[Aidan F. Browne]

Mike --

I don't know what you are doing, or why you are doing it -- but your two posts are full of fictitious slander -- which I will not accept from you.

For some reason that I do not understand, you seem extremely bitter about something that happened at Beantown Blitz. That became obvious on Saturday, when you came over to me during the finals and started screaming at me about the fact that you didn't like the call and that I should call by the rules. (which, imho, was extremely ingracious behaviour) The fact is Mike -- that I did call by the rules -- as I'm sure you have figured out by now, it was you that were not aware of the rules -- don't get on my case for that.

Now, the truth as to what happened:

As Mike stated, there was a disqualification called on the 61 Alliance for intentional tipping in the first match of the SF. Thats a fact - its the way it happened - it was a unamimous decision by the ref crew. Enough said there.

Both alliance captains declared which robots were playing in match two - as they were required. Four minutes after the end of the first match, the 1474 Alliance was not yet on the field -- I went to the alliance captain to find out why, and he informed me that they had called a time out for team 175 to be repaired -- I told them he had not told me -- he said he had told the field attendant -- which I verified. Although that was a mistake on the Alliance Captain's part, I gave him the benefit of the doubt - decided there were three minutes left in his timeout, and went to inform the 61 Alliance Captain of the situation. At the end of the timeout, team 175 was not ready, I, per the rules, did not allow them onto the field. As that discussion was taking place with the Alliance Captain, team 175 became ready. The Alliance Captain asked me if I would ask the other Alliance if they could still put the robot on the field. Although I was clear on the rule, I decided, in the sprit of the off-season competition, to honor his request. When I asked the 61 Alliance Captain, he said he wanted to consult with his coach, then immedicately came back to me with his decision not to allow leeway of the rules. At that point, I was ready to start the match, when it was brought to my attention, that the crowd was thoroughly confused. I took a mic and explained to the crowd exactly what had just transpired, in a completely unbiased manner. Then I immediately started the match. The 61 Alliance won that match, forcing a third match.

As we were setting up for the third match, the 1474 Alliance Captain ran up to me - stating that he had declared 1474 and 839 as the two teams to play in match three, however, at the time he had made that declaration, he was not aware that team 839 had blown a drive motor, and was unable to move. He wanted to swap 175 with 839. I informed him that he was past the time limit to do so, and he again pleaded with me to ask the other Alliance. Again, in the spirit of Beantown, I explained the situation to the 61 Alliance Captain, who told me that he expected them to put the broken robot on the field, which I honored, as it was the rule. The 61 Alliance won match three, advancing into the finals.

The only other incident was in the finals between match one and match two. The 61 Alliance had declared 61 and 1100 as the two teams for match two. 1100 was making repairs to their robot at the side of the field. I informed the 61 Alliance Captain at the three minute mark, that he had a minute to field the robot -- and also gave him a heads up at the 3:30 mark. Each time I was told "We are ready - it will just be another second." At 4:30 I told him he could no longer field the robot, and that I was starting the match. He told me he wanted a time-out, and I explained to him that a time-out had to be declared within the first three minutes after the previous match was finished. He then asked me if I would ask the other Alliance Captain if they would allow it. Again, in the spirit of competition and Beantown Blitz, I honored the request. The other Alliance Captain declined to allow it. When I returned to the 61 Alliance captain to inform him he said "Thank you, I guess fair is fair".

So.... that is what really happened during the finals on Saturday.

Lastly, your accusations that the rule changes were made by me to favor any specific team, is completely ludicrous. I refuse to even address that, other that to let you know that those rule changes on hanging and placing the 10 pt balls on the field were made by the Beantown Blitz Committee, and not me.

Enough said... this the last I have to say on this subject (excepting if the slander continues).

Aidan