[IKE]

Whole lot of negativity. If you tell yourself you are going to be crowded, you likely will "feel" that way. If you believe something will "suck", there is a highly likelihood that this will be true.

If you have some constructive criticism or ideas, now is a good time to try those exchanges. For example:
Having dealt with bleachers like these before, there is an unfortunate side effect of the lowers rows... STANDING. As a team that has been "In trouble" for standing, it will virtually be necessary for many matches if you want to see your team compete. In order to reduce the rudeness, our team gathers into a column like format. Taking a slice at the district competitions we have been to. This vertical slice ensure that for the most part, you only get in the way of "your" people. I would also suggest taking more of a corner so as not to block the side to side viewers.

Ideally the bleachers need to be on some risers. Especially the side behind the FTA tables (assuming there is a side behind FTA tables).

Overall, I am pretty certain they will not be cancelling Fridays festivities, and so we are going to have to play the cards we are dealt. My suggestion is to make the best of it. Pay attention for opportunities, and then craft a well worded letter if it really is as bad as you expect it to be.

Any other ideas on how we could handle scouting and make sure they get the priority they deserve? My team utilizes around 7-10 scouts. At certain venues we have had to "remote" the scouting crew in order for them to get good observational positions. Would teams be in favor of splitting up their teams in order to give scouting a priority (middle upper sections with no standers in front of them)? This is likely a foolish idea as it would take 80 some teams to agree on the strategy, and only 2-3 to render it a useless strategy. Thoughts?