Forum Rules

[Umpire in Chief]

In our continuing quest to make this the best umpire forum and overall best umpire related site please adhere to the following rules.

Rule No. 1 -Flaming, Bashing, and Trolling:fuel:

Hate posts and personal attacks will not be tolerated at Umpire-Empire. Treat others on these message boards as you would expect them to treat you. Posting topics specifically designed to provoke a negative response from someone (aka trolling) is prohibited. There are however some posts that will cause debates that may offend you. If you are easily offended by discussions on highly opinionated topics we suggest you stay out of those topics. (you’re probably not an umpire if you fit this bill)

Rule No. 2 -No 'Spamming'

Purposely spamming a message board with senseless, vacuous, or empty messages to gain a higher post count, or just to annoy others is HIGHLY frowned upon! Commercial spamming and advertising are just as unwelcome. If you would like to advertise with us please go here.

Rule No. 3 -Impersonating Other Users / Accessing Another User('s)Account

You may not impersonate another board member or create an account specifically for the purpose of provoking other users. Also, accessing or using someone else's account or attempting to access another poster's account is strictly prohibited. You will be banned. Additionally, taking a username from another “well-known” user on another board will not be permitted.

Rule No. 4 -Nudity/Porn/ Bad Words

Please remember that this board is a 'PUBLIC' forum. There are 12 year olds here just as there are 50+ year olds. Nudity and porn is prohibited for obvious reasons. Do not post pictures with BAD WORDS written on them because the word filter will miss this.

Rule No. 5 -Copyrighted Material

Umpire-Empire users agree not to post any material that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner(s) of said copyright, trademark or other proprietary right. You may link to others protected material.

Rule No. 6 - Signatures

We do not have any specific set of rules regarding signatures. However, we do ask you that it will not be offensive to others and the width & height will not exceed 500x135 pixels. If you desire to have a custom avatar, it must be 80x80 pixels or less. No adult, drug related or racist content please.

Rule No. 7 - Language

This is an English speaking forum, please type your post in English.

Rule No. 8 – Linking

If you have a site you want to link to, please do. Links are allowed in your signature and in your posts. We also offer a links directory. If you want to promote your/another site please just be obvious about it. Any site linked to must not contain or promote Porn/Nudity/Spam/Hate/Drugs or related sites. Unapproved commercial links are prohibited (text link in signatures are okay). If you would like to advertise at Umpire-Empire visit here.

Rule 9.01©

– The Umpire in Chief has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.

Have fun and make this the best umpire site on the internet.

[Jayumpref19]

I believe this is the best umpire forum on the web. I enjoy getting emails every day and reading about different situations..

Umpref19

[Tborze]

IMO I would only add, if you reply to a post, keep it pertaining to that post. Don't add other situations and rule sets to make it more confusing than it needs to be. Just Create your own post. I may be dislexic. 

[Chris Lott]

I find this a good source info for me. I am a paid member and with the discount that we get it has already paid for itself! I am going to enjoy being part of this site for years to come. 

[Jimurray]

Have I/we been remiss in regard to rule 5?

"Rule No. 5 -Copyrighted Material
Umpire-Empire.com users agree not to post any material that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner(s) of said copyright, trademark or other proprietary right. You may link to others protected material."

I have posted copies of rules and cites from copyrighted material assuming it was "fair use". Does U-E not allow "fair use" cites? Do we have to get permission from MLB, NCAA, NFHS, WUM, MLBUM, etc. for each and every cite?

[Umpire in Chief]

Maybe I should reword it to include Fair Use is acceptable. This list needs to be updated anyway - The newest and official rules are here and new members have to agree to them (http://umpire-empire.com/index.php?/guidelines/) By far and away virtually all the use of copyrighted material on the site I've seen, IMO, would fall under Fair Use. I believe I've only voluntarily removed 1 item for copyright issues, and I've received 3-4 DMCA notices which, even if I didn't fully agree with, I removed the content. 

More info on Fair Use: https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html