Of the seven forums I follow, this has been my favorite, mainly because of the participants. But when two of the stronger participants spend more time beating up each other than adding to my knowledge and understanding of the sport, that declines. Most of us find time to follow and try to contribute to the forum, but time is scarce, so let's use it constructively. I disagree strongly with some comments and behaviors expressed in this forum, but I hope I don't waste your time with personal battles.

[Edited by CecilOne on Sep 29th, 2003 at 10:19 AM]

Nuttin Doin
 

I haven't seen any childish antics from you. You are a worthy addition to the discussions.

It is funny how some obviously get their jollies by being contrary and then battling to the death.... back and forth... back and forth.... defending their ... defending their... usually after about 2 or three back and forths I tend to forget, as do they, what it is they are defending.

It seems like every forum I frequent has at least one that takes this position. And I think you are right - it doesn't add much of anything to the discussion. They ought to just do personal e-mails back and forth.

:D

I enjoy the discussions here quite a bit and have learned a few things from them. However, I am curious. Could you list off a few more of the forums you were talking about? I'd like to look at them too.

The disagreements here, while not fun to read, are not near as bad as some of the other sites.

Rick

Rich,

Here is one of the better ones....

http://www.eteamz.com/fastpitch/boards/softballumpire/

I would also like to view some of the other, however,
there is one I don't want. {Mcgrifs}

glen

I agree with you that McGriff's, because if its unmonitored format where no one has to register, lends itself to spam and flames.

As for eteamz, I disagree and believe it is nothing but a big marketing site. I have in the past received spam for that site that was generated when one of their senior "partners" collected my e-mail address from another board. Because of the circumstances, I realize who had done this. I posted a warning on that board and also challenged that person directly. They not only admitted to doing it, but argued with me vehemently about how there was nothing wrong with spam and that he would continue doing this.

After seeing this post here, I visited the site this morning. Several of the post I saw there were questions listed at other sites, too. In the time that I reviewed approximately 10-15 different pages, I received two pop-up ads for different products. With pop-up ads, the large number of "partners" they list and all the links they have for different services, it appears that they continue to have fiscal goals as the highest priority.

Only the opinion of someone who admittedly hates spammers with a passion.

Yeah, thanks, I've already been visiting the eteamz web site. I like this one better.

Any other suggestions?

FED has a board at http://www.nfhs.org, but I think it's about the same as here. On that board there are a number of less experienced folks and some responses to their questions or misinterpretations seem to be a bit terse.

Those two are the other softball forums I meant. The others are soccer and miscellaneous, but same providers.

Do you think statements like this may be the cause of some of the "disagreements" for which you don't particularly care to read?

1) That was not an insult, just a preference, partly intended to tease you and I know we won't get into a flame war. Guess I should have put in a smilie.
2) Comparing two sports, two rules, two types of equipment, etc. is a long way from insulting other members or accusing each other of deliberately baiting.
3) Not a question of what disagreements I personally care to read, but mainly because we need our wiser members to contribute positively to this forum.

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk...e/biggrin3.gif

Hey Guys and Gals,

Here is a FP website that only 3 umpires usually participate and we need your help! (hahahaha) It's Mike Rowe, another Atlanta umpire--Steve Marcus and I up against coaches, parents and instructors. We can use some fresh ideas and approaches. It's a pretty good board, I think:

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/jump.gif


http://fpf.dynip.com:8080/~1/login



http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/jump.gif

I quit participating after the board was taken over by Gene, the proselytizing atheist.

But that's what makes it so fun ;)

What's wrong with being an atheist? I am one.

Swear to God.

:D Funny!

You missed the proselytizing part.

He and the former owner of the board used to get into religious flame wars. After the former owner was booted out and the new owner put Gene in charge as board monitor and Gene continued his (now one-sided) religous (or in his case, anti-religous) rantings, I quit going there.

He would rant, and then in a day or two, his rants would be deleted, but it seemed that anyone who engaged him in these religious postings (I never did) would mysteriously commit some violation of board policy a day or two later and be banned.

Maybe that has all ceased to be a problem, 'cause that was a year or so ago, although it did spill over onto eteamz again a few months ago, so I suspect it was still going on as of that time.

