[Stardust]

While I am making like my 2nd post in probably a month, due to this exact reason, I might as well throw my opinions in, as well. I very rarely even log in anymore because it is so boring to see a list of game threads of "Final!" or "Congrats!", with zero replies, or the only reply being the original poster padding his total by putting the box score as the 2nd post, when clearly it could have been put in the original post. Yeah, this whole problem ran some members off last year, while adding some new ones, which I really believe wasn't as much as a result of these millions of useless threads, as it was the general growth of the site.

It really urks me to see also, that people that this time last year who were "Well, I am jus trying to help" or "what can I do to make it better?" etc etc, are now "if you don't like it, I dont care" or "it's your problem if you don't like what I do," all because of a status change in their user name/title. Clearly that shows me that that is all they were after, and now that they have the privileges or title they wanted, they completely turned a 180 against everyone else who makes this board happen. The regular, casual posters.
I probably spent 2+ hours easily every single day on here the last 3 years, but over the last 6 months, I haven't spent 5 mins a day on here, due to the ridiculousness of some of these threads. You scroll down and see a game with like 6 replies and think "Wow, actually some discussion on these teams!" Only to be blindsided once again. I mean, does it really take 5 posts to put a final score, a congratulations, a box score and a news story about ONE game? From the SAME poster?

Now, I come to the site, check the baseball forum, and any forum that may have something recent about my 2 local high schools, and scan over the threads in pro sports for any MLB threads. I don't even go to the trouble of clicking one button to log on unless there is a thread that really, really draws my interest.
In short, this is one long time member who is completely turned off by this site anymore. Whether it be the craziness of all these posts, or the attitudes of newly appointed staff and their eagerness to show their new-found authority by closing threads prematurely (up to and including update threads when games are in progress, by the way), or just being rude in general now that they have the "Moderator" title or whatever it is. Really, is it necessary to put "final" in every update thread to justify closing it, even AFTER someone has put the final score? I would think people know the game is over and thus the reason for closing the thread when a final score is there. And, correct me if I am wrong, but during this whole deal last year, wasn't the whole idea of these one and two word posts such as "Congrats" or "Nice win" supposedly were to be frowned upon? I really think I recall a mod, staff, someone saying something to the sort of "if you have the time to click in a thread and post, please make an effort to put a thought or opinion, not just 'grats'."

In short, as bad as it hurts me to say it, lol, I spend more time on "the other site" now. The funniest thing, I dont even have an account there because "him" and all those people are so weird and uptight, but I jus look forward to the days of when they open the whole board up to everyone, and I read like ****. But it's not just me, believe me. I see long, long-time members, everyday posters who just dont post anymore. Many real life friends. And they tell me jus what I tell them when asked why I am not on much anymore.

I appreciate everything Q has done for the site and sports in the area in general. He took his idea and made it happen and it took off. I know he is a very busy man and has to put his trust in others to make sure they keep this sight flowing in a positive direction. And the majority have continued to do a great job at it and I appreciate that.


Edit: My apologies for going so long. In that little reply box, it's hard to see when you have typed so much. :biggrin:
After a post of this length, I am gonna be accused of being as boring as these multiple threads.

And yes, I know a visit to "The Box" is more than likely in my near future.:yikes:

Great post and one that is genuine and sincere. I have no issue with taking the shots and have no qualms with being the focal point of the discussion. I started all of this last year and took the hits for it then and have ZERO issue taking the hits this year. Your points are valid and very warranted.

I dare disagree with your comments that people have been driven away based on thread or post totals. I have seen activity on this site skyrocket. This site has grown to be so much more than what it was. That was an effort taken by few, while others wanted to keep the status quo and were happy with the limited amount of scope that this site was. The growth of this site was not a result of me, but I do take pride in that I pushed this site (and continue to do so). Now there is discussion, disagreement, and genuine dislike of posters from a far larger population that this site has ever seen. My challenge then was, don't knock those trying to help, find a way to make it better for all.

When I joined this site, it was due to the fact that it was intended to be a state-wide site. The effort to get it out to other areas of the state had grown stale. I find it funny how people want to now knock that the site has grown to a list of useless threads. That is an obvious indication that others, including staff members, don't want it to change from what it was. I went through all of this last year when it was said that it was rediculous to post threads that no one was reading. Then low and behold, the threads began getting "Views", which was an obvious indication someone was looking to see if there were any comments. Next thing you know, these threads that were getting no views, to views, started getting comments.

When I started this, there was no discussion about NKY Basketball (well, other than from me). NOW, People are hating on the poster who generates some of the best posts on this site, because he posts mostly about Holmes Basketball. The NKY posts are now getting to the point of what the EKY posts are, and that appears to be taboo to many. That's fine, those who "hate it", obviously didn't join for the "Bluegrass" site, they wanted the regional site. Instead, we have a tremendous following from NKY that post comments on almost all threads for NKY sports. We are getting more and more comments posted on areas in the Central part of the state, at least three times more than we have just a year ago.

I completely disagree with your comment that you inferred that I don't care, or it's your problem. I don't care, or it's your problem if you just want this site to only be a regional only site. That's not what this site is for. So don't misconstrue my comment becasue that is not accurate at all.

You stated that you spend more time on the "other site". You mean the other site that has a comment on virtually every singe game played in the state? You don't seem to have issue that the same games you comment on here that don't need to be on here, are on there. I guess the difference is that those threads have posts. Well, there we go. Isn't that what is wanted on this site. Are there regional separations for those threads. Nope. Seems like no one has issue with fighting through those threads without having to make a separation or segration.

Closing threads. Interesting, there were threads on here asking why threads are being closed. Putting a comment on the thread to say why it is being closed seemed to answer that question for others. Deleting posts. I dare say that no posts are deleted or edited that do not fall in line with the rules of the site. You have a question for the deletion, then ask why?

Staff Members don't ask to be a staff member. I dare say that any staff member that I know, including myself, has changed who they were after getting the privelage to be on staff. I can honestly say that I declined the first time I was asked if I had an interest to be a Staff Member because I did not want to change what I do, or because of the short tenure on the site. I was asked again, and honorably accepted. I shared my concern about how post totals, and previous history of pushing game threads would irk some. Well, I was honored with the opportunity regardless. The comments about how a member gets to be on staff was exactly why I declined interest.

As I said, I have no issue with taking the brunt of the comments. For me, the growth of the site is reward enough. I'm fairly confident that until we have discussion on every single thread, then I will take the brunt next year.

:igiveup: