[Adam Freeman]

Originally Posted by stjonl

I think part of the story happen before St. Loius. At MSC the finals were 469, 67 and 830 against 2054, 548 and 245. The red alliance won the first match, but the second match ended in a most unusual note. 2054, 548 and 245 were attempting a tripple balance. A little before that, 67 was in the blue alley and died about two feet in front of the blue bridge. The blue alliance charlie browned the bridge and contact was made with 67 a few times. At the end of the match, the blue bridge was level, but one robot, on the blue alliance side was half on the bridge and the floor. The referees looked it over and huddled up. I believe they call a few 3 point penaties during the match for contact in the alley. The final score was close enough that a blue bridge balance would have given them the match win and force a thrid final match. I can only assume the referees were discussing if there was a bridge balancing interference. As they discussed the issue, the winning teams were call to the floor to cut down the nets. Referees still discussing. Some of the nets have now been cut down. One referee leaves the huddle, removes his striped shirt within a couple steps and is clearly not happy. The rest of the nets are cut down. I can not remember exactly when the referee huddle ended, but at some point the MC them explains that the balanced blue bridge did not count because of the one robot half on the bridge and the floor. No mention of the possible bridge balancing interference. Myself and many others believe that the bridge balance was interfered with, OK, not deliberately, but just the same. That's not how the referees called it. 2054, 548 and 245 could have been denied a chance to win the tournament because of that call. Referees are human and they do the best they can, do not blame them unless you want to fill their shoes.
I was really suprised that the referee huddle was still in progress when they began the ending ceremonies. That really dampened the mode for everyone there.

I am not quite sure what your post has to do with this topic. It's not even correct. The field was given the "all clear" signal and the scores/winners were announced before the nets were cut. Not sure what was going in with the refs (maybe Gary Voshol can clarify). I know there were some upset mentors from the blue alliance. Heck, even the drive coaches for the winning alliance were less than enthusiastic with the way things ended.