Important: Changes to the Board. Please read!

[TheHurl]

The board recently had a well worded complaint about inclusion and feeling comfortable posting. This board was formed by posters on the mlb.com message board and was originally formed as a more saber friendly board with a very strong baseball acumen. So over the years we have had new posters tell us that it is not an inclusive place to post. However, in this case the poster stated that they didn’t feel comfortable posting because they didn’t feel they could keep quiet based on their personal views and they would not have felt comfortable or safe making their views known.

 

For the past few years there were several threads on the off topic board which were formed to keep differing non-baseball related opinions off of the baseball threads. These threads have developed “feuds” which have once again filtered back into the baseball related threads. Many regulars have called the boards things like “unreadable” over the past few years. It is time for a major change.

 

The politics thread, Coronavirus how scared are you?, and In the News threads have been deleted and will not return. Further to that the following new rule will be implemented:

 

Responses to posts are still encouraged. However, responses in which you are referencing the poster are not. If you can’t refute the post without any form of personal comment at a poster, do not respond.

Political references are not allowed. Sports have become very political. There are many posts which are about baseball players and politics. These will be allowed as will responses to these, but mods will be quick to close the thread if it gets out of hand.

 

There are many places for you to argue politics. Take your discussions to one of those avenues.

 

Punishment on this will be at the sole discretion of the moderators. It may be deletion and warning. It could be a one day ban, it could be a lifetime ban. All we ask is that you think about what you are posting. This board will now be treated as a business, if you say something which could negatively affect the business you will be removed.

 

If you feel that someone is breaking the rules, please report the post. Do not respond to that post.

 

This thread will be left open for comments. If you are not comfortable posting it here you can PM myself or BTS.

 

Thank you and Happy Canada Day!

 

BJMB Moderation team.

[Laika]

This is specifically why I took a long hiatus from the message board this year. This is very welcome and long overdue. Those political threads were consuming the board, spilling over into most other threads, and causing deep rifts between active members. There are an infinite number of places on the internet to talk politics - a Toronto Blue Jays message board does not need to be one.

[connorp]

I get it. Don’t agree but can respect the direction you guys are going.

 

I’m signing off and retiring from the board but will still be involved with the leagues. Spanky (or someone) if you would be so kind sir to email me when I’m up and if someone can email the google Doc. Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone

[Jimcanuck]

The issue is less the threads that have been deleted, and more about the personal comments. Many new posters have come, and exclusively posted on the baseball threads, and disappeared after being personally attacked.

 

It's a cultural shift that needs to happen, and some will struggle with it, but long overdue.

[BlueRocky]

I like this move and hope it creates a more welcoming environment for new posters.

 

There’s a ton of baseball fans lurking that don’t post, I encourage you guys to make an account and join the community.

 

If you have stuff to share, go for it! If you guys have questions, just ask. And if you just wanna participate in the game day threads once the season gets rolling, that’s okay too. New posters are welcome!

Edited July 1, 2020 by BlueRocky

[connorp]

I get it. Don’t agree but can respect the direction you guys are going.

 

I’m signing off and retiring from the board but will still be involved with the leagues. Spanky (or someone) if you would be so kind sir to email me when I’m up and if someone can email the google Doc. Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone

 

Well I should say I’m signing off once I know there’s no issue with this and someone will alert me on draft. I know after this one it should be automatic on Fantrax? Definitely want to keep the fantasy leagues. I think actually bunch of other ppl don’t post as well

[BTS]

Well I should say I’m signing off once I know there’s no issue with this and someone will alert me on draft. I know after this one it should be automatic on Fantrax? Definitely want to keep the fantasy leagues. I think actually bunch of other ppl don’t post as well

 

1. You'll be back.

2. People will just e-mail you through Fantrax if you're required to do something.

[connorp]

Want to keep Yahoo basketball too

[King]

Well I should say I’m signing off once I know there’s no issue with this and someone will alert me on draft. I know after this one it should be automatic on Fantrax? Definitely want to keep the fantasy leagues. I think actually bunch of other ppl don’t post as well

People are always emailed when they are up, especially the ones who don't post. Maybe add Spanky on facebook and he can message you directly.

 

See ya, connor.

