A1Sports

[formerlyknownasfells]

There are a few things that have been brought to my attention in the last 24 hours that must be discussed:

1) A1Sports is NOT Sev Hrwynak. This has been proven, I have spoken with Sev, and others have had discussions with the PBL office. I have found the allegations are not true.

2) Because of the posts that were made in this matter, the PBL office and the woman running the office were left messages that insinuated the threat of physical violence. I am hoping the office will turn over any messages to the Chicago police so an investigation can take place. I hope that if the authorities can find who left those messages, the individuals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

3) A1Sports has been banned from the site for a minimum of ten days for a cooling off period. I believe this has gone too far and would like the subject dropped.

4) I have spoken with Sev, a man whom I have considerable respect for, and I do not believe he is A1Sports or has knowledge of who is. I can imagine that with the events that have taken place, the PBL will be conducting a full investigation. If I am told what came of it, the matter will be kept in confidence unless asked to release the information.

5) I have been in communication with Paul, and we both agree that we will assist the PBL in tracking down the individual who made these threats against the PBL office. This is a serious matter, and for those from the PBL office who may be reading this, you have my word that you will receive any assistance you request.

Personally, I am appalled that anyone would take the information from these boards to make threats against another human being. I know we are all passionate about minor league basketball, but threats of violence not only cross the line, they shatter the line.

Stop the name calling, stop the baseless accusations, and get back to basketball.

On behalf of Paul and myself, I would like to issue a public apology for the actions of those who jumped to conclusions in the matter of A1Sports. I will admit, I had my doubts, and even for that, I apologize to the PBL.

[Paul S]

WOW!!!!!

Good work OSC! Good work Fells, and Good work Paul Reeths. For someone to make a threat is way over the top. Thanks for getting things in focus.

[Alumni96]

There are a few things that have been brought to my attention in the last 24 hours that must be discussed:

1) A1Sports is NOT Sev Hrwynak. This has been proven, I have spoken with Sev, and others have had discussions with the PBL office. I have found the allegations are not true.

2) Because of the posts that were made in this matter, the PBL office and the woman running the office were left messages that insinuated the threat of physical violence. I am hoping the office will turn over any messages to the Chicago police so an investigation can take place. I hope that if the authorities can find who left those messages, the individuals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

3) A1Sports has been banned from the site for a minimum of ten days for a cooling off period. I believe this has gone too far and would like the subject dropped.

4) I have spoken with Sev, a man whom I have considerable respect for, and I do not believe he is A1Sports or has knowledge of who is. I can imagine that with the events that have taken place, the PBL will be conducting a full investigation. If I am told what came of it, the matter will be kept in confidence unless asked to release the information.

5) I have been in communication with Paul, and we both agree that we will assist the PBL in tracking down the individual who made these threats against the PBL office. This is a serious matter, and for those from the PBL office who may be reading this, you have my word that you will receive any assistance you request.

Personally, I am appalled that anyone would take the information from these boards to make threats against another human being. I know we are all passionate about minor league basketball, but threats of violence not only cross the line, they shatter the line.

Stop the name calling, stop the baseless accusations, and get back to basketball.

On behalf of Paul and myself, I would like to issue a public apology for the actions of those who jumped to conclusions in the matter of A1Sports. I will admit, I had my doubts, and even for that, I apologize to the PBL.

1. How has this been proven if I may ask? Just to note I don't actually believe its the good doctor either, but I believe its someone close to the PBL.

2. That's absolutely fricken unbelievable. Please tell me you are kidding. It's minor league basketball people. Get a grip.

3. What was the point. He hasn't responded since the accusations.

4. You might believe but I don't. I bet they have an inkling.

Does this mean we'll get stricter moderation around here? cause it's about time.

[formerlyknownasfells]

1. How has this been proven if I may ask? Just to note I don't actually believe its the good doctor either, but I believe its someone close to the PBL.

2. That's absolutely fricken unbelievable. Please tell me you are kidding. It's minor league basketball people. Get a grip.

3. What was the point. He hasn't responded since the accusations.

4. You might believe but I don't. I bet they have an inkling.

Does this mean we'll get stricter moderation around here? cause it's about time.

