[Steve W]

Travis, stop your whining. If you stop a minute and think of what you are saying then .... OOPS I agree with Travis. I hope that this doesn't negate things he says. There are many who say that the game is a small aspect to FIRST. That it is just a hook to get the kids interested. If you take away that hook how will you get them interested. The Game is an essential part of FIRST. Without it who would pay $6000.00 US (I'm Canadian) to get a kit of parts to build a robot that really has nothing to do.

Many of us who are voicing our opinions are volunteers. I have been a Ref for Hockey, Soccer and Umped Slow Pitch ball. I understand that Refs make mistakes. I have seen some this year at FIRST. Does that bother me, NO. They are calling the game as they have had it portrayed to them. I believe that the Issue is the inconsistent , regional to regional interpretations. There is a lack of written "rule interpretations and non rules" to the teams. Breaking the plane was a written rule last year. This year is was employed by the head ref without a back up by FIRST of what the call is and how it should be enforced. The tipping penalty is called anywhere from a non call, 10 pt, 30 pt, shut down to DQ. Every regional that I have attended (4) has been different. Heck I get frustrated and I don't always have a team there. I you happen to touch a robot in the auto load zone 30 pt penalty but if you flip them over a 10 pt. Where is the logic behind the penalty structure. Touching a robot after a tetra has been loaded? I have seen it called that as soon as the robot starts to leave the zone that they are fair play. I have seen any robot passing through the loading zone as drawing a penalty because the ref could not determine if the robot was in the process of loading. The rules on this seem to be changing week by week, regional by regional.

What is it we are looking for? A clear written form of communication from FIRST on what the rules are and how they should be called. This would take the pressure off of everyone. I don't mean a Q&A response because there are many incorrect responses on the Q&A. We need an update and/or email blast. I know that as an announcer I need to know and understand the rules if I am to do my job well and I am confused. Please let's just have some firm guidelines to follow.