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MLB Trade Rumors Commenting Policy

By Tim Dierkes | January 13, 2026 at 1:30pm CDT

Thank you for participating in the MLB Trade Rumors commenting community.  If you’re new to the site, register to comment here!  Remember to confirm your email address before attempting to leave a comment.

When leaving a comment at MLBTR, we ask that you avoid the following:

  • Attacks, insults, or trolling toward other commenters, the MLBTR staff, journalists, team personnel, players, or agents
  • Otherwise harassing other commenters in any way
  • Commentary that is unrelated to the subject matter of the post
  • Unrelated political discussion
  • Inappropriate language, including swearing and related censor bypass attempts, lewdness, insults, and crude terms for body parts, bodily functions, and physical acts
  • Inappropriate avatars, usernames, or images
  • Spam links or self-promotion
  • Personal contact information in the comments section

If you see comments that violate our policy, please flag them and/or contact us!  Reports from our community are essential for moderating the comment section.  Additionally, if you would prefer not to see comments from a particular user, we recommend you mute that person.  Your mute list can be edited in your profile.

Please do not otherwise attempt to police the comments, and do not respond to insults.  We don’t have time to assess who started it or whether you were responding to a different person who violated our commenting policy.

Corrections for errors by the authors of our posts are welcome and appreciated.

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View Comments (196)
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196 Comments

  1. lfrient1

    6 years ago

    This seems reasonable

    30
    Reply
    • oldmansteve

      6 years ago

      Almost… too reasonable…

      10
      Reply
      • Robertowannabe

        6 years ago

        That sounds like a movie line somehow….. Like from Airplane!

        1
        Reply
    • Mets fan since ‘62

      6 years ago

      Test

      1
      Reply
      • lfrient1

        6 years ago

        Test? Please elaborate.

        Reply
        • 2020ball

          6 years ago

          His reply is likely to be delayed.

          Reply
  2. sherlock_

    6 years ago

    Oh wow I’ve only ever used the app I didn’t know there were avatars and stuff cool

    1
    Reply
  3. Halo11Fan

    6 years ago

    This would be awesome if people complied. However there are still some users I would love to block.

    19
    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      We are hoping to ban those people. But I am also looking into a mute option for our users.

      37
      Reply
      • Connorsoxfan

        6 years ago

        Mute button would be absolutely fantastic if you guys can make that work Tim, love the site, hate stupid people :)

        7
        Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          6 years ago

          I don’t think they are stupid, but they certainly are obnoxious.

          4
          Reply
      • clrrogers 2

        6 years ago

        Or maybe just take away their posting ability. No reason to ban them from the site if they can’t post.

        2
        Reply
        • oldmansteve

          6 years ago

          I believe that is what he means by ban. Ban them from the comment section, not the site. No reason to make them lose money.

          5
          Reply
        • MikeEmbletonSmellsBad

          6 years ago

          “Banning” IS taking away their posting ability. Never heard of anyone being banned from viewing the site altogether.

          Reply
        • reflect

          6 years ago

          They should be banned from even being able to access a computer

          6
          Reply
        • johnrealtime

          6 years ago

          Lol

          1
          Reply
        • rememberthecoop

          16 hours ago

          And perhaps assess theirs breathing rights…

          1
          Reply
        • Bart Harley Jarvis

          15 hours ago

          Or possibly a virtual ‘timeout’? Maybe make them sit in a cyber chair in a techno corner?

          Reply
      • cptstupendous

        6 years ago

        The mute button concept would be useful. Ideally it would be a time-frame based so muted for X days total. There are times people post and I’d love to mute them only to find they made useful comments later on. It becomes a question of time and space.

        2
        Reply
      • MikeEmbletonSmellsBad

        6 years ago

        Mute option is long overdue. And frankly would go a long way towards getting rid of the trolls who thrive on people reacting negatively towards their comments.

        3
        Reply
      • kodion

        6 years ago

        Certain posters make very insightful, intelligent baseball posts from time to time but undo that good work with numerous mute-able, often inciteful, comments. Since the responses tend to indicate posts that might be worth unmuting temporarily, many of these value-added posts can still be interacted with and the rest ignored …or left to the imagination, as the case may be, if Mute is activated.
        A mute option places the initial responsibility where it belongs …with the reader.

        Reply
      • 802Ghost

        6 years ago

        You can’t ban someone just bc a user or two don’t like them.

        If they violate the rules sure, multiple times especially.

        But just give a mute or block feature and let users determine what they want to see.

        2
        Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          6 years ago

          vtncsc

          They can ban anyone they want. The question is “should they”.

          I think if there is a question, they shouldn’t, but with some posters, there isn’t any doubt.

          1
          Reply
      • shoewizard

        6 years ago

        I’m only interested in a mute button if I can mute myself. ;)

        3
        Reply
      • runningwithnailclippers

        17 hours ago

        Just wanted to say thank you for a great site for info, Tim.

