A Warning and a Request regarding Game Threads

[Jim F.]

As of this afternoon, 15 of your fellow users have had their access to the Game Thread Forum removed due to excessive negativity or impeding on the ability of others to enjoy the GT's over the course of this season so far. Some of the users who were banned from the game threads are some of the more frequent game thread participants, while others had just a few posts that crossed the line. So regardless of whether you post all the time in the game threads or post very little, you're not immune from the same sort of action.

I warned everyone about this, but didn't really do anything about it. This year is going to be different. The game threads have been all but completely dilluted with negativity and player bashing. I won't even get into the kindergarten-level style of writing that's become commonplace.

The actions of today, and actions taking place in the very near future, are the beginning of the process of righting the GT ship and making it enjoyable for everyone. Nobody should feel like they have to stay out of the GTs. If anything, the GT should be a place for the community to strengthen and sustain its bonds between members. It's been anything but that so far this season, so only two weeks in I've decided to try and nip the problem in the bud. Which brings me to the next part of this...


WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

With all the threats and gym-teacher like discipline out of the way, I need to ask the community for a favor. POLICE YOURSELVES. The people who participate in the game thread are the first, and BEST, line of defense. You will read stuff that a moderator might not... and don't assume that someone else has alerted us.

If someone is effecting your enjoyment of the game thread, LET US KNOW.

If someone is needlessly bashing Yankee or opposing players, LET US KNOW.

If someone is trolling, LET US KNOW.

If someone is attacking other users, LET US KNOW.

Think of it as NYYFans.com Neighborhood Watch . I've contacted several people already about being Game Thread umps/bouncers/deputies/hosts (still haven't decided what to call them... ), and am looking for more volunteers. These people will have no more responsibility than they have now, they would just gain the ability to deal with problems right away as they see them. Kind of like Safety Partol, I guess

This is a great community, and there's no reason why everyone shouldn't be able to join in on the game thread and socialize with our fellow users. And lord knows, at the time I write this the Yankees DEFINITELY need all the positive mojo they can get!

Thanks,

-jim

[Epy7280]

nice idea as always

[ALR83]

Hey Jim, I just have a quick question. I'm wondering why Tracy (yeahimweird) was banned from the game threads? She's really one of the more level headed, calm fans here.

[Jim F.]

I don't discuss other people's accounts. She was notified of the situation.

[Epy7280]

but i just want you to make more clear what do you mean by "negativity and player bashing".

is it allowed to a certain extent or is it totally not allowed? I do agree there is alot of "kindergardenish" negativity and player bashing sometimes but sometimes "negativity and player bashing" can be legit at times.

Is it negativity if lets say one of our pitchers walks someone and then you reply saying " watch manny hit a 2-HR " or "tony stop swinging at pitches over your freaking head! " or " will A-rod ever hit with RISP ". Just curious. Not am not that "negativity and player bashing" ( cuz i wasn't banned ) but sometimes when a game is going bad or a player isn't performing well I or any other poster may say something along those lines. I just want to know so i dont get in trouble

[ALR83]

Alright. I was just wondering cause she's a friend of mine and I don't think has ever caused a problem here. I feel bad, she's a good poster. :\

[GimeMoMuny]

Good sh*t. It's been embarrassment lately, but the GT was a good read tonight.

[1961]

I had an Absolutely GREAT TIME in GT tonight even though we lost. The support for The Team gave me the feeling that I was hanging with the mindset of the players. We win, we lose, but we're all on the same team.
Great job Jim (and Mods)

[CptCrunch]

Great job with the Game Threads, much more enjoyable now!

I've contacted several people already about being Game Thread umps/bouncers/deputies/hosts (still haven't decided what to call them... ), and am looking for more volunteers.

How about calling them Game Thread Marshals. I think that makes 'em sound badass.

[Connie1]

Hey Jim,

I have been logging onto the Yankees and YESNetwork forums for years and most recently, here, and I must say, this is the BEST, BY FAR THE BEST! Keep up the great work - love the articles too. GO YANKS!

Now, if we can only do something about the title of those game threads . . . .

[HipHipJorge]

I had an Absolutely GREAT TIME in GT tonight even though we lost. The support for The Team gave me the feeling that I was hanging with the mindset of the players. We win, we lose, but we're all on the same team.
Great job Jim (and Mods)

So glad I logged in and saw this thread. I've been away from the GT's for two weeks now because of the negativity. Great idea.

