#BetweenTheSheets: To Blog or Not To Blog...
Plus the #PowerRankings sees a new change while crowning another
To blog or not to blog...should that be the question?
What is the role of a blogger? What are the expectations? Should there be a desired outcome? Do blogs give a voice for the people by the people? Should they tow the line? Should they be honest? Where is the line between criticism and being a jerk?
Recently there has been a string of debates on social media about non-traditional media (ie: bloggers, podcasts) and the role they play in sport. Reading the tweets sure makes you think internally about what role #TwineTime really plays on this grand sheet of ice.
When a blogger posted a few weeks ago about their personal frustration with Ben Hebert's comments during the world championships, backlash was quick to follow. Curling athletes and fans were quick to defend Hebert and even suggested this blogger should stop watching sports all together if they couldn't handle the comments.
But was that the correct response from everyone? Was the blogger in question within their realm to offer an opinion? Why was the blogger shamed?
Perhaps it was the way the blogger wrote the piece in question. Had this person chosen their words a bit more wisely, would the response have been so harsh? Maybe not. And maybe that answers the question on non-traditional media responsibility.
With traditional media outlets there is an editor who gives the final stamp of approval for publication. In a non-traditional media setting, the author is also the editor. They have final say on their own publication. Nobody is there to give a final review. Nobody is there to say "this sounds too harsh" or "this could be interpreted in a negative way". A blogger or podcaster has to use their own criteria on making the decision. Sometimes we make the right call. Sometimes we do not.
I edit each blog post I write. The editing is usually done a few hours (sometimes days) after the writing is complete. I re-read the entry not only for the grammar mistakes (which I still miss some now and again) but also for content. Am I making sense? Does this sound mean? Will I upset someone? But why? Should I care if someone disagrees or is upset with what I write?
For a traditional media outlet, sure. Negative press can take money out of the pockets of those who work there. I make no money from blogging. What is the ultimate worst thing that can happen? The rock heads stop reading and caring about what I write? If that happens, would it stop me from blogging? Who knows? This blog was started not for attention or ego or money. This blog was started because I have a passion for sport and needed a positive outlet/distraction from my own negative mental health issues.
A few years ago I had a team come at me, disagreeing with my comments about them in a few blog posts. Valid to have an opinion for them, sure. Valid for me to have an opinion as well. Perhaps the difference between my example and the recent blogger backlash example is my comments were factual and were results based. This blog has also maintained the mandate of rewarding teams for good results and calling out teams for bad weeks. Back then, the team in question felt I was unfair and creating a negative backlash for their team. My response? Start winning and doing better and I will write more positive feedback. Was that unfair? To some, yes. To me, as blogger and editor, I stood by my words and defended them.
In the recent example, many felt the comments were of a more personal attack on Hebert. I will agree to the point bloggers and podcasters should keep the personal feelings and comments to themselves. There is no need to attack another human being personally.
On the flip side, you cannot have your cake and eat it too folks. Back to my example. I heard members of this team had made personal comments against me to other curlers during this time. Comments were made saying I was a "f*cking as*hole" and a "piece of sh*t writer". Were those comments fair? Did anyone defend me as not only a blogger but as a person? Where do we draw the line here?
Look we all know Ben Hebert. He is brash. He is vocal with his opinions. He makes heated comments in the moment. He is who he is. Some fans love him. Others not as much. And that is ok. And, while I do not know Mr. Hebert personally nor had a conversation with him, he seems like a strong enough guy where he can handle the opinions people have about him, good or bad. All press is good press?
Was the blogger wrong to be disappointed in Hebert's remarks? Nope. Sorry to say folks but she was not. She is completely entitled to her opinion. As are all of you. Can you disagree with her? 100% you can. Where the waters become muddy is when we go from having a conversation on a disagreement of opinions to a negative attack...on both sides.
Athletes, find your thick skin. You cannot be in the limelight and enjoy all the attention and autographs and pictures but also expect everyone to love you all the time regardless of what you do. Hebert will make comments that may upset some curling fans. He is allowed. But fans are also allowed to show frustration or believe some comments, when made available via being mic'd during TV games, should have repercussions. Sorry athletes, you cannot get away with saying whatever you want whenever you want. You are athletes. You are role models. All sports have a system in place where player comments, if deemed inappropriate, are subject to a fine or discipline action. Welcome to sport! If curling wants to be mainstream and professional, this is part of the movement.
Do I like the fact players are mic'd up and say what's on their mind during games, good or bad? Heck yes I do. Do I like Hebert having no filter and saying what he thinks? Heck yes I do. Do I also think our athletes need to recognize they are mic'd and might have to filter their comments a bit because of the audience? Yup I do. I may be fine with the comments but I am one fan. Not everyone will be. And that is ok. And we have to acknowledge this and accept it.
