Please keep the following guidelines in mind while blogging on MarianoRivera.com. We don't try to hide it - we are Mariano Rivera fans. We're in his corner, we're supportive and loyal to him. And we blog from that perspective. This is the truth and the reason you are writing for MarianoRivera.com. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Posting Entries

This is a blog about Mariano Rivera, so stick to Mariano Rivera and how something relates to Mariano Rivera.

Being a part of this team is a responsibility. At the minimum, you should keep an eye out for Mariano Rivera related news. You should make blogging a part of your daily routine. That doesn't mean you have to blog every day, but it does mean you should see if there is something to blog about.

When adding a blog post, feel free to use the formatting options (bold, italic, etc.) that are available. Likewise, feel free to upload photos for use within your piece. Make sure that these photos are positioned appropriately and optimized for web viewing. If you do not know how to do that, please do not upload images. Do not ever hotlink images to another server. They should always be uploaded to ours.

Always check to make sure that what you are blogging about hasn't already been blogged about. No one wants to see the same thing posted twice, unless there are updates in the story or you are speaking from a very different perspective (analysis).

If your entry is going to extend more than a full screen length, place the first few paragraphs in the body field and then place the rest in the extended field.

In Season Recaps

During the season, we'll look to post something every time that Mr. Rivera sees action. At the very least, this should be a recap of his performance, generally with play by play and stats and should mention the outcome of the game. It can also include any other notable events, how the Yankees faired in all and Mr. Rivera's numbers on the year following the performance. If it becomes necessary to do so, we may set a schedule for this. Otherwise, please post a recap if you see that one has not been posted.

If we miss a game and another game has already finished, please do not try to catch up.

Family Friendly

Bear in mind that this is a site for all ages. How you write should be in line with this. This includes no vulgarity or offensive material. What is a vulgarity? Basically any type of profanity that you can think of. I don't want you saying cr*p, ars*, as*, pis*, etc. The worst words you can use are heck and freaking, if that gives you any idea. If you are quoting someone who used those words, please sub asterisks (*) in for every letter except for the first one in the word.

Do not make any inflammatory comments. No Red Sux, etc. No "Anti" comments. We can be critical, but to come out and say "Anti" something is to cross a line and that's not what this site is about.

Politics and Religion

Please keep politics and religion out of your posts. Obviously, things like "President Bush was in attendance today" and "My prayers go out to him" are perfectly acceptable, but giving or inferring views in these areas is not acceptable.

Styling

When quoting a blog post, article, etc. only quote small, relevant bits and pieces. Always link directly to the piece you are quoting and encase the quote with <div class="quote"></div>. Place a line break between the last line of text before the quote and the quote itself. Place the opening tag on the same line as the first line of the quote and place the closing tag on the same line as the last line of the quote. If you type anything below the quote, start it on the very next line, do not put a line break between the </div> and your next line. For example:

Here is a quote about Mariano Rivera:
<div class="quote">I would have to say that Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer to ever play the game.

If we're in the bottom of the 9th, I want him pitching.</div>
Next line starts here.

Do not double space to begin a new sentence.

Break your post into meaningful paragraphs (no indentation). Do not post one big block of text.

Spell words according to their correct spelling in the United States. So, color instead of colour, etc.

Spelling is important. Make sure that you spell check your entry before you post it. If you are an Internet Explorer user, check out ieSpell. If you use another browser, some sort of plugin is most likely available for it.

If you use an ellipsis, make it three periods (...).

Specific Words/Terms

MarianoRivera.com is the name of the site. Not Mariano Rivera.com, not marianorivera.com. MarianoRivera.com.com is it. It can be abbreviated to MR.com.

Stat abbreviations should always be in caps. As in RBI, HR, AVG, OBA - not rbi, hr, avg, oba. Do not add periods in between each letter (as in R.B.I.). The same goes for positions. 1B, 2B, OF, LHP and not 1b, 2b, of, lhp.

American League/National League, not american league/national league. Can be abbreviated to AL/NL.

The issues of styling and the formatting of specific terms and words may not seem like very important issues - but they are. At MarianoRivera.com, we want to offer Mariano Rivera fans something of real value - content worth reading. Consistency is important because it allows us to accomplish this and that is why styling rules exist.

Linking

The nature of blogging is the giving and sharing of information. To that end, most of our ideas for content will come from other sources. Always mention and link to these. If you are updating something we may have previously written, link to that old entry.

One exception is links to your own sites. If you intend to post one of those, please let me know first so that I can approve it. Do not post links to outside sites that lead to you earning cash, credits, etc.

Sabremetrics, etc.

These kinds of stats should not become a focal point of the blog. This is not to say they should never be mentioned, just that they shouldn't be mentioned with great frequency. There are plenty of places where people can read about sabremetrics and the scientific examination of baseball exclusively, but this is not really the place. Generally, the basic stats that everyone knows should be utilized.

Long Posts/Short Posts

Long posts are fine. Short posts are fine. Use your discretion and I will let you know if there are any issues. When you post a bit of news, try to give your thoughts on it. However much that amounts to is usually alright. Not every post is going to or should be long.

Posting to the Future

If we have already published a long piece today and you have a long piece in mind that is not time sensitive, the software that we use can post to the future. So, you can make a post that will appear in the future at a specific time of your choosing (such as tomorrow).

Posting Corrections, Editing Entries, etc.

Mistakes happen. Although we do our best to prevent it, sometimes we will post something that is incorrect. Whether it is a factual error where you thought you knew something you didn't or a typo. However, mistakes generally can't just be corrected. When you edit or update an entry to correct a mistake, make a note of it near the correction or in the entry, such as "Edit: It was 3 innings, not 2." If a reader pointed it out to you, add "Thanks Reader's Name."

Finding News to Post About

You can find news and items to talk about in a number of places. Our links page is a great place to go. You may also want to try searching Google News for "Mariano Rivera". Ideally, whenever there is a notable news item, an entry should be posted. That won't always be the case, but keeping up with Mariano Rivera news is part of the job.

Site Related Content

If you are planning some sort of entry that is related to MarianoRivera.com and/or uses the MarianoRivera.com user base in any way (such as a fantasy baseball league, a survey, anything), please clear it with me ahead of time.

Responding to Comments

People won't always agree with you, that's the way it is. But, you shouldn't debate every little point with them. You are the blog author. You had your say in the entry. Allow people to have their opinion. Allow people to comment. Do not get defensive. Do not feel like you have to address every point. If you feel inclined to respond, that's fine, but keep in mind that our User Guidelines and then some apply to you. More is expected from you than a regular visitor to the site. You are an example of MarianoRivera.com and must carry yourself as such. Let people have their say and do not get into arguments with them.

Comment Moderation

It is currently not in your power to moderate comments. This may change in the future. However, you should have a complete knowledge of our User Guidelines so that you can spot a violation. When you spot one or believe that you have spotted one - do not respond to it.

Finally

I reserve the right to edit any entry at any time without reason or notice. If I contact you in regard to a change, I expect you to be receptive to that change and to do your best to keep it from happening again.

In everything that you do here, be responsible. When you blog, you have a responsibility to me, to the readers, to the people that you talk about and to yourself. Be tasteful. We are not hear to be snarky or mean spirited, we are here to give people something worth reading and to be responsible in doing so.

If there is ever any question as to whether or not your piece or proposed piece will be appropriate, please contact me at patrick@ifroggy.com and I will give you a definitive answer. It is always best to do this as opposed to risking having your piece pulled.

Likewise, if you ever have any question about anything (including the blog software, etc.), please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your contributions to MarianoRivera.com.