Updated Comment Policy Thread

[IdahoPilgrim]

  PseudoSABR said:

While I have nothing against camaraderie, it's too bad we don't have an alternative for the people interested in talking about baseball. While it's clear the gamethreads serve some very prominent members (of which so many moderators participate), the number of posters that actually participate in the game threads seems pretty limited, and after a time, that club, in my opinion, becomes more and more exclusive (not with anyone's intent) and less penetrable to casual members or those of us who just want to talk about baseball. The conversation that seems to take place in game threads, might work better in a real-time chat room, saving a game thread for actually discussion of the game.

 

Too often, when I wish to see responses to what is happening in the game, I find it very difficult to sift through various inside jokes and silly pics, and just give up. I mean it's fine when we have a losing season to have playful gamethreads. But when we/if start winning games, and people start actually watching the games, I bet there will be some earnest disagreement about the best role of game threads. As another losing season unfolds, I'm not sure this is the best time to have this debate though.

 

Good post and I had to think about it.

 

I would hope to keep the light-hearted atmostphere, but I agree that discussion of things that happen during the game should have a place, and that does happen sometimes, but it can also get lost. There should be a way to have a serious discussion about strategy during a particular game - should the runner have gone or not, when to pull the starter, the value of a pinch hitter and bench usage issues, a particular call by an umpire, etc. And those discussions can and sometimes should be critical of a decision that was made in an individual game.

 

I do hope that game threads don't just become another vehicle for general grumbling about the franchise. Perhaps some way to encourage discussion about a particular game itself, both positive and negative, while also having a "gentleman's agreement" that this is not the place to touch upon such issues as front office staff, ownership, payroll, draft strategy, FA signings, etc.

[nicksaviking]

I don't know, if people only talked about baseball in the game thread, it seems it would just lead to increased negativity which is already causing friction.

[glunn]

  crarko said:

And that's great, but it seems like it's the same small (10-15) group of fans every time. Season tickets?

 

And if other members of the site express concerns, do "we" care?

 

Everyone is welcome in all threads, especially game threads, and constructive suggestions for improvement are always considered.

[glunn]

  Winston Smith said:

Do you need a degree in psychology to be a "head moderator"?

http://sp5.fotolog.com/photo/37/31/75/lapityintoxicada/1210142551_t.jpg

 

It would probably help.

[glunn]

  howieramone said:

I got in the habit of reading game thread just before I went to bed at one time. Good group of guys and gal. RB should be on television. Not a lot of structure and they seem to go wondering off in different directions at times. It's kind of a boys will be boys type thing.

 

I totally agree about RB deserving his own show.

[glunn]

  PseudoSABR said:

While I have nothing against camaraderie, it's too bad we don't have an alternative for the people interested in talking about baseball. While it's clear the gamethreads serve some very prominent members (of which so many moderators participate), the number of posters that actually participate in the game threads seems pretty limited, and after a time, that club, in my opinion, becomes more and more exclusive (not with anyone's intent) and less penetrable to casual members or those of us who just want to talk about baseball. The conversation that seems to take place in game threads, might work better in a real-time chat room, saving a game thread for actually discussion of the game.

 

Too often, when I wish to see responses to what is happening in the game, I find it very difficult to sift through various inside jokes and silly pics, and just give up. I mean it's fine when we have a losing season to have playful gamethreads. But when we/if start winning games, and people start actually watching the games, I bet there will be some earnest disagreement about the best role of game threads. As another losing season unfolds, I'm not sure this is the best time to have this debate though.

 

You make some very insightful points. Once the Twins become more competitive, I would like to revisit this.

[glunn]

  TheLeviathan said:

To slightly add to this, if you do pop in to comment on a game event it gets lost in the sea of extraneous comments.

 

Maybe, as a testament to this threads remarks on it, the game has two threads - one devoted to bleacher-esque fun and zany antics and another more in the vein of those who fill out stat sheets and are 100% focused on the game. Might help soothe some of the concerns. Just call one "in the bleachers" or something.

