[EricH]

This has been a problem for years, as Don noted. I have a simple solution:

Any team that stands in the way of other teams' scouts during their own matches doesn't get scouted. Doesn't matter how good they are, they just get a note: "Couldn't see the robot for the team." If they're standing in front of enough top 8 seeds, they won't get picked. Simple, right?

OK, so that's over the top. But I do want to remind teams that like to stand throughout the entire match that there are more than likely scouts behind you who can't see your robot while you are standing! And if there's a single group of people who you want to see your robot, it's the scouts. Without a designated scouting area (which no regional has, to my knowledge), the scouts sit with their teams. Should a team stand through the match, the scouts behind said team just plain can't see. Odds are, they also can't stand up easily due to scouting devices such as laptops, paper sans clipboards, PDAs, gear they are using as writing surfaces, etc. Think about it.

I have no problem with standing during announcements, exciting plays, any time when no action is occurring, awards, or individuals moving around. Once again, those are not a problem. However, if you're going to stand through your matches, please find a) the designated cheering areas, if any or b) a place up high at the back or side so that others can see. That way, the scouts, photographers, little kids, and people who don't want to (or can't) stand up.

I would like to note, I worked on the floor at the L.A. regional. I was the retriever for most of what came over the audience-side field border. If I wasn't doing anything, I was sitting down on my rear as close to the stands as possible. I was deliberately trying to keep myself out of the line of sight of the judges, scouts, photographers, and people like that who need a clear shot at the field but can't be on the floor next to the field, yet I still needed to be available to block almost anything that came my way. Why? Because I was a scout during my HS years, and I know they don't like blocked vision. I know the judges (right above me, in the stands) don't appreciate it either. Same for the shutterbugs.

My point? If there is robot action happening on the field, sit down even if it is your team so that others can enjoy watching too. (Exceptions if it's an exciting dump/massive score shift/stuff like that--but please sit down once it's over as a courtesy.)