[dez250]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

... It is not great that we are compromising a competition we paid $5,000+ in order to further glorify a celebrity in lieu of what we're actually here for.


... This is the first time in FIRST history that a FIRST competition is closed to the public ...

Chris, normally I see eye to eye with many of your posts, or at least can understand your point of view, but not now.

How is this a compromise to the competition? Is anyone being shut out of the competition because of the concert? Is anyone not getting to compete now than before the concert was announced? Is this the reason a team signed up for the championship instead of competing to begin with? I think not. Unless FIRST allows teams to sign up today, and their sole reason to sign up is to see Will.I.Am perform, than how is this a compromise?

As far as the two fields being in the pits, my guess (and from your listed rookie year) you never have been outside of Atlanta for Championship. Back in the Orlando days, when we had Championship (then Nationals) in the Epcot parking lot, or even before, in Disney, this was a normal occurrence. Yes they were separated by tent walls but you were also normally rotated among the different fields to get to play on the "Big Stage" too. Be happy your pit wasn't moved outside into the rain or onto a pitchers mound where you don't have a flat floor.
I actually think the fields being in the pits is a GREAT thing. When was the last time at championship you saw the general public walking through the pits? I know in the 6 years I was in Atlanta, Year in Houston, and time in Orlando, I can't count it off one hand. Now with two fields there, the public (and VIPs) who may attend will have a reason to go to the pits, and see the teams doing their thing off the field. I can see a major plus there. Will the seating be an obstacle, more than likely, but it wont be anything that hasn't been overcome before.

And as for this competition being closed to the public, I must have missed where it said that. The concert on Friday night is nothing more than the team socials of past years. Whether it was Disney in Orlando, Six Flags in Houston, or Centennial Park in Atlanta, the parties have always been closed to the public. The competition is still open to the public, but when the matches end and the dome closes to prep for the concert, everyone will have to leave. Doors will then reopen later to only those who have wristbands as a ticket for entry.