 

I believe that this would be worth a try, but wonder how many people would participate in the serious game thread. We have nothing to lose by trying. If you want to start a thread called "serious game thread", then we will make it a sticky thread and see how it goes.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I see two game threads breaking posters into two groups who both end up drifting away and not contributing.

[Shane Wahl]

Intoxication makes me a more active and useful contributor to the game thread.

 

So that's an idea.

[glunn]

  Brock Beauchamp said:

I see two game threads breaking posters into two groups who both end up drifting away and not contributing.

 

This is a good point and you may be correct. However, what do we have to lose by giving this a try? It may turn out that the people who want a serious game thread will be happy with what they get and those who want to sit in the bleachers and have fun continue to get what they want. On the other hand, if this does not work out, then we can go back to the status quo or try something else.

[TheLeviathan]

  Brock Beauchamp said:

I see two game threads breaking posters into two groups who both end up drifting away and not contributing.

 

i would suggest the concerns indicated here that the current game thread is already doing this to some degree. I know I haven't bothered a time or two just because I thought it would get lost in the non-baseball chatter.

[Shane Wahl]

Some perspective (and I have been drinking. . . . ): I think that the devolution of good game threads is really just a matter of sheer boredom with each game and this damn team. I don't know if changing anything is really in order right now given it's the end of the year and next year will bring about more serious commentary just by virtue of the fact that at the beginning of the year we will all not know how terrible things are going to be in August and September yet.

 

Also, a "game thread" for baseball clearly is going to involve between-pitch commentary about god knows what. It's baseball. It's slow. That is just how it works. I do think that anytime a game thread gets off the rails a few posters could get it back on course by actually talking about the game. I did so today even when I couldn't watch the damn thing.

[Shane Wahl]

And I say the above as someone who has been a bit annoyed about the one game thread or so a week I have looked at over the past few weeks.

[Mike Sixel]

Interesting discussion on the game thread.....while I like the light approach, I admit it seems like a bit of an exclusive club right now. That's not a criticism, just something that has happened. I don't think two threads will work well, but it can't hurt to try. It is September, give the 2nd thread a call up.

[Willihammer]

I woud like to chime in as a former lurker of the game threads who has started posting to many of them this year - could not find a more affable group of people. By all means, take the plunge and stop lurking, we give out likes like they are going out of fashion.

[D. Hocking]

I have found the game threads to be useful when arriving home during the middle of a game. If I scroll a couple of pages with no baseball references, it means I probably don't want to turn the on the game. If there are more than three pages with no references to the game, I know I should not look up the box score, but often do out of morbid curiosity.

 

I will say someone took things a bit too far last night however. Because of a couple of inappropriate posts I have had the 70's pop song Indiana Wants Me in my head the last 36 hours. References to 70's death pop should lead to banishment - or before you know it things like Seasons in the Sun, Wildfire, Timothy, Billy Don't be a Hero will raise their ugly heads.

 

I think once the Twins are more relevant and playing better, the game threads will end up being more Twinscentric again, so when we are tied for first with the Royals at the All-star break next year, this won't be an issue.

[jorgenswest]

Seems like game threads are serving a purpose and entertaining some.

 

Probably no need for a second place to hang out. There are other places to chat about the game and strategy if that is the interest.

[Guest USAFChief]

I like the game threads more than any other aspect of TD.

 

I fully admit I'm one one the "chief" perpetrators who cause game threads to wander off in odd directions. It's how I watch baseball. I had no idea that was off putting to some folks, and I offer my apologies.

 

i will say that while there is a group of regulars, I truly feel everyone is welcome and we welcome game commentary. All of us comment on the game as well as pretend we're funny/clever, and personally I'd welcome additional focus on the game...in addition to the sidebars, pics, jokes, and friendly insults.

 

I can't speak for others, but i think a game thread with 50 or 100 participants would be fantastic. Stop by and give it a shot. If you feel unwelcome, make a joke about my age and you'll instantly get a bunch of "likes" and mucho thread cred. If all you want to talk about is the game, that's fine too.

[iastfan112]

Game threads get a little too far off topic for my tastes but its to be expected when you have a bad team playing out it's season. Probably a better alternative then the storm of negativity that would arise from one that solely focused on the team and it's play.

[Squirrel]

  iastfan112 said:

Game threads get a little too far off topic for my tastes but its to be expected when you have a bad team playing out it's season. Probably a better alternative then the storm of negativity that would arise from one that solely focused on the team and it's play.

 

This is really the crux of it. It's not for lack of baseball talk ... but when you are down 15-1 ... oy; we do what we can to pick ourselves up for the hope of tomorrow. There are many posters with good baseball acumen posting in the game threads, who are invested in this site and in the game, so it's not for lack of that, either. In the end, it's a good group, with good baseball sense, who also understand it's just a game, despite the dourness our team invokes.

[glunn]

Based on the comments of some users, we are now adding an additional game thread for more serious discussion of game events and substantive baseball related issues.

 

This is an experiment that may or may not continue depending on how it goes. Also, if you have suggestions for making this (or anything else) better, please post them here. We care about your opinions and want to do our best to optimize your TD enjoyment.

[TheLeviathan]

  glunn said:

Based on the comments of some users, we are now adding an additional game thread for more serious discussion of game events and substantive baseball related issues.

 

This is an experiment that may or may not continue depending on how it goes. Also, if you have suggestions for making this (or anything else) better, please post them here. We care about your opinions and want to do our best to optimize your TD enjoyment.

 

Awesome! Hopefully both are still utilized, the zany bleacher-like thread is fun to pop in on so hopefully that doesn't lose steam.

[Bark's Lounge]

It is Friday night, plans are made and executed. Not a good night for making final analysis.

 

I am saddened by negativity. I am especially saddened by people who promote it. I am one who has made mistakes, and I am greatly regretful. Sometimes tact is a trait that is lost on some. It is not lost on me.

 

I like to think the steam is created by a boiling hot stock pot of of delicious soup. Steam is also provided by boiling socks and under garments, but that seems like a useless method in this day and age.

 

I choose to eat the soup and rely on my washer and dryer.

[diehardtwinsfan]

  mike wants wins said:

Interesting discussion on the game thread.....while I like the light approach, I admit it seems like a bit of an exclusive club right now. That's not a criticism, just something that has happened. I don't think two threads will work well, but it can't hurt to try. It is September, give the 2nd thread a call up.

 

I'd like to chime on this comment. I'm hardly a game thread regular. Sometimes I'm there, most often I'm not. I've never felt unwelcome or like I'm breaking in on something. Most of the witty banter in there consists of a few people watching the game and joking around. Anyone can jump in, as I did this year. Just my 2 cents.

[Dman]

Being a rookie to this site and not a stat head it can be easy to misstate opinion for facts and get yourself in trouble. It is nice when people gently correct us newbies instead of slam us for a lack of knowledge. There are some really knowledgeable posters on this site with interesting ideas and analysis I have never thought of before. This can be a fun place to hang out when we play nice. I like the different opinions that people have but I agree that when things turn juvenile that is does turn me off. Just because people disagree with you doesn't mean they are completely wrong. Let's just agree to disagree. I like that you are trying to create a site with civil discourse. We will all learn more about the Twins and baseball that way.

[ashbury]

Late to the party, as we were away for a great weekend seeing our son in SoCal. I still want to chime in with a couple of observations about game threads.

 

1. Game threads tend to take on the characteristics of the participants. If you feel a more game-oriented comment is worth making, make it, and see if others chime in. Over time, the nature of the series of threads might change of its own accord.
   
2. Occasionally I have been the only moderator present at a game thread, and I have tried to keep the conversation going. I don't have Brian's gift for gab, so in those situations I tend to go with in-game commentary, like how come Louie Leadfoot didn't score from third on a double. These typically have been the most boring threads for lack of anyone responding. So IMO we need to figure out some new "hook" if the game-analytic approach is to succeed, whether as part of the current game thread series or as a series of its own.