Spring training at Batter’s Box is over, too. We’ve worked out the kinks in the new Box 3.0, and we’re ready to start a brand new regular season with higher-quality content than ever before. To that end, today we’re releasing and implementing new Guidelines for our Game Threads.

These Game Thread Guidelines are meant to ensure that we have solid, professional records of each of the Jays’ 162 games this year. We have two goals in mind:

1. We want to ensure that the Game Threads provide excellent material from which the next day’s Game Report can be drawn.

2. We want to ensure that the Game Threads, like any other thread here at Batter’s Box, can be read coherently and enjoyably after the fact.

Here’s how we envision the Game Threads – imagine that each participant in the Thread is a spectator in a private box at Rogers Center. It’s a group of knowledgeable fans making insightful comments to each other while enjoying the play on the field below (and maybe a few brewskis and chicken wings while they're at it). The transcript from a gathering like that would give the reader insight into how the game progressed, what were the key developments, etc.

Alternatively, as a Game Thread participant, you could imagine you’re recording an audition tape to become a colour analyst on Jays’ broadcasts. In that situation, you’d want to contribute meaningful and interesting comments, to show your knowledge of the team and of the game. Do you have what it takes to provide analysis next to Jamie Campbell in the Sportsnet booth? That’s what the threads would be like.

Equally importantly, there are certain things we don’t want to see in the Game Threads anymore.

1. No play-by-play. During spring training, when broadcasts were few and far between, it was good having someone supply summaries of the action. But with the arrival of the regular season, most games will be televised and all of them will be on radio; for those without TV or radio, MLB GameDay Netcasts supply the action. So the Game Threads don’t need constant updates on the action or announcements of the facts like “Strike three swinging!” or “He’s outta there!” Remember, you’re playing Warren Sawkiw, not Jerry Howarth.

2. No rants about players or coaches. As fans, naturally it’s disappointing to us when Koskie grounds into a double play or Frasor walks in the tying run. But remember, you’re supposed to be an analyst. You don’t hear Pat Tabler say stuff like “Aw, dammit, Hinske! Another strikeout!” If you want to be a Game Thread participant, you need to check your rabid fandom at the front door and bring an even-tempered approach to the game. You can (and should) still root for the Jays if you like, but you have to do it in a professional manner.

3. No text-messaging comments. You know what we mean. This isn’t a chat room or an IM exchange; you’re presenting ideas to an audience of readers. We’re not expecting you to run every sentence through Strunk & White, necessarily, but we do expect a minimum level of literacy: no sentence fragments, no continuous misspelling of players’ names (even Schoeneweis gets easier to spell with repetition), no consistently lazy approaches to writing.

4. No arguments without backup. If you post an opinion or argument in a Batter’s Box thread, you’re expected to back it up. You’re entitled to feel strongly that JP Ricciardi should be fired for incompetence, but unless you have good reasons to back up a statement that strong, expect to get a lot of static; if you do it consistently, expect to hear from us. We welcome all viewpoints regarding the Jays, both positive and negative, but you need to give good reasons and defend them capably, just like anywhere else.

The Good
So here are some examples of Game Thread entries we’d like to see:

- Doc really has the curveball working today. That third strike to Sheffield dropped like a stone out of the strike zone.

- Great positioning by the O-Dog on that double play! He was already cheating towards second base as the pitch was coming.

- What was Gibbons thinking? This is exactly the situation when you pinch-hit for John MacDonald, especially against a lefty.

- Hillenbrand just looks lost at the plate. He doesn’t seem to be ready to attack the ball. No wonder he’s 0 for his last 13.

The Bad
And here are some examples of Game Thread entries we don’t want to see:

- 2-2 pitch to Adams, grounded to Jeter, one away.

- Stinske you idiot! Choked in the clutch agan! (Note: snarky, juvenile nicknames for players really annoy us)

- why doesnt gibbons use schonwies here. you got a loogy in the pen then use him!

- This team is going nowehere, another loss to the rays. trade batista now!!!!!!!!!

Remember, today’s Game Threads form the basis for tomorrow’s Game Reports. And the Game Report writer will be using material gleaned from the Game Thread, including insightful and timely comments from Bauxites. If you’d like to see your name and comment featured in the Game Report, the best way to do it is to show up and make useful, interesting, analytical or even just plain funny comments.

Bauxites have shown they can deliver these kinds of insights, and we’re going to ensure that such contributions are the norm, not the exception. So we will be enforcing these Guidelines, with gradually increasing degrees of firmness. And it should go without saying that these Guidelines apply to all Batter's Box threads, not just the Game Threads.

Why these Guidelines? It’s pretty simple: Batter’s Box users have come to expect a high minimum threshold of commentary, insight and content from the Batter’s Box roster. We expect the same from our users. Remember what we said when we launched Box 3.0?

What we want is a constructive, literate, intelligent environment that's interesting, insightful and fun, and we're going to do our best to hold everyone to it.

That’s the story, right there. We look forward to your continued participation at and contribution to Batter’s Box Game Threads under these Guidelines. Questions or comments can be sent here. Play ball!