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Ban "Chick Talk" on AN?

First off, let me say this diary is not intended to bash anyone or any one group of people.  It is a serious attempt to gauge AN's views.  So here goes:

It seems that increasingly AN has become a haven for many female (and perhaps male) readers to "goo goo" and "ga ga" over members of our beloved A's.  Often times I find myself reading through long diaries, only to find my quest sidetracked by comments about how fine Huston Street is, or how hot Bobby is.  This seems inevitable in "Game Pic" posts, but has crept into what would seem to be serious discussions of trades, games, or how the team is playing.

While I understand the occasional comment about a player, or the occasional web flirting that sometimes we see, it seems that some ANers are getting carried away.  I thought this was a site for discussion of our beloved team's abilities, needs, weaknesses, etc., not some cheap soap opera about Crosby's ass.  To me, this "off topic" discussion really takes away from the site and detracts from its "attractiveness."  So my question to you all is, should "Chick Talk" be curbed or banned?  Is this kind of talk similar to the "negativity" that was attacked earlier in the year when Blez asked people not to be so negative?  Should Blez ask people to chill on the ass rating going on here?  
[Please know when I say "Chick Talk" I am trying to get people's attention and mean no disrespect to anyone.  I understand it's very possible that guys are rating asses too. I also know it's virtually impossible to police this site, but want people's sincere thoughts on this topic.]

Poll
Should Blez ban "Chick Talk?"
Definitely, he should ban any ANer talking about ass, for 20 games.
33 votes
Ban is too strong, but Blez should make a plea to curb it.
98 votes
People should have to label their posts as "Chick Talk" but no ban or plea from Blez.
63 votes
What the hell's your problem oaktownmario, don't you like Huston Street?
133 votes
Change the name of AN to "AthleticsAss.com."
35 votes
Cindi: Bobby is like hot as FIRE, more than MACHA, NOW or ever.
33 votes

395 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 337 comments

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Comments

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Can't ban talk about ass
So us guys can't talk about hot player wives?
"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 15, 2005 11:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

hmmm
So which players have hot wives? Maybe we should get a thread going on that....

I could care less about women talking about players asses, I just like that the women are interested in baseball and the A's.

You want to know the only reason my wife will come to A's games? She LOVES the nachos at the coliseum! The baseball is a diversion to her 3 nacho runs during the game...Hey, to each their own!

by sactowncharles on Jul 15, 2005 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

3 nachos?
THats more than I can eat. we're talking with the beef and jalepenos right?

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"nacho runs"
That's certainly what I get whenever I eat 'em ...
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Put it on the board. "Nacho Runs"
That has to be the funniest line of the month! LMAO!

by Hang Man on Jul 15, 2005 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think ...
... baseballgirl will just have to post a link to this entire thread for July's entry.
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you see Watson's wife
on the AAA All-Star broadcast.  Nice.

by easyraider on Jul 15, 2005 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

nachos....mmmm
Watson wife was nice, and pregnant! Good work Matt.

As far as the nachos, she is a purist, she just likes the cheese and a ton of jalapenoes...I like the fully loaded ones with beef that come in the black bowl..I can wipe out one and I am done for the game in the eating category. Maybe I colisume dog in the ninth if I had the nachos way before game time.

My wife will eat 3 no problem, now I should have given the disclaimer she is pregnant, she was a 2 nacho per game woman before the babies. (yes, babies). But she will eat all the chips and every drop of cheese...I usually get as much on my shirt as in my mouth.

So have I hijacked this into a nacho thread? Maybe a nacho ban is needed as well...just kidding!

by sactowncharles on Jul 15, 2005 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

pictures and cheese
  1. All this talk about Matt Watson's wife. We need evidence.
  2. Re: cheese. My wife is more or less lactose intolerant. But when she was pregnant she went on a crazy dairy munching streak with no bad stomach issues. It's probably good for the baby. Or in your case, the babies.  :)

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

For the record...
There are one or two of us girls who might like to talk about the players wives, too.  ;)
They traded Byrnsie!!! What do you mean there's no crying in baseball?!?!?!?!

by Kimmaline on Jul 17, 2005 7:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No!
It's easy enough to scroll over the gals' ga-ga-Zito/Street discussions.  Let them have their fun.
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:24 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed
You've pretty much summed it up for me.  If AN is supposed to be the ultimate "online" bar where A's fans can get together and discuss the thing they love, I wouldn't want try to eliminate any of the tangents it is taking.  (Trust me, if I'm at a bar, Croz is going to get a few comments.) I tend to get frustrated with the "negative" posts, but if I don't like them, I can just ignore/skip and move on.  And as for the "work" of having to scroll past a bunch of tangential comments, whatever.  Nothing is ever going to be as clean, neat, and easy as anyone would want.  My only way to help this would be if there was a way to make threads with tons of posts not get imbedded as I don't like to have to click through and jump back, but I can certainly live with it.  

I think this (and other) tangents are what makes AN the fun, vibrant place it is.  

As an aside, you may want to go enjoy "BEYOND THE BOXSCORE" while you can before us chicks go take it over.  That name is just begging for some tangents, and that will open it up to more than just one teamfull of players :-)

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

threading
You should be able to just choose "flat" from the drop down box at the top of the comments section (default is threaded).

by el generico on Jul 15, 2005 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're hot!
Thanks for the tip!
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jul 16, 2005 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

everybody enjoys the A's
in different ways.  IF people like it because the guys look good in tight pants, so be it.  This is a fan site, first and foremost.  If that is the direction that a portion of the fans here want to take it, then so be it.  You don't have to click on those diarys if you don't want to read them.

I hate the, "chavez sucks and has no heart, " diary that seemed to pop up everyday in may, so I don't click on those ones.  

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 11:25 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes, but...
The problem is that this type of discussion often takes place during the game thread or finds a way to overwhelm originally baseball-oriented diaries.

by NP15 on Jul 15, 2005 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perhaps you should just
overwhelm talk of Crosby's sultry ass with baseball discussions.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not talking about diray titles only
but comments within diaries.  And you cannot always scroll past some because sometimes "ass" replies are intertwined with "serious" baseball replies.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well
the open game threads and basically anything goes, aside from writing, "No hitter :P" in the middle of a no hitter.  But I could see where something along the lines of, try to keep replies to a diary on topic.  But part of what I enjoy about AN is the fact that we can have discussions of VORP right next to discussions of Streets looks with both of them being conversations of equal passion.  That is part of what I like about the site.  I can live with some of the stuff that I don't care to read for the sake of maintaining the serendipity of the discourse here.

Besides, I don't like the notion of some users determining how it is ok to enjoy the A's.  What is baseball talk to you?  I might think that baseball talk includes mention of marathon running because I run marathons and I love baseball.  You might think that it includes talk of beer because you enjoy a beer at the game.  Somebody else might think another thing.  So to say that your baseball discussion is interrupted by the 'ass talk' to me is obscure.  The 'ass talk' is baseball talk to those who engage in it.  We are all A's fans here but we are all unique.  I say if it is A's related and baseball related then it is ok.  

Besides, it is easy enough to skim through the comments that you don't want to read.

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not serious about banning
I am serious about people's thoughts on this subject.

Just a question:  How is this issue different (or the same) as Blez asking people to not be so negative?  If I've been an A's fan for 30 years, and have only seen them win one world series, aren't I entitled to be negative about the A's world series prospects? [I am not negative about this topic - just asking].

Also, I would say talk about beer is off topic and as a non-beer drinker would prefer a diary post entitled as follows: "OFF Topic - Crappy Beer at Coliseum"

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

MY opinion on the 'chick talk'
I think that some of it is funny and when I get tired of it I just scroll past it.  No big deal.

I would be interested to know what the VO2 max of certain A's players is. ( I bet harden is up there as he has the look of somebody who works out hard.  Even when he runs before the games he looks so much better than the other pitchers out there).  I have a real interest in how pro athelets work out and I would love to see info about that for members of the A's.  That would be my version of 'chick talk'

I think that the negativity in may got to the point where the site was about to rip apart at the seams.  I think what blez did at that time was appropiate as some people (oaktoon versus ohad) got really carried away and seemingly developed personal grudges.  I don't think that the discussion of hot player asses is at a level that is 5% of that.  

