Anonymous Part II

quote:

Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
Anonymity is for cowards. If there is something to say, say it honestly and stand by it. I've found that the best contributors to this site are those who make themselves transparent to others. It's their honesty in sharing their experiences that makes all this tremendously valuable. We all know who Fungo is, who TPM is, TR, Julie, Jerry, etc. That's why there is value in reading what they say and applying their perspectives to situations. People who hide should get their wish and stay hidden.

I have neither the time nor the patience to deal with trolls that would attempt to trample on my business. If you are not willing to pick up a weapon and stand guard, I'd prefer you would just say "Thank you" and let me do my job. Because you want me on that line and need me on that line. Let freedom ring. (Butchered paraphrase from "Stand and Deliver" or "A few Good Men")

Since I can't muster the courage to do it myself, you can all kiss Coach May's azz.

Bum you got to admit it , doesnt it feel good to say it!

Wow, that felt absoultely great! What's more remarkable, it was your azz not mine!

Those of us who have been on here a long time aren't all that anonymous where it counts. However, it is useful to maintain at least the facade of anonymity.

I also find that hearing what other people are willing to post because they are anonymous to be quite helpful. When one hears about arms being abused and the like, having your son get less opportunities than you might think he deserves doesn't seem quite as important.

I've noticed that in general, although there are exceptions, most start out anonymous and don't change until their son's are at least locked into a college.

When and if my son signs with a college I'll be happy to fully shed my anonymity.

BTW, who the heck is baseballdad1228, not that I really give a rat's ...?

Coach May,
I think we'll be sending you to the Phil Jackson coach's holiday media camp!

Texan,
Some good posts.

The three people who have met me from other boards found I'm who I said I was and my son was what I said he was. They also found me to be nicer in person. Face to face allows for visual and tone inflection. Online I'll state exactly what I feel without emotion.

There are too many nuts online to risk identification. The same troll who attempted to break into MTS's business website, made his way into my travel team's website, defaced the site and sent *** (form of happy) **** (disgusting pictures) through the site to thirteen year old boys and their parents. There were email addresses in a protected area. He got through that too. He figured out who I was and the team from pieces of information I provided over time on a chat board.

I don't care what one poster thinks of another. This demonstration displayed there are people online who don't understand limits and boundaries. I doubt there are many, if any people on this site like this person. But it only takes one. And there are lurkers.

RJM

Didnt you used to have a number of other id's on here and on other sites?

And if he did, so what?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
RJM

Didnt you used to have a number of other id's on here and on other sites?

I'll respond in private since I don't want a particular poster to make this a topic of discussion. The short answer is I've only used one other name on any board I've been on.

Texan


I posed a question to RJM and he has answered---what is it your business what I ask him---

If you wanted it to be a private conversation, you should have used a PM, tr.

When I orginally decided to be part of this site I used and ID that I knew would be recognized. So I changed it. Since then it has only been one. However, I have no problem with people who do. I think one is better because then people sometimes remember past post and can help with even better advice.
I hope someday that I don't have to be anonymous and I can help people because of my experiences. Until then I will be here and hope that people continue to share their experiences and advice. Regardless of whether they know who I am or not as long as they know that I am being honest and sincere.

texan

I sincerely think I am too old for you to be giving me advice---thank you

this topic has it all, an azz kisin' contest & pizzin' match all roled into one

Good old fashioned give and take in debate---enjoy it

Now that is what I call a good thread! I make a motion it be given Golden Thread status!!!

TR why dont you use my line and tell him to _____________________!! Sorry just kidding again!

Among other Inconvenient Truths of our age is the fact that:

Anonimity allows posters, for reasons ranging from commercial motivation, fear of retribution, political agendas, personal vendettas, broken hearts, ego engrandizement etc., etc., to say things they would otherwise not say, especially face-to-face.

While all have the right to present ourselves as we see fit and to wonder about other's motivations.

I endorse Fungo's position that "Most anonymous posters have my respect but they need to understand they limit themselves to the impact the have on the hsbbw."

Coach May

I don't want to raise myself to your level ---LOL

I maintain that if you have to hide who you are, you should find another was of expressing yourself. I believe the premise of anonymity to protect your son is itself cowardly. If a coach was messing with my son the pitcher's arm, he would not have to find my concern in an anonymous post on the HSBBW. He would see me standing in front of him.