Since Elaine & Mike & I used to all participate there together, I was just explaining why I departed.

Hey Dakota Tom~~~~~

That stupid Alan Ross is long gone and now Gene only rants over on the 'Not Softball' board. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/boohoo.gifSo come on back, please!http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk.../notworthy.gif Or are we, not worthy?

Elaine,

You have gotten very good at the smiley's. However,
with the continued use of them, you will only bring
out the monster http://216.40.249.192/s/cwm/sfa3/blankaroll.gif in Tom.

http://www.spao.de/pict/smilies/rolling_eyes.gif

glen

Pensynski
 

Wondered where old Gene ended up. I got very tired of the old FPF and quit going there. May have to go back for a visit.

Re: Pensynski
 

Gene is the moderator.

Welcome Argodad

Glad to see that you made it over here. I know your background, but why don't you share it with everyone else here. It helps with people's reactions to posts when they know something about the poster.

BTW - what is an Argo?

WMB

<b>ARGO</b>----A very large southern constellation now divided into
four, lying largely south of Cania Major. Or,
the ship in which Jason sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece.

http://www.spao.de/pict/smilies/clown.gif ing

glen

Or,the ship in which Jason sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece.

Or maybe short for argonauts, the sailors of that mythical fleet.

WMB

Argo's
 

Y'all are right on the money. I'm "argodad" because my darlin' daughter plays for the Argonauts of the University of West Florida. The Argonauts are indeed named after Jason and the Argonauts of mythology. (As my son likes to ask his sister, however, "Didn't everyone but Jason die on that cruise?") UWF is a D-II school in Pensacola FL, and finished 2003 ranked #6 in the country. She's a soph 1B.

For those who may remember, a few years ago I was known as "highvolt-sid" on the old, old Fastpitch Forum when we were with the Louisiana High Voltage.

Re my umpiring experience.... I called Little League baseball and Navy base slowpitch (with no training or certification) from the late 1970s until falling in love with fastpitch in the early 90s. Got ASA certified in VA in 1994 and called league/rec ball. Then DD got into travel ball and I spent 8 summers on the outside of the chain link (where everyone's vision is 20/20). Umpired scrimmages and friendlies only.

In 2002 I retired from the Navy, Lindsay went to college, and we moved to Pensacola. (She reminds me that she got her offer from UWF before I did.) Now I call NCAA (only JUCO until she graduates), NFHS, ASA, and NSA.

Looking forward to learning from all of you.

Larry Warrenfeltz
"Argodad"

Re: Argo's
 

Welcome aboard, and thanks for your service.

Roger Greene
USCG 1971-75

[Edited by Roger Greene on Oct 10th, 2003 at 03:23 PM]

WELCOME TO THE BOARD WARREN!!!!

(sorry, smilies site is broken down)

Re: Argo's
 

Larry, I just did a tournament that LA High Voltage was taking
part in. See them all the time. I am from East Texas and call out
of Beaumont AFA Chapter. Do AFA, ASA, NSA, USSSA, NFHS &
even USFA.

Welcome aboard.....http://www.spao.de/pict/smilies/biggthumpup.gif

glen

Re: Argo's
 

Hmmmmm.....UWF, just down the road from University Mall that used to close at 6:00 PM in the mid-70's when I lived just outside Whiting NAS.

I worked the Interservice at NAS P'cola last season. NASP has a real nice softball complex just off the water. It's just hot as hell there in August even with a good breeze. You must know a couple of my acquaintences, John Russo and Willie Howell.

Taking Roger's lead,

Mike Rowe
USN 70-74

Re: Argo's
 

Yep ... the same university and the same mall. Mall hasn't changed much (I think it stays open until 8:00 now), but the university and the area around it has really developed nicely. Beautiful campus and softball field.

We live in Pace -- between NAS Whiting and Pensacola -- you wouldn't recognize this area. Huge changes in the last decade!

John Russo is our NSA UIC. Great guy (for a Yankee fan). I've called many games with Willie Howell -- what a character.

On a side note, I think having a high number of military veterans makes the P'cola umpire associations much more professional -- at least compared to other places I've been.

Larry Warrenfeltz
USN 1971-2002

Probably due to this unusual and quite sudden surge in use, emanating from some place in Georgia!