        1
        Reply
      • positively_broad_st

        15 hours ago

        I use the mute feature on the website while logged in. Lately the mute only works in the moment, but that same user will appear later. Is there a limit on how many users we can mute? I’ve blocked a lot…haha (mostly the politickers, trolls, the people who make weird comments when someone dies, and the “Wow” crowd).

        Reply
      • papad57

        15 hours ago

        Or, you could hire an older guy (who has been watching and playing baseball since the early 1960’s) to moderate the comments and inform/warn/remove those who violate your policies.

        I have also moderated the live chats and comment sections since the year 2000 for an online company where I am Director of Operations, but looking at possible retirement soon.

        Reply
      • Sid Bream Speed Demon

        10 hours ago

        Tim this may be two seperate questions, but am I stupid or is there not a mute button already? I swear I’ve used it.

        1
        Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          9 hours ago

          Yeah people are pretending there isnt already a mute feature when there is. So what is the problem.

          Some of you need to stop being so sensitive. Its like you all need a Buddha Box because you can’t handle anything you dont like. Good gosh.

          Reply
        • kodion

          9 hours ago

          Note the time stamp on the posts. Many of them are six YEARS old. This is an updated, but old, article.

          1
          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          9 hours ago

          Oh geez yeah certainly didnt notice that thank you.

          Reply
  4. clrrogers 2

    6 years ago

    Looks good overall, but what’s up with the no caps thing? I don’t get it.

    Reply
    • All American Johnsonville Dogs

      6 years ago

      I don’t either.

      There was a user on NFL.com websites who use to post in all caps. Every comment.

      Someone asked him why he posts in all caps and said he has seeing issues or something and caps help him see better when typing.

      3
      Reply
      • Tim Dierkes

        6 years ago

        It’s not something I perceive to be a major issue around here, so I’ll just remove that from the policy.

        13
        Reply
    • restingmitchface

      6 years ago

      All caps text impairs readability. It also makes the writer look like a jerk.

      Reply
      • Tim Dierkes

        6 years ago

        If someone starts doing it just to be annoying, we’d probably ban them. But as I reflected on it, I don’t see that much.

        5
        Reply
        • Robertowannabe

          6 years ago

          Oh no!!!! Replay review comes to MLBTR…….”Upon further review….” :)

          1
          Reply
        • Rangers29

          6 years ago

          I don’t type my entire comment in all caps, but if I want to put an EMPHASIS on a word, I use all caps. It’s essentially what I use instead of italics, i’m not trying to be annoying when I use it lol.

          4
          Reply
        • A'sfaninLondonUK

          6 years ago

          @rangers29

          Couldn’t agree MORE!

          1
          Reply
        • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

          6 years ago

          I need to be able to capitalize full words for emphasis as I only use exclamation points sarcastically.

          1
          Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          6 years ago

          Do tell!

          Reply
    • Men Behaving Adley

      13 hours ago

      WHAT??? We’re not allowed to wear caps? I have a vintage Orioles cap I wear all the time and I don’t want to…what? Capital letters? Oh. Nevermind

      1
      Reply
  5. terry g

    6 years ago

    I see no problem staying within these guidelines. I don’t see a lot of comments with most of the articles about who has tested positive and with comments closed on those.

    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      We are going to open up comments on COVID posts moving forward, so we’ll see how it goes.

      3
      Reply
      • Stevil

        6 years ago

        There you go with the caps, Tim…

        Kidding

        7
        Reply
  6. BlueSkies_LA

    6 years ago

    No reasonable person should have any problem abiding by these rules. They are not very different than the previous policy IIRC. Either way one item I would like to have seen in the policy is the treatment of repeat offenders. It’s probably implicit that banning is the ultimate penalty but spelling that out couldn’t hurt.

    2
    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      The main addition is explicitly writing that we don’t allow unnecessary political discussion.

      11
      Reply
      • restingmitchface

        6 years ago

        I admire the end goal, but boy is that gonna be hard. Pretty much everything baseball-related is COVID-19-related, and pretty much everything COVID-19-related has managed to become political. What a mess.

        3
        Reply
        • oldmansteve

          6 years ago

          I think it will go fine. While COVID and MLB are interlinked unfortunately, no commenter has to comment on their opinion of whether or not the person is taking COVID too seriously or not seriously enough. Seems easy to keep it to the player or the team, and as to how the information in the article affects them.

          2
          Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          6 years ago

          restingmitchface

          It’s a handful of agenda based posters. I don’t think it’s really going to be that hard.

          What will be more difficult is these posters will constantly change their user names and just start up again.

          6
          Reply
        • oldmansteve

          6 years ago

          I believe they are banned by email not username. So they would have to create a new email to avoid the ban.

          3
          Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          6 years ago

          That’s not hard to do. It takes minutes to set up an email address.

          Reply
        • Koamalu

          6 years ago

          They should be banned by IP address. Its too easy today to create a new email and we have seen plenty of people that were banned come right back with a new user name that they obviously attached to a new email address.

