[EricH]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

The Opportunities:

• Many areas of the country could adopt a district model entirely, provided they have the 3 items of critical mass listed above. Areas that come to my mind are New England, New York/New Jersey, other areas of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic states, California (maybe N/S separately), maybe Texas with some surrounding states, maybe Ontario. Harder in the Plains, the Rockies, the Northwest, and the Southeast. Nearly impossible internationally and in places like Hawaii.
• If several more district models were initiated, perhaps there could be cross-border registrations on a space-available basis. Teams could "visit" in other championship areas; teams in the fringes of their own championship area could apply to transfer to a closer or more accessable championship event.
• Most importantly, there are many aspects that could be implemented immediately world-wide. Bagging vs shipping, make shipping optional. Cut down on full practice days, giving more time for more rounds of matches.

Gary, you've already seen my take on putting a district system in CA. I'd have to agree on the bagging/shipping, etc.

Here's a thought, and maybe this could be implemented next year in MI: Should not enough teams register at a given district, instead of opening it up to MI teams to have a third event, open it up to "outside" teams to "visit" with, say, a week or two of "outside only" before "inside" teams can register. If it's a team with districts in their own area, and they choose to attend in a district in a different area, any points earned apply to their home area; otherwise, no points are earned. Just a crazy idea that maybe isn't so crazy.