Padres (Lugo) vs Twins (Lopez): 5/10/23, 6:40pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

We're on the verge of giving up on game threads, people. If you're going to hammer away with incessant negativity, I'm going to start thread-banning people for starters and if that doesn't work, I'll take more permanent action.

It's okay to be frustrated, this team looks bad right now. But if I have to step in personally and start taking action, I'm not going to be indecisive about it because I don't have time for this nonsense. The game thread complaints are becoming numerous. If you're going to hammer away with negativity non-stop, don't expect to retain posting privileges for long.

Now Twins... go get a damned win already.

[Mortimerkenny21]

I just hope we are victorious! Twins 5- Padres 3. Go Twins!!

[Jerr]

I'm going to the game tomorrow and will see the second win in a row, as the bats wake up!

[Mortimerkenny21]

5 minutes ago, Jerr said:

I'm going to the game tomorrow and will see the second win in a row, as the bats wake up!

The bats have been on a heavy script of Ambien. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, Jerr said:

I'm going to the game tomorrow and will see the second win in a row, as the bats wake up!

I’ll be cheering from LF bleachers tonight! Go Twins!

[rwilfong86]

Let's get a W tonight

[Woof Bronzer]

4 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

We're on the verge of giving up on game threads, people. If you're going to hammer away with incessant negativity, I'm going to start thread-banning people for starters and if that doesn't work, I'll take more permanent action.

I'm not really a game thread poster, so I don't have a horse in this race, but I must respectfully ask:  why?  What difference does it make whether posts are positive or negative?  Does this impact your advertising revenue or other business aspects?  I realize I sound snarky but I'm genuinely curious.  New here this season so excuse my ignorance :)

[Puckett34]

PTC: Farmer if he plays.

[rwilfong86]

2 minutes ago, Puckett34 said:

PTC: Farmer if he plays.

Hopefully Farmer will hold down 3rd until Royce is ready🙌

[Craig Arko]

16 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I'm not really a game thread poster, so I don't have a horse in this race, but I must respectfully ask:  why?  What difference does it make whether posts are positive or negative?  Does this impact your advertising revenue or other business aspects?  I realize I sound snarky but I'm genuinely curious.  New here this season so excuse my ignorance :)

Maybe it affects the willingness of other people to participate? It doesn’t really need to be non-stop, and a competition to out-bitch the other posters.

[Brock Beauchamp]

19 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I'm not really a game thread poster, so I don't have a horse in this race, but I must respectfully ask:  why?  What difference does it make whether posts are positive or negative?  Does this impact your advertising revenue or other business aspects?  I realize I sound snarky but I'm genuinely curious.  New here this season so excuse my ignorance :)

It deters long-term users from participating. The daily grind of the baseball season is wearing enough on people and this place is something of a refuge for people who want to enjoy baseball without insults and the general dumpster firey-ness of the rest of the internet.

And persistant, problematic game threads go against us providing that refuge. In no way am I saying that everything needs to be sunshine and roses, only that grinding the same gear night in and night out needs to stop.

[Squirrel]

25 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I'm not really a game thread poster, so I don't have a horse in this race, but I must respectfully ask:  why?  What difference does it make whether posts are positive or negative?  Does this impact your advertising revenue or other business aspects?  I realize I sound snarky but I'm genuinely curious.  New here this season so excuse my ignorance :)

Game threads were never meant to be a dumping ground and that's what they are becoming. Many posts have become borderline disrespectful while some clearly over the line. We know that the product will drive many of the comments but a modicum of respect is expected. We aren't telling anyone they can't be critical. Being critical is far, far different from being overly negative. We understand the anger and frustration but when that takes over it makes for a very unpleasant experience for the many for the sake of a few.

Game threads were meant to be fun, despite the play on the field. Brock said it best ... these threads were supposed to be a refuge, and above and away from the din the rest of the internet provides.

[Puckett34]

1 minute ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

It deters long-term users from participating. The daily grind of the baseball season is wearing enough on people and this place is something of a refuge for people who want to enjoy baseball without insults and the general dumpster firey-ness of the rest of the internet.

And persistant, problematic game threads go against us providing that refuge. In no way am I saying that everything needs to be sunshine and roses, only that grinding the same gear night in and night out needs to stop.

I can't speak for others, but the main reason why I'm absent a lot is in these two paragraphs right here. 

[wsnydes]

3 hours ago, Puckett34 said:

I can't speak for others, but the main reason why I'm absent a lot is in these two paragraphs right here. 

You're not alone.  We've recognized that and are trying to rectify it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

33 minutes ago, Puckett34 said:

PTC: Farmer if he plays.

I'll just be happy if he doesn't bail out of the box and wet himself after the first pitch.

I sure would in his situation.

[wsnydes]

3 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I'll just be happy if he doesn't bail out of the box and wet himself after the first pitch.

I sure would in his situation.

Agreed.

One would hope that he's taken enough live BP to desensitize himself to that before getting into a game, but that may not matter anyway.

That first high and tight pitch would definitely make me pucker regardless though...

[Woof Bronzer]

If I could learn how to quote multiple posters I would, but short of that, thanks to all of you for the thoughtful responses to my question - makes a lot of sense .   

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

If I could learn how to quote multiple posters I would, but short of that, thanks to all of you for the thoughtful responses to my question - makes a lot of sense .   

To quote multiple posters, click on the "+" next to the quote button.  A little box will pop up on the bottom right corner showing you how many comments that you're quoting.  Do that for every comment you want to quote and then click on the "quote" bottom on the bottom right.

[Craig Arko]

1 hour ago, Puckett34 said:

PTC: Farmer if he plays.

Starting at third, batting sixth.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I'll just be happy if he doesn't bail out of the box and wet himself after the first pitch.