There will be stricter moderation, yes. Remember, Paul has the site to update and I have the freelance gigs plus my work with the ALS Association and the Little League in which I am a coach. We can't catch everything, we need you guys to help out and catch some of the posts we can't.

I wish I was kidding about the threats, I really wish I was.

The point of the ban was a cooling off period for everyone. I want to see if this will just die out, and I do not want another A1 post to incite more of the threats the PBL office has received. I will be in contact with the PBL office tomorrow to discuss the exact scope of the threats.

[tbayz1]

Wow, after one day, there has already been threats and potentially violence! That is totally out of line and uncalled for! I hope this person is caught!

But now, the mystery of finding out who a1 is, continues, since Chris confirmed it is not Mr. Hrwynak, which is good to hear, however, I think it is very clear and we all can agree that A1Sports is somehow very close to the PBL and has a lot of connections throughout the minor league basketball world. TheStandard has provided us with some good evidence that appeared to link to Mr. Hrywynak being A1, but Chris has confirmed it is not, so the A1 mystery continues, hopefully it does safely!

[LightningMan]

This has now become flat out insane and I regret any part I may have had even inadvertently in bringing it to that point.

[LightningMan]

But now, the mystery of finding out who a1 is, continues...
I'm pretty sure the idea is to stop this whole "Who in the PBL is A1?" thing. I really think we need to leave this alone, guys.

[tbayz1]

I'm pretty sure the idea is to stop this whole "Who in the PBL is A1?" thing. I really think we need to leave this alone, guys.

It needs to stop on OSC thats for sure!

[robster2001]

3) A1Sports has been banned from the site for a minimum of ten days for a cooling off period. I believe this has gone too far and would like the subject dropped.

From what I read, there was another regular poster that was inflaming the whole issue.

Fundamental fairness requires a simple question -- what's been done, if anything, by way of disciplinary action for the poster who ALleged that A1 was the good Doctor?

[SignGuyDino]

Because of the posts that were made in this matter, the PBL office and the woman running the office were left messages that insinuated the threat of physical violence. I am hoping the office will turn over any messages to the Chicago police so an investigation can take place. I hope that if the authorities can find who left those messages, the individuals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Good God. I hope they had caller ID. That's just stupid.

[williamhughes11]

This is a great job by the OSC mods.

I can't believe someone would be so stupid as to make a phone call and threaten someone about minor league basketball. I hope this person knows he/she could face time in a federal penitentiary for that.

[DazedAndAmused]

Just curious, what did a1 say that has been any different than what he has said all along? He has gone off on his crazy Vermont/ALex rant before (and none of us have paid attention or cared.) He is a kook, and his crusade is obnoxious and obsessive.

What he doesn't seem to realize is that he hurts his own cause by getting so crazy, even if he genuinely feels that minor league game in general and many individuals have been hurt by the ABA. (Many would agree with that.)

When he rants, we all know it's his opinion, just like Standard's rants. I agree with a ban to calm a potential physical altercation, and personally I wish a1 would go away because I believe he hurts a league I am cheering for. But, a1 somehow gets good info that he posts here, and he makes OSC more interesting.

This is more of my own philosophical rant. I just want to better understand the mission of OSC relative to serving as a source of information, shared opinions, and free speech. Personally, I would rather see OSC ensure anonymity of posters (eg, no need to post IPs) BUT strike comments and/or permanently ban users if they are inflammatory or unsubtantiated. In there somewhere has to be the ability to post opinions and general musings. Why? Simple. The goods won't be as good otherwise. Sources of the best info often do not want to be known.

Having said all of this, I appreciate OSC as a source of info.

[TheStandard]

I have been in contact with the PBL in regards of the matter. They know who it is and are now doing the preventive measures to protect the PBL office in Chicago. The information was correct except that Dr. Sev is totally innocent. There is only one person in that office at all times and that is what gave me deep concern to her safety. I also want to address the fact that the people that are calling are to please stop. I also want to address to a league head from another league to please stop calling and harrasing the PBL Office, you will be dealt with. As we now know who was the culprit.

I also ask that there is no shots taken to one Alex Wolff as he is being portrayed in the wrong way and no shots to the PBL as the heads of the PBL. Tom and Sev had no doing in all of this. This was a person that went in and created havoc by portraying himself in the end as a large official of this league.