 

---

 

Good decision by the moderation team here. Hopefully we can start to see a resurgence in board activity and an influx of new posters, soon. I agree with BlueRocky, if you are a long-time lurker of the board but have never posted I would encourage you to sign up and join the discussion.

[connorp]

1. You'll be back.

2. People will just e-mail you through Fantrax if you're required to do something.

 

No, seriously. I won’t. It’s not a pouting thing. I just mostly enjoyed the board for the OT stuff. I was always respectful when debating for the most part

[connorp]

1. You'll be back.

2. People will just e-mail you through Fantrax if you're required to do something.

 

K peace out everyone!

[Laika]

The issue is less the threads that have been deleted, and more about the personal comments. Many new posters have come, and exclusively posted on the baseball threads, and disappeared after being personally attacked.

 

It's a cultural shift that needs to happen, and some will struggle with it, but long overdue.

 

It’s a bit of both but there’s a difference between saying “you’re an idiot because that opinion about baseball is horrendous” and “you’re an idiot because you’re a libtard”. There’s a right time for the former on a baseball forum but the latter is strictly negative on the culture

[King]

1. You'll be back.

2. People will just e-mail you through Fantrax if you're required to do something.

I think this is the end of ConnorP. He never posts baseball related material anyway. This is probably the first time he's posted outside of the off-topic section in years.

[BTS]

I was always respectful when debating for the most part

 

Agreed.

[bones10]

So I can think of half a dozen posters who will not even be able to post with these new rules, what are you going to do about that.

[TheHurl]

So I can think of half a dozen posters who will not even be able to post with these new rules, what are you going to do about that.

 

We will deal with it. I have taken personal shots at many members myself. Those that do have to learn to change their posting style.

[Brownie19]

You guys have my support. Hopefully with baseball starting back up there's more focus on baseball talk anyway.

[Jimcanuck]

It’s a bit of both but there’s a difference between saying “you’re an idiot because that opinion about baseball is horrendous” and “you’re an idiot because you’re a libtard”. There’s a right time for the former on a baseball forum but the latter is strictly negative on the culture

 

Just to be clear, calling someone an idiot is no longer allowed, regardless.

[Bobthe4th]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

This board had become so toxic that a lot of the time it just wasn’t fun debating anymore, no matter what the subject.

 

We were all brought here for our shared love of the baseball and that’s what’s important. I really hope we can have some great discussions going forward.

 

One small thing, it’d be nice to have a new “news” topic on the off topic board to discuss things that don’t fit elsewhere, but appreciate if the mods feel it’d be too easy to slip into bad habits. Maybe one to revisit in the future!

[gruber92]

HALLELUJAH

 

cf

[L54]

As long as the enforcement swings both ways I'll support this decision. I have confidence that it will be moderated fairly and equally.

[Laika]

Just to be clear, calling someone an idiot is no longer allowed, regardless.

 

You are tempting me already.

[Laika]

One small thing, it’d be nice to have a new “news” topic on the off topic board to discuss things that don’t fit elsewhere, but appreciate if the mods feel it’d be too easy to slip into bad habits. Maybe one to revisit in the future!

 

I think once this has settled down, a News thread in the OT section could be fine as long as it is moderated for personal attacks and spillover out of it is swiftly moderated.

[Bobthe4th]

You guys have my support. Hopefully with baseball starting back up there's more focus on baseball talk anyway.

 

With the Jays starting to get good again, in a year or two there will be many people wanting to post, both brand new and old lapsed posters. Hopefully they will won’t be put off as much now!

[Bobthe4th]

“Political references are not allowed” - does that include avatars?

[L54]

“Political references are not allowed” - does that include avatars?

 

This is why we can't have nice things.

[BTS]

“Political references are not allowed” - does that include avatars?

 

Nope

[gruber92]

I didn't post much on the OT boards but shouldn't there still be NBA, NFL and NHL discussion threads available?

[Bobthe4th]

I didn't post much on the OT boards but shouldn't there still be NBA, NFL and NHL discussion threads available?

 

I can still see them, so unless I’m corrected it looks like just the 3 mentioned in the OP are gone.

[gruber92]

I can still see them, so unless I’m corrected it looks like just the 3 mentioned in the OP are gone.

 

Yes, my mistake. Thanks..