[AmoryG]

I do agree with the OP on some point, particularly with the occasional horrible penalty call. I empathize with your team because I remember a time when I felt the rules screwed my team out of a win that would of sent our alliance to the semifinals.

I also agree that the best teams aren't always on top. I occasionally see teams I did not expect at the top of the rankings, or even elite teams that somehow are in the bottom half of the rankings. Take 254 at the San Diego Regional. They finished with a 5-5 record, but were picked by the #1 seed even though they struggled throughout the event. And on the other side of the spectrum are teams that are ranked near the top, but are declined by many higher seeding teams. I agree that the rankings can be a little messed up, but generally they're pretty good and almost always the best teams form the best alliances and they will usually win the events.

Also, keep in mind that FIRST really is doing the best job it can do. And given that the competitions are almost exclusively run by volunteers, I think FIRST is doing a pretty good job. And if you don't think so, just look at other competitions such as in college and professional sports, and you'll know FIRST is doing something right. College sports are dominated by a few teams, and it's very rare other teams rise above the rest. Every regional is worth watching in FIRST because there's always a few outstanding teams that aren't recognized outside of the region. And while our volunteer referees and judges aren't perfect, is our system so much worse than the systems in professional sports? I'm always hearing how the greatest players are favored by referees, and the blatant cheating that participants get away because of how difficult it is to objectively call fouls and penalties. And in every sport I can think of, the perennial playoff contenders are almost universally hated. Great teams in FIRST are universally respected, and we actually cheer for winners as often as we cheer for the underdogs. And think of all the smack players talk about players from other teams. It really is amazing how a bunch of high school students act more maturely than these "professional" athletes.

So I agree FIRST has problems, but I can't agree that it hasn't been doing a good job for the most part.