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!