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/Gif/SimpHomer.gif

Good one Scott....http://www.spao.de/pict/smilies/clown.gif

glen

I enjoy this forum very much. It is the only one I read. What I do not care for is when two people start to chat rather then discuss the topic with all the rest of us. Since I'm in the thread I keep getting hit with a responce. I go to read the responce only to learn its more personal chatting. If two people want to chat get off the thread & just e-mail each other.

Or, you could change your profile to turn of automatic email notification.

It's like a room full of umpires. Some are having a rules debate, some are discussing how their favorite teams are doing, some are talking about computers and the internet, some are talking about their "favorite" coach, some are commiserating about the last call they kicked, some are wandering around kibitzing on others conversations, and some are showing pictures of their kids.

Occasionally the discussions become inane, and occasionally they become heated. Just like real life.

.....then again, some of us are insane

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/teeth.gif

some of us are soap box ranters

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk...e/thebirds.gif


some of us are ballistic

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk...amethrower.gif

However, we eventually will answer your question, one way or the other.

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/argue.gif

Hi folks,

This is my first post. But i only dropped by for these few comments.

Why cant i get away from this guy ? I've posted at a variety of messageboards ( too much time on my hands ) But i've never seen anything quite like this.

And they still continue on the Not Softball Board - which was explained to me by the owner David as not a part of the Fastpitch Forum. But really is as Gene is inviting people from the FPF to the Not Softball board.

And yes, i was one of those people who decided enough was enough and called him out on his posts. Unfortunately i didn't get very far and was deleted within a couple of hours. A bunch of posts were deleted on the thread and that was that.

Which brings me back to my first question - Why cant i get away from this guy ?

There's active threads here:

http://compchat.com:8080/vbbs/showth...=&threadid=180

And here:

http://www.eteamz.com/fastpitch/boar....cfm?id=834996

My main argument was with Gene's religion or lack thereof. Politics..hey we all have our differences. Spitting in GW's face isn't something i would recommend of course, but the constant attack on Christianity bothers me. The Born Again Basta-rd stuff bothers me, Christianity is not without it's problems, but can we discuss it like adults ? Not unless you want to get deleted i guess. Bottom line i think the guy has some serious issues and it's astonishing that he's actually a forum leader.

Read all about it here:

http://fpf.dynip.com:8080/~Politics/login

Ok .. that's it !! This is a great website and it looks like a terrific, active forum.

Thanks

First, welcome to the boardhttp://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/bigwave.gif

Second, where do you think you are? The land of the free and the home of the brave!http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/usa.gif

Three, if you believe in the "second" point, then you must realize that whether you believe in what anyone says or how they say it, or not, it is equally protected by the same belief that gives you the right to rebuff or ignore what he or anyone else says or believes.

If you truly believe in what this country was based upon, getting along works both ways, like it or not. You always have the option of not reading or responding to whatever it is which upsets you.

JMHO,

Mike

Well, it's mighty con-VEEN-ient to just register your little name, post a message about religion and then disappear in the night. I wonder who else disappears into the night like some Prince of Darkness. Let's see, who might do that?

Who, who could it be?

May-be SATAN?!?!?

Thank you Mike :)


Your absolutely right.

In case your curious, John145 is not a Biblical reference. John is my first name and the 1-4-5 is a favorite musical progression of mine. Like i said though, i stumbled across your forum, saw a thread i may have a pertinent comment to add to and that's about it.

Thanks for listening and responding.

Take care :)

To all,

I just brought up Gene to explain to a couple of folks why I no longer participate in FPF. I certainly didn't intend to spark a Gene v. Alan war by proxie.

FWIW, I have no problem with Gene posting his views on "his" board, whether it is FPF or the alternate board "Not softball" or whatever it is called. I just choose to exercise my liberty and ignore both boards.

Can we drop the topic of Gene, Alan, David, et. al. now?

It had been dropped and no one responding in four days. I have no idea what this is all about, but from an outsider's opinion, it would seem that letting it drop will not be possible unless you help out.

Sorry,

I replied thinking it had just been posted. I'd been away from the board for several days and didn't notice the date on the post. It indicated "new" with the little icon, and I didn't look further.