[Jack Jones]

My two teams (2612 Waterford Mott and 1213 Birmingham Groves) are faced with a tough decision. I want to see them both at the MI Champs, but both are strapped for cash. The main reason Groves came back to FIRST after taking ’08 off was because they were guaranteed a decent return on their investment, I.E. at least 24 matches for $5k.

If the MI Championship is structured like a regular regional, 40 of the 64 teams are looking at 7 or 8 matches for $4k, maybe they’ll play Saturday afternoon, maybe not.

Both teams feel that because of 2 districts for Groves and 3 districts for Mott, they are ready to play and don’t need a full practice day on Thursday. If FiM would start Quals after lunch on Thursday to repeat the pace of 12 matches that we’re all used to, then I think many teams on the same boat as we would be more willing to add one more week to our season.

How about it? Do the rest of you think you’d be ready to start Quals on Thursday?