Message to BF.net users regarding member behavior and banning - August 2018 - PLEASE READ

[Warning Track Power]

Better communication can go a long ways. And that’s on all of us.

Agreed...and I think a lot of us need to realize the moment in which things are said. I know a lot of my own negative thoughts come out during the game when I disagree with certain decisions. For example, in the IGT in Game 2 against the Reds when Counsell pulled Williams for Jennings. With Hader and Jeffress supposedly unavailable this move was beyond stupid to me and I posted in frustration. Perhaps we all need to understand others emotions/feelings in the heat of moment a bit better.

[reillymcshane]

We have had vent threads in the past - and they have gotten really, really ugly.

 

It's one thing to vent - but what happens is people start going at each other. And then that venom and animosity seeps into other threads - often times without people realizing it.

[wallus]

I think suspensions/short leashes and maybe a rules reminder for newer posters would help a lot. I have noticed some "interesting" new members in the last 6 months. Stoutdude and I actually recently talked about how this place has gone downhill. Kudos to the mods for trying to clean it up.

[homer]

The in-game threads have always and will always be a little different. People get emotional during the games and let that get the best of them when posting.

[645]

Truth?

 

Truth will always win the argument because it's the truth.

 

And everyone should know if you have too throw around insults to make your point then your argument is not back by the truth. and going there tells everyone you have lost the argument. So no need to go there.

[GAME05]

I do appreciate it when the mods step into a thread just to tell people to stop. It makes for a good reminder for everyone else, too.

[reillymcshane]

I do appreciate it when the mods step into a thread just to tell people to stop. It makes for a good reminder for everyone else, too.

I will add that people can PM a mod if someone is being problematic. Not every poster does something really bad that forces someone to report them - but sometimes it's a combination of many smaller things that makes them an issue. I would encourage people to drop one of the Mods a note. That way we can keep an eye on things.

[Oxy]

I see that Reilly and homer are "global moderators..." I assume that with the lengthy and storied history of this site there are many, many respected posters who may not be "global moderators" but whose density might carry more weight than their pure number of posts might indicate? As a long time lurker/poster yet also a stranger, I believe Brian the Automator started this site... is he still around in some form or fashion? Others? Whoever they are, I thank them for creating a legacy that is worthy of this thread, even if other threads (particularly IGTs) do not always follow those standards that the originals had set.

[Invader3K]

As a long time lurker/poster yet also a stranger, I believe Brian the Automator started this site... is he still around in some form or fashion? Others? Whoever they are, I thank them for creating a legacy that is worthy of this thread, even if other threads (particularly IGTs) do not always follow those standards that the originals had set.

 

Brian still owns the site, and I believe still lurks from time to time, but he isn't really involved on any sort of day-to-day basis anymore. Yes, we are all very fortunate he and others had the initiative to start this site and keep it going after all these years.

[pacopete4]

As a long time lurker/poster yet also a stranger, I believe Brian the Automator started this site... is he still around in some form or fashion? Others? Whoever they are, I thank them for creating a legacy that is worthy of this thread, even if other threads (particularly IGTs) do not always follow those standards that the originals had set.

 

Brian still owns the site, and I believe still lurks from time to time, but he isn't really involved on any sort of day-to-day basis anymore. Yes, we are all very fortunate he and others had the initiative to start this site and keep it going after all these years.

 

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

[Invader3K]

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

 

The front page was not being updated at all, and a couple years ago, the moderators made the call to remove it and have the brewerfan.net url direct straight to the forum. I don't think the lack of maintenance on the front page was due to any one person.

[adambr2]

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

 

The front page was not being updated at all, and a couple years ago, the moderators made the call to remove it and have the brewerfan.net url direct straight to the forum. I don't think the lack of maintenance on the front page was due to any one person.

 

I miss that other stuff. I mean I totally get it, you guys have lives too and aren't under any obligation. It was all just really good stuff, the prospect reports, the Power 50, the references for contracts, transactions, options and other good information.

[wallus]

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

 

The front page was not being updated at all, and a couple years ago, the moderators made the call to remove it and have the brewerfan.net url direct straight to the forum. I don't think the lack of maintenance on the front page was due to any one person.

 

I miss that other stuff. I mean I totally get it, you guys have lives too and aren't under any obligation. It was all just really good stuff, the prospect reports, the Power 50, the references for contracts, transactions, options and other good information.

 

Sounds like a good job for Adambr2

[homer]

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

 

The front page was not being updated at all, and a couple years ago, the moderators made the call to remove it and have the brewerfan.net url direct straight to the forum. I don't think the lack of maintenance on the front page was due to any one person.

 

I miss that other stuff. I mean I totally get it, you guys have lives too and aren't under any obligation. It was all just really good stuff, the prospect reports, the Power 50, the references for contracts, transactions, options and other good information.

