[Ben Mitchell]

FIRST could score the matches by hand if need be: They can multiply and add, can't they?

Mr. Johnson is right on, in my opinion. If there was ever a year that FIRST had to make a strong showing to both the public and the corporate spectators, this is that year. I know that many teams, including mine, are at risk at being cut due to monetary costs.

If corporate execs look at the FIRST finals, and see a team win the first round, and intentionally lose the second, what would they think?

Why would they be sinking tens of thousands of dollars on FIRST, in order to watch the robot with their corporate logo lose a match on purpose on NASA TV? That would not leave a good impression in my mind, if I was in charge of justifying a FIRST team in a corporations budget.

I strongly urge FIRST to make the change, for the sake of all teams.