Should we have a sports talk section?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Why would anyone want to discuss religion on Net54?

So we can sell cards of Jewish players?

[Leon]

I am a little curious of anyone's thoughts that voted against trying this section? I always like to hear the other side of the story to make a more informed decision. Would anyone that voted "no" like to chime in as to why? I am sure there might be some good reasons and would like to hear them. The only thing I can imagine is that it could take away from the main board but maybe (probably) I am not thinking of everything. Anyone?
BTW, as I said in the initial post, this section certainly isn't about "me" wanting it as I don't keep up with most current sports too much. I am in the vast minority but I just don't care to keep up with them. I watch them a little but that's about it. My wife is an avid sports fan though and keeps up with a lot of them. Quite honestly I could care less about most current major league sports.... but that is just me.

[barrysloate]

Couldn't one sell a rookie card of Sandy Koufax without feeling the need to quote passages from the Old Testament?

[JohnBrownsElbow]

I'm just a long time lurker but I voted no. My reason is that anytime over the last 12 years or so that I've been active on the internet that I've seen a good topic-specific message board like this one start to go down that off-topic path, it ends up tearing the board apart. People can be very intense about their sports and politics. There are plenty of message boards for that stuff, and I think that the current system of only having the occasional off-topic thread here on the main board is a good way to keep the sports/political emotions in check.

Even though I only lurk, I love this message board and would hate to see it go downhill.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by JohnBrownsElbow

I'm just a long time lurker but I voted no. My reason is that anytime over the last 12 years or so that I've been active on the internet that I've seen a good topic-specific message board like this one start to go down that off-topic path, it ends up tearing the board apart. People can be very intense about their sports and politics. There are plenty of message boards for that stuff, and I think that the current system of only having the occasional off-topic thread here on the main board is a good way to keep the sports/political emotions in check.

Even though I only lurk, I love this message board and would hate to see it go downhill.

Thanks much for chiming in. It is this kind of feedback I need/want to hear. I will keep it in mind as we wade through the decision making process. The good thing about this site is we can be flexible and make changes...then if it doesn't work out, we can revert back to what it was before. I like having seperate sections to keep mostly on topic on the main board......Thanks again for the good feedback!!

[barrysloate]

If we limit the off-topic section to current sports talk, it should remain reasonably friendly. Even two people arguing over who is better, the Yankees or Red Sox, are no different than two friends arguing sports over a couple of beers. It's harmless.

But if you do allow politics then the discussions can and will get ugly. It's a very polarizing area and there is very little agreement on any politically charged topic.

So I don't see any way the board can go downhill simply by letting people chat about what's going on in the sport's world.

[Bamacollection]

2 Rules: Choose your battles wisely and respect your opponent. We are all here for the same respective reason in the first place.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Couldn't one sell a rookie card of Sandy Koufax without feeling the need to quote passages from the Old Testament?

I was joking Barry, but I always find it humorous when a seller thinks he's marketing well by screaming "Jewish Ballplayer!"

Even Legendary did it in their just closed auction. Pages 354 and 355 specialized in that sub-category. I find it insulting to collectors.

[teetwoohsix]

I agree that the talk of religion should not be part of a sports talk section-there are other places for that,and it does seem like the O/T subjects that go on have something to do with sports,selling sport related item,ebay card transactions(or ebay flaws),birthdays/places of birth of sport stars,etc........

[barrysloate]

Jim- I was joking too, but I find it a little offensive to market players as Jewish (I'm guilty of it too). Can I offer a card by saying: "Joe Smith was a fine Episcopalian pitcher." It sounds a little offensive, don't you think?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

So we can sell cards of Jewish players?

LOL! Mort, you're killing me here!

[drc]

Leon, you'll be happy to know the other UW saying is "Go Badgers." I was indoctrinated young, as one of the first stuffed toys given to me as a toddler was a Bucky Badger. And, yes, I've heard my mother and sister say the other saying.

p.s., for those who missed it, Leon jokingly 'bleeped' over 'Badgers' in 'Go Badgers.' I thought it was my error and went back and fixed it.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by drc

Leon, you'll be happy to know the other UW saying is "Go Badgers." I was indoctrinated young, as one of the first stuffed toys given to me as a toddler was a Bucky Badger. And, yes, I've heard my mother and sister say the other saying.

p.s., for those who missed it, Leon jokingly 'bleeped' over 'Badgers' in 'Go Badgers.' I thought it was my error and went back and fixed it.

Hey David, no worries. For the record though...the only thing I did was put x's where the f u c were....as I don't really want F-bombs on the board....I understand it might be an old alumni saying but still.......

On a final note on this subject- It looks like roughly 83%-84% of our respondents don't have an issue with a sports talk place. For the moment I am not going to institute an off topic place because our main board can still be used for them as long as they are per the forum rules.....which basically says that OT is permitted mainly for everyday members and they should be kept to a bit of a minimum. HOWEVER, we just had our data back up finished this morning and I have asked Brian M to change the icon that says Net54 Postwar Sportscards to Net54 Postwar Cards and Watercooler Talk. After he does that, which should be in the next day or two, I will add a "Sports Talk" forum to that section. I am going to put it right under the Net54 Postwar Baseball subcategory, which will be 2nd from the top. The reason for that is because that is where I feel the importance stacks up. ALL of the categories will still be there, they will just be pushed down one notch. ANY and ALL sports can be talked about in that section. That does NOT mean you can't do an off topic about a sports situation on the main board, when warranted, but it will give a place where it's not off topic and no one needs to have worries on posting there...Hope this helps as we/I try to make Net54baseball.com the best place on the net....especially for talking pre-war baseball cards.