Had the blogger re-phrased the content of her piece to focus more on questioning whether curling needs to adapt similar protocols on monitoring player comments and having a policy in place, similar to other sports, where inappropriate comments could bring discipline measures, would the majority of those who read the piece have been so negative? Probably not. Again, content editing.
The message may have been a worthy conversation. The method however came across more negative. And I get it. Look we all know this blog has been vocal about the current ranking system. Heck the blog developed its own system this season (and the updated #PowerRankings are below). At times I have been harsh about the system but I also have offered up suggestions on tweaking the system. I have encouraged discussion. The intent has not been to just bash a system and those who put it in place but rather ask the questions and continue to see if small changes can help #growthesport. Maybe the #TwineTime ranking system sucks for some of you. That's ok. Maybe some like it. Great. And maybe some are undecided. Awesome! Either way, the method supports the message...I think?!
We have to remember, those who talk about the sport like the sport. Whether traditional media or non-traditional media, the majority of people putting forth articles and opinions are doing so because they have a passion for curling. Agree with them. Disagree with them. But don't bash them because the message doesn't match yours. And remember, especially for those non-traditional outlets, the majority are just "volunteers" in many ways. We do it because we love the sport. Most are not getting paid. Some don't have sponsors (*cough* #TwineTime *cough*). All are fans, just like you.
But don't let us off the hook either. Call us out on topics if you disagree but do it in a respectful manner. Maybe the method behind the message was lost in translation due to poor editing skills. Heaven knows I struggle with editing at times too.
And athletes, back to you to close out this opening debate. ALL media personnel are here to #growthesport and support curling. Why only comment, RT, fav, share traditional media outlet articles mentioning your name? ALL of us would love the support. ALL of us are part of the bigger picture. But also, why only respond to those who post negative comments? Why shed more light through your player following on a story or article you disagree with while not saying positive comments to those articles where you are praised? You are interviewed by someone, traditional or non-traditional, share it. All press is good press remember? ALL of us would love to be equal members on the overall global curling marketing team. Why are we not using one another better?
This blog is happy to extend the right hand for a handshake. Will you reach out and do the same?
Ok back to the actual action on the ice and curling! This weekend wrapped up the Grand Slam of Curling major's for the season: The Players Championship. Time for the quick results runback:
#GunnerRunback
- The men's final was an all-Alberta affair and Brier 2019 finals rematch...with a different result. Team Koe may have won the Alberta championship and Brier this season but they swallowed a spoonful of revenge in Toronto when Team Bottcher defeated them in the championship final. For Team Bottcher this marks back-to-back major wins, coming off the Canadian Open title in January. For Team Koe this is another example of just coming up short in major finals this season, having lost the Masters and Canada Cup final. They did win the Brier though so I am sure they are still feeling pretty good. Props to recent world bronze medal winners Team De Cruz from Switzerland and Scotland's Team Paterson on reaching the SF.
- Finally! Team Einarson released the monkey off their #gsoc backs on Sunday when they defeated Team Hasselborg in the championship final. After a runner-up finishe at The National earlier this season (plus the runner-up finish at Canada Cup) and sub-par results at most of other slam events, #TeamSkipper was able to claim the biggest title of their season. For the #SwedishVikings, a small theme to their latter part of the season reaching finals and falling just short (world championship). Of course they also have two #gsoc wins and a Euro championship to their credit this season. Props to Team Scheidegger and #TeamUpset flag bearer of the weekend Team Silvernagle on their SF showings.
The final major of the #gsoc season brought big points for the playoff qualifiers. But did the Players Championship results shake up the mountain? The results did secure the season #1 ranking for one team while a new team staked their flag atop of the mountain...for now.
Time to reveal the UPDATED Power Rankings:
#PowerRankings
WOMEN
- Team Homan - 7480 (LW: 1)
- Team Einarson - 6660 (4)
- Team Hasselborg - 6530 (3)
- Team Tirinzoni - 5495 (2)
- Team Kovaleva - 3790 (5)
Hon. Mention: Team J. Jones, Team Carey, Team Yoshimura, Team Scheidegger, Team Fujisawa
It is official. We have our year end #1 team. Congratulations Team Homan!! Even though Homan failed to win the Players Championship last weekend they did just enough to secure their place atop the mountain for the season. Slam titles. Scotties finals. Strong tour results. Team Homan showcased the exact theme for the power rankings: consistency, consistency, consistency!