          4
          Reply
        • MikeEmbletonSmellsBad

          6 years ago

          You know a thing or two about creating new usernames don’t ya?

          Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        6 years ago

        Got it. What is the thinking on not having an explicit banning policy?

        1
        Reply
        • A'sfaninLondonUK

          6 years ago

          Because louie and dewey both belong in the hall…

          apols – that’s meant as a gentle joke – Louie/Dewey mentioned they’d set up a 2nd account on a 2nd device because of forgetfulness over a password. We’ve all been there unless you’re under the age of about 22. In which case I’m jealous.

          Anyway – I think it illuminating – that all it has taken is a sensible word or two from the owners of this site for us to realise we are all capable of self editing. I think that is what the five minute edit allows and encourages and (hat tip to Rangers29) URGES!

          I’m really not interested what someone’s political views are, I disagree with the politics of most of my friends, but I don’t want what I consider an intelligent site to descend into poop throwing.

          We can do better and the value this site adds deserves better.

          I don’t want the contributors (above the line) to have their time wasted monitoring my comments. I want them sniffing out stories, providing opinion, ignoring the mlb.com puff pieces and providing a platform for debate. They’re good at that – I’d rather leave them excelling at what they do best.

          Kind regards,

          Peter in London

          1
          Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          6 years ago

          But what about Huey?

          Reply
        • whyhayzee

          15 hours ago

          He’s color blind.

          Reply
  7. ScottCFA

    6 years ago

    I completely support these policies as personal politics has made the site less enjoyable.

    The priincipal challenge I have noticed elsewhere is deciding what is “political.” A charge of “being political” seems to mean opinions on public policy that differ from your own. For example, lack of MLB testing could be widened into a discussion of why we don’t test more, which could be interpreted as being political. Best just to keep it to baseball, even when discussing the fact of someone’s COVID status.

    1
    Reply
    • Halo11Fan

      6 years ago

      ScottCFA

      We can talk about the subject without saying one administration is at fault, or the boomers are idiots and they are the problem.

      I think we can all recognize testing is an issue. The issue is people have little information but have preconceived notions who to blame and use inflammatory comments to make their point.

      3
      Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      6 years ago

      I think we’ll generally know the line when we see it.

      1
      Reply
  8. HalosHeavenJJ

    6 years ago

    Solid policy and one that should keep the comments baseball-centric. Politics definitely intersect with baseball but keeping the discussion on the actual baseball issue should be the aim here.

    2
    Reply
  9. sufferforsnakes

    6 years ago

    Will you be adding the ability to flag comments on the iPad app?

    1
    Reply
    • layventsky

      6 years ago

      This. The only things we can do in the app (at least for iOS, not sure about Android) are post comments and reply to comments. There’s no option to flag, report, mute, etc.

      1
      Reply
      • Gwynning

        6 years ago

        Same goes for Android app. I see comments and a REPLY button, no option to flag.

        2
        Reply
  10. llaawwssoonn

    6 years ago

    I think it’s just sad that this reminder needs to be said.

    1
    Reply
  11. beyou02215

    6 years ago

    These are very reasonable and appropriate guidelines. I also appreciate MLBTR taking the time to address this issue and also asking for the community’s input before unilaterally taking action, like disabling all comments. Well-handled.

    3
    Reply
  12. Rangers29

    6 years ago

    Thanks for putting this out Tim, I love having conversations on here, and also hate seeing people get censored because others were saying rude / harassing type stuff.

    So does this mean that articles like “Joey Gallo get Covid-19” will have open comments now? Because I would’ve loved to comment on a few of the Covid articles.

    1
    Reply
  13. tigerdoc616

    6 years ago

    Reasonable rules. Nothing but praise for MLBTraderumors in coming up with these.

    Now it is up to us to make this work. Keep it civil people!

    3
    Reply
  14. SabermetricsForLife

    6 years ago

    This might be the best post of 2020. Thanks to the Trade Rumors staff for implementing and enforcing. Y’all have a great site and we look forward to future great articles and sensible discussions. Thank you!

    3
    Reply
  15. Halo11Fan

    6 years ago

    halored760

    And even that is political. Is he the real cause? “most polarizing Presidents”

    When you write, I could write chapters on the cause of the “polarization”. But I don’t want to go there.

    1
    Reply
    • ScottCFA

      6 years ago

      …and that goes along with my previous post that it is difficult to decide what is “political.” Many people assume that everyone agrees on certain things, and don’t consider their terminology to be “political” (I’m not saying halored is being political). It is more complicated than many people realize. Just stick to baseball and avoid societal comments.

      Reply
      • Halo11Fan

        6 years ago

        Rather than saying “adversarial”, which cast no blame, he blamed a political party. It’s just that easy to spark a political debate.

        People’s political opinions seem to always leak out. I’m just bringing this up to make a point.

        1
        Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          6 years ago

          Not close to splitting hairs. Not close.

          But I really don’t want to explain why.

          2
          Reply
        • halored760

          6 years ago

          Well call it what you want and believe what you want. The point was that the election is a factor in the increased intensity of the comments. That’s it. I’m sorry if one of the words I chose made you uncomfortable. That was not the intent.

          Reply
  16. poolerh

    6 years ago

    Now that this is settled, perhaps you can do something about the annoying banner ads that pop up on the screen and block some of your content, especially at the bottom.

    1
    Reply
    • xalz

      6 years ago

      Let’s just keep the bottom ad banners and not put up a pay-wall on the site, please. Well, unless something better than Ad-Choice comes along.

      Reply
    • halored760

      6 years ago

      Lol…those banner ads may be annoying, but that’s what keeps the site free. ;-)

      Reply
  17. mbiu

    6 years ago

    Tim, I’m sorry you have to even post something like this.

    Reply
    • kodion

      6 years ago

      If the internet was civilized …he wouldn’t have to

      Reply
  18. mike156

    6 years ago

    The more we can keep politics to whatever other forums we read and comment on, the better. Baseball should be enough for us here. Let’s hope this works.

    Reply
  19. prov356

    6 years ago

    Sounds like a solid set of guidelines. Objective moderating is going to be the key.

    Reply
  20. Bill Skiles

    6 years ago

    Oh no! Now where do we go to agree that Scott Boras is…. ;-)
    .

    2
    Reply
  21. xalz

    6 years ago

    I see ongoing themes like rules and sportsmanship reminding us to do our best to be good individuals and refrain from personal attacks and aggrandizement, when we let our inner children out to play one of our favorite games.

    From a business perspective and that of MLBTR and baseball: Remember we have our inner kids here and we want real kids to take interest in baseball. It seems counterintuitive that MLBTR switched to Ad-Choice for their advertising vehicle in order to stop inappropriate ads, only to have its readers skirt the issue by posting inappropriate comments on their own.

    Reply
  22. bobtillman

    6 years ago

    We need to have the MLBTR crew take over the FCC and stop the relentless politicizing of news events by news channels, on both sides….

    Of course that would eliminate most of them…..

    Reply
    • jd396

      6 years ago

      *all

      Reply
  23. retire21

    6 years ago

    Can we please get the use of the word “retarded” banned? It’s disgraceful.

    6
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      6 years ago

      +1

      2
      Reply
    • Halo11Fan

      6 years ago

      Does someone really use that word?

      Reply
      • retire21

        6 years ago

        Yes, sadly they do. Just like in every day convo there are those who use it without even thinking how inappropriate and degrading it is.

        2
        Reply
        • xalz

          6 years ago

          Retard the fire and put out the lights. We plan to be here for years to come… Ad supported and not really, at all.

          Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      I thought it already was, but I re-added it today.

      6
      Reply
      • Gwynning

        6 years ago

        Thanks for everything, Tim. As expressed elsewhere, the app may need to refreshed. On both iOS and Android we have no option to flag comments; we can only reply. Great refresh on the site policy, take care!

        1
        Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          7 hours ago

          Wait there’s an app?

          1
          Reply
        • Gwynning

          42 mins ago

          There’s an app to remind you there’s this app. Must be the reception in your dumpster, Theo?

          Reply
    • Jackson Rubbit

      17 hours ago

      I thought that word had been retired.

      Reply
  24. Halo11Fan

    6 years ago

    I don’t know if anyone ever watched “The Good Place”, but there was a throw away joke that if you were not paying attention you missed.

    The head of the Good Place was talking about insanely rare occurrences that bordered the impossibility. Then he quickly gave an exampled of changing someone’s mind on a chat forum.

    3
    Reply
  25. Stevil

    6 years ago

    This is all perfectly reasonable and I agree that it’s just as important that people don’t pour fuel on the fires by engaging those off-topic commenters. Hopefully moderating gets easier once a handful of instigators are out of the way.

    Props and thanks to Tim and the MLBTR staff for all their efforts.

    Reply
  26. Halo11Fan

    6 years ago

    There are a couple of common posters who are not posting. I have hope.

    3
    Reply
    • lfrient1

      6 years ago

      Maybe they tried to post but couldn’t get past the moderator. Who knows what evil is still lurking in their minds?

      I agree with everyone who believes that the new policy is a step in the right direction.

      Reply
    • AngelDiceClay

      6 years ago

      Is one with the initials DK? Lol

      Reply
  27. CubsWS2016

    6 years ago

    Thank you!
    Lets have some great baseball discussion. That is the beauty of our sport.

    1
    Reply
  28. Missourifarmboy

    6 years ago

    Now if you guys would just go clean up Twitter and Facebook, in your spare time, that would be awesome.

    3
    Reply
  29. jd396

    6 years ago

    Thank you

    Reply
  30. thechiguy

    6 years ago

    Evolution!

