The Future of the Hangout

[orioles119]

Sometimes the big-bad greedy evil corporation isn't entirely wrong.

I've lurked / occasionally posted on this website for a few years and have appreciated its existence. I was not aware that the site was directly sponsored by the O's, and now that I know this, I definitely wonder about the editorial content provided. I think any reasonable person, even those looking to protect an interest (ie the Warehouse), would agree that an open message board free of censorship is great. But I have to wonder how they feel about spending money on sponsorship at a website, and then watch as the owner of that website (or his editorial staff) criticize individuals in the Warehouse. My perception of things: the owner of this website was trying to have his cake and eat it too, and he eventually rubbed the wrong person the wrong way on the inside. My guess is that this had to do with some of the blog posts back during the GM search after the season ended. I don't think the O's expect happy-go-lucky, blow smoke up your rear-end ra-ra cheerleading. But I do think that they expect some level of understanding that there is a business relationship involved, and that you don't bash your partner as part of a marketing/content plan.

I think if the owner of this website went to the O's, apologized for this tiff, and asked to enter into a new business relationship with the understanding that he may be providing a site for (relatively) free speech but that he and his agents specifically do not have that same level of free speech, the O's would be likely to work with him given the huge, obvious benefit that this site provides to the O's.

They already have that mouthpiece with MASN.

[Tony-OH]

Sometimes the big-bad greedy evil corporation isn't entirely wrong.

I've lurked / occasionally posted on this website for a few years and have appreciated its existence. I was not aware that the site was directly sponsored by the O's, and now that I know this, I definitely wonder about the editorial content provided. I think any reasonable person, even those looking to protect an interest (ie the Warehouse), would agree that an open message board free of censorship is great. But I have to wonder how they feel about spending money on sponsorship at a website, and then watch as the owner of that website (or his editorial staff) criticize individuals in the Warehouse. My perception of things: the owner of this website was trying to have his cake and eat it too, and he eventually rubbed the wrong person the wrong way on the inside. My guess is that this had to do with some of the blog posts back during the GM search after the season ended. I don't think the O's expect happy-go-lucky, blow smoke up your rear-end ra-ra cheerleading. But I do think that they expect some level of understanding that there is a business relationship involved, and that you don't bash your partner as part of a marketing/content plan.

I think if the owner of this website went to the O's, apologized for this tiff, and asked to enter into a new business relationship with the understanding that he may be providing a site for (relatively) free speech but that he and his agents specifically do not have that same level of free speech, the O's would be likely to work with him given the huge, obvious benefit that this site provides to the O's.

You are wrong. The Orioles never asked for editorial control and I've been critical of the Orioles for years. If the Orioles were going to stop advertising with us because of what we said, they would have done it after my 9000 word essay I wrote a few years ago. The Orioles had only asked that we remain fair and that will give them the opportunity to respond, which is exactly what we did. I can't say whether or not something changed, but I highly doubt it was because I was critical of how the Orioles did their GM search this off season.

Mr. Bader made it clear on this very message board that it was a business decision only, and although I obviously disagree with that decision, I have no reason to believe Mr. Bader is lying.

The day that the Orioles would have asked for some limit on my freedom of speech would have been the last day we would have taken a dime from them.

[jjdman]

Things are always going from bad to Bader with this organization

[GeorgiaBird]

I haven't posted in a gazilllion years or so, but still check in from time to time to see the news and have kept the membership current in part as a way of
supporting what is a great site. Tony all the best to you, and you have my continued support. This site was a godsend for an out-of-town Os fan back in the wilderness days of the Internet, and I'll always appreciate it. Can't wait to see what it evolves into.

[grimed1]

If people want to talk about promotion, we're certainly not going to stop them. Now if suddenly one poster is always talking about them or posting things without being involved in other conversations then we'll consider that a plant, but otherwise, I'm not going to stop people from talkining about up coming events if they want to. Just because I've been treated poorly is not going to mean that I'm going to become anti-Oriole. Like I said previously, my love for the team goes far above more professional dealings with them. If they do something good I'll be happy to say that and if they do something bad, I'll also be sure to comment on that as well. I don't see my attitude changing about the on the field team as a whole.

Ok,I was wondering if you still wanted the promotions and discounts the O's do sometimes to still show up on the site. Just let me know if you might need some help on the Nat's trip.

[Sparkwinder]

You are wrong. The Orioles never asked for editorial control and I've been critical of the Orioles for years. If the Orioles were going to stop advertising with us because of what we said, they would have done it after my 9000 word essay I wrote a few years ago. The Orioles had only asked that we remain fair and that will give them the opportunity to respond, which is exactly what we did. I can't say whether or not something changed, but I highly doubt it was because I was critical of how the Orioles did their GM search this off season.

Mr. Bader made it clear on this very message board that it was a business decision only, and although I obviously disagree with that decision, I have no reason to believe Mr. Bader is lying.

The day that the Orioles would have asked for some limit on my freedom of speech would have been the last day we would have taken a dime from them.

I do apologize if I'm off base, I just have a hard time understanding why they'd yank a relatively small amount of advertising dollars and risk the backlash, not to mention missing out on a ridiculously highly targeted audience. Best of luck with the future of this website. It's definitely, for better or worse, made me a more interested, informed fan.

