[Kevin Sevcik]

I'm pretty sure this rule is meant to make the Pits more friendly for teams. It's just over generalized cause it's easier to ban all loud stuff then to tell teams not to use them in the Pits and then try to enforce that.

Arguments about teams knowing when they're up aside, the are always a rather lot of announcements in the Pits. Requests for parts, random information for teams, lots of useful stuff that can be drowned out. Also, nothing it more annoying than having to shout at someone two feet away for a wrench when you're hurrying to fix your bot, all cause a team is coming back from a winning match with loudspeakers, clackers and a drum line all going at once.

The rule is mostly to make it easier for teams to work in the Pits, it's just spilling over into the stands.

Edit:
I also personally dislike bands in the stands. I play music for a local, smaller 'bot competition, and nothing is more annoying than a band coming in and playing over the music I'm playing. FIRST has DJs and sound systems for a reason. I know they're great for the spirit of that particular team, but they don't do much for other teams and really annoy the DJ.