Debate Format, Rules of Engagement, Sign up and topics

[Squirrel]

Are you passionate about a particular baseball/Twins topic? Here's your chance to let it all out in a 'one-on-one' debate with a fellow poster. It's pretty simple: we will post some debate topics in this forum, which will become the debate threads, or, you can contact us with your own idea. It's just you, one other, and your passion and knowledge to debate and persuade in a thread all to yourselves, to take a deep dive into the chosen topic. Pre- and post-debate polls will be taken to gauge efficacy of the debate, and the thread will be opened to others for further discussion.

Here are the rules:

1. All debates are 'blind' in that you won't know who your opponent is. You will send your statements and rebuttals to Otto and Squirrel via private message (PM), who will then create the actual thread posts anonymously as "Debater A" and "Debater B". As soon as we receive your posts we will share them with your opponent, again in a PM. Opening statements will be shared once we receive them both.

2. Each debate will begin with opening statements, then alternate two rebuttals each, and end with closing statements.

• The opening statement should be between 300-500 words, introducing a broad overview of your major arguments.
• Rebuttals can be longer, up to 700 words each (not including up to 3 brief quote blocks), responding to your opponent's major arguments and incorporating further evidence.
• Closing statements should be between 300-500 words again, summarizing and concluding your best case.

3. You can structure your posts however you like. You can use links and embedded tables, images, and videos to support your arguments. Please supply links and properly credit any outside sources used in any of your posts.

4. We will do a 'coin flip', or 'hat draw' to see who begins after opening statements. Each poster has up to 24 hours to make a rebuttal statement. After each has made 2 rebuttals, we will ask for closing/concluding statements.

5. Be respectful. Of all, not just each other, but of owners, FO, manager/coaches, etc. That includes no characterizing another poster's intentions, no name calling, no exasperation at disagreeing. Stay true to the topic.

The schedule for debates will go as follows:

• Opening statements for both debaters are due on a predetermined day via PM.
• As soon as we receive both opening statements, we will publish them at the same time
• Debater A will submit their first rebuttal by PM. As soon as we receive it, we will publish it and notify Debater B. As soon as we receive Debater B's first rebuttal, we will publish it and notify Debater A, and so on. Each debater will submit 4 posts in total: an opening statement, 2 rebuttal posts, and a closing statement (see Rule #2 above for guidelines on each)
• As soon as we publish Debater B's 2nd and final rebuttal, we will ask both debaters to submit closing statements. As soon as we receive both closing statements, we will publish them at the same time. At that point, we will also start the post-debate poll and allow for public comment on the debate.

Whatever day of the week we start, you will have up to 24 hrs to make your rebuttals and closing statement after being notified of your opponent's statement/rebuttal.

For any questions, or to sign up for a debate, or if you have a debate topic suggestion, please contact Otto von Ballpark and/or Squirrel.

(Disclaimer: rules and format are subject to change as we start rolling.)

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just an additional note: this is a completely new idea that I've never seen attempted before in my literal decades of forum participation and management (at least in this controlled a capacity). These rules are bound to change as we learn more about the process and if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to PM me, @Squirrel, or @Otto von Ballpark.