[Donut]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

• May require more referees. Most events presently have 5 or 6 referees, while this arrangement would require 6 or 7 referees.
  
• Referees would need to move around more, which is often difficult because the area near the field is quite cramped at some venues.

These two pretty much make a change like that a non-starter. I would run into my fellow refs if I had to follow a team around the field, looking at a zone allows you to focus on one area and certain penalties for that area. Also the two events I have been a referee at the last two years had to pull in at least one referee last second (two weeks or less notice) just to get to 6, we'd be more short with 7 needed.

On the note of tablets, I'm concerned about wireless interference given how many comms issues already occur for teams, and a wired tablet would be a tripping hazard. I would however like to see the time sensitivity on the current screen buttons adjusted, as there were times where I and others have attempted to push a button but not had it register. Not sure if FIRST uses the default settings for button sensitivity or has actually tested the timing settings but it is a pretty easy change to make for next year's displays.