The #ChampionsCup will be the final event of the season and there will still be something to play for on the women's rankings mountain. Team Einarson, fresh off their Players Championship win, and Team Hasselborg, coming off the Players Championship finals appearance, both in a virtual tie for second place. Whichever team goes further in Saskatoon will finish the season as the #2 ranked team.
Current world champions Team Tirinzoni are locked into the #4 position, even in they were to win the Champions Cup. As for the final spot among the Top 5, Russia's Team Kovaleva are still clinging to the spot but Team Jones and Team Carey are within striking distance.
Rounding out the Top 10 for the season, Teams Yoshimura, Scheidegger and Fujisawa all used strong results in Toronto to make the cut...for now. A dangerous Team Silvernagle lurks though, currently sitting #12 but only 400 points back from #7. LOTS to play for in the final event of the season.
MEN
- Team Bottcher - 6878 (4)
- Team Koe - 6180 (2)
- Team Epping - 5098 (1)
- Team Edin - 5032 (5)
- Team Mouat - 5007 (3)
Hon. Mention: Team Paterson, Team De Cruz, Team Jacobs, Team Gushue, Team Howard
The blog welcomes a NEW #1 rock heads! After a historic 24 straight weeks atop the mountain, Team Epping failed to make the playoffs in Toronto and suffered the consequences. But what a run for the Ontario foursome. Under the new ranking system, they seized the opportunity and were not only able to firmly plant themselves at the apex for majority of the season but were also able to hold off some strong challengers along the way. All good things must come to an end though but congrats to Team Epping on a strong season.
And now we pave the way for our new leaders: Team Bottcher. Bottcher's Players Championship win catapulted the team from the #4 spot to the top of the mountain this weekend. Heading into the final both Bottcher and Koe were in contention for the #1 spot. When the rocks settled, Bottcher emerged victorious. This is a second #gsoc title of the season coupled with a runner-up finish at the Brier and the Tour Challenge Tier I. A pretty solid season. But don't get too comfy on the high elevation boys.
Team Koe may have lost the final in Toronto but they secured their #2 spot, at worst. Koe could still finish the season atop the mountain but he will have to win the Champions Cup title AND have Bottcher fail to make the playoffs. Anything is possible but the odds are slim.
As for the rest of the Top 5, the final three spots are up for grabs for teams currently sitting #3 - #7. Any of them could finish as high as #3 or as low as #8. It could happen where Team Epping holds the #1 spot almost the entire season and falters the final two weeks and finishes outside the Top 5. The men's mountain is THAT close rock heads.
NATIONS
- Canada - 2650 (1)
- Switzerland - 2640 (2)
- Sweden - 2315 (3)
- China - 2085 (4)
- Scotland - 2003 (5)
Hon. Mention: South Korea, Russia, Japan, Norway, Germany
No movement on the Nations mountain this week as there were no world championship competitions. However the final world championship events of the season kick off this weekend in Norway with the World Senior Men's, World Senior Women's and World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
With three world championship events there will be a lot of opportunity for nations to pick up valuable points and try to climb to the top of the mountain. Can Canada hold on and end the season with the #1 ranking? Any of the teams ranked #2 - #9 still have a shot at the #1 spot though with gold medal performances.
Switzerland is the two-time defending mixed doubles champion and will look to continue their dominance. With the Swiss sitting #2 on the mountain, another championship win could push them to the overall top spot. However Canada is the defending world senior men's and women's champion so they also could cement their spot on top trying to #DefendTheIce.
The blog should mention there were points awarded this week to nations competing at the European Curling Championship C-Division competition in Brasov, Romania. The top two nations in the men's and women's competition would earn promotion to the #ECC2019 B-Division.
For the men, France, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania qualified for the playoffs. When the playoff round wrapped up, France emerged with the gold (going undefeated) and Bulgaria (wearing #StealPants in the extra end) took silver knocking off Slovenia.
For the women, Belarus, Slovakia, Slovenia and Austria reached the playoffs. Belarus, after a #StealPants of 2 in 10 of a tie game, won gold. Slovakia finished with the silver after defeating Austria.
France, Bulgaria, Belarus and Slovakia all will advance to the Euro B-Division next November in Sweden.
From a #PowerRankings perspective, Slovakia inched closer to the Top 10 with their silver medal performance moving up to #16...and ahead of USA! Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Romania all picked up their first ranking points of the season. Congrats to each of them.
#StayTuned
With world championship events starting this weekend, the blog will have a full preview for you. We will also be celebrating the #growthesport movement at #WMDCC2019 with the welcoming addition of new competing countries: Kosovo, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
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