I am pretty disappointed with most of the answers here. To be honest, my team does take a serious note when it comes to Pit Scouting - and we make certain to prep our Pit Team for the questions.
We are a team that has needed much from our competitors, and we truly rely on our Pit team to find these answers/help. We also try to aid other teams via Pit Scouting.
I may be taking this 'scouting thing' a bit differently than the rest of the responders, but here is what we try to do:
1. We actually glean info from the Pit scouting. Ask the right questions and you can get the right answers.
2. My team finds inspiration for our next season in what the other teams are doing in the off season.
3. Gauge a level of awareness of the 'whole' team. Kids are honest - and they will tell you some awesome and amazing stories about their teams!
4. Find out what teams are making a big splash.
5. Infer how teams will pick in the alliance selection. This was a great help in 2014 at the MSHSL tournament. We knew our 'fate' before the No. 1 Alliance Captain announced it. We adjusted accordingly. From 2530's video's you can hear the
confusion of alliance selection (listen close at the :48 sec mark). As you can tell, our Captain (Ginger Power) didn't hesitate as we already 'knew' we were not going to be picked by 2175. We put together the alliance that we knew would be the best to knock off the other two returning champs.
6. To get to know the other teams. This is about the kids competing AND celebrating their accomplishments.
7. The Pit team likes to brag up the robot - let them have at it!