As I was replying to a pm a little different take on this came to me. If a person is going to maintain themselves as an expert(not that they necessarily call themselves experts, they've just given us their background), i.e. bbscout, TR and PG, with their showcasing backgrounds, (I made sure I picked people with real expertise)or any of the gurus who might post on here then they should identify themselves as Doug, Tom and Jerry have done. Likewise, I think we've seen the same thing with the many parents who have gone through the process of helping their sons through HS and into the college and sometimes even pro ranks. They've become experts in that process in their own right and many of them have given up their anonymity in order to make sure people take them seriously when they are trying to help. On the other hand, I know of at least one person whose very talented son is moving up in pro ball who choses to remain mostly anonymous and it seems to be the right thing for that person to do.

For those of us still struggling our way through the process and speaking our opinions in some of the hitting/pitching/etc. forums without proclaiming ourselves to be experts I don't think it really matters.

quote:

by baseballdad1228: I maintain that if you have to hide who you are, you should find another was of expressing yourself. I believe the premise of anonymity to protect your son is itself cowardly.

duh? ... I finally got it !! morons sometimes take longer

the above opinion was by a person using a fictitious screen-name who is essentially ..... anonymous!



I second the nomination for golden thread status

Bee, you are so correct.

Let me introduce myself - my name is Baseballdad1228. LOL

There actually is no place on the HSBBW form to introduce who we are to each other. About as close as it gets is letting people know who our sons are. I recall PGStaff starting a thread like that.

To be consistent with my posts, I'm Mike Murray Sr. from New Jersey.

All,
I made a kidding reference to baseballdad1228 in one of my posts in this thread and he sent me a very polite pm with plenty of information with no hint of "getting back" at me. Now he's "walked the talk" so even though I disagree somewhat with what he said I can't fault him for having his opinion.

quote:

To be consistent with my posts, I'm Mike Murray Sr. from New Jersey

c'mon now I didn't just get off the boat, that SOUNDS like an alias if I ever heard one

the only person(s) who's identity I can trust with certainty are MnMom (Julie the hc&btlwasher II),
and PGstaff (obviously Mrs Ford, by the wisdom/clarity of her posts)

quote:

Bee, you are so correct

umm, I'm kinda shy about even asking, but ....

did I win anything?

rewards, merchandise, gift certs, etc??? anything at all??

Bee,
You win a trip to the Phil Jackson coach's holiday media camp along with Coach May, where you will get a chance to personally kiss his ...

BTW, there was a time when only a few who she graciously passed on her son's experience to knew who MnMom was.

I've been passing myself off as me for years...still getting away with it.

quote:

where you will get a chance to personally kiss his ...

a) dog

b) scorebook

c) ball

d) trophy

e) bat

f) cat

g) azz

If I can read Iowa sign language correctly, and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express a few years back, then I think PG just told Bee to stick a pitchfork in it.

quote:

I maintain that if you have to hide who you are, you should find another was of expressing yourself. I believe the premise of anonymity to protect your son is itself cowardly. If a coach was messing with my son the pitcher's arm, he would not have to find my concern in an anonymous post on the HSBBW. He would see me standing in front of him.

In case you missed it I did confront the coach and if you read back aways you will find his response. We all have a different opinion and protecting someone by remaining anonymous is just good judgement. Why should anyone, I repeat anyone suffer for my words? I can defend myself and obviously had no problem taking it to the coaches. A 15yr old against a coaching staff that has pure power will get nowhere and be blackballed.
I'd like to know what percentage of the people on this board are anonymous? It would be a pretty small board without them.

Having met Baseballdad1228,
He is the real deal.

Bd1228,
You have to admit you sort of have an inside take on this whole baseball recruiting
Draft thing having gone thru this yourselve before.
Nothing like a little experiance going along way.
If your talking **** about schools, people, players, or coaches.
Then you shouldn't hide your identity.
But I don't see a problem with staying anonymous for as long as you can.
If that's what makes you feel comfortable on the HSBBW.
EH

bb1,
Anonymous to one can be someone you know to another. Example, while I do not know your name or your son, that makes you anonymous to me. I do know who baseballdad is, so he isn't.

I don't think you would get the percentages you are looking for, but IMO, there are not that many anonymous (where no one knows the poster or son)regular posters.

I don't think that was what this post was about. It's about being anonymous to hide behind a screen name so you can be unkind or try to goof on people. There are a few of them here, whatever their reasons for doing so, it's just not right.

quote:

Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
I maintain that if you have to hide who you are, you should find another was of expressing yourself. I believe the premise of anonymity to protect your son is itself cowardly.

That's fine. And I maintain that if you cannot comprehend the reasoning several have provided to the contrary, then you must be in denial. Either from the inability to formulate/present logical arguments otherwise or from sheer ego.