I will say, I wish that people would try and give their diaries titles that where more fitting to the subject matter at times.  But that is no big deal.  

And I feel strongly that open game threads should remain just that, open.  That is where people experience the game organically and that is where we really get to know people.  I say that anything goes there.  

I remember the good old days of Jim Mecir's knee brace and club foot, Macha's balls, and Rob Picciolo's jock making appearances in the game threads.  Those were good times.  

Basically all is welcome for me in the game threads because it is a manifestation of how A's fans, us, experience the game.  Everything should be ok.  

(That said, if I ever find out who 3e8 was/is I am going to sign them up for all sorts of spam including mailers from Avon and Lyndon Larouche.  That was jag!)

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's why.
It's different because he was trying to make sure people enjoy themselves here, and you're trying to stop people from enjoying themselves here.

If you don't like talk of Huston Street's frame, then I gather you'd be similarly annoyed when we talk about the player's wives softball game?

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I see your point on this
but I think that the argument is that there is far more talk about the "hot guys" than there was for that 1 softball game. which I can understand because there are 162 (hopefully more) A's games this year.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not trying to stop anyone
from doing anything.  First off, I don't have the power to do that - it's not my site.  Second, if you read all my comments I am sincerely interested in people's thoughts on this issue.  And as I stated elsewhere, I find it distracting when guys talk about players' wives also.  I seriously don't care about Kotsay's wife, other than she needs to make him happy.  

Also,  I think game threads are totally different than every other post.  Those should be truly "open" because people are on edge and need to make any number of comments to get through the game.

Perhaps a better title would have been "Ban Chick and Dude Talk" (sounds dumb though).  But yes, both are equally off topic, and in my opinion, lend little to this site.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't agree
I don't agree that they are off topic.  They are part of the experience of being an A's fan for those people who post them.  

Part of being a fan for some people is going over VORPs.  Part of being a fan for some people is talking about how to throw a curve ball.  Part of being a fan for some is talking about tailgating.  And part of being a fan is talking about Street's ass.  They are not off topic in that sense.  I think they fit the manifesto just fine.

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"...she needs to make him happy..."
Oh my freaking god, someone purchase this guy a gift certificate for a gender relations course, pronto!

I dare say your average KKK leader is sincerely interested in people's thoughts on "the blacks", but that doesn't mean "should we ban black people fromm AN" would make a good diary topic.

For the record, I don't think you're trying to be a sexist, I just think you're unaware how close you are to being one.

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You say you are serious
about people's thoughts on this matter.  Yet your "poll" leads me to believe otherwise.

by Athletica on Jul 15, 2005 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But wait...
aren't hotness factors just as pertinent to discussions of baseball as are esoteric arguments about statistics and such?

I mean, the great thing about baseball is that it means something different to everyone, and draws people in different ways.

If AN fails to reflect that, then it fails to reflect the reality of the breadth of interests of A's fans. And you can't keep an open community one-sided... it just isn't possible.

Ron Washington: Thinking outside of the three-sided box since 1977

by tankerraid on Jul 15, 2005 11:25 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Can't tell if you are serious
but obviously "hotness" and ability to hit with RISP are not as pertinent to a discussion of who to pinch hit in a critical situation.  C'mon!

If Keith Ginter is "hot," does that mean he should start at LF over Bobby Kielty?

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not really serious
...but to some people it is. My point is that the statistics threads are dominated by the guys, but noone complains about that because that is the established way to "talk about baseball."

When you have women who watch baseball, who may well appreciate the statistical interests behind the players, they are also going to appreciate watching  athletic attractive men.

I mean, I've watched gymnastics and diving competitions with my husband and brother, and however much they want to make their talk technical, they're still looking for wardrobe malfunctions.
 

Ron Washington: Thinking outside of the three-sided box since 1977

by tankerraid on Jul 15, 2005 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of wardrobe....
...is anyone noticing the announcement for pro beach volleyball on the left side of this page?
Those are some interesting wardrobes.  They don't even have to malfunction.  <g>

And these are terrific athletes of whom I am in awe; but you can't tell me that there aren't guys (& some gals) who really appreciate those itty-bitty bikinis.

Just as I appreciate a number of aspects of baseball, from stats to strategy to players' wives (Kotsay's is partially responsible for his improved back health) and players' other attributes.  And I think it is all appropriate and makes the discussions fun.

So there.  :P

by Batgal on Jul 15, 2005 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree
I didn't want to be the first to say it, and I understand that AN was designed to be a place for ALL fans, but I too find it annoying to sift through the "non-baseball" talk in the middle of very pertinent and thoughtful baseball discussion.

I think if there was some way to have separate threads for each type of discourse, both equally deserving of space on AN, that it would improve the quality of the site tremendously...

by NP15 on Jul 15, 2005 11:26 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If you agree this is an important topic
please RECOMMEND so that we get a lot of input.  Thanks.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think this is a douchebag topic.
Be a man and deal with the fact that there are women out there who care less about ERA and more about T&A.

I mean, it's not like they're gross about it.

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Douchebag"?
"Be a man"?

If you read all my comments you would see I am not serious about a ban.  This topic has generated serious interest already and 50% of voters feel it is a problem.  I am interested in everyone's thoughts on this issue and you call this a "douchebag" topic and challenge my manhood? Mature.

Also, as I replied earlier to you, "guy talk" also adds little to the site.  

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think
that the usage of 'chick talk' in your title and the fact that for the most part there is little chance for heterosexual men to oogle at bodies in baseball can send a message of hetersexism and sexism.  I am not saying that it did but it sure could be seen as that.  You don't cover with saying, "I don't like the kotsay's wife talk either" as that is a much smaller part of the site than the "Crosby is hottt" part is.  This is not a heterosexual male only zone.  Nor should it be.  I could watch the spike channel if I wanted that.    

Part of the reason that you are getting the reaction that you are from some posters in here is because you targetted the 'chick talk'.  It seems like you are asking for threads to stay on topic more.  That would have gotten a far different reaction.

So, I think that the 'challenge to your manhood' is due to the fact that you, maybe inadvertantly, implied that this should be a heterosexual male only zone and there was some idiological akido being used against you.  

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good points
but people should look at my other comments throughout this thread before judging.  I am really interested in people's thoughts and appreciate the large female presence on AN.

I knew I was gonna get crap for this thread, but I wanted that in the sense that I wanted people to express their feelings about this topic.  And it's worked.  What response would this diary title have gotten as "Ban off topic posts."  And really, the "Bobby's hot" posts really outnumber the "Kotsay's wife is hot" posts by far.

For the record, the latter is equally of little value, IMHO.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was part of my point
That the "Crosby's hot" comments outnumber the "wife" ones was part of my point.  There is less opportunity for heterosexual males to enjoy baseball in that way.  So when saying that the "wife" comments are also useless to you there is no coverup of teh implied sexism.  

It would be like reading tests to be able to vote in the post slavery south.  There is nothing racist on the face level of it ("white people who can not read would not be able to vote either!  It is not racist!") but when Black people were systemically not alloud to learn how to read it is obviously racist.  I say this to re-iterate my previous point, that saying the "wife comments" are off topic also is not going to cover up the implied sexism.  

You wanted to get a reaction, and you did.  

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I say ...
... we just hand over management of the site to Diebold.
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why should people look at your other comments?
If you have something to add to your original position, throw it in the diary. I'm not going to read 300 posts to find you saying "well, I didn't really mean 'banned', per se..."

Your diary was an attempt to tell the "AN chicks" to shut up so you don't have to read their stuff.

Well here's a tip for you - you don't have to read their stuff. Buy a mouse with a scroll wheel.

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Zito is so hot
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:28 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but people who disagree or aren't interested
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

can easily scroll down the page
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and past this line of discussion
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

because it is easy to identify
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

as being about Zito's butt
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and not about his K/bb ration.
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

good point, butt...
uh, I mean good point, BUT...  ;)

sometimes you can scroll for ten minutes before getting to the end of all the indented replies, which are about one word in width by the time you reach the bottom...

But you're right, they are at least easy to identify.  I don't think ANY of the "hotness" talk should be banned; although I tend to keep my estrogen to myself, I think a lot of the "chick talk" that does get posted is pretty funny.

by Poppy on Jul 15, 2005 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's funny
to read the "Chick Talk" comments. If you ban it, AN would be just about stats, predictions, trade rumors, etc. Not to say that this stuff is boring, but it's nice to hear other comments that are funny, in my eyes! I welcome the females ...

by Fongpay on Jul 15, 2005 11:32 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Seriously, I didn't take my medication today...
I'm going to step back and breathe for a few seconds. I fear I might post something that would get me banished from this site forever. Then who would comment on Huston Street's hotness?

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 11:32 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Don't worry
The chicks have got your back.  I can be your "pinch commentor."
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And...
...the real men have your back too.

Nobody picks on the AN ladies and gets away with it.

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

kudos for "steppin' out"
ya, it can be annoying amd immature. but, whatever, some people are annoying and immature on AN...god knows i can be one of them. its taken thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours in therapy for this type of personal insight.

just ignore it bud.

We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Jul 15, 2005 11:34 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

P.S.
i'm recommending this so you can REALLY get your ass handed to you...:-) good luck!!!!
We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Jul 15, 2005 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
I appreciate your support.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adds fun
Personally, I don't think the "chick talk" overwhelms the site. Most of it is relegated to late night threads, or game pic diaries. In other threads, its usually just a couple comments.

A lot of threads go off on tangents, and also, a lot of the commentary on hot players is actually egged on by some of the guys.

The other point, and I'm saying this as a female member of the AN community, is that most of the women on this site have a lot to say about baseball related issues as well. The occasional comment about Croz' hot ass shouldn't distract from that, just as a members idle comments about Kotsay's wife shouldn't either.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 11:37 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I completely agree
that if the "chick chat" was the only thing contributed by the "perps", then I'd give this diary some cred.  But that doesn't seem to be the case. The female names that I can think of...Melody, Jenifer, Sharon, BBGIRL, G&GGirl, and Alien all contribute on a baseball level a lot, not just the occasional bubblegum chick chat. to be honest I think they all know a hell of a lot more than I do. So I ask...
who's the hottest trade acquisition?
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How horrible
would it be if this thread degenerated into "chick chat"
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you want to make it a "man" thread?
My stats are bigger than yours!

Let's have a pissing contest to find out!

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

can I play?
I will pretend to be foolishgame22 and you can be a sane person.  OK?
Here I go?  

'Byrnes is three for his last three!  HE IS A MORTAL LOCK TO HIT .400!!  Maybe even .500!!!  If you don't agree you are not a true fan and stupid!!  ARRRRRR!!'

How was that?

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

fyi
his name is foolshgame22, no "i"
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

other than that
I did a great impression.
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

the only problem
is that he'd be focusing on slugging, not avg.

"He's 3 for 3, his slugging percentage is 1.000, if he keeps this up he'll lead the league. Of course, that wouldn't be reasonable, but clearly he's going to hit well enough to outhit Kotsay and Kielty."

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i also agree..
some of the funniest comments originate in "chick chat" threads...  if it offends you or is disinteresting, then just scroll on by.  i pass up comments and/or entire diaries if the subject does not interest me, without feeling like such comments/diaries detract from the quality of this site...

plus, if the "chick talk" was banned, would penis jokes be banned too??

by high street on Jul 15, 2005 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If "chick talk" were to be banned
Anna Benson would then become a verboten subject on AN.
"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 15, 2005 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Y'know, high street,
the long and short of it is: the penis mightier than the sword. It's no big thing.
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm, I like the idea of
a special "AN Night Thread" section has a ring to it.

by ak_A on Jul 15, 2005 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You mean there is a baseball game?
I thought I was just watching that hot chick in the bleachers.  Thanks for letting me know

by theblackpearl on Jul 15, 2005 11:43 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ban it
With it, the site simply IS a fan site.

For me, AN was at its best back in the day when (a) there were fewer idiots on it (although, I concede, possibly the same percentage of idiocy existed) and (b) when it was MORE than just a fan site -- when discussions about the details of the game of baseball were the focus of the site.

If people enjoy the aesthetic part of the game, fine, but it really is annoying and discredits the site.

* Maybe a ban is too harsh . . . maybe Blez can create a "Fan Zone" or something for discussions other than those about the game *

by Josh on Jul 15, 2005 11:45 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Rubbish.
You're either a community, in which case you welcome all, or you're a niche group of statheads and bleacher bums, in which case I could be bothered hanging around.

Personally, to me, the presence of females here is what makes AN a step above the other 'boys club' blogs out there. It's a real family unit, and if that means the ladies have their conversations that I'm not very interested in, I'm sure I can do the same thing they do when we go on about Kotsay's wife - keep on moving.

What next? Ban anyone saying mean things about Macha?

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We will take all kinds
My only complaint about "off subject stuff" inlcuding comments on players looks is that I just ignore it, and if someone posts something inteligent i miss it.

Anyway to each thier own!!!

by novaoakland on Jul 15, 2005 11:45 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Personally...
...I think AN is the best site ever because we get such a wide range of topics. Maybe it's because I'm a chick, but I love reading (and being a part of) the crazy threads that emerge at 1AM. I loved the "Would you Rather" Diary (and let me tell you, it wasn't just chicks participating in that one!), and I even like contraversial posts, and reading the inevitable AN squabbles (within reason). I feel that in censoring this site, you will take away what makes it so fun.

True, it is a baseball site, first and foremost, and a tribute to our beloved Oakland Athletics, but I also feel that it has a coffee shop feel to it that is special, where people miss you if you don't post for a while, where you learn about other peoples' quirks, and where we can all share our passion for the Oakland A's (whatever form that passion may take).

We have enough topics and threads that you can pick and choose what you want to read or respond to, but I love AN and don't want it to change.

Of course...I am a chick... ;)    

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 11:53 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

For the record: that comment
is not what this diary is about.  Is it?

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

FWIW... I don't think so
I thought you were very articulate & fair about wanting to just put this topic out here for discussion, and you've made yourself pretty clear.  :)

by Poppy on Jul 15, 2005 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's the only way it can be taken.
You don't seem to have a problem with the guys talking about the player's wives game, so why pound on the girls?

Other blogs, dripping in testosterone and neanderthal-only humor, would die for a cross-section of the fanbase like what we have here.

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oz are you reading my other comments
I have said this many times already, the guy stuff about the wives is just as useless to me.  Just my opinion.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, okay.
So this is really a poll about whether anything 'useless' to you should be banned, is that it?

by Ozzz on Jul 15, 2005 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No.
Like I said, I didn't take my medication today and I'm a little snippy. I apologize.

I love baseball and I rarely miss a game. I've stayed up all night watching West Coast games. I find talking about stats all... the... damn... time... frankly, boring. I enjoy talking about other things.

Yes, I'm aware this is a baseball site. I should talk more about baseball and less about high socks, but when 978 other people are posting the same stuff, does anyone really give a flying $@!% what I think about Bobby Crosby's hitting? Probably not. I have my opinions about it, but I don't share. Why? Because I know I honestly couldn't care less about what 95% of the people on here post about.

The "chick" talk has been here since day one of AN. Blez, Sharon, and I used to spend hours talking about silly things like our Duchscherererererer ass tattoo. If Blez wants me to stop I'll do it in an instant. Until then I'm going to stick to reading the ten people on this site I enjoy, and you can skip over anything I post.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I remember that
It was "Duchsch" on the left cheek and "ererererererere" on the right, correct?  

Good times....

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jennifer,
are those Duchshererere ass tattoos real?  
GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd answer that,
but I think that is a topic considered "chick" talk.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Please?
Pretty please?
GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do I think they're real?
I'm not sure.  :-/
That's why I asked you.  I asked Sharon one time and she replied, "When we're mixing our meds, they're so real".