[NYYankee4113]

cool thread

[chanman7483]

Personally, I am a HUGE fan of " Game Thread Safety Patrol"

[ZYanksRule]

It's starting to get rediculous, again. The GT's are increasingly getting immensly negative, and it's really annoying. I don't know if there's anything more you guys can do, but it's really bad right now....

Sorry to be a pest.... I've been reporting the offending posts alot, so I apologize for appearing like a pest, if I am...

[Jersey Yankee]

I'm curious, are you warned once, or just have GT access removed upon one's first having crossed the lines?

[ericns1]

Good idea Jim F. - After all this is a game and this is a chance to share our enjoyment of the Yanks

[Tifoso]

*bump*

A request from Hans and Lou:

If you see a post that is obviously from a troll, etc, please let Hans or Lou know via PM, not via email. We review almost every post, but we're human and might miss one or two, so your help is greatly appreciated. Together, let's make the GT fun and troll free.

Thanks

Hans and Lou

[Sam18]

Together, let's make the GT fun and troll free.

Possibly the greatest thing you've ever said. I AGREE!!

[destiNY]

Define trolling please.

[melman]

Being a Yankee fan in Oklahoma (with limited Yankee access), I used to follow the Yankee games with MLB Gamecast and be in the game thread at the same time. I gave up on the GT last year. After reading this thread, I may give the "threadheads" another try.

Thanks Jim.

[Tifoso]

Define trolling please.

re: GT's

coming into a thread and saying ARod sucks, he's done, DFA him, the Yankees really suck, Joe is an idiot, etc

EDIT: To be more accurate, lets call it being a GT PITA

You get the idea

[Bozidar]

Lou and Hans (do you have mutliple personalities, Tifoso?),

I was under the impression that it's only trolling if you don't really feel that way, and you're making ritous remarks for the sake of the inflamed responses you will receive..

[Tifoso]

Lou and Hans (do you have mutliple personalities, Tifoso?),

I was under the impression that it's only trolling if you don't really feel that way, and you're making ritous remarks for the sake of the inflamed responses you will receive..

You have a point, amico mio. Should I edit "troll" to read "being a general PITA"?

[Bozidar]

You have a point, amico mio. Should I edit "troll" to read "being a general PITA"?

That's probably a lot more appropriate, and accurate.

[Tifoso]

That's probably a lot more appropriate, and accurate.

Will edit. Thanks Brian

[NyQuil]

So can I still refer to Varitek as Fairytek?

[Bozidar]

If someone is needlessly bashing Yankee or opposing players, LET US KNOW.

No.....

[Tifoso]

So can I still refer to Varitek as Fairytek?

*looks for shking finger smiley*

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Nine out of ten GT issues that I have encountered involve one of these two points from our "Community Standards."

Respect Everyone's Opinion:
Please treat your fellow forumers with respect. Just because you disagree with another user's opinion doesn't give you the right to insult or otherwise demean someone. An opinion different than your isn't necessarily a wrong one nor does it mean that the other person is lacking in intelligence because they don't see things your way. We want our users to feel comfortable posting their opinions, even unpopular ones, without fear that they will be slammed for it. No matter how crazy or outlandish an opinion is, it is still that user's opinion and they are entitled to it. Insults, whether direct or indirect are not permitted. For example, posting "Only a moron would think that signing Johnny Damon was a good move," might not directly insult a specific user but is still a violation of our community standards. Link

Bashing Players, Managers, the Media, etc:
Bashing of players , anyone who works for the Yankees or covers the Yankees will not be tolerated. That goes for ALL players and ALL teams . But remember - negative analysis is NOT bashing, provided it is backed up with fact. For example:

Bashing a player would be saying:
"Derek Jeter sucks!"
Whereas a legitimate analysis of a player would be:
"I don't think that Derek Jeter is the best defensive shortstop in the league, but based on his fielding percentage and range factor, he isn't near the bottom of the list either."

In addition, bashing players on other teams, other athletes, celebrities or others in the public eye will also not be tolerated. Link

http://www.nyyfans.com/communityStandards.php
It is actually amazing how many time the example of bashing above is directly quoted (with various player's names in Jete's place).

We're just trying to remind everyone in a friendly way not to check the community standards at the door when they enter the game thread.

From my standpoint (not speaking for my conjoined twin, Lou), things have been pretty darned good in the GT this week. There have been far fewer problems than I anticipated when I looked at the schedule (especially considering Tuesday's debacle).