To the ones that did call and said those vile things on those voice mails and on the one to one calls. You will be dealt with. You are doing what a few from other leagues do.

We all want Minor league basketball to behave and act like men. We have come to a realization that every league has a snake. Minor league basketball had a cancer that was infiltrating all three leagues the ABA, CBA and PBL. That will not happen again.

The PBL did not ask for what a team in the ABA was doing to them a few months back. It was saddening that someone decided to use the PBL to get back to the ABA and a model franchise in a very vile way.

We are going to get back to basketball matters as we are now rid of the one person that wanted to eliminate Minor league basketball in general by creating a monster who wanted to push teams to the limit and also put the lives and careers of people at stake.

[DazedAndAmused]

Wow, I have to admit that I'm a little confused now. I don't know who the good guys or bad guys are.

[SignGuyDino]

I am one of the "good guys," however, I admit I can be a jerk. I have the forwarding of the GBA website to www.websitesthatsuck.com to prove it.

http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/dailysucker/2008/03/25/daily-sucker-for-tuesday-march-25-2008/

Anything to clear the confusion...

[Chuck the Writer]

Man, I step away from OSC for 24 hours and all bejeebers breaks loose.

As much as I love posting on and reading OSC, there are a lot of things that need to be understood. Posting under the cloak of anonymity provides one with the ability to say anything or insinuate anything without the fear of reprisal or retribution. There is a reason why certain leagues don't post everything that's going on with their teams or their ownership groups on a message board. Doing that leaves them open to interpretation or interpolation by the readers and digesters of this board.

In the past few days, what have been the major topics regarding minor league basketball? The Cavs-Skyrockets CBA finals? The Great 8 ABA tournament? Rochester versus a never-say-die Arkansas Impact in the PBL finals Sunday?

No. It's been the attempt to divulge information regarding the identity - or motives - or background - of a1sports. And we've got people running around like Columbo or Nancy Drew or Veronica Freakin' Mars trying to solve this mystery. So what happens if we solve it? Do we get a cookie? Does solving who killed JFK bring him back to life? (BTW it was Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone and under his own motives).

See, there have been posters who have wondered who a1sports is, where a1sports gets his dirt, etc. Sadly, in their attempt to try to find the juiciest story possible, a combination of Machievellian tactics combined with a Dostoyevsky-like conspiracy theory (or Tolstoy if you like), people have tried to pin the nickname of a1sports on Dr. Sev. Why, it sounds juicy - the former ABA team owner, now part of the PBL, using a message board to try to take down the evil Joe Newman.

You know what? Substitute "WWE" for "ABA", substitute "TNA" for "PBL", substitute "Vince McMahon" for "Joe Newman," and swap out "A.J. Styles" for "Dr. Sev" and you've got the makings of a decent pro wrestling storyline. All you need now is a steel chair, a set of ketchup packets to simulate blood spatter, and maybe Candice Michelle almost wearing an outfit, and voila the package is complete.

Let me say this clearly, and I said this once before when Mark McClure sent that pointless, scathing e-mail to the ABA team owners. This is the reason why Joe Newman thinks of us as a bunch of mean-spirited vengeful bloggers. Because of stuff like this. Yeah, we know Joe Newman is a huckster who could sell saltpeter to Eliot Spitzer, but when someone either connected to OSC or who reads OSC posts decides to take it upon themselves to threaten physical violence to a PBL employee for no reason other than what that poster read or assumed or mis-assumed from a message board - all it does is reinforce Joe Newman's beliefs and surmises about who we are.

We should never let that happen again. Ever.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Man, I step away from OSC for 24 hours and all bejeebers breaks loose.

As much as I love posting on and reading OSC, there are a lot of things that need to be understood. Posting under the cloak of anonymity provides one with the ability to say anything or insinuate anything without the fear of reprisal or retribution. There is a reason why certain leagues don't post everything that's going on with their teams or their ownership groups on a message board. Doing that leaves them open to interpretation or interpolation by the readers and digesters of this board.

In the past few days, what have been the major topics regarding minor league basketball? The Cavs-Skyrockets CBA finals? The Great 8 ABA tournament? Rochester versus a never-say-die Arkansas Impact in the PBL finals Sunday?