That didn't really answer my question.

GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No,
they aren't real. It's just fun to talk about them.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sharon's reply: Funniest ever!
And I missed it! Thank goddness you re-printed it here.
Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 15, 2005 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No fun for you!
Come back -- one year!
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

:P
GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Jul 15, 2005 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jennifer,
why don't you go do what you usually do: have cookies and bake babies. *$&(# cookie eating, baby-baking witch. Love ya!
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for your input .....
Again, just so everyone knows, I am not serious about a ban, just serious about people's thoughts.  I AM serious about some of the other options, which you probably figured out.

Also, I understand guys do this too.  Whether rating Kotsay's ass or Kotsay's wife's ass, I think it is distracting to some threads.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Duly noted
No harm in bringing up the topic and seeing what people think.
independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 15, 2005 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can we create a stat
comparing the ratio of player's ass hotness to player's wife's hotness?

Seriously, let's get a group of the ladies/better dressed men together and come up with consensus ass rankings. Then will get together a group of the leftover fellas and any lesbians of the lipstick variety that might be hanging around (anyone whose views couldn't reasonably be expected to largely lineup with typical baseball players/women who aspire to be the wives of baseball players just isn't going to fit into this study, I apologize) and we'll rate all of they players' wives to determine each player's ratio. From there, we can study how that ratio correlates to actual player performance. I hypothesize that players with a low ass/wife ratio will be among the most productive.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

VORA
Value over replacement ass?
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Would that make ...
... those of us who are especially interested in the subject VORAcious?
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

funny
You've officially hijacked this thread, now all the talk is about "hot asses".

by sf drift king on Jul 15, 2005 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Devo, you rock.
That is so awesome.
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

As a fellow chick and A's fan
I agree with your comments.  Also, the Ron Mexico diary didn't really have to do with baseball, but was a fun player interest kind of thing.

And for the record, not acknowledging how good looking the A's are would be like not talking about the elephant in the room.  Or however that cliche goes.  They're hands down the best looking team in baseball.  Hey, if this fact brings more people to the games, gets people talking about them, gets them more magazine covers, than it's a semi-legitimate baseball topic.  Part of the reason why Boston irked me so much last year was because they were hard to look at (Pedro and Manny with their greasy hair, Alan Embree-ugh..).  It added to my distaste for them, just like the A's "look" makes me love them even more.

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 15, 2005 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not ashamed to admit
it's what got me interested in the A's!  It's undeniable.
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Jul 15, 2005 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Could we color code "hot" talk?
So people who choose not to read can easily pass over it?  And the hot talk would have to be pink, right?
Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 15, 2005 12:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

too many rules is always a bad thing
people should be able to talk about whatever they want to talk about as long as it's a's related.  
if you don't value what someone has to say, ignore them.

by xbhaskarx on Jul 15, 2005 12:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't mind it.
It's kinda funny. There are definitely times when there's more than I want to see but my mouse wheel takes care of it quickly.

I think the site could probably use a message board though. A lot of diaries (chick talk or not) would probably be better suited for a message board than a blog.

by gdubb925 on Jul 15, 2005 12:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

This type of format would also...
...allow for more long-term topics that keep going and going throughout the entire season instead of diaries that disappear from the homepage after a day or two.

by gdubb925 on Jul 15, 2005 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Its all
in good humor. I'm guy and I don't mind any of it, if I don't want to read, I don't have to. I like AN because there is room for off-topic discussion about things that are only loosely tied to the A's. Yesterday there was a diary about hockey (which I loved),so I think there is enough room for everything.
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 12:09 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

also that hockey diary
was labeled as such. me not being big into hockey, didn't read it.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

which
is the beauty of choice, you don't want to read something? Then don't.
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

exactly
you are right.

I think what he is asking for, is that a diary be made for "off topic" talk.

btw oaktown mario, by using "chick" talk, you really shot yourself in the foot.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

very true...good point.
over 50 comments on that thread
We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Jul 15, 2005 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Girls and the A's
Heterosexual women will be attracted to the A's in the same way I am attracted to Jennie Finch when I watch USA Softball or old highlight tapes of UofA softball (note: I'm a Sundevil.) or the Teammates episode with Finch or random Page 2 articles pertaining to Finch or other random sites found quite easily with a google search containing "Finch" and "Softball" and "....." :)
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 12:10 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Dude
Jenny Finch? Did you see the picture of her on the cover of SI last week? Let's just say the face part wasn't all that flattering.

Let's talk about somebody who's really hot, like Maria Sharapova. I choose a tennis player because I don't watch softball...anybody else I should check out?

by Dog Days on Jul 15, 2005 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ok, i confess
i'm not that obsessed about finch, I was exaggerating for affect. I missed the SI but i did see the softball game the other day and she was looking good. I could never argue she is better than the young Russian though.
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kournikova....
Now THERE is an ass.....Bobby ain't got nothing on that booty.
Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Jul 15, 2005 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No doubt
I think that is the finest ass these eyes ever done saw...

by Dog Days on Jul 15, 2005 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Serena Williams
Those shoulders ...
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But seriously
How is "Chick Talk" any different from our alcohol tangents we used to have a few months ago.

I don't see how it detracts from the site.  Besides, unlike the alcohol threads, at least they're talking about the A's(s).

"so what was it? the pork chop or the booty???" -rly723

by secret ASian man on Jul 15, 2005 12:16 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

you're also right
but I do believe that took place before/during the "this team sucks" crap that was going on. then blez asked that all of us to curb the "we suck" comments.

from that, I believe mario got the idea that blez can ask us to curb the "hot" comments as well.

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't really want
Blez to do anything (yet), and especially no ban.  Just serious about people thoughts.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

chick talk makes me
feel sooo unloved.  The chicks are like ESPN only talking and showing pictures of the Yankees and RedSox and giving me and my low payroll budget no love at all.  
"What I'm trying to do is set our pitching up for five years," said Beane

by Satchmo22 on Jul 15, 2005 12:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

well
post a picture of yourself in a baseball uni and we'll start talking:)
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree
lets eliminate women from participating this on this site. I only like testosterone fueled discussions that become screaming matches and result in a dumb "put your money where your mouth is" comment. <end sarcasm>
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 12:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not
a shot at oaktown, a shot at sports talk in general and the more bombastic posters
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the girl talk
They are some of the wittiest posters here. Frankly, I find the million re-hashings of how to put together the batting order or trade speculations get old and stale quickly, and if it weren't for Jennifer, Sharon and some others humor, I wouldn't have become as much as a fan of this site as I am.
Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 15, 2005 12:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

cute butt
McFood
"What I'm trying to do is set our pitching up for five years," said Beane

by Satchmo22 on Jul 15, 2005 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!
That's what I was going for.
Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 15, 2005 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

dont be
jealous.
Ganbatte Akiramenaide Oakland! Good luck and keep trying!

by ConditionOakland on Jul 15, 2005 12:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Where does it stop?
I'm gonna invoke the dreaded "slippery slope" and ask of oaktownmario and anyone else, just what exactly constitutes valid "discussion of our beloved team's abilities, needs, weaknesses, etc."?

If we're going to go down that road, I'd say we should include a quantitative requirement: no post can not include a statistic of some kind.

I'd also say that smartass/humorous/smutty comments from the likes of myself, Nico, apricot, et al. (not to exclude anyone or to unnecessarily malign Nico or ape by association with me) would have to be banned as well.

I hear your frustration, oaktownmario, but it really isn't that difficult to disregard off-topic posts (unless you're on a wireless PDA or something, which I've found to be a frustrating experience anyway).

Personally, I find the diversity of fandom here at AN to be genuinely refreshing and dynamic. Plus, I think Crotchby is hot.

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 12:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

can't you read?!
no post can not include a statistic of some kind

How hot is he? Just the facts.

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My hotness is ...
... intangible ...
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good point monkey
your thoughts are appreciated.  But the topic does appear to be of concern to many ANers on all sides of the issue.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 12:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely
Given the fast and flurrious responses, you have to consider this an extremely successful diary entry.

That's the problem with breaking out the "slippery slope" argument -- it always implies that the question shouldn't even have been raised. Which was not my intent.

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

my feeling
It's a big Nation.  There's always going to be stuff you don't like, and it's easy to skip over. And I think you can always find some subset of the Nation who will engage with you on whatever topic, so it's not like it's crowding out topics.

But I think it is the freedom to be weird people here and more than just technical baseball fans that keeps people coming back to the site, and that mix of people is what keeps this place refreshing for me. If you limit the discourse, you limit the appeal and dampen the creative atmosphere.

I used to just lightly peruse the site, hoping to read another Blez interview. Somewhere along the line, I got a little more personally engaged.  It might have been when Nico and I first got into a truly idiotic pun joust. Maybe it was when Jennifer made (then reneged on) her promise to get me some frozen custard.

So, what drew us here is that we all like the A's, but what keeps us here is that we like each other as people.  At least in my mind.

Oh, I forgot to state for the record. I think all the analysis of players' hinders is funny as hell and it would be tragic to lose it.

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 12:43 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

apricot
I think that I love you.
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

thanks
but what does that have to do with VORP?

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I feel marginalized
"Weird people" is exclusionary to those of us who happen to be members of other branches of the primate family.
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly.
...sometimes the "chick talk" tangents do take a little more time to read than I'd like to invest, however if you're part of  the tangent it's probably pretty funny.  I think it would be better practice if I scrolled over them, rather than insisted these jokesters/flirters/admirers cease having dialogue they find amusing (assuming it's not offending anyone).  

There are plenty of other topics that (in my opinion) tend to get boring as well; golf, who has the best/worst announcer, steroid use, any team other than the A's, etc.  However, these are the topics that I often find the most interesting and enlightening as well.

This online community seems to work quite well, people keep each other in check and stop reading/posting if the topic gets stale or boring and I don't think this topic is one that's gotten out of hand and deserves to be policed or banned.  That being said....good for you, oaktownmario, for speaking up.  This too has been an interesting, off-topic conversation.

by NicoleG on Jul 15, 2005 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Poll
If there was ever a time to have included "Fire Macha's Ass Now" in the choices...
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by lansfords1 on Jul 15, 2005 12:46 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Create a new diary
I'm not interested in reading about who looks hot but I think there's a place for it. Maybe everyone would be happy if the Crosby's ass comments were posted in a new diary or, if they're mentioned in a game thread or a diary about another topic, perhaps posters could try not to go overboard with comments on the unrelated topics. I don't think rules are necessary. Self-monitoring might do the trick.

by Reg on Jul 15, 2005 12:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe if comments about players' asses
could just be highlighted in pink or some other sufficiently "girly" color, we manly men who know how to focus on what's important in the world .... hold on a sec, hot chick walking down the sidewalk ... wow, I don't know if that shirt could have been any shorter ... could discuss complicated issues like advanced statistics and the intricacies of the baseball swing and the ladies of the site can have the chick chat without disturbing the real fans. I think this is fair for everybody.

(Sorry Mario, I know that's not what you're saying, it's just too much fun)

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's like going to A's games with my sister(s)
Several years ago, when the A's sucked and I was in college (late 90's), I went to games pretty routinely with my sister, her female roommate, and a couple of my buddies. We'd sit and watch the game....they'd comment on one of the player's asses, or some random "hot" guy in the crowd, I'd get annoyed and ignore it, then we'd talk more about the game, about TV, about politics, about fantasy sports, then more about the game, stats, the out of town scores, dot racing...then they'd talk about Ben Grieve's smile and I'd get annoyed and ignore it...

Game day threads on AN remind me of this experience - which is why it's a lot of fun to watch a game while on the AN gameday thread. I don't know about you guys, but when I go to ballgames there is a lot of down time and idle chatter, and when you go with women, they sometimes focus on the players' asses during that down time. I generally ignore it. It ain't hard to do....

by Dog Days on Jul 15, 2005 12:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You might just have self esteem issues.
I think if your ass was as hot as Bobby Crosby's, you wouldn't be posting such a ridiculous diary. Try doing more squats - heard it immensely improves the muscular area around the buttocks. Flex those ass muscles and improve your self esteem. Don't be a hate-ah!

by sf drift king on Jul 15, 2005 12:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

My thoughts on the topic
Who cares if someone wants to talk about how hot a's players are? As long as it's not vulgar, mean, rude, or offensive, then it should not be curbed or banned at all. If you do not want to read so-called "chick talk", you do not have to; you can just scroll down and read something else. For me, I think the "chick talk" is funny, and if I've had too much of it (which does happen), I just read a different diary or thread. It's not like anyone is forced to read something that they don't want to read.
"Power is the great separator. You can manufacture your butt to one run, but after a while, luck is going to hurt you. " - Billy Beane

by Roscoe Parrish on Jul 15, 2005 12:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I find it offensive
that they aren't discussing how hot I am .... but that's just me.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Devo,
well maybe they find it offensive that you're not talking about how hot they are.

Just to make sure I'm not violating the rules curbing chick talk, I think the player's wife with the highest HORP (Hotness over replacement player) has got to be Chavez.

"Power is the great separator. You can manufacture your butt to one run, but after a while, luck is going to hurt you. " - Billy Beane

by Roscoe Parrish on Jul 15, 2005 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you know you're hot....
then that's OK. :)
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough
and dog gonnit, people like me!
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You keep saying that to yourself!
Pretty soon, people will start believing it. ;)
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never liked that skit
Franken is funny, but that skit/movie sucked, IMO

by AllThingsOakland on Jul 15, 2005 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even BB
is focused on asses@! Your sig must be banned.
Ron Washington: Thinking outside of the three-sided box since 1977

by tankerraid on Jul 15, 2005 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The other thing is
its all pretty g-rated. I mean, it really could be worse.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 12:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

oaktownmario, you devious bastard!
You're actually a fan of the ass-talk, aren't you -- and your intent in posting an anti-ass-talk diary was to provoke more of it, wasn't it!
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 12:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You got me!
Luv them asses.  I have posters of 2 Live Crew albums all over my house.

by oaktownmario on Jul 15, 2005 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You too?!?
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

oaktownmario="assman"!
We're not dunderheads here...

by bigelephant on Jul 15, 2005 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a baseball site
But it's the color of the people's commentary that gets me coming back, day after day.

I love reading the "strictly baseball" diaries, but the really good ones are the ones that inject outside life into the world of the A's, be it through poetry, humor or even <gulp!> hormones.

Let people talk where and when they want, about what they want.

by nickolai on Jul 15, 2005 12:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

agreed
 let people talk. The A's need all the fans for all the reasons they can get. I don't care for all the chick talk, but it's easy to scroll past and once in while (the girl who wanted to be the letter S on the BART ticket) it's hilarious.
It could be worse, we could be Giants fans.

by vk on Jul 15, 2005 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Irony
Remember in Moneyball when BB accused the scouts of trying to sell jeans?
Bruce Campbell deserves his own national holiday.

by pbruins92 on Jul 15, 2005 1:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

jocularity
This topic has reminded me of something that I don't like about baseball. (If I offend people by being too political, please forgive me, but I think that it is warranted here).

I have been fortunate to be able to run track and field and cross country at a high level and play baseball at a significant bit less of a level but still a decent one.  And, in my experience, baseball often is much more of a haven for misogynist and sexist thought.  Running was not like that so much as the men's and woman's teams often worked out together, traveled together, and competed on the same day in the same location.  Also, at the highest level, pro runners of both sexes tend to get payed the same amount.  

Often in the baseball context I have been made to feel lesser for not being a "man".  A "man" in their terms was somebody who is insensitive, has no respect for woman, parties at night, chases skirts, and spits on the idea of good sense and rest.  I am not all that and often I would feel very nearly alone in the team environment because I was with a group of guys who were nothing like me and were threatened by the fact that I didn't see woman like they did (and many other reasons).  There is something about the culture of masculinity in sport that rewards a hyper jocular, heterosexist, sexist, misogynist, and often latently racist attitude in those who partake in the sports and at times in the fandom of those sports.  

