Removing time and score from big screen during elimination matches

[Kevin Ray]

SGRECO,
We happened to have been on that alliance and I too was frustrated by the removal of the score and time from the screen. We, meaning "I", didn't even realize that our coach was somewhat relