June 2004

Mets Inside Pitch is affiliated with Mets Fans Only, which is part of the well-connected network at The Insiders. This is a busy forum with knowledgeable posters who are always ready to discuss breaking news.

The Fan Forum at Mets.com is a good option for Mets fans who are new to message boards. It's easy to find and gives visitors a nice introduction to cyberspace baseball discussions.

What sets Grand Slam Single apart from most other sites is its social component -- not only does this group live in cyberspace, but during the season you can find them tailgating before every Saturday and Sunday home game at Shea. Hugh, webmaster of GSS, observes that his site is, "more like a home, because so many of the people know each other. There are a lot of faces behind the names."

The Crane Pool Forum has, according to webmaster Edward O'N Hoyt, "morphed into a sort of research society." Crane Poolers have participated in endeavors such as profiling Mets prospects, discussing baseball-related books, and ranking the top 500 All Time Mets.

The long-established Mofo Sports is one of the busiest Mets message boards on the Internet. These are very active waters, so make sure you know how to swim before taking the plunge.

By contrast, the Still Believin' message board is a small forum established by Michelle Doherty, who "just wanted a place where people could talk about the Mets without a fear of a large board mentality. Everyone here is friendly, like the kind of people you'd want to hang out with at a ballgame, and the site is manageable."

While not exclusively a Mets board, DiamondsForWomen is a message board composed of female baseball fans. Webmaster Linda Wilson enjoys the fact that her board has posters who follow several different teams, "and it would be great to have more Mets fans."

If you're new to the world of message boards, there are several things that you should keep in mind. One is that you probably shouldn't list too much personal information about yourself on online message boards. While you usually need a valid e-mail address in order to register for these boards, it needn't be your primary address. Nor do you need to list your real name on the boards -- most posters go by user names that do not reveal personal information. A user name can reveal one of your personal interests (e.g., SkaterBoy), or be an homage to a favorite player (e.g., Seaver41) or a favorite film (e.g., NoCryingInBaseball), or may just be something that's a private joke. Some of the more creative handles you might find on Mets message boards include Grote2theMax, MarriedtotheMets, Shea Happens, Bless Buckner, or TheFullAspromonte. The point is that you can choose an online identity that doesn't reveal your actual identity and with which you can have some fun.

Because different message boards vary greatly in tone, it's prudent to read a board for a few days before posting for the first time. That will give you an opportunity to learn the ropes a bit before jumping in. Because, as Ed Tsunoda observes, "The personalities of the boards are so different from board to board." For example, if several posters on a board are huge Ty Wigginton fans, you probably aren't going to win any popularity contests if your inaugural post is, "I Hate Ty Wigginton." And you will find that some boards are fairly low key, while others invite confrontation. Know what you're getting yourself into before taking that first step.

Another factor to consider is how much web traffic is optimal for you. If you're online a great deal and are seeking something to fill your time, you might enjoy a popular site where users post frequently. On the other hand, if you are very busy, you might prefer a quieter site that doesn't require so much catching up if you are away from the computer for a while. One person's ideal may drive another person into overwhelm, so only you can decide whether keeping up with a site's traffic will be enjoyable or a burden for you.

Many fans find others on line with whom they share opinions and interests. If you find a poster with whom you would like to communicate privately, you have a couple of options. First, check that poster's profile -- he/she may have an e-mail address listed. If not, many message boards allow you to send Private Messages to other posters. Be forewarned, however -- Private Messages may not be as private as you assume. This is not to say that Private Messages should never be used -- they can be a very efficient way of communicating with people. However, be advised that if you wish to communicate truly private thoughts, e-mail is a better option.

After you take the leap and begin posting, you may eventually have the opportunity to meet some of your new online friends in person. It's best to meet these people in very public places, like a restaurant or a ballgame. Message boards are an excellent way to meet people with whom you share a common interest, and that often leads to lasting friendships, but it's also prudent to use caution when meeting anybody in person for the first time.

Now that you have some insight into the Mets cyberworld, take a look around and see what forum or forums best suit your desires. Then, the next time the Mets come back from an 8-run deficit to beat the hated Atlanta Braves, you'll know where to find people who can truly share the significance of the moment with you.