    I remember back in say 2007 when I was writing for Pro Sports Daily and The Pit on the Cubs. I would come here and 10 articles in a row would have no comment(s). Us readers back then could almost have one on one conversations with Tim. Today this comment section is almost a entity of its own. Articles read by some of us, comments by others. I read them comment sections these days(over the last 5 years), but I never comment anymore since it is a new wave of writers in the comment section. Not that I have ever had any problem with any writer in the comment section, but evolution has me of more of a reader than a writer these days. I take the good with the bad in here and look forward to the next article.

    Evolution of this site is amazing!

    I am especially happy to see that there was a well thought out open-minded set of new rules put in place after all of the language and opinions left from the original post about this situation. Based on some of the comments, the original topic of commenting could have resulted in some major backlash and mass exodus of the site! It appears all is well, and without readers, Tim can take his ball away and pursue other streams of revenue and leave all of us missing an important part of our daily lives in MLBTR.

    Thank all of the writers in the comment section for keeping this site open, opinionated, and diverse!

    Thank you Tim for allowing them to have a voice!

    Thank heaven for MLBTR!

    1
    Reply
  31. JimP 2

    6 years ago

    Excellent

    Reply
  32. troll

    6 years ago

    should have added name calling or insinuating, unless that’s included in insults.

    Reply
    • User 355748524

      6 years ago

      This is out of the blue, but I’m curious as to what your avatar/profile image is. Not trying to accuse you of anything, I’m honestly wondering, and might I ask, what it is.(?)

      Reply
  33. Simonmike

    6 years ago

    Act like a gentleman, got it.

    Reply
  34. Technically correct

    6 years ago

    Play Ball!

    Reply
  35. AHH-Rox

    6 years ago

    If you ask us to flag offensive comments, please put the ability to do that in the app.

    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      I plan to eventually, but we are a little strapped for development resources at present.

      5
      Reply
      • A'sfaninLondonUK

        6 years ago

        Tim, could you use this opportunity to share what is your vision for your site?

        Reply
  36. rangerslegend34107

    6 years ago

    Glad to see this in place, although I will say overall MLBTR does have the best commenting section. Most commenters are insightful. There are a few that are just trolls, where every other commenting section on different platforms (mainly FB) are the opposite. Keep up the good work guys. We greatly appreciate it the content and good comments.

    1
    Reply
  37. AHH-Rox

    6 years ago

    Is the previously floated prohibition against harmful lies (like COVID being a hoax or masks not stopping spread) left out on purpose?
    Or is it assumed under the point about sticking to baseball?

    1
    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      We will be removing dangerous misinformation, but it’s possible some of that stuff would also be removed for being off-topic.

      3
      Reply
      • MWeller77

        6 years ago

        The comments about the recovery rate being 99 point whatever are especially galling. When you’re talking about a population of millions, to crow over the fact that only 1 percent is dying? Ghoulish and harmful.

        1
        Reply
  38. Alexburnshred

    6 years ago

    Lol. Why did you turn the comments off on the Robby Ray post? I get trying to limit political/Covid talk but y’all might be taking it a bit too far.

    3
    Reply
    • MWeller77

      6 years ago

      R. Ray has been a flashpoint for heated discussion lol.

      “He’s an ace, and if you don’t see that, you’re a [bleep]!”

      “SP 3 at best, you [bleep]!”

      X-D

      1
      Reply
  39. tigersfan1320

    6 years ago

    Any talk of making a report button available on the app? It doesn’t seem like there’s anyway to report or flag a comment on the app

    Reply
  40. realsox

    6 years ago

    I have questions about how positive Covid tests affect team rosters. I tried to post the question in the comments section of three different stories yesterday, but each time I got the message that the comment section was closed. Was my question seen as offensive? Does this mean that you accept no comments or questions related to your stories on Covid or player testing? Please advise.

    Reply
  41. bogs79

    6 years ago

    Tim, with all due respect, that is an asinine response to your pleas for comment feedback. Your solution is to post reminders about being nice to each other?

    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      6 years ago

      Not sure I understand your question. This was posted to remind everyone of our standing commenting policy and to post notice that we’ll be removing unrelated political discussion. We’ll be deleting comments and banning people as is necessary.

      4
      Reply
      • bogs79

        6 years ago

        My understanding is that you were soliciting reader feedback on the comment policy, because either the management of offensive/inappropriate comments was problematic or because the content itself was something you found offensive and didn’t want to associate MLBTR with it. So, after all the back and forth with the users, it doesnt appear anything changed. The commenting has been opened back up on COVID-19 content, which was initially bothersome to you, and there doesnt appear to be any change on policy, other than a police yourselves and flag as deem fit. So why even bother to open up the dialogue on the matter?

        Reply
    • MWeller77

      6 years ago

      To say you are giving someone “all due respect” and then call the same person’s actions “asinine” is kinda contradictory

      3
      Reply
      • bogs79

        6 years ago

        I’m an English teacher, so I’m happy to clarify. When one uses the introductory clause “with all due respect”, the intent is to communicate that what follows is not intended as a personal jab, which it wasn’t.