I understand that the games provoke intense pasion. That is why we watch. The vast majority of GT posters are able to express those passions and discuss in game issues in ways that fall within Community Standards. I appreciate that, and want to keep this a place where those who want to do that can enjoy the games.

[Bozidar]

Ah! I didn't know that was Hans! Is Social Pinstriper now part of "the club"?

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Ah! I didn't know that was Hans! Is Social Pinstriper now part of "the club"?

Lou's "bad cop" alter ego.

[Tifoso]

Well said

Lou's "bad cop" alter ego.

Is it that obvious?

[38Special]

re: GT's

coming into a thread and saying ARod sucks, he's done, DFA him, the Yankees really suck, Joe is an idiot, etc

The game threads may be empty come tomorrow then

[Jersey Yankee]

So if A-Rod whiffs with 2 RISP, what happens if I say to just trade 'im?

Seriously, even I can calm down at times. I'm not sure about tonight, but we'll see how the game goes.

[Tifoso]

The game threads may be empty come tomorrow then

If necessary

[Tifoso]

So if A-Rod whiffs with 2 RISP, what happens if I say to just trade 'im?

Seriously, even I can calm down at times. I'm not sure about tonight, but we'll see how the game goes.

[Jersey Yankee]

Thanks. I had trouble inserting humor into that one.

Anyway, I'll only hope for a good game. Heck, with the skies looking about to empty, I'll take any game at all. Given, of course, that them Damned Yankees win!!!

[JeffWeaverFan]

So can I still refer to Varitek as Fairytek?

Or Vagitek? To be fair, he really deserves the name after his actions.

[Tifoso]

Or Vagitek? To be fair, he really deserves the name after his actions.

He does, but it's against CS

[Jersey Yankee]

He does, but it's against CS

In that case, can I simply wonder aloud how his name is spelled and why I can't remember how it's spelled?

Oh yeah, what does the 10-foot "C" on his uni stand for, anyway? I could never figure that one out.

In the meanwhile, please consider RO'ing 25 certain guys at the same time if they fail their assigned duties tonight. In fact, I'll bring a 2x4 and help you all!!!

[daverave]

Ah! I didn't know that was Hans! Is Social Pinstriper now part of "the club"?

Is this some kind of inside joke? I constantly see Socal Pinstriper referred to as "Social". What gives?

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Is this some kind of inside joke? I constantly see Socal Pinstriper referred to as "Social". What gives?

Many people who read my username assume that it is "social." Some of them assumed that for years, and thousands of posts. It still comes as news to some.

And then there are those, like JDPNYY and Boz, who have decided that I am "social" no matter what. In that sense, it has become an inside joke, but not out of any intent to keep it that way.

[Bozidar]

Get that C capitalized..

[JDPNYY]

Social clearly stands for Southern Cialifornia.

[chill23]

LOl well i hope i Never cross a rule or w/e haha
is there warnings at all if u mess up or NO??

also: in the Game threads do we basically just talk about the game?
so like: Jeter got a base hit
Wang gave up 4 hits
and stuff like that basically? lol

i HOPE i NEVER break rule LOL

[Panamaniac42]

Oh yeah, what does the 10-foot "C" on his uni stand for, anyway? I could never figure that one out.

I'm not really a fan of that other site but I did get a kick out of this:

We have already established that Jason Varitek is a poor hitter and poor defender. However, the Red Sox don't pay him $10,000,000 per year to do these things. Rather, they made him a multi-millionaire for what doesn't show up in the box score. With their Captain out at least a month, Boston must now find another source of the following:
1. Leadership
2. Heart
3. Soul
4. Grit
5. Running like you have a load in your pants
6. Facial hair which shows you're blue collar
7. Superior game-calling to lead a pitching staff in the bottom half of AL Team ERA

[keithf1]

I'm not really a fan of that other site but I did get a kick out of this:

that's the funniest thing i've read in a while. it's true too

[Panamaniac42]

that's the funniest thing i've read in a while. it's true too

Seriously, when you see the facial hair and Nixon's dirty hat, you're like, "Man, these guys are so blue collar, hell yeah "

[fredgmuggs]

Seriously, when you see the facial hair and Nixon's dirty hat, you're like, "Man, these guys are so blue collar, hell yeah "

You need the correct nomenclature..... they're dirtdogs.

[gdn]

This thread is gonna get locked soooooo fast.