The Future of the Hangout

[Birds of B'more]

It's a day later and I still have this weird feeling like my girlfriend just dumped me. We had the Mother's Day Massacre, now we have the Valentines Day Massacre. Thanks, Orioles! Let me guess, it's not us, it's you. And we can still be friends, right?

Depends. You got any money?

[orioles119]

As for Hangout nights, although we will not be having them at Camden Yards, Hangout nights will continue. My plan is to find local establishments where we can do exactly what we always did at the game, drink, eat, and talk about the Orioles. It'll probably end up a cheaper night for most anyways.

Call me ignorant (as I'm sure some will), but what's to stop a group of people from this site to go to the game together? Were "Hangout Nights" sanctioned by the Orioles previously? Does going to Camden Yards now make us "less of a fan?"

Just questions and observations... I don't have an opinion one way or the other.

[NewMarketSean]

Call me ignorant (as I'm sure some will), but what's to stop a group of people from this site to go to the game together? Were "Hangout Nights" sanctioned by the Orioles previously? Does going to Camden Yards now make us "less of a fan?"

Just questions and observations... I don't have an opinion one way or the other.

No, but why give money to the team when they so obviously don't care about the Hangout by not offering bulk ticket discounts for fans?

[Pedro Cerrano]

Call me ignorant (as I'm sure some will), but what's to stop a group of people from this site to go to the game together? Were "Hangout Nights" sanctioned by the Orioles previously? Does going to Camden Yards now make us "less of a fan?"

Just questions and observations... I don't have an opinion one way or the other.

The tickets were provided through the Orioles at a discount.

I think a chief concern is, operating one of these outside of the Orioles jurisdiction, would our group be able to find a set of seats all together?

[NewMarketSean]

The tickets were provided through the Orioles at a discount.

I think a chief concern is, operating one of these outside of the Orioles jurisdiction, would our group be able to find a set of seats all together?

I am sure that wouldn't be a problem most nights since entire consecutive sections in the upper deck are empty.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I am sure that wouldn't be a problem most nights since entire consecutive sections in the upper deck are empty.

Haha, I probably should have put one of these guys in there.

[Saintbird]

Going back to the topic of the upcoming Baltimore Sports Hangout, what will change in the overall appearance of the board? New logo? Colors? Will the media boards be replaced with others focused more on other Baltimore sports?

Just curious. I'm just glad that the SINGLE reason I've remained an Orioles fan is still around. I'm sure many others concur with that statement as well.

[333WCamden]

The tickets were provided through the Orioles at a discount.

I think a chief concern is, operating one of these outside of the Orioles jurisdiction, would our group be able to find a set of seats all together?

Lol. Sorry, but I got a good laugh out of that one!

[SammyBirdland]

Lol. Sorry, but I got a good laugh out of that one!

You beat me to it. I was thinking...we could each have our own section if we wanted.

[orioles119]

No, but why give money to the team when they so obviously don't care about the Hangout by not offering bulk ticket discounts for fans?

You could comment with a little less snark, you know. They were legitimate questions... now that I know the answer, I don't mind staying 100 miles away on the far reaches of the Eastern Shore to watch the Orioles. I'm not going to wish they lose though all the sudden.

[NewMarketSean]

You could comment with a little less snark, you know. They were legitimate questions... now that I know the answer, I don't mind staying 100 miles away on the far reaches of the Eastern Shore to watch the Orioles. I'm not going to wish they lose though all the sudden.

There was no snark in my response. If there had been I would have included a

[JDubs]

Going back to the topic of the upcoming Baltimore Sports Hangout, what will change in the overall appearance of the board? New logo? Colors? Will the media boards be replaced with others focused more on other Baltimore sports?

Just curious. I'm just glad that the SINGLE reason I've remained an Orioles fan is still around. I'm sure many others concur with that statement as well.

Same here, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the change. I'm hoping that the focus still stays sufficiently on the Orioles so that this site does not become a predominantly Ravens board. The Ravens are so compelling a franchise that it is natural for everyone to want to talk about them over the Orioles all the time, but, as a non-Ravens fan, it would likely drive me elsewhere to get my Orioles info (somewhere undoubtedly less informed than OH).

Not a criticism, just a concern. Either way, hang on for the ride!

[DrungoHazewood]

To each his own. It just seems kind of foolish to pay money just to post on a message board.

I know I'd pitch in a pretty good chunk of change to keep the Hangout going. This morning I was going to reply to Tony's other thread, until I saw it had been closed. I was actually going to suggest that the site make a point of being independent - financially, reporting-wise, pulling no punches - and that could be a selling point to people. If I knew that I was paying $100 or $150 or whatever a year to keep the site going without relying on Orioles cash and potential strings, I'd be fine with that.

I'm sure Tony has done some business case studies, but I think there are quite a few lawyers, doctors, engineers, jewelry pushers, etc who're regulars here who'd gladly help make up the lost $5k from the O's bailing on the site.

In any case, I'm glad the Hangout isn't going anywhere and I'm very hopeful it'll be better than ever without the "help" of the team we all have a love/hate relationship with.

[Tony-OH]

Same here, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the change. I'm hoping that the focus still stays sufficiently on the Orioles so that this site does not become a predominantly Ravens board. The Ravens are so compelling a franchise that it is natural for everyone to want to talk about them over the Orioles all the time, but, as a non-Ravens fan, it would likely drive me elsewhere to get my Orioles info (somewhere undoubtedly less informed than OH).

Not a criticism, just a concern. Either way, hang on for the ride!

I think the board will always be Orioles-centric for the most part, mainly because of its roots. I certainly hope we get more Ravens and Terps fans in here, but it will probably always be more Orioles-centric. BTW, I have no intention of changing much. We may add some high school sports forums and one or two others, but it will not be whol sale changes. We mess with what works? There will b a change in logo an color scheme, but no decisions have been made yet. Maybe Olehippi will even like the changes this time.

[Frobby]

I'm very hopeful it'll be better than ever without the "help" of the team we all have a love/hate relationship with.

Have you heard Jim Irsay talk about how nothing is bigger than "The Horseshoe?" Putting aside the fact that we all hate the Irsay family and the fact that they stole our Horseshoe, there is a concept there I believe in. I am loyal to "The Orioles," not Peter Angelos and his organization. I dont have a love/hate relationship with "The Orioles" -- I love them, flat out and unconditionally. And it kills me to see what the current owner has done to my team.