What does this have to do with this diary?  Well, I feel that on some level, and forgive me if I am wrong, that the want to police AN on the basis of there being too much 'chick talk' plays towards this attitude that is prominent in sport  (and again, see my previous posts about the dislike of the 'wives' comments not covering this).  I love the fact that Athletics nation is a much more diverse cross section of people than most places where one can engage in sports discourse (Quite frankly, I love the bay area in part because it makes this possible.).  I would hate to see that change.  

So in other words, what is appropriate and on topic A's talk must continue to be defined by the A's fans here, the members of Athletics Nation themselves, or we risk falling into the trap of defining the discourse based upon what is the norm, the majority of sports fandom that is based upon the jocularity that narrows the range of voices.  

So what is the cost of letting the discourse here be defined with few constraints?  Sometimes the game thread gets huge and cumbersome.  I can deal with that.  Nobody gets excluded that way, including those who want to have more traditional discourse about sports.  
What is the cost of banning 'chick talk'?  A flavour that is part of what makes athletics nation so damm special.  The 'chick talk' must stay.  

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 1:11 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Really well said, thanks...
Also, the players really need to start wearing shapeless pants if they don't want chicks to notice their asses.  This might be easier to accomplish than trying to curb the chick talk on this site.
Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 15, 2005 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes!
Bring back the baggy woolen flannel unis!

Now, what you lose in ass-definition, you gain in high-sockitude (and, thereby, calf definition, which is much hotter, IMHO).

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's a game, all in fun....
The talk cracks me up.  Hell, my guy friends give me weird looks when I tell them how good looking Mulder is.....and Im a guy.
Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 15, 2005 1:26 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

ask toronto A's fan
About the johnsonian istitute of sexy teeth.
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The "chick talk" scares me...
...and I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Fact is, the same women who post the "chick talk" are the same women who post some of the more insightful baseball-related comments on this site.

If it's about the A's, and it's not obscene, it belongs here.

AN Member Location Surveys: Results | Take part

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 15, 2005 1:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

are you kidding?
I haven't read all of the above posts, so apologize if this has come up already: there's a picture of a volleyball player's butt on the front page of this site! Not a single female member of AN has objected to this objectification of women. Rather, they play along and talk about attractive men. To not allow this would be a total double standard.
"Why do they call it the 'A's Replay'? It's always just 'The First Good Thing to Happen to the A's'". ~ArakSOT, 7/14/05

by rich on Jul 15, 2005 1:29 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Awesome point.
I'm adding you to my "Hot" list.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, great
Now I'm jealous.
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You are *the* patriarch...
...of the "Hot" list, dear.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If I'm the patriarch ...
... does that make me complicit in the crimes Athletics fan and runner enumerated?

(Heh: I originally mis-typed "enbumerated" -- how topical a typo!)

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Crimes?
Handcuffs... hmmm... naked....

Uh... What were we talking about?

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that deserves this:

Now that is hot, buts and all.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but, not a but, but rather a butt
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think thats hot
and I'm a girl!
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and I definitely think
that's hot.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

romance + sand =
painful granules. No like.

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well, if romance+sand=
key strategic interactions, painful granules I can deal with.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh WOW.
That is hot.
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

just got back from my volleyball lesson.
i hope it pays off!
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

did they teach you that part yet?
and if they did, can you tell me where these lessons are held?

nice picture, devo. It does look pretty warm there.

by Dog Days on Jul 15, 2005 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excellent point. Thanks for noticing!
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this will back fire
Hot players will become overvalued and we might end up with a team full of, well, not so hot players as they will be under valued.
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 1:36 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

so basically
1996
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well
I said, "not so good looking players."  I did not say, "pitchers who couldn't put out a kitchen fire on the bottom of the ocean."
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think ...
... we want to introduce the concept of "backfire" into a discussion of butts (or did I do that implicitly already with my "nacho runs" comment way up near the top?) ...
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm a guy
But I love the "chick talk". I find the "chick talk" really funny at times (though please note that I'm laughing WITH the chicks, not AT them). It sure beats the 189285829852th post written by some a) b*tching about how the media is bashing the A's or b) singing to the choir about our hitting and/or pitching have come around or c) proposing some half-baked trade idea.

And plus, if we ban the chicks, AN Day will become a total sausage fest. :)

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 15, 2005 1:47 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

i was planning on finding my future wife
at AN day, but now I am bringing my girlfriend. BBGIRL if you're reading..I'm sorry I'll have to cancel our ummm...hunt, but I completely intend to fulfill my wingman duties.
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow!
You've just broken my heart!

Wait, is that off-topic?

Awww...hell. I'll have to settle for Huston. Thanks a lot, capper3.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What do you mean by 'now'? ;)
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's a long story better left for backroom
discussion.
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

well
given some of the old and horrible jokes monkeyball and nico dig up, it's more like a carbon dating service.

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Someone actually told me....
...that I'd be quite a catch in New York.

You know, minus the whole "hating the Yankees" flaw and all. ;)

I live in the wrong state. That's my problem. Hardly anyone in Los Angeles likes baseball, and no one appreciates girls who do.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, the A's and I are in a committed relationship
...that should be my new answer to "Are you seeing anyone?"

I didn't think there were any A's fans in NY. Although they seem to know an awful lot about them in Cooperstown. ;)

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a nice change!
I usually have to go to the Anaheim park for my A's fix, and green and gold stands out among all the red. Good thing I'm a girl; it helps.

I usually make it up to Oakland every three weeks or so to see the team at home. The Oakland fans take it for granted how nice it is to see the A's in the Coliseum. I sure did when I lived closer.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You've never seen it!!!
Oh MAN! You are missing out!

What game(s) were you thinking about going to?

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You poor, A's-deprived person!
You're going to LOVE the Coliseum. Well, you're going to LOVE that everyone is dressed in their green and gold and cheering loudly for the same team you are!

There's nothing like it!

Wow...I was just thinking of my trip to New York in August and remembering how little sleep I got on my last trip to the East Coast. I have no idea how you East Coast A's fans get ANY sleep. It was impossible for me to sleep there with the A's still playing, so I'd stay up until 2, 2:30, whatever it took.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The incredible thing about the Coliseum
that totally sets it apart from Anaheim is that the seats actually face the field! It's remarkable. I was in Anaheim last weekend for a game, my seat in the first level faced directly at the center fielder. In fact, all of the outfield lower level seats faced the outfield and I'd guess that the upper levels did the same.

I've been to a bunch of games there, but I've always sat in the Family Fun Zone next to the big plastic rocks (cheap seats, right on top of the visitors bullpen - first time I've gone to a non-A's game there).

Anyway, I certainly appreciate you. So much so that at some point in the past I promised to buy you some sort of snack - I think either garlic fries or a beer - though I don't remember what (other than a general sense of appreciation, naturally) inspired that promise.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, thanks!
And it was garlic fries, since I told you that the fans from NY bought me some in Oakland when I was up there. I'm sure it was completely because of a general sense of appreciation for my baseball knowledge, right?

Right? ;)

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I seem to remember that it was for something
more specific ... though I'm sure entirely appropriate for this forum. No, really, I'm pretty sure of that ; )
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Heh.
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ya
Tell me about it... I live in Boston, and yet I have this personal rule against dating Red Sox fans... so you know what that pretty much means... I'm itching to move back to the Bay Area... one more year and I'm outta here!

by OaktownTribesman on Jul 15, 2005 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My two cents
(one for each of Huston's butt cheeks):
  • These things are ultimately self-policing. When something (be it a "schtick" or a theme) gets "old," people start saying "that's not funny anymore" and it dies its own peer-pressure-related death. It monitors itself.
  • You could never move "chick-talk" comments to their own assigned thread--it would make forced what is now spontaneous.
  • Many other themes compete for first-place on people's irritationometer, e.g, VORP-talk, 6 consecutive "Hey, Byrnes was just traded!" diaries, "Macha sucks" reactions to every failure, and 3-sentence posts masquerading as diaries--just to name a few candidates.
  • As those who attended Chez Nico II know: Hey, some guys are just so gorgeous even guys have to acknowledge it. Right, Forrest?
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 1:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Awesome.
Thanks for the insight.
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Did I forget to mention baseballgirl by name...
as another chick poster with exceptional wit and insight?

