I wonder if you could just implement a backpack rule, where if you want to save a seat the seat needs to be occupied by a backpack, purse, or satchel. Not a coat, not a blanket, something that would be considered a carry on for a plane.
One bag one seat.
If you want to game the system and bring 40 extra backpacks to a competition to secure an area go ahead and bring 40 extra backpacks to secure an area. I'd actually pay to see a team force all students to carry 2 or 3 bags into the stands just to secure seats.
Actually I'm only even suggesting it because I DO want to see that scenario roll out.
Either way the best seats in the house should be saved for guests, and those with special needs. I also find it silly to think that we need to give scouts so much room when we could just share more of the scouting information we collect. Instead of having 3-4 people from every team at an event gathering the exact same data (how many high goals were made, how many low goals, did they climb) if people just shared the information we would free up a lot of seats. A cross team electronic scouting database would dissolve a lot of threads about "how do we share information at a venue without wireless" it would promote better relationships between teams, it would save paper that is turned into airplanes.
People need to realize that people that aren't on their team aren't the enemy. If you have a stranger with no team affiliation sit down with your team and you help explain the game to them and show them how things go guess who they will most likely cheer for? YOU!
Another rule that annoys me has to do with noise makers. I know you want to cheer for your team and make some noise, but my parents didn't come to an event to have their ears blown out by your stupid horns.
Its hilarious that teams will invest money into cameras and tri-pods to have a better view at the driver station, yet somehow the only way we scouts can get the information they need is if they "have a good seat".
TL
R
For a group that takes pride in being GP
There is nothing gracious about these passive aggressive behaviors at competition
There is nothing professional about only living by some of the rules in the manual