Hello and welcome to Gaslamp Ball! Here you will find a great number of people who are likely as passionate about the San Diego Padres as you are, so we are happy to welcome you aboard. I’d like to think that this is the best place on the internet to meet people that love the team as much as you do while talking baseball with the most loyal, passionate fan base there is. I’m sure you agree.
Jumping in for the first time can be a little daunting when it seems like everyone already knows everyone, but we love new people and new perspectives. Feel free to add your take to the comments section of any of our posts. Bonus points if you can bring a GIF to the table with your opinion.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
How to join:
Create an SB Nation account, if you haven’t already, by clicking sign up on the top right of this page. Here you will select a username to use around the network. To join Gaslamp Ball itself, come back to this page (or any other on our site) and scroll all the way to the bottom of the comments. Read through our community guidelines, check the box that says you agree to said guidelines, and then click the “Join Gaslamp Ball” button. Then you’re in. Welcome to where the fun happens!
The Rules:
We want everyone to feel welcome here, so we need your cooperation in keeping this place one that is pleasant for all members. Be considerate of others and we’ll all get along just fine. Even though this is a sports blog on the internet, there are rules. You can read those rules by clicking right here. Nearly all of us are on the same side here and there’s no reason why we can’t be respectful.
That being said, if you aren’t a fan of the Padres that has only come here to troll, you’ll be met with much less understanding. We welcome fans of other teams that want to drop by before a game, maybe even during a game, but if you’re coming here to tell us that the Padres suck or to rub in a tough loss you’ll quickly find yourself uninvited to the party. Don’t be that guy or girl.
Fanposts:
Have an original idea you’d like to discuss? Head on over to our Fanposts section where you can tell an interesting story, recount a trip to Petco, or just impress us with your analytical skills. The best ones generally get promoted to the front page of the site for added exposure. A lot of writers currently on the staff got our start by contributing to the Fanpost section, so it’s a great way to get your foot in the door if you think you might want to contribute someday.
Follow us on social media:
Want to stay connected with Gaslamp Ball through Facebook or Twitter? You can follow us on Twitter (@gaslampball)
Blue comments:
You’ll notice that some comments around the site are blue. There is a button underneath each comment with a star beside it that says rec, which stands for recommend. Three recs will turn a comment blue. The best comments from the previous day will be acknowledged in our Comment of the Day posts the following day. Like someone’s comment? Give their post a rec. Look for some of your best comments that may be highlighted the next day as well.
Ready to dive in?
Trying to figure out what the hell we might be talking about? Use this guide to help!
Still with me? Awesome. Drop into any article and join the discussion. Is a game about to start? Our daily game threads are a way to comment along with fellow Gaslamp Ballers in real time. We will have a game thread for every Padres game this season, including spring training. It’s a great way to pass the time and talk Padres baseball. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you aren’t new here, feel free to leave some helpful advice for our new friends who might be joining for the first time in the comments below. If you are new here and haven’t commented before, what are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to get started.