[Boltman]

Originally Posted by BigBen

Moving or positioning a BOULDER to gain advantage is considered “control.”

If you cause a 2nd boulder to go in a direction that the ref deems advantageous, then they can call the foul.

A robot carrying a boulder and accidentally causes another to cross the outer works for any reason is definitely a foul.

Regardless, it is all up to the opinion of the referees and especially how they were instructed by the head ref during training. During the pre-match driver team meeting with the head ref is a perfectly good time to ask the question on what they will be looking for in regards to G38. There may be differing opinions between the different refs making the calls.

Also, refs do make mistakes from time to time with bad or missed calls. They are human and are making quick decisions often with incomplete information. With that said, they are also all volunteers and should be thanked for hearing you out even if you end up on the short end of a call.

Good luck getting any foul for controlling multiple boulders reversed, since there is no way to prove that the ball was not moved "to gain advantage" after the match is over. That doesn't mean you should not ask the question regarding the ruling if the situation warrants it. You have to know what rule to cite, quote the applicable portion of the rule and plead your case.

Man, I rambled on for awhile there. This is why you shouldn't troll Chief Delphi at 1AM.

But perfectly said. I do believe all refs want whats best for all teams and the best ways for teams to gain clarity is pre-match Q&A, then at the driver meeting and lastly in the question box to the head ref after your match with any other involved ref as well. Read all of the rules and get the latest copy as they change and that is what everyone goes by and yes there can be rules that are somewhat ambiguous, so best to bring those up prior.

Trust me we have been on the bad side of calls ourselves but it is what it is in the end and our bad calls helped many teams in later weeks this season with ref awareness and writing to First about it. That's the chance you take playing weeks 1 and 2. Those playing week 3 and and later benefit as reports come in and changes are made . I do believe most of the crossing issues have been resolved in later weeks based on my observations.

I no longer think instant replay is necessary as long as feedback is taken into account and adjustments made.