Beware Braves Nation; the Attack of Facebook Trolls
I am on social media a LOT. I have to be, I am a social media consultant for musicians (specifically in Hip Hop). I am not going to bring into this conversation the mentality of a rapper because that is NOT something to mix with sports.
In this instance we are only going to talk about the varying levels of Braves fans.
Some fans take it a little too far and some or just leisure.
Those of you that take it too far…You are what we would call Fan-atics.
You guys not only wear your official gear to the game but you may even come with the face paint, some head dress, sit in the same seat you sat in the last time you came, walk by the same concession stand; even use the same restroom stall while at the game.
That is no different that some of the weird and quirky routines you see some players going through when they come up to the plate.
Jul 20, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; A young Atlanta Braves fan puts on his rain jacket during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The game was delayed because of rain in the sixth inning. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nomar Garciaparra had the most dramatic quirk I have seen to date.
But some quirks, routines, rituals and rules by some of you fans in these groups on social media is a tad bit on the DUMB side.
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Don’t be a hater…
For you guys to say that another Braves fan can’t say anything negative about the team is not logical.
If the team sucks, they suck but you want everyone else to be on the bright side? We are supposed to be cheerful after we just got our asses thumped 13 to NOTHING? and your reply was, “well at least blah blah got 2 hits” ? … NO!
Devaluing of an opinion…
Yes some opinions are stupid. We can’t get around that. But I am of the belief that all opinions are still valid. Some opinions come from an emotional base and if you are not in the same place emotionally you will immediately deflate that idea as being invalid but to them that opinion may in deed be 100% factual.
UnBiased is NOT being a fan…
I am the UnBiased Brave on most social media. I use that name because I am unbiased in my outlook of our team, front office and the product on the field. If something sucks, I am going to say it sucks…. Does that make me a bad fan? Hell no. It makes me real.
If we get no-hit and I say, “man that sucks”…. That is a fact… TO ME!
Jul 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Security guards tackle a fan that ran onto the field during the ninth inning of the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Phillies 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Am I less of a fan because I said something objective that is not the consensus of most die-hard fans?
I don’t believe in lying about what I see.
If YOU want to put a spin on the glass being half empty while I say it is half full, you have that right to do so but I am not going to sugar coat what I see. If you feel like I should be less vocal and use less harmful words then that is YOUR prerogative to do, not mine.
Iron Fist Administrators
Some of these admins in these groups are either power hungry or they are way too damn serious. Most of them usually apply one of the 3 concepts above.
FACT: Unless you own stock in Liberty Media (which at closing on 03/09/2015 was at $39.52 per share) you do NOT own the Braves. Since you are not one of those shareholders, what rights do you to say that someone else can not voice their opinion? If you are banning people from your groups based off of a difference of opinion ‘other than yours’ then that is adolescent and pathetic. I get it though, you want to play internet bully so this is your chance to have power and control…great. Be powerful on your own little Latveria and be Dr Doom to those that do not agree with you but do not hide behind the catchers mask and portray to be the earths only known “real fan” when you are not. You are a fan of yourself more than you are of the team.
And what is a real fan by the way?
Someone who shows support for a team is a fan.
There are varying levels of support since there are varying levels of people.
Your level of fandom is not the same as the next guy but you can NOT discount their level just because you feel as if your level is superior to theirs. You are walking a very thin line between being a fan/fanatic and a hater/prejudice.
It can NOT be “you are a fan as long as we think the same”… that’s not logical (you dictator!)
Types of Fans
Live Feed
FanSided
Bandwagon fans come and go; it is the nature of wagon. Going up there will be more riding and as the wagon tends to slow down or have problems they will leave to find another wagon; it is what it is.
Devoted fans are always here through the good and the bad, the one’s that go through the bad are the one’s who probably deserve to be more vocal because they “started from the bottom” with the team.
Fair-weather fans suck, but again, as the clouds come they scatter but when it is warm and sunny they show up with their umbrellas, tequilas, blankets on YOUR damn lawn as if they helped to mow it.
Oct 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves fan Jamie Owens and his sons Jett Owens, 9 months, and Jayce Owens, 4 years old (left) prior to game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
We are all a part of Braves nation.
Stop being so serious. Yeah some of us are coaches too IN A FANTASY LEAGUE but unless you are suiting up daily and getting paid by the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball, you need to “sit ‘cho ass down”.
To those of you that are admins in groups, respect the levels of fandom from your members. It will NOT always be on the level of seriousness that you would like for it to be… good. Diversity is an awesome thing. Allow your members to be vocal and as long as they are respectful and not belligerent then let them talk. What you can NOT be is this hall monitor looking for people to banish or block just to assert your dominance. Now the group becomes less restricted and only a select few will be vocal because you want to be Judge, Jury and Executioner (pressing the ban button) for all; and the worse case is you guys will ban someone without an explanation on why you did it… all because “you can?”
Someone has issues and should probably seek therapy…
To those of you that are members in groups, respect the rules.
It’s not your group; it belongs to someone else so respect that.
If you do not, you can expect repercussions to come because you went against the grain and tried to buck the system. Rules are there for a reason (to be tested lol)… respect the rules.
From one fan to another let us all come together and worship the jersey of the great hitting God Chipper Jones and support our Bravos throughout what is looking to be a very adventurous, interesting and away from the norm that we have become accustomed to since 1991.