Basketball Traditions at FIRST Events

[EricH]

It's still the staff that's hurting, and here's why:

They have to pack the field up.

What usually happens at an event is that as soon as the final match is over, the staff starts preparing for takedown--maybe some electronics come back to the scorer's table, maybe some zipties get cut, maybe the packing manual comes out. As soon as the awards ceremony is over, while teams are taking pictures on the field (if it's safe do do so), the electronics come down and a lot of the "minor" stuff like the field side shields come down, then one of the alliance stations comes down. Then the other, and whatever's in the middle of the field. Then the field gets packed up (and if the field crew is lucky, the practice field is already stowed and they've got lots of help). If the field crew is really, really, good and the event ends on time, they're out by 6-7 PM. Teams are out by 5-6, usually.

Every time the net has to be replaced due to a team cutting it down, that's time that the field crew has to wait. At 3 nets/event (and that's if the RCA, EI, RAS, and maybe other random teams DON'T cut down a net), and if you figure that it takes 5 minutes per net to cut down and replace, not counting getting the ladder, that's 15 minutes that the field teardown has to wait before getting going on part X of the field, given that teams don't do the cutdown/replace all at once.

As a volunteer, I realize that teams want to celebrate. But doggone it, I want to get home after being at the venue for three days dealing with all the issues that crop up! (And for those who don't know: the volunteers' day at the venue is longer than yours. They're usually in the building a half-hour to hour before you are, depending on position.) I'm really not going to enjoy it if team A asks to cut down the net (and is prepared to replace it) and then team B sees team A and thinks "hey, great idea!" and starts cutting down another one, because now, not only do I have to get a net replaced that I hadn't planned on (or my field's next FTA does), but maybe teams C, D, and E see team B cutting down the net, and team A having cut one down, and decide "great idea, let's do it!" Then you get the "If they're allowed to do it, why are we not?" discussion.

IF you want to cut down the net, talk to the FTA/Field Supervisor first. Preferably as soon as possible on Saturday. That way, they can plan somewhat on how to deal with it. And if they say no, then just accept that and move on.