        2
        Reply
        • MWeller77

          6 years ago

          Well, thanks, but no need to clarify. It so happens that I’m a teacher too (19 years of English, though I’ve moved more into teaching history in the past few years), and I understood that you THOUGHT you were being respectful. MY intent was to tell you that mixing “due respect” and “asinine” has the EFFECT of cancelling the former out.

          How can you not take someone calling your decision “asinine” personally?

          4
          Reply
        • teachdad46

          16 hours ago

          As an English teacher you certainly should understand that calling Tim’s post “asinine’ is disrespectful regardless of your introductory “with all due respect”.
          Lots of teachers in here today….(32 years=retired)

          4
          Reply
  42. hiflew

    6 years ago

    Sometimes people such as myself do not intend to come off as trolls, but through wrong wording or mistaken tone or just simply misunderstanding something, you kind of get labeled that way. Now I am not going to say that I have never had a conversation that deteriorated into insults or that I didn’t have a few (mostly lighthearted) sarcastic comments along the way, because I am human after all. But I have never intentionally tried to be “that guy.” But some people have taken it that way and quite frankly it is a hard characterization to shake.

    Anyway, my point is that the comments should definitely be toned down, especially the political stuff, but people need to use the flag button responsibly as well. Reasonable people can disagree, sometimes heatedly. Sometimes things can be said, even typed, before you think it through. It happens. I’d just hate to see myself or someone else banned from discussion due to an overeager “hall monitor” of sorts.

    Reply
    • kodion

      6 years ago

      Flags point the moderators to areas of concern. They can then assess, based on context and other factors

      Reply
      • hiflew

        6 years ago

        Yes, but useless flagging also contributes to the moderators having to do more work than necessary. I am all for getting rid of pointless bickering and juvenile name calling etc., but moderators are people too. As tired as they are of rule-breaking discussions, they must be 10 times as tired of going through unnecessarily flagged comments as well.

        Reply
      • A'sfaninLondonUK

        6 years ago

        I know what you’re saying @kodlon but I want the writers writing – which is what they’re good at – rather than being moderators – which, let’s face it, none of us are very good at!

        I really want a comments section because on occasions it give us, the readership an opportunity to say exactly what the writers are thinking, or hinting at, without provoking litigation….

        1
        Reply
  43. realsox

    6 years ago

    Tim Dierkes: I have been trying to ask a question about how positive tests affect team rosters. Three times yesterday I asked the question and each time learned that the comment section was closed. I posted a similar comment about 30 minutes ago, thought it was actually posted, but then found it gone when I came back to see if my request for advice had brought a reply. I don’t understand. My question was polite and respectful, mentioned no player or other person

    Reply
    • not alkaline

      6 years ago

      I think its back now. Glitch maybe it temporarily removes comments. Has happened to me also then it reappears later

      Reply
  44. jorge78

    6 years ago

    Sounds great!
    Thanks!

    1
    Reply
  45. AngelDiceClay

    6 years ago

    Is one with the initials DK? Lol

    Reply
    • joepanikatthedisco

      6 years ago

      What do you have against Dallas Keuchel lol

      Reply
  46. 2020ball

    6 years ago

    I use baseball as a distraction from all the ridiculous political nonsense during election years even in “normal” times. This all sounds great to me. Thank you MLBTR.

    2
    Reply
  47. whiteysox

    6 years ago

    Thank you

    Reply
  48. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    6 years ago

    I do have one question about this site that came about from the comments being closed but is an entirely different subject.

    I don’t know the specifics of how clicks and internet revenue work, but I realized that unless I click to see the comments I almost never have to click to read the stories. The full stories are usually posted in full form on the main page (with only the longer ones getting a “read more” type of link) and can be read without clicking on them.

    Would it be better for the site to have users click on each story?

    Reply
  49. ignasis

    6 years ago

    This issue is a weird one for me. I’m somewhat against the concept of a “mute” button, because, seriously?

    Are readers of this site so fragile that a comment that isn’t against the rules (as those comments would be removed) is going to destroy you? Is someone who is so disaffected by any particular commenter not also responsible for how they handle their presence? I feel like the whole concept of a mute button is only necessary for the most immature individuals lacking in self-control.

    As for the changes to the rules, they seem like good changes. Time will tell if the enforcement of these changes is good. I’m somewhat skeptical and suspect that they’ll be selectively enforced depending on the bias of the moderator, but, I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

    Reply
  50. terrymesmer

    6 years ago

    > refrain from using the MLBTR comment section to discuss elections, politicians, political parties, or political beliefs

    It looks like you’re fine with relevant discussion of political decisions that directly impact the 2020 season. It’s the gratuitious stuff that makes the comment section unbearable.

    A mute button is probably much better (and easier) than the site labouring to moderate comments and commenters. But I do so like using jokes to police deranged commenters! I hope that falls under “fair comment” when it is not mere lazy ad hominem.

    Reply
  51. ukpadre

    6 years ago

    Oh the irony of some of the people who this policy has been rewritten to specifically stop commenting on this post and complaining about others! Some people really can’t see further than their own noses!

    Reply
  52. joepanikatthedisco

    6 years ago

    Great to hear, Tim! I’ve been using this site much less lately due to the partisanship and bickering in the comments. Lay down the law!

    Reply
  53. GabeOfThrones

    6 years ago

    This might sound a little silly, but I think if you direct what you’d like commenters to discuss in the comment section at the end of articles, they may comply. I know you already make an attempt at that with most articles, and use polls, etc, to enable interactivity on posts, which is great, but maybe you should try steering comments in specific, narrow directions, to limit broader, general debating, which is where comment sections always seem to unravel. Just my thoughts on this topic. Love everything you guys do with this amazing site, so keep up the great work! (And let me know when you’re ready to expand to European football coverage, because the transfer market is an absolute goldmine for fascinating content)

    1
    Reply
  54. sdpadsfan11

    5 years ago

    Ok

    Reply
  55. 84LeFlore

    3 years ago

    Whenever I try to save a screen name in my profile I get “There was an error in the submitted form.” How does one save a screen name, or do you just type it everytime you comment?

    Reply
  56. 2ndEngineer

    1 year ago

    I I love this site so far. The only thing I having is trying to add my profile photo

    Reply
  57. Tom Austintown

    7 months ago

    Ok w me

    Reply
  58. Alfred E Neuman

    3 months ago

    How would a member find out if he was banned? Is there a notification by email or something similar?

    2
    Reply
    • Bucket Number Six

      16 hours ago

      No notification, Blue Baron. You will know if you are banned if you post a comment and it never shows up in the thread. It just goes out into the ether never to return. You can still upvote and change your handle and delete/change your avatar.

      If the banning was especially severe, you will notice that all your past comments have been wiped from the site.

      I know this because I have been banned five times, sometimes fairly, sometimes not.

      1
      Reply
  59. frugalfarhan

    17 hours ago

    These are the rules I live my life by word for word

    2
    Reply
  60. Sweetness

    17 hours ago

    My username is sweetness, but not for any diabolical reason, it is a reflection of my nickname, which I got while working at a camp. I’ll explain that in case I kicked off for having a potentially offensive username.

    Reply
    • BigFred

      16 hours ago

      That was Walter Payton’s nickname, so you’re probably okay on a sports website/forum.

      3
      Reply
      • Sweetness

        16 hours ago

        Yeah.

        Reply
  61. Brew’88

    17 hours ago

    I think it’s wise to post the policies periodically rather than assume folks will seek it out in the pull-down menus.

    On another point, reminders about conduct policy can be perceived by users as a response by MLBTR to increased misconduct, is this the case? I ask because I’ve actually noticed improved behavior, friendlier interactions, and generally fewer egregious “flaggable” comments of late. Perhaps the improvement has come hand in hand with MLBTR policing more, or making users more aware of policies?

    3
    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      14 hours ago

      This posting is not in response to anything! If you’ve seen an uptick in quality, it’s because I replaced myself as our comment moderation person about nine months ago. The new person is doing a great job and monitors more consistently.

      3
      Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        14 hours ago

        May I suggest you repost them more often, say, a couple of times a year? Based on the comments, this rules post last appeared six years ago. Now, that’s practically yesterday for me — but I’ve been here forever, plus a couple of months.

        2
        Reply
    • foppert3

      13 hours ago

      Interesting. I’ve noticed you are not slamming Nick Deeds as much.

      Reply
  62. Smith 3

    17 hours ago

    I’m a bit confused by these comments, maybe people access the site in a different way and they have a different experience.

    I access the site from the web browser, and I have a mute button. I can mute any user in the comments section. When I select the mute button, I get this message: “Are you sure you want to mute ‘username’ and not see comments from this user?”.

    And I won’t see what that person commented unless I choose to unmute them. I believe there’s a message that says something like “comment from a user you have muted” and it will give you the option to unmute if you want to read.

    Reply
    • chalk73

      16 hours ago

      This is a reposting of a thread from five years ago. Since that time they have developed a mute button.

      1
      Reply
  63. Bivouac-Sal

    17 hours ago

    Tim:

    You and your team are doing a great job.

    Thanks.

    2
    Reply
  64. Chooch Ruiz

    17 hours ago

    baba booey

    1
    Reply
  65. Devlsh

    16 hours ago

    Amen to the commenting policy!

    1
    Reply
    • kellin

      16 hours ago

      Too bad nobody follows it.

      1
      Reply
      • gbs42

        14 hours ago

        Oh, yeah, kellin, well, you’re a… pretty good person, I’m sure. Best of luck to your team this season.

        Reply
  66. highflyballintorightfield

    16 hours ago

    There’s no problem with Dad Jokes about players’ names, right?

    …Right?

    1
    Reply
  67. CC Ryder

    16 hours ago

    If attacking, insulting and trolling others isn’t allowed then about half of people will have nothing to say

    1
    Reply
  68. teachdad46

    16 hours ago

    I’m the moderator of a smallish Vermont town llist serv. I’m also a retired classroom teacher.

    Moderating an online form is like recess duty on steroids. It requires patience, equanimity., and a good sense of humor.

    Thanks for all your work, Tim.

    3
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      14 hours ago

      I admin a Facebook group of 30k members. When I get bored with that, I herd cats as a hobby.

      I find visible moderation — explaining why posts are deleted — is a useful tool, but hardly anyone wants to do it.

      2
      Reply
  69. Justabaseballfanfornow

    16 hours ago

    Good, no more political posts from Never remember. Got that Never Remember?

    2
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      14 hours ago

      I’ll never forget.

      1
      Reply
  70. AL B DAMNED

    16 hours ago

    Is this an A-I Post?

    1
    Reply
  71. Big Red Machine

    16 hours ago

    Love the chat here. Love the guardrails as well.

    1
    Reply
  72. kalki

    16 hours ago

    Yet racist comments and political insults from those same people are allowed to stand. Seems like selective enforcement,

    2
    Reply
    • choof

      16 hours ago

      Yet if talk about a certain type of slider from a certain guru it’s not allowed?

      1
      Reply
      • Lloyd Emerson

        16 hours ago

        If it keeps getting deleted, it’s probably not allowed.

        Reply
      • gbs42

        14 hours ago

        choof, do they count as self-promotion?

        Reply
        • choof

          13 hours ago

          Nah more the promotion of an idea

          Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      14 hours ago

      Flag ’em

      4
      Reply
  73. spudchukar

    16 hours ago

    Amen!

    Reply
  74. positively_broad_st

    15 hours ago

    Is there a limit on how many users we can mute on the website? In the past few months when I mute someone, they disappear in the moment, but show right back up later. Maybe I’m over the limit? Haha…

    Reply
  75. whyhayzee

    14 hours ago

    Is climate change political? No, it is not. But it’s made out to be by many.

    Is climate change affecting baseball? Yes, it is. Is that political? Good lord.

    Sorry for being such a problem here. Most of my posts are bad puns or anti-Yankees rants. But they are fact based and not political.

    I have often talked of the Yankees overusing their relievers and even starters, who then become injured. It is fact based and predictable. But I get accused of hate.

    I have often talked of players being way too massive for a non-contact sport and then watched them get injured. Again, predictable. But I get reminded that BMI is meaningless. Fact is, it’s not. But it would benefit from another measurable statistic like waist size.

    The “vile” things that I post from time to time are usually fact based and about baseball. I do go off the rails at times and I’m sorry for that.

    Anyway, thank you for trying to bring some semblence of order here.

    4
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      7 hours ago

      Anti Yankee rants will get you in trouble with Ice Barbie or some other gnome noem

      Reply
  76. Scott Kliesen

    14 hours ago

    Can I talk about Venezuela…Winter league ball?

    2
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      7 hours ago

      Id like to talk about how Iran, I ran so far away. I just ran, I ran all night and day. I couldn’t get away.

      Reply
  77. foppert3

    13 hours ago

    Yeah. Nah.
    It’s just a matter of time. No chance I’m disciplined enough to for these rules !

    Reply
    • Ann Porkins

      12 hours ago

      Believe in yourself

      PS, is your username referring to Giants legend Jesse Foppert?

      Reply
  78. Medecineman

    12 hours ago

    To avoid a lot of problems why not just give us a “thumbs down” emoji?

    Reply
  79. Troy Percival's iPad

    12 hours ago

    PEN!S

    Reply
  80. LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedAgain&Again&AgainFireStearns

    11 hours ago

    You guys are awful, as I’ve gotten banned multiple times for no reason. There is no appeals system once you “violate” the terms of the service. The commentors are the biggest part of your site, no one would read your articles without the chat system. Instead of demonizing the people that gain you traction, you should reward active users instead

    Reply
  81. Bart Harley Jarvis

    11 hours ago

    Tim,
    Are comments about how ‘everything cost a nickel when I was your age’ still permissible ?🤞🏻

    Reply
  82. kcmowhoa

    9 hours ago

    Stick to sports mods

    Reply
  83. CakeFarts

    6 hours ago

    Your site defaults a username to a users email address if they dont pick a username. You break your own rule of personal contact info in the comment section because you don’t randomize usernames in that scenario.

    Reply
  84. CakeFarts

    6 hours ago

    You break your own rules by defaulting usernames to email addresses rather than randomly generating them. Thereby giving away personal contact info

    Reply
  85. Theghostoftycobb

    5 hours ago

    Soft.

    Reply

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