[Tony-OH]

I do apologize if I'm off base, I just have a hard time understanding why they'd yank a relatively small amount of advertising dollars and risk the backlash, not to mention missing out on a ridiculously highly targeted audience. Best of luck with the future of this website. It's definitely, for better or worse, made me a more interested, informed fan.

I think we all had the same question. You'll have to contact Mr. Bader and the Orioles for an answer.

[Miller192]

I think we all had the same question. You'll have to contact Mr. Bader and the Orioles for an answer.

I will say, the Fubar.com ad is better than anything the Orioles ever had up.

[Moose Milligan]

Good stuff, Tony. Way stay above the fray.

The Orioles are lucky for all the years from about 1964-1984, Cal's Streak and a few seasons in the 90's. Other than that, there's no reason to root for them, especially with the way they treat the most loyal diehard fans.

[grimed1]

The O's have been changing alot of things. Mr. Bader also quoted.

Orioles drop Leffler, take marketing efforts in house

Still, Orioles spokesman Greg Bader said the team could look for a new advertising agency soon.

“We’ll consider that on a year-by-year basis,” Bader said. “Even a month-by-month basis is not out of the question.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore...marketing.html

[allstar1579]

I do apologize if I'm off base, I just have a hard time understanding why they'd yank a relatively small amount of advertising dollars and risk the backlash, not to mention missing out on a ridiculously highly targeted audience. Best of luck with the future of this website. It's definitely, for better or worse, made me a more interested, informed fan.

Cause that's what this team does. It operates like a business and has no interest in the impacts it has on it's customers. Someone needs to walk into the FO and let them know they are a professional (I use that loosely) sports team, not Walmart. While the product does resemble Walmart quality, it does not get to run itself without regard to the paying customers assuming that they will keep coming no matter what.

One game where NOT ONE PERSON attends a game in protest is something unheard of, but necessary sometimes. Think about all the publicity the Marlins got when they were only drawing a couple hundred fans in the stands.

[BrunoCherrytown]

I will say, the Fubar.com ad is better than anything the Orioles ever had up.

I just noticed that myself. I was getting tired of Cougar Life telling me that a middle aged woman still thinks she's 18 (her crows feet tell me differently) and that the highlight of her day was going to the grocery store (that's just sad).

[Don Quixote]

Cause that's what this team does. It operates like a business and has no interest in the impacts it has on it's customers. Someone needs to walk into the FO and let them know they are a professional (I use that loosely) sports team, not Walmart. While the product does resemble Walmart quality, it does not get to run itself without regard to the paying customers assuming that they will keep coming no matter what.

One game where NOT ONE PERSON attends a game in protest is something unheard of, but necessary sometimes. Think about all the publicity the Marlins got when they were only drawing a couple hundred fans in the stands.

Though it's not my favorite place, I've been able to get more good out of Wal-Mart since 1997 than I have the Orioles.

[cindyluvsbrady]

Last night I sat down and wrote a four and half page response to Mr. Bader's post that also included the way ahead for the Hangout. Throughout the night last night, I saw posts, PMs and e-mails with advice, all of which ask me to stay on the high road. I decided to sleep on it last night and when I awoke I decided to go with my gut feeling. There is nothing to be gained for the Orioles, me, or most important of all to me, my Hangouters by continuing this fight publicly. Things are what they are and there is nothing that's going to change that, so it's time to move on.

My plan is that we are no longer going to produce Orioles major league content any longer and that we will eventually change our name to Baltimoresportshangout. We will remain the same great community, but we will no longer have a staff developing game reports, minor league game summaries, news, or spring training reports (although Hangouters are encouraged to post their own experiences on the board). We will still keep a prospect tracker and I still plan to do some minor league scouting as it's part of my next soon to be announced venture. as of now I still intend to do my top prospect list like always. As for plus memberships, I will make a final decision on pricing soon. I'm working on subsidizing the loss of revenue with another sponsor and a unique and fun idea for a new forum that could help offset things as well. I do not intend to raise the price of our memberships despite the loss of revenue.

I realized long ago that our community is the strength of the Hangout and I have no reason to think it won't become even stronger is it evolves. The Orioles boards and its contents will always be there along with the Ravens and Terps talk. As you guys know, our community is much bigger than the Orioles anyways. Although our one common denominator is that for good or bad, we are all Orioles fans, but that we evolved into so much more. We are a true family or sorts. We share our triumphs and tragedies while discussing current events, movie, music, video games, TV and more. I've laughed and cried while reading posts and I've made friends with people I would have never had met if not for the Hangout. I've learned more about so many subjects on these boards then I've ever learned in a classroom. We have two marriages and two kids in this world by people who met online at the Hangout.

I love the Hangout Community. It's truly part of my life and I know it's a valuable part of lot of people lives. Not everyone gets it and not everyone likes it, and that's ok, but at the end of the day I know how many people's lives are affected daily by this community.

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.

At the end of the day, this is the end of one chapter and beginning of another. Our community will continue to grow stronger and I'm looking forward to the future. I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and support over the last few days and I want to again apologize for this becoming public.

Thanks for the OH Tony and all you do!!!
It sounds like somebody in the O office is Grumpy!!

[cindyluvsbrady]

Thanks Tony. Let us know if there is anything we can do to support the Hangout moving forward.

I agree!!!!!!