[Will Hanashiro]

last year at regional competetions, several teams had stereo systems... and they were usally asked to turn them off via. the PA. well these teams that had stereo systems turned them off, but eventually they would be booming their music again.

i'm predicting that PEOPLE WILL HAVE NOISEMAKERS in the stands this year... and even if they are asked to quit using them, they will resume using them after a while. even though this would violate "gracious professionalism," teams will still have noismakers in the stand. i feel that FIRST will really have to work hard in trying to enforce this rule, and after a while they may give up and allow them in the stands, and only in the stands.

personally, i feel that too much noise in the pits can get really annoying, but noisemaking in the stands adds another level of excitement and enjoyment for the viewers and operators. being a driver on my team, i really enjoyed it when people in the stands cheered as they called out our team number, and i'm sure other drivers/operators/human players/coaches also enjoyed being cheered for. as the cheering got louder, the excitement grew as well, and this is why i feel that noisemakers in the stands should be allowed (as long as they're kept with reason).