Let me correct that right here. ;)

Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 15, 2005 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was so hurt.
<sniff> Thanks.
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

First, capper3 breaks up with me...
...without even meeting me, and now you forget me!?!?!?

After Disneyland and everything!!

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh my.....
I have a vague feeling that I am the one that starts most of the "Ass Talks" or the "High Socks Crew" conversations. I know I annoy people sometimes. It's like what Jennifer said above in one of her posts, the "chick talk" has been around since day one of AN. Apparently, I haven't been here since day one, so I have no idea what the "chick talk" was before my crazy hormone baseball player talk. As soon as Blez asks me to stop, I'll do so without asking why. IMO, the talk between the girls of this blog is lively and takes away a lot of the tension, sometimes. Many guys join in to our conversations. So I'm a 15 year old girl who is completely in love with baseball. Teen girls thrive off of the very stuff that I post. If there is no room for my talk here, I'll gladly put an end to it.

To tell you the truth, sometimes I don't post what I think about other things because I'm afraid I (1) won't be taken seriously or (2) shot down. At school, it's the same exact thing. If guys don't know me, they refuse to talk baseball with me because they think it's all "Chick Talk" and I'll only talk about their hottness rating. It really makes me mad. Every single guy I have met who loves baseball refuses to take me seriously. Once, it got so bad, I stopped watching baseball for a week. I was talking to my friend about Moneyball, and this guy came up to me and said, "Moneyball? Did you actually read that? I would think you would get mad because there's no pictures of hot asses for you. Get your mind off of baseball and go shop, or something." It's something that really gets to me. Another guy started laughing in my face when I told him I was a baseball fan. He said "Yeah, right. And I love getting tans and manicures. What's next? Are you going to start liking football? I'm sorry, but they wear pads. Their asses aren't real. Get rid of your fantasy. Baseball isn't meant for girls because all they do is destroy it and talk about the stuff you taslk about. Go do something more suited for girls." It's unfair. I've tried going to games with guy friends, and they make fun of me, asking whose pants are tighter. Even if it's all in good fun, it's not very nice and it doesn't make me feel like I'm being taken seriously.

Even my parents refuse to take me seriously. I swear, if I was a guy, my parents wouldn't flip out as much as they do now over the little things. If I start talking about baseball to my mom, she tells me to be quiet.  If I start talking about baseball with my dad, he asks me how the players looked. There's nothing more frustrating. On AN, I felt like I could talk about it and get taken seriously by everyone. I love AN. There's no restrictions of where conversations can take you. When columns get skinny, I feel like it's a tribute to our fun.

Besides. Billy reads AN. He gets asses in the seats by putting hotter ones in front of the fans. Why else would the A's be the hottest organization in baseball? :)

"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 2:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

what you are dealing with
what you are dealing with when people don't take your interest in baseball seriously, your input on 'non-girlie' baseball topics seriously, when your parents get concerned about your interest in baseball, and other things that you mention is sexism.  It comes from many places and takes many forms.  You are going to deal with it in some form or another for the rest of your life.  But don't let it change who you are.  
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The next dude that gives you a hard time
about liking baseball, just email me his name and I'll stab him for you.
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously though,
thanks for your point of view GGGIRL. And don't ever stop loving baseball like you do, we'd be the worse off for it.
"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 15, 2005 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

G&GG:
I want you to know there are people who notice that:
  1. 99.9% of the hostile, ego-driven comments and arguments are among the male bloggers
  2. 99.9% of the derogatory phrases (like "don't be such a pussy") are made by the male bloggers.
  3. 99.9% of the homophobic comments are made by the male bloggers.
  4. The female bloggers who engage in "chick talk," when they engage in "baseball talk," prove to be extremely knowledgeable about baseball and about the A's.
The female bloggers are highly valued on AN, except perhaps by its most ass-anine members.
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

good post
I've been a baseball fan since I was ten and the A's won the world series. In high school, I was embarrassed to tell anyone I was a fan because girls weren't supposed to like sports (it didn't matter that I actually played softball). I was afraid people would think I was wierd, or a lesbian or something. And I was definitely too intimidated to talk to guys about baseball, even though I knew more than most of them.

Its clear that you know a lot about baseball, you should join in the discussions. Another thing is, you don't have to be interested in VORP to be a real baseball fan. A lot of those statheads don't even like to watch baseball. The great thing about the sport is that there are so many different things about it that are enjoyable. But you shouldn't be intimidated, especially on AN, to add your two cents. You'll never be shot down.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can I adopt you?
as a replacement for my teenage SON who has very little interest in baseball?  Because not only can I not talk baseball with him, I can't mention player hotness to him, either...

And I'd let you go to AN Day.  ;)

Seriously, great post.  I've been a football fan much longer than a baseball fan (since I was about 10), so I understand how irritating it can be -- and that's putting it mildly -- when you get the "just be foofy and girly" types of expectations.  Or boys say they like girls who are into sports, but then freak out if you actually are MORE into it or know more than they do (actually, not just "boys" -- this happens a lot among grown men, too... LOL)

by Poppy on Jul 15, 2005 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

great post

that attitude goes around, and it's quite lame.  i was 4'10", 95 lbs as a freshman in HS.  something about being small and a baseball nut didn't go over so well.  bah.  i drew a lot of walks, though.  :)

i read AN a ton more than i post on AN -- it's huge now and i'm not going to say much anybody else isn't already saying.  that said, i've noticed the women here are by and large super witty and smart.  to be honest, combine that with the AN ladies' sports knowledge, and well, it's actually pretty sexy.

i personally think somebody having a problem with "chick talk" is most likely insecure about their jocularity, or something (and i realize oaktownmario isn't intentionally being a neanderthal about it, but damn, "chick talk" was a really poor choice of words).  

bottom line for me... i'm a huge fan of the AN ladies, you all rule, talk about the A's guys all you want.  

by Eric in Atlanta on Jul 15, 2005 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That doesn't mean
that we can't talk about how hot Barry is (or how totally overrated Adam is) for fear that you think I don't take you seriously, right?

Seriously, though, you're awesome. You're smart, you're interesting, and you're fun. You're awesome as a woman and you're awesome as a person. People who are worth your time will appreciate you for both.

Your parents are different, though. Your mom grew up in a world where it was perceived as crazy to let young women go out and do things on their own - not because they were weaker than boys, but because they weren't given the opportunity to develop the skills they needed to take care of themselves. In general, boys are encourages to take karate lessons, girls ballet. Which one is going to help keep you safe out by yourself at night? (ok, probably the ballet, because it will make it less likely that you'll do something stupid)

You said that your dad isn't a fan and doesn't really get baseball, right? He's probably just more comfortable talking to you about cute guys, etc because he understand that and he's comfortable talking about that (as long as it's with his teenage daughter).

Anyway ... where was I going with this? Oh yeah, you rock, lil sis.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I feel so incredibly special.
When I'm talking to you, I feel comfortable. I know you're not going to judge me. It's like that with some of my best guy friends. I mean, if I tried talking to other guys about how incredibly big headed Adam is (yet really cute), they'd shoot me down in an instant. I hadn't had as much fun talking to someone at an A's game in a while.

With my dad, it's different. I love him for the effort he puts into trying to understand baseball for my sake. Last night, I almost didn't make it, but he offered to take me. He was curious about who you and Melody were, where I had met you, etc. That was funny. After you guys got kicked out, it was all "Who was that??" I had to explain everything about AN. :)

And Devo? You are tres awesome. Couldn't think of anyone better to be my "brother". :)

"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well I might judge occasionally
but only that I think highly of you ... ; )

Don't rush your dad, enjoy the games on the level that he is comfortable enjoying them. If he wants to talk about how cute the guys' butts are, then just enjoy that conversation. It takes time to get comfortable with the game, but if you let him enjoy it on whatever levels he does, he'll get hooked and he'll be VORPing with you in no time.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

In college there is nothing hotter ...
... than a college chick that can talk baseball.  So cheer up and DON'T change, because when you're my age - 24 - and you can chill out with a beer and watch a ballgame and not worry about the "girlie" things that HIGHSCHOOL USA tells you to worry about, the quality guys will love you and respect your attitude.

by sonomanate on Jul 15, 2005 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man. Good post, GreenNGoldGirl.
That's really, really rough. :-/ If it's any consolation, it's a problem that will probably get a lot better -- sexism seems to be universal, but there's definitely a good chance that you'll find guys much more willing to discuss ball with you without making judgements when past high school. You seem like a really cool person, so you'll probably even find that long before.
 
"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." --Eric Byrnes

by Kyli on Jul 16, 2005 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

because
this site should be open to only what is appealing to guys who happen to be A's fans and not all people who happen to be A's fans.  Riiiiiight.......
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 2:05 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Anti-"Chick Talk"ers need to realize...
Some of these girls really know their stuff, they just have an additional love that most (straight) men cannot share. I mean, I know when we had a guy like Mulder, it spawned a lot of girls who knew nothing about the A's or baseball at all except that the big lefty had a nice derriere. It's unjust to group true female baseball fans who know their stuff in the same category as hormonally-charged teeny boppers who couldn't tell you a pitcher's number from his ERA.

It's misogynistic to even think about banning "Chick Talk" when so many guys talk about women's sports in terms of hotness. Softball and Jennie Finch - #1 example. Do you see much of an outcry when people talk about the leggy blonde bombshell without mentioning her wicked arm or ERA or anything about her as a pitcher?

steps off soapbox

"My motto is I'm fat, but you're ugly, and I can diet." - David Wells

by JLaff on Jul 15, 2005 2:14 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Cat is way hotter than Finch
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree 100 %.
Finch is actually quite ugly.
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly
Cat is so much hotter, and Finch looked like a hooker on the SI cover.
"Power is the great separator. You can manufacture your butt to one run, but after a while, luck is going to hurt you. " - Billy Beane

by Roscoe Parrish on Jul 15, 2005 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Looks like it's time for new thread mojo!!
Somebody start the "Ass Talk 2" Diary!

by Dog Days on Jul 15, 2005 2:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

ok this my be off subject
But if a monkey walked up to the plate to bat would his strike zone be like only 3 by 3?
"What I'm trying to do is set our pitching up for five years," said Beane

by Satchmo22 on Jul 15, 2005 2:26 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

well that depends
on what kind of monkey. Spider? Or Gorilla (ok, I guess a gorilla isn't technically a monkey)
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ok what about a
ringed tailed leemer
"What I'm trying to do is set our pitching up for five years," said Beane

by Satchmo22 on Jul 15, 2005 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Technically, not even a simian!
Lemurs are prosimians.

... and, yes, that used to make them ineligible for the Monkey Olympics ...

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The easiest K
is definitely the Rally Monkey. They swing at everything
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lemurs are hot
Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 15, 2005 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Better a lemur than a leper.
Although, a leper could give me a hand my housework.

by Jennifer on Jul 15, 2005 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

wow
i could make an inappropriate joke, but I don't want to offend any lepers
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

libs
is that what they say after their tongues have fallen off?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

measure for yourself:
 

It's from Monkeyball's high school JV squad.

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

200+ Posts. . .
Is way too many for this subject.  We all love lovely ladies and all the ladies of AN are lovely AND intelligent.  If they didn't know what they were talking about or made ignorant comments or were only here to talk ass, it would be annoying.  But, they are here to talk baseball and get just as excited about all things A's as anyone else here.  You/We should be appreciative and accepting of that.  Not limiting it.

I would not attempt to "limit" others opinions on this subject, but in all honesty this is a dumb topic.  Let the Ladies Live in Peace!

Andrew - President of Free Chick Talk Society

by migueltejada on Jul 15, 2005 2:46 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Miguel
What are you going to do with that corvette that you won last tuesday?
And what is your opinion of Abrue breaking your home run derby record for dingers with you not even being in the derby?

Please Mr. Tejada, can you answer my queries?

"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love Miguel
And I love that the Coliseum gave him a standing O when he returned last year.  

Miggy gives the best interviews, I was going to attempt to answer your questions in a Tejada like fashion but realized I would never do him justice.  

by migueltejada on Jul 15, 2005 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love miguel also
And I still root for him....  
"People in the front row were buckling," Kendall said recently of Zito's curveball.

by Athletics fan and runner on Jul 15, 2005 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure if this point...
has been addressed, but maybe the opponents of "Chick Talk" are just jealous that the "chicks" aren't saying such flattering things about them...

In closing, I wish I was Bobby Crosby

I'm easily distracted by those AVP advertisements

by franks a lot on Jul 15, 2005 2:48 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

A's fan guys are hot for the following reasons
Here are some flattering things about male A's fans, that distinguish them from other male baseball fans and why I appreciate them:

1) After Moneyball, we know they can read and are  
   religiously inclined

  1. Green and gold make anyone look good
  2. If they're a fan of Beane, they know the value of
   how to spend $$
4) When they wear their favorite players' jerseys,
   such as CROSBY--they are the closest thing most
   women will get to the real Crosby  

Quite a catch, I think.  

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 15, 2005 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

HA HA HA... thanks, I guess
I'm not religiously inclined, but I have read Moneyball, and hey, I'm never opposed to flattery
"My motto is I'm fat, but you're ugly, and I can diet." - David Wells

by JLaff on Jul 15, 2005 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

is this the appropriate time
to post that pic of Nico's ass from Chez Nico II?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh yeah
right here.

Sorry, it had to be done. I want to see what happens when the thread hits 400...

by Apricot on Jul 15, 2005 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You made me LOL, 'Cotty--
That was a "classic AN moment" for me. Oh my.
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

did you guys eat the ass?
you know, that donkey?

he said there were weird things to eat...

let's go oakland [clapclap clapclapclap]

the a's fan lj community.

by Jjjsixsix on Jul 15, 2005 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ohhh yeah.
I'd tap that.
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and so is anything else
hands off, don't make me defend her honor.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow ... you must really love her ....
that's rough. I hope she doesn't mind having to clean off the keyboard occasionally.
The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And you're not?
How does that work?
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's awesome of you...
...to be so supportive. I just know from experience how tough it is to mix the LDS religion with anything else.
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good for you, buddy ...
you've got your priorities in order ...

just don't let those VERY persuasive secondary priorities rush you into anything that your relationship may not be ready for.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 15, 2005 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's excellent advice.
...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, but I used to date a former LDS
He had a really hard time leaving the church, lost most of his family.

If you ever want some good free advice, drop me an email. :)

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No problem!
It's baseballgirl1976@hotmail.com, in case you didn't want to look up my profile.

My tagline should be: Giving advice and changing lives on A's websites since 2004.

;)

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

MORMON!!!!!!!!!!!
I love Mormons. They are soooooo cool. I don't think I'd date one, though. You've got my respect.
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

of course!!!
If you respect me, that is. Me with all my ass loving, crazy hormone surging, high socks crazy self. :)
"I think there's some closet sickos on this team, just waiting to bust out. Even Huston; you can't be a closer and not be a little off." Zito said.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Jul 15, 2005 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyone remember Steve Wojciechowski?
Boy, wasn't he hot?
I'm easily distracted by those AVP advertisements

by franks a lot on Jul 15, 2005 3:00 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

oh yeah
but Craig Paquette put him to shame!
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien on Jul 15, 2005 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can have your Craig...
I got my Don and John...you know, Wengert and Briscoe, respectively.
I'm easily distracted by those AVP advertisements

by franks a lot on Jul 15, 2005 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I actually knew him--
I don't think "hot" is the word you were looking for. I think it was "jerk".
Nico

by Nico on Jul 15, 2005 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay...
Next diary, someone needs to post an "Are you female" and "Are you male" option.

I'm really curious what the percentage is on AN.

...you wonder when it's time to start thinking about saving a season that seemed lost.

by baseballgirl on Jul 15, 2005 3:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs