[Justin]

Hi,

While I admitedly am not sure what the rules regarding drivers throwing balls are. I do know that in pretty much every year since the human players moved behind the glass with the drivers, mentors have been allowed to hand balls to human players. I have noticed...that FIRST is really really pressing the limited roll of the mentor, and apparently the defined rolls of drivers, operators, and human players. This is all very ironic.

Last year teams were upset because there were some mentors in the drivers's box that would get really heated, this was because of the nature of last years game...team's strategies were so dependent on precise timing, etc. So some asked if perhaps the number of adult coaches shouldn't be limited. FIRST listened...but the game also made this need uncessecary. Regardless of the rule's history...they are certianly enforcing it...with a villigence that I think is surprising many FIRST teams. I've see lots of teams DQed for mentors stepping out of the driver station, or touching controls. I think in both those situations, and your own, there should have been a warning. At least if they had told you to stop what you were doing during the match you could have played on...and researched it later...rather than DQing you.

I sympathize, good luck with the rest of the comp., and I hope it doesn't ruin your expirence.

-Justin