Category Archives: 07. Site Info

Site design notes

Maintenance

As I mentioned recently, I’ve been working on tweaking the site a bit, changing the layout of some features and trying to improve the overall quality of the content here, specifically the presentation, which I’ve never been really 100% happy with. With the help of frequent commenter BC, I’ve added a new page at the top of the site called “Profiles“, which, as you can imagine, contains player profiles. Previously, I had links to these profiles on the left side of the page, but it was confusing and the layout wasn’t very good. Now, all of the profiles are in one place and they will be easier to find. The information listed in the profiles is not complete, I’m going to continue to update things. I’m also going to add stat charts under every player at the end of the season, as well as links to various articles and also scouting video when I can find it. If you come across articles on players, please post them in the comments ON THE PROFILES PAGE, don’t post them here, and I’ll then add them at the appropriate spot. By adding the profiles page at the top, I’ve removed some of the clutter from the left side of the navigation panel, which should make things cleaner.

That is all.

New feature; comment ratings

Site Info

This should be a real hoot. I don’t know when wordpress added the feature, but I’ve enabled comment rating for the site. Lots of sites are now moving toward this function, where readers can rate the comments of their fellow users. I can remove this feature with the click of a mouse, so if people abuse it, its gone, I just wanted to test it out. If you see particularly troubling comments, stuff that is off topic or just insulting, then flag it with a thumbs down. I believe there is a way for me to generate reports if certain comments receive excessive thumbs down ratings. This might help me figure out who is here stirring up trouble and I can rectify the situation. So, rate away.

A quick site note

Maintenance

A number of people have mentioned it in other posts and in emails to me, so I guess it needs to be formally addressed. I’ve stated before in the site guidelines and in numerous posts, that I’d like to try and limit the discussion of the big league club here on this site. I know everyone wants to talk about Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and everyone else, but that’s not why this site was created. It was understandable that people were speculating on Roy Halladay, everyone in the country was, but that time has passed. There are only a few weeks left in the minor league seasons, so I’d like to focus on that. I created a message board for the purpose of giving people a place to discuss Phillies prospects every day, but it seems that it was forgotten this winter. I’d urge those of you who like to post quite frequently in the comments to discuss actively there. The people who contribute and write content for this site spend a lot of their time doing so, they’re owed respect, and that means not derailing their posts with whatever random thought pops into your head. Thanks.

I have an exciting announcement

Site Info

In one week, a new feature will be added here in the form of a player blog. Michael Schwimer, a 14th round pick in 2008, has agreed to provide a once a week entry for the site. He has created an email address specifically to take your questions, and he’ll try and answer as many as he can, while also providing a glimpse into the life of a minor leaguer. I’m really excited about this opportunity for the site and look forward to hearing Michael’s insights on the game and life in the minors. Send all of your questions to mschwimer at yahoo dot com

Just a few quick comments

Site Info

As I said a few days ago, there are a number of things Im working on with the site right now to try and make it better. I’ve added a Glossary/FAQ which helps explain some of the more advanced statistics used here, as well as how options and service time work. I also wanted to thank everyone who visits here regularly and partakes in the daily discussion. This year, the three draft days were three of the most active days in the history of the site, with 11,000+ hits every day, and 18,800 hits on June 10th, our busiest day ever. June was also the busiest month in the history of the site, with over 200,000 hits.

I’ve tried to get back in the swing of writing more here, of participating in the conversations. And I’ve noticed that people continue to just post whatever random comments they think of in places where its not appropriate. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, its very disrespectful to the people who take time to contribute content for this site for you to just take it off topic with the first thing that pops into your head. So from this point on, I’m just going to delete those comments when I see them. 99% of the people here are respectful, this is just a memo to those who aren’t. If your comments start disappearing, you know why.

And to wrap it up, have a happy holiday weekend, and thanks for continuing to come back.

New glossary/guide

New Site Features

I’m slowly adding some of the things I’ve been meaning to add for months now, and if you look at the top of the site along the page links, you’ll now find a glossary and guide to service time at the right. If there’s anything you want to see added/explained, post it in the comments on that page.

Two new site features

New Site Features

I added a twitter feed (I guess everyone is doing it) to the right side, and further down I’ve created a flickr account to post pictures. If you have any pictures of Phillies prospects you’d like to submit, you can email them to me at phuturephillies at gmail dot com. Thanks in advance.

Schedule

Scheduling

Just wanted to give a quick heads up. This is subject to change, but right now here is my plan

Tuesday: PECOTA and the Phillies prospects
Wednesday: A look at some college baseball related things
Friday: My personal Top 30

So stay tuned.

New email address

Maintenance

I’ve finally ditched hotmail and switched the site’s email address to gmail, using just phuturephillies at gmail dotcom. I’ll continue to periodically check in on the old address in case anyone still sends emails there, but from now on, please use the gmail address. I’ve also updated the link on the top right of the site for future reference. Thanks

Thank you, and Happy New Year

Maintenance

Just wanted to quickly say thanks for the continued support here in 2008, and thank you for continuing to come back. 2008 saw the site pick up considerable momentum, peaking right around draft time. The site basically started at the end of December, 2006, so its essentially 2 years in the books now. Some numbers for 2008

Total hits: 1,125,603 (up from 514,000 in 2007)
Busiest day: 14,098 (June 5th, draft day)
Busiest month: July; 183,767 (busiest month in 2007 was June, with 78,561 hits)
Highest average hits per day: July; 5,928 hits per day

Total blog hits since inception; 1,640,739

Thank you again for coming, thanks for spreading the word, and I look forward to an even better 2009. Happy New Year.