don't need to feed the fires (of course, that is sort of what I am doing here he? ) and defend myself when somebody is being difficult here. I just let it go and move on.

NOT A SINGLE THING THAT GOES ON HERE EFFECTS THE JOB I DO ON THE FIELD, except for possibly learning some new things that help!

I am here to share my experience and read others. I think THAT is the spirit of this site.

Bob, I commend you for staying out of most of this. I encourage you to let the community sort things out. Overly moderated sites have no personality. While I agree that spam, and outright hostile/threatening/offensive comments should be deleted, for the most part, I think we are all adults here. If a guy can't walk away from a conversation that isn't going his way, and continues to blast the other person, stuff like that will never change, no matter how much you moderate. I say, better to keep it a bit loose than to tighten up. You can strangle out all possibility of learning if you over-moderate a forum.

Lighten up people. It is just the internet!

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by rei

Amen!


Garth doesn't HAVE to leave. Neither does Rob Drake. I have lost a little respect for both for even posting their little "Dear John" goodbye posts here. That kind of thing is just as silly as ANYTHING somebody here could have done.

I KNOW what I am about. I KNOW where I stand in umpiring. I KNOW I am not perfect. I KNOW I am good too! There is not one of you here that can shake any of that! I think most mature, rational, informed posters here know when somebody is being ridiculous. I don't need to feed the fires (of course, that is sort of what I am doing here he? ) and defend myself when somebody is being difficult here. I just let it go and move on.

NOT A SINGLE THING THAT GOES ON HERE EFFECTS THE JOB I DO ON THE FIELD, except for possibly learning some new things that help!

I am here to share my experience and read others. I think THAT is the spirit of this site.

Bob, I commend you for staying out of most of this. I encourage you to let the community sort things out. Overly moderated sites have no personality. While I agree that spam, and outright hostile/threatening/offensive comments should be deleted, for the most part, I think we are all adults here. If a guy can't walk away from a conversation that isn't going his way, and continues to blast the other person, stuff like that will never change, no matter how much you moderate. I say, better to keep it a bit loose than to tighten up. You can strangle out all possibility of learning if you over-moderate a forum.

Lighten up people. It is just the internet!

Aren't we the enlightened one? Do you think Garth would walk away from verbal sparring? You don't know him very well.

I think that what has happened with Rob and Garth is a bit more than you understand. Trolls have gone beyond the name calling and arguing. They have stolen identities and used them on the internet. They have made up their own "facts" and are posting them, boldy and unquestioned. These trolls have progressed from being a mild nuisance to being unethical, slanderous and unstoppable. They are the internet version of terrorists.


The cloak that the internet provides gives cowards like these trolls cover and makes them feel invincible. We are all one post away from pissing one of them off and finding ourselves in the same situation as Rob and Garth.

No, Rei, this is more serious than you think. And I would not be so quick to lose respect for two former posters who became victims of slander and took the time to warn the rest of us of what was going on. We won't know how you will handle finding your name being used on posts you didn't write until it happens.

Garth used to chide me for using a pen name. He used to tell me that using his real name signified that he wasn't afraid to stand behind what he posted and that only cowards used pen names. I maintained that the internet was a dangerous place where whackos lurked and providing any of them with more information about you than they needed was foolish.

I am sad to be in the position of saying, "I told you so."

[t-rex]

Unfortunately, Rob and Garth are only the two most recent victims. There is a pattern to what has taken place. The ignore feature or simply ignoring posts, in my opinion, won't make the problem go away.

It is time for the moderators to put a stop to it, or lose that which they moderate when we all walk away.

[mick]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Unfortunately, Rob and Garth are only the two most recent victims. There is a pattern to what has taken place. The ignore feature or simply ignoring posts, in my opinion, won't make the problem go away.

It is time for the moderators to put a stop to it, or lose that which they moderate when we all walk away.

t-rex,
I do not think MrUmpire was talking about hi-jacking identities within this forum. I believe he was talking about the unregistered use of names and the identity theft being used in other similar forums.

MrUmpire is well respected here and could perhaps clear that up.

[t-rex]

I wasn't speaking of hijacking identities, per se, but rather choosing identities to lampoon other members.