No. It's been the attempt to divulge information regarding the identity - or motives - or background - of a1sports. And we've got people running around like Columbo or Nancy Drew or Veronica Freakin' Mars trying to solve this mystery. So what happens if we solve it? Do we get a cookie? Does solving who killed JFK bring him back to life? (BTW it was Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone and under his own motives).

See, there have been posters who have wondered who a1sports is, where a1sports gets his dirt, etc. Sadly, in their attempt to try to find the juiciest story possible, a combination of Machievellian tactics combined with a Dostoyevsky-like conspiracy theory (or Tolstoy if you like), people have tried to pin the nickname of a1sports on Dr. Sev. Why, it sounds juicy - the former ABA team owner, now part of the PBL, using a message board to try to take down the evil Joe Newman.

You know what? Substitute "WWE" for "ABA", substitute "TNA" for "PBL", substitute "Vince McMahon" for "Joe Newman," and swap out "A.J. Styles" for "Dr. Sev" and you've got the makings of a decent pro wrestling storyline. All you need now is a steel chair, a set of ketchup packets to simulate blood spatter, and maybe Candice Michelle almost wearing an outfit, and voila the package is complete.

Let me say this clearly, and I said this once before when Mark McClure sent that pointless, scathing e-mail to the ABA team owners. This is the reason why Joe Newman thinks of us as a bunch of mean-spirited vengeful bloggers. Because of stuff like this. Yeah, we know Joe Newman is a huckster who could sell saltpeter to Eliot Spitzer, but when someone either connected to OSC or who reads OSC posts decides to take it upon themselves to threaten physical violence to a PBL employee for no reason other than what that poster read or assumed or mis-assumed from a message board - all it does is reinforce Joe Newman's beliefs and surmises about who we are.

We should never let that happen again. Ever.

What he said...

We can't rip Joe and his inane, boorish behavior if we are acting at least as badly as he is, now can we?

http://www.scaredmonkeys.com/fun-images/PotKettle_small.jpg

[tops804]

....There are finals happening in all three winter leagues this weekend. Anybody
care to end this, and talk about them?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

http://disney.go.com/educational/2002/images/store/catalog/p-68M01VL00.jpg

[TheStandard]

Ok, I have Vermont winning it.

[Paul S]

I have been in contact with the PBL in regards of the matter. They know who it is and are now doing the preventive measures to protect the PBL office in Chicago. The information was correct except that Dr. Sev is totally innocent. There is only one person in that office at all times and that is what gave me deep concern to her safety. I also want to address the fact that the people that are calling are to please stop. I also want to address to a league head from another league to please stop calling and harrasing the PBL Office, you will be dealt with. As we now know who was the culprit.

I also ask that there is no shots taken to one Alex Wolff as he is being portrayed in the wrong way and no shots to the PBL as the heads of the PBL. Tom and Sev had no doing in all of this. This was a person that went in and created havoc by portraying himself in the end as a large official of this league.





I've got to admit Standard, you're partly to blame for some of this. It seems to me that your insinuation of Dr Sev = A1 was got this ball rolling. Then you posted other information to back your claims, all that did was provide more fuel to the fire.

Now I understand you've been in contact with the PBL and tried to smooth things over, I would imagine you've even apologized for getting the fuse lit on this. I'm not laying any more blame than that but Chris now says the link between the PBL and A1 is not true.

Now this................

The information was correct except that Dr. Sev is totally innocent. Help me out with this statement please.........I think if you re-read the quote above it can mean 2 diametrically opposite things. Do you mean
my initial information is right but I was wrong about Dr. Sev or
Fells information is right except about Dr. Sev
Please quantify the word THE at the start of this quote as to yours or Fells.

They know who it is and are now doing the preventive measures to protect the PBL office in Chicago In regards to what? In regards to A1 or in regards to some moron calling up and being assinine enough to leave a voicemail?

Standard - you've been a great poster on here, you've done a lot for basketball and you're a wealth of information both on and off the court in terms of minor league hoops. But on this issue I think (as things stand now) you owe the PBL an apology and you need to stop "getting involved" and "helping" the PBL figure this out. You've rallied against other leagues putting their noses' in business outside the league and now you've done the same.