 

There is still a TON of great daily content in the Minor League Forum. MassHaas is up posting at 4:30am on many days. I don't know how he does it.

[homer]

As a long time lurker/poster yet also a stranger, I believe Brian the Automator started this site... is he still around in some form or fashion? Others? Whoever they are, I thank them for creating a legacy that is worthy of this thread, even if other threads (particularly IGTs) do not always follow those standards that the originals had set.

 

Brian still owns the site, and I believe still lurks from time to time, but he isn't really involved on any sort of day-to-day basis anymore. Yes, we are all very fortunate he and others had the initiative to start this site and keep it going after all these years.

 

Is this why there’s no front page site and stuff like that and only the forum?

 

Yes, much to the chagrin of Shea Vucinich

[BuckyBrewer61]

 

There definitely was a "vent thread" at one point in time.

 

There was one right after we lost the NLCS. No holds-barred, swear all you want about Pujols, Mark Kotsay, Ron Roenicke, you name it. And man was it glorious, in large part because it was so anti-BrewerFan in the most perfect way at the perfect time.

 

Again, thanks mods for all you do.

[adambr2]

 

There definitely was a "vent thread" at one point in time.

 

There was one right after we lost the NLCS. No holds-barred, swear all you want about Pujols, Mark Kotsay, Ron Roenicke, you name it. And man was it glorious, in large part because it was so anti-BrewerFan in the most perfect way at the perfect time.

 

Again, thanks mods for all you do.

 

There was also a regular annual vent thread around the 2007-2008 timeframe IIRC. Not unrestricted like that, but I remember what you are referring to.

[Invader3K]

The Vent Thread used to be a regular thing, 24/7/365. The mod team decided several years ago that it was not doing anything productive for the site.

 

A lot of people don't realize, but over the years we've had family members of players (maybe players themselves, but I'm not sure), as well as Brewers media people and staff, visiting this site. A certain former Brewers radio announcer regularly lurked here. It's been to the benefit of the site to keep things semi-positive and productive.

[istanbultaye]

A certain former Brewers radio announcer from the early '00s mentioned the site on a broadcast which is what clued me in.

[liveforoctober]

Hello all!

 

A quick apology and clarification from myself. Reilly's post here was made the morning after I was banned for a post I made in an IGT thread a week ago so I have a feeling I had something to do with it. My ban was just lifted in the last hour so I want to clarify a thing or two and ask a question. First off, I am taking full responsibility for the situation and accepted the punishment. I was trying to be funny and didn't consider that wouldn't come through clearly. The intent of my post was humor only and I will say that upon getting my posting privileges back today, I had some messages in my inbox from that night and following morning from people thanking me for the laugh and keeping things light in the IGT. I had to inform them I got a week's ban from it

 

I am reliving this for two reasons. First, the moderator who banned me thought I was calling LouisEly a nerd, when I was jokingly referring to David Stearns. Rereading what I wrote I can see how it was taken that way ... but I was actually on LouisEly's side when I was replying to him. Nevertheless, I reached out to the mod after being banned and requested they make sure LouisEly knew I wasn't calling him that name in the post. I never got a response from the moderator so I don't know if that happened. LouisEly, if you read this, I wasn't calling you a nerd! I promise you. My apologies if you took it that way. My bad!

 

Secondly, I was a bit saddened by how the whole thing went down. I understand why my post was taken by some to be crossing the line and obnoxious.. and I maybe even deserved to be shelved for a week but I was banned without a conversation other than a "went on rant in IGT and called poster a 'nerd'" message on my profile and when I reached out to make sure the poster I was replying to knew I meant no harm and wasn't targeting him ... I received no response.

 

Is the general policy that posters get banned and the conversation will happen when they return or what are the general rules? I've been selectively posting on these boards for over a decade and this is the first time I've gotten a slap on the wrist and I'm curious if there is ever a chance to explain oneself? Just curious.

 

Thanks for all you guys do! Still the best collection of Brewers fans on the net. Sorry for the trouble last week.

 

LFO

[reillymcshane]

I am going to reply to this on the thread because I think the information is good for everyone to have.

 

liveforoctober, regarding your temporary suspension, I can say that there were numerous reports submitted to us about that particular post. Obviously, people interpreted the post in different ways - some finding it funny, others insulting.

 

This occurred in a situation where we were trying to tamp down on a lot of negativity on the site, and upon seeing the specific post, it was not viewed as humor by most - but as an example of the extreme negativity that has gotten out of hand on the site. And, if taken at face value, it attacked another poster - which crosses a big line for us. Hence, the ban.

 

Banning someone usually involves a warning or three. Often times we warn people in the threads, other times we PM people.

 

That said, generally if a person replies to a moderator we try and respond - assuming the message is trying to be constructive (and not just combative).