The name fitump was chosen for a reason. The name on the HS ball forum was chosen for a reason. I reiterate, it appears to be a pattern that I am witnessing.

[mick]

Originally Posted by t-rex

I wasn't speaking of hijacking identities, per se, but rather choosing identities to lampoon other members.

The name fitump was chosen for a reason. The name on the HS ball forum was chosen for a reason. I reiterate, it appears to be a pattern that I am witnessing.

t-rex,
I do not understand your inferences.
Are not most names chosen for a reason?
What HS ball forum?
What pattern?
Thanks.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by mick

t-rex,
I do not think MrUmpire was talking about hi-jacking identities within this forum. I believe he was talking about the unregistered use of names and the identity theft being used in other similar forums.

MrUmpire is well respected here and could perhaps clear that up.

Mick,

While true for the most part (We have had trolls create identities that insult posters here) it still doesn't address the issues we face here.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Garth used to chide me for using a pen name. He used to tell me that using his real name signified that he wasn't afraid to stand behind what he posted and that only cowards used pen names. I maintained that the internet was a dangerous place where whackos lurked and providing any of them with more information about you than they needed was foolish.

I am sad to be in the position of saying, "I told you so."

I use my real name and people have used my name to try to make it seem like it is me. It does not work very well because you have to know more about me than I reveal here. And if people are dumb enough to take what people say on the internet without corroboration. There are people that try to mock very well know people and it does not work. You have to do better than just taking someone's name. You have to know more about them than what they present on the board.

Peace

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And if people are dumb enough to take what people say on the internet without corroboration.

Not much of an 'if' here, Jeff. Most people believe what they read without giving a thought of its source. Sad, but true.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Not much of an 'if' here, Jeff. Most people believe what they read without giving a thought of its source. Sad, but true.

Why do you care what some person you will never met, know or deal with thinks? That is the problem right there if you ask me. And I care even less when it is with people I do not know.

Peace

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Why do you care what some person you will never met, know or deal with thinks? That is the problem right there if you ask me. And I care even less when it is with people I do not know.

Peace

Jeff,

I wasn't arguing your point. Simply stating that it will happen. Personally, I don't care what people whom I have no respect for think of me.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Jeff,

I wasn't arguing your point. Simply stating that it will happen. Personally, I don't care what people whom I have no respect for think of me.

I was not arguing any point, just stating a truth.

Peace

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Aren't we the enlightened one? Do you think Garth would walk away from verbal sparring? You don't know him very well.

I think that what has happened with Rob and Garth is a bit more than you understand. Trolls have gone beyond the name calling and arguing. They have stolen identities and used them on the internet. They have made up their own "facts" and are posting them, boldy and unquestioned. These trolls have progressed from being a mild nuisance to being unethical, slanderous and unstoppable. They are the internet version of terrorists.


The cloak that the internet provides gives cowards like these trolls cover and makes them feel invincible. We are all one post away from pissing one of them off and finding ourselves in the same situation as Rob and Garth.

No, Rei, this is more serious than you think. And I would not be so quick to lose respect for two former posters who became victims of slander and took the time to warn the rest of us of what was going on. We won't know how you will handle finding your name being used on posts you didn't write until it happens.

Garth used to chide me for using a pen name. He used to tell me that using his real name signified that he wasn't afraid to stand behind what he posted and that only cowards used pen names. I maintained that the internet was a dangerous place where whackos lurked and providing any of them with more information about you than they needed was foolish.

I am sad to be in the position of saying, "I told you so."

I appreciate what you are saying, but, I think I am quite aware of what is going on. I can read.

That crap is happening elsewhere, and it would not be allowed here. To give up posting here because of stuff happening elsewhere just seems silly to me.

Concerning a very different topic, I have a name presence on some BBS's concerning that topic. I am published, and am sought after for advice. You would not believe the vicious stuff that has been posted about me by the same kind of people that Garth and Rob are dealing with.

I have never stopped sharing my knowledge on that topic, and in fact, was banned from a site for my retribution to some guys that were targeting me. Oh well. I went to a site where they don't ban, and moved on.

I think some people tend to take the things said to/about them on a BBS FAR too seriously, and think it is damaging their reputation when it is in fact not! It is JUST the internet.