Chuck is bang on correct. This amateur night Hardy Boys style detective work where people are tracking IP numbers is frankly laughable. Paul and Fells put an IP on posts to stop a guy in a pub in New Hampshire from having multiple personalities on here has morphed into this?

This is a new low for all of us.

[TheStandard]

Paul

what i meant is that someone was using the PBL's connection and it was not dr sev.

Were they using his connection which is the entire office connection? yes. they were. Thats easy to do.

And yes I've appologized to the PBL and we're working on things.

Also the fools that have been calling the PBL office to threaten people especially comming from one league official who is making these calls is unexcusable.

What A1 did was really go into someones network,use their connection and make people think it was a specific someone. The address is correct, but when you get into someones system hey, you're lead to beleive it was one person but it was really not that person at all.

[Sam Hill]

I'm so confused.

I missed this whole thing.

What happened now?

[TheStandard]

I apologize for the information I posted on the boards and the harm it may have done to the PBL and especially to Dr. Sev Hrywnak. I was going on a hunch and unfortunately my zeal for finding the truth impaired my judgment of things. I regret ever doing this and what I wanted was to stop someone who maliciously wanted to ruin things for many leagues and people, what I did was something that led to harm.

[sportsfan27]

I've just gotten back from the McDonald's All American Basketball Tournament in Milwaukee. Haven't had access to the site for 5 days. What happened? Brief update please.

[preeths]

TheStandard, you have been a good poster here, but you're right. In your zeal to uncover A1's identity, you acted rashly. I do not know who A1 is, but it sounds as if you are now convinced that it is not Dr. Hrywnak. You could have damaged his reputation with the allegation. There have to be some consequences. It is good to see your apology without us having to ask for it, and I'm glad you have apologized to the PBL as well. In addition, I'm giving you a one-week ban from the boards.

Let's get back to talking about these basketball leagues, not the identity of posters.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Let's get back to talking about these basketball leagues, not the identity of posters.

But, if we are talking about posters....

I still fondly remember the Farrah Fawcett poster of her in the red bathing suit during her Charlie's Angels heyday.

Now THAT, my friends, was a poster...

http://www.cybertown.com/farrah.jpg

[Chuck the Writer]

Yeah, but there's something to be said about southern girls...

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Catherine-Bach---Dukes-of-Hazzard-Photograph-C10101981.jpeg

or ultra-hot brunettes in star-spangled gear:

http://images.wikia.com/openserving/entertainment/images/0/01/LyndaCarterWonderWoman.jpeg

But as long as we're talking basketball, how about those classic Laker Girls...

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/celebdatabase/paulaabdul/paula_abdul2_180_240.jpg

Funny, I know I've seen that girl before somewhere... Maybe on Tuesday nights, possibly on Wednesdays...

[zeke41]

Paula, Paula, Paula - she's my hero!

[panchess]

..all these pictures are in one-piece bathing suits..

[misenern]

So...

What happened?

[Pounder]

Damn, I take my daughter to California on what turns out to be pretty much the biggest wreck of a vacation I've ever had (daughter's first flight + trick ear = semi-disaster) and miss this?

Count me in the "what the heck happened" crowd.

However, to disappoint one poster here: American Idol wrecks the creative music scene far more than Joe Newman wrecks minor league basketball. Helping Joe realize his folly is only the beginning for me.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Way too much happened for me to go into.

[williamhughes11]

Damn, I take my daughter to California on what turns out to be pretty much the biggest wreck of a vacation I've ever had (daughter's first flight + trick ear = semi-disaster) and miss this?

Count me in the "what the heck happened" crowd.

However, to disappoint one poster here: American Idol wrecks the creative music scene far more than Joe Newman wrecks minor league basketball. Helping Joe realize his folly is only the beginning for me.

I may not be a fan of the ABA league management, but American Idol should be sponsored by Hoover Vacuums. :infun:

Seriously, John and George were probably rolling over in their graves for most of the performances, and Stu Sutcliffe and Brian Epstein were rolling over in theirs during "I Saw Her Standing There".

What's worse, American Idol is more fixed than professional wrestling. The Vote For the Worst website will give you plenty of insight as to just how bad it really is. :mrgreen:

[Sam Hill]

Way too much happened for me to go into.

You're a journalist, give it a try. :)