Texan,
I assure you that I can comprehend information and put together logical arguments, at least at a basic level, and that I'm not in denial (I don't get what I'd be denying, but that's OK). I just disagree with the need to be anonymous forums and boards. I stated that opinion. I did not ask that you agree with it. Obviously several disagee with me. I respect that people disagree, but that doesn't change my position. You can continue to attempt to belittle me with the condescending responses. I can take it. I just don't do the disrespect thing back.

BB1, there are nearly 600 posts in the "Please Identify Your Son" category started by PG Staff on Golden Threads. There are less anonymous people on here than you think.

EH you are always a pal!

MJM

Bee,

Now that's funny, I don't care who y'are!!!

"and PGstaff (obviously Mrs Ford, by the wisdom/clarity of her posts)"

I have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting both Mr. and Mrs., and while I am pretty darn sure that Jerry is the one making those insightful posts here, I would also bet that everyone here would thoroughly enjoy sitting (or standing) next to Betty at a ball game, or chatting with her here in the forums.

Julie

I think the fact that many people here have listed there sons with PG is terrific. I truly wish I could be one of them but only when the time is right will that happen. If he keeps getting better it will. Some of you know vaguely that my son is an LHP/outfield and that's about it. He's not big like many of your sons which is a battle he will face every time he progresses to a new team or level. He just flat out busts his butt everytime he's practicing, training or studying. (weighted 4.0). I'm not going to go into how hard he throws or how well he can hit but suffice it to say he can play but he's just a sophomore now so he has time.
1228 I know we will never agree on this but saying someone is a coward is just off the charts to me. If you are naming names and schools, bashing kids and hideing behind a login that's a coward. There are just so many reasons to remain anonymous some of which have been posted here. I've contacted the HS authority here and I'm sure they can figure out who I am and what school my son attends. I'm not concerned about it that'ss fine. My son knows many of the things and I've also told him that if anyone asks him a question answer it honestly do not deny things you know to be true. I grew up in NJ where you are and used to work with some pretty questionable people. Where you didn't want anyone to know your business.
TPM: Anonymous to one can be someone you know to another. That is true but that is still being anonymous to others. I know some people know each other and who their kids are. I know your son played or plays for Clemson. I do care about learning from yours and his experiences that is what is important. Sharing the knowledge that you and others have already gained.

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
Those of us who have been on here a long time aren't all that anonymous where it counts. However, it is useful to maintain at least the facade of anonymity.

I also find that hearing what other people are willing to post because they are anonymous to be quite helpful. When one hears about arms being abused and the like, having your son get less opportunities than you might think he deserves doesn't seem quite as important.

I've noticed that in general, although there are exceptions, most start out anonymous and don't change until their son's are at least locked into a college.

When and if my son signs with a college I'll be happy to fully shed my anonymity....

I agree wholeheartedly. But, I do know a couple of members here as well as they know my son and me. CADad might even have an idea of who my son is.

BB1,

The problem with anonymity is that it can be a shield for those who aim to be hurtful for their own byzantine reasons. You say that anonymity protects others from being hurt by others reacting to your posts. I understand that. However, your anonymity is shared with people who blast young players, coaches and programs and do harm from the safety of their keyboard with only a screen name as a persona. My sons have been targets on forums here in New Jersey. It's frustrating to read things from people who are held unaccountable for what they say because they are hidden. What protects you for good reasons to you also allows those of low or no character to abuse boards and forums. Even right on his thread, anonymity gives a "Texan" a free shot at condescending statements toward me pertaining to my ability to comprehend and process information without my knowing who he/she is.

It is what it is and I'm not on a crusade to make people confess to who they are. It's my opinion and it only carries that value - one opinion. Anonymous people who don't hurt anyone are obviously not disruptive. But the safety of not putting yourself out there with your statements and opinions keeps the door open for those to do damage and injure. It happens infrequently on the HSBBW because of the care of the owner and moderators, but it happens when people have the ability to hide.

1228
Agreed anonymity can be used for hurtful puposes and that is wrong. Especially on kids. I was reading yesterday about a 13yr old girl who they believe committed suicide based on statements on myspace. I'm sure there were other problems but that pushed her over the edge. How sad. I don't think people realize just how hurtful their words can truly be.
I'm sorry your sons had to go through that I hope it is over and all worked out for the best.
There is a huge difference between condescending statements, which many quality posters use here from time to time. I wouldn't compare that to bashing someone, naming, names and picking on young players. That is wrong.
My son plays for one of the so-called top programs in our state where some kids try to transfer to and others who know better are trying to get out of. If I named the school, the kids, the coaches then hideing behind a login would be wrong but with 50 states and who knows how many school districts it amounts to little more than a statement with no basis in fact unless you know me.