 

Why no reply I cannot say, but know that the moderators are volunteers, and it might have simply been an oversight by that particular mod. I can tell you that I've gotten messages before - looked at the message - and said to myself, "I'll reply to that later" - and then forgot to get back to it for a day or two or whatever. I'm sure we've all done this with email. Mistakes happen.

 

I will say that if someone does have an issue or question, they can PM any moderator, not just the original mod. The main thing is to be constructive in your discussion. Many people try and brush off what they've said. "I was just trying to be funny" or "They can't take a joke" or "Don't you understand sarcasm", etc, etc. Or they blame others bad behavior for this own: "Well he started it," or "He said (insert whatever)" or "I was just responding to his insult" or whatever. This stuff will not help your cause.

 

My advice for everyone:

 

1. Don't feel you have to reply to everything. And don't feel like you have to have the last word. This usually ends up being a tit-for-tat exchange that looks childish.

 

2. Be careful with sarcasm. Especially when responding to another person's post, or referencing another poster. This can be construed as an attack by that person - even if you were just trying to be funny.

 

And often times increased sarcasm and edgy comments only gets the rest of the board riled up. Some feed on it, and look to up the ante. Others get offended by it and reply in kind (or with genuine anger). So when you see the board getting a little testy, know to hold back to negativity - or things that could be misconstrued.

 

Ultimately, if you're wondering if a comment should have the blue font - well, that's a good sign you should use the blue font.

 

3. Understand the perception of your words is often very different in your own mind than in the minds of others. We have had posters who are consistently the biggest jerk on the board get booted and genuinely can't figure out what they've done wrong.

 

4. If you PM a mod and don't get a reply, try another. As noted, everyone here is a volunteer, and they might simply be absent for a time (vacation, busy at work, etc.).

 

Thanks to everyone for reading this and taking it to heart.

[trwi7]

It's been to the benefit of the site to keep things semi-positive and productive.

 

I don't really think this is all that productive either though. Throughout the course of the season fans are going to be happy, angry, frustrated and pretty much any other adjective you can come up with. Trying to stifle the anger and frustration can lead to "boil over" posts that might not happen had fans been allowed to vent over the course of a frustrating week or two. Plus, what's the fun of baseball if you don't have well timed DFA *insert player here* posts?

 

Just my $.02.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Hello all!

 

A quick apology and clarification from myself. Reilly's post here was made the morning after I was banned for a post I made in an IGT thread a week ago so I have a feeling I had something to do with it. My ban was just lifted in the last hour so I want to clarify a thing or two and ask a question. First off, I am taking full responsibility for the situation and accepted the punishment. I was trying to be funny and didn't consider that wouldn't come through clearly. The intent of my post was humor only and I will say that upon getting my posting privileges back today, I had some messages in my inbox from that night and following morning from people thanking me for the laugh and keeping things light in the IGT. I had to inform them I got a week's ban from it

 

I am reliving this for two reasons. First, the moderator who banned me thought I was calling LouisEly a nerd, when I was jokingly referring to David Stearns. Rereading what I wrote I can see how it was taken that way ... but I was actually on LouisEly's side when I was replying to him. Nevertheless, I reached out to the mod after being banned and requested they make sure LouisEly knew I wasn't calling him that name in the post. I never got a response from the moderator so I don't know if that happened. LouisEly, if you read this, I wasn't calling you a nerd! I promise you. My apologies if you took it that way. My bad!

 

Secondly, I was a bit saddened by how the whole thing went down. I understand why my post was taken by some to be crossing the line and obnoxious.. and I maybe even deserved to be shelved for a week but I was banned without a conversation other than a "went on rant in IGT and called poster a 'nerd'" message on my profile and when I reached out to make sure the poster I was replying to knew I meant no harm and wasn't targeting him ... I received no response.

 

Is the general policy that posters get banned and the conversation will happen when they return or what are the general rules? I've been selectively posting on these boards for over a decade and this is the first time I've gotten a slap on the wrist and I'm curious if there is ever a chance to explain oneself? Just curious.

 

Thanks for all you guys do! Still the best collection of Brewers fans on the net. Sorry for the trouble last week.

 

LFO

 

I took your post as funny and sarcastic .... nothing more. I know you as a good poster who often lends positive attributes to a discussion. I did find it funny, though, that some of the posters that seemed "offended" were the ones who I see as the most combative here. I guess people in glass houses CAN throw stones.

[homer]

It's been to the benefit of the site to keep things semi-positive and productive.

 

I don't really think this is all that productive either though. Throughout the course of the season fans are going to be happy, angry, frustrated and pretty much any other adjective you can come up with. Trying to stifle the anger and frustration can lead to "boil over" posts that might not happen had fans been allowed to vent over the course of a frustrating week or two. Plus, what's the fun of baseball if you don't have well timed DFA *insert player here* posts?

 

Just my $.02.

 

 

I agree. It's a fine line and a bit subjective as to when something is too negative or repetitive.

[homer]

Remember to use blue font when employing sarcasm.