I sure would in his situation.

Yeah, someone mentioned somewhere the potential for a ptsd reaction (maybe rwilfong?). And yeah, I don't think I'd make it back into the batter's box this soon.

[Dave Borton]

4 hours ago, Jerr said:

I'm going to the game tomorrow and will see the second win in a row, as the bats wake up!

Look for me up in the Vets' seat, 319. Cedar Rapids Kernels hat.

[Unwinder]

Just dropping by to chime in and verify that I have been avoiding game threads due to negativity too. It's been about as fun as reading the replies when the Twins Twitter account posts the final score after a loss.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Craig Arko said:

Starting at third, batting sixth.

I cant believe he is back this quick after a pitch square in the face.

[rwilfong86]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

Yeah, someone mentioned somewhere the potential for a ptsd reaction (maybe rwilfong?). And yeah, I don't think I'd make it back into the batter's box this soon.

Yep I mentioned that on another thread. I think since he has taken some AAA at bats he has probably worked through the anxiety but it is quite an accomplishment to return from that in less than a month. Many kudos and respect to Farmer. He is a guy I will cheer for this season and for the rest of his career.

[ziggy]

It's easy to forget that the Twins are currently in first place in the division.

They are predicted to be an 80-85 win team, which is reflective of their current record. 

I think we all know if the hitters were hitting like predicted the Twins would have 10 more wins and would be kicking ass in the American League.

The lack of hitting, the little league fielding plays and mental errors are frustrating but these players are in their 20's, a long ways from being considered wise.  It's easier to be negative than positive after an error and I know I have some 'hope springs eternal'  hangover frustration about this team. Here's to hoping they find their way out of the funk starting tonight.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, Puckett34 said:

I can't speak for others, but the main reason why I'm absent a lot is in these two paragraphs right here. 

(Responding to this post as representative of others I could have chosen.)

1. I’m not sure if this is the place to post this, since it’s actually a Game Thread, rather than a thread on the community dynamics of Twins Daily. If it’s better on a different thread or as a message to Brock and other moderators, let me know, and I’ll move it.
2. It’s been a while since I’ve posted one of my periodic, “Thank you, moderators, for the significant work you do in making this a civil and fun place for interacting with others about my favorite baseball team.” Thus, thank you, moderators, for the significant work you do in making this a civil and fun place for talking about my favorite baseball team.
3. It’s also been hugely affected by some heavy work issues along with some health concerns in my family, but count me with Puckett34 and others as one who has spent less time on TD recently because of what’s felt like inordinate, repetitive negativity. And like others, let me distinguish between the appropriate (and often even funny) “grrrs” of frustration that come with being a fan versus the inordinate, repetitive negativity that comes from beating the same dead horses (and players, and manager, and perceived manager style) into oblivion.

But let me also put in an impassioned, “Please, please, please, don’t drop the Game Threads!”

You’ve captured it well, Brock and Squirrel, in that Game Threads (at their best), can be a refuge from life (and the internet) and tons of fun. Speaking of my own experience, however, I’ll say that losing the Game Threads would push me even further away from the site. The Game Threads and the game reviews (with the bullpen usage charts and some of the common elements) are the things that bring me here most often. I enjoy the minor league rankings and the in-depth analysis of some dude’s breaking ball, but my enjoyment of baseball ultimately comes down to those 162 game days (at least 173 this year, I might add) and the pursuit of chicken.

I don’t know what the answers are, but my strong preference would be to continue working at addressing the negativity. That’s a heavy job for you as moderators, and I’m sure it’s gotten heavier as the site has grown, both in content and in number of users. As noted above, thank you, thank you, thank you, for all you do.

I’d also encourage those of us who’ve been frustrated to do our part as well. Let’s hang in there with Game Threads, modeling that civility isn’t a lost character trait, and keep working to turn these into the fun respites they can be.

 

[Craig Arko]

We need more Princess Bride humor. What would make Andre the Giant proud.

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

We need more Princess Bride humor. What would make Andre the Giant proud.

 

[Jocko87]

30 minutes ago, ziggy said:

It's easy to forget that the Twins are currently in first place in the division.

They are predicted to be an 80-85 win team, which is reflective of their current record. 

I think we all know if the hitters were hitting like predicted the Twins would have 10 more wins and would be kicking ass in the American League.

The lack of hitting, the little league fielding plays and mental errors are frustrating but these players are in their 20's, a long ways from being considered wise.  It's easier to be negative than positive after an error and I know I have some 'hope springs eternal'  hangover frustration about this team. Here's to hoping they find their way out of the funk starting tonight.

As a terminal optimist and professional realist I’ve struggled with the negativity as well. Heck, I was gone from the forums for several years.  We had our share of issues on BYTO but most of the ribbing was good natured and well reasoned. It’s that lack of the well reasoned thoughtful negativity that has been hurting the game threads imo.  Point out something specific that someone is struggling with and a good reason why you think that may be, don’t just call someone a bum.  There are a lot of smart baseball minds on this site and we have reason to believe the good ideas have a path to actually filter to the club so make it count. 

Now for the terminal optimism. As Ziggy points out, it could be a heck of a lot worse. Some of the things we are seeing are insanely frustrating. The optimist in me sees that we have seen everything that is currently frustrating in a decent if not excellent state, this year. The offense is completely different if only one or two guys get hot. The defense has been very solid for long stretches. The pitching has been playoff quality and will get better by osmosis as the hitting comes on. High quality reinforcements are on the way. This is a very talented roster. The front office has demonstrated they will make moves at the deadline to help. The #5 pick is exciting and could be a help as soon as next year. I could go on. 

We have our ace going tonight. I’m calling a slump buster ace performance. But also Farmer pick to click. 

[Craig Arko]

11 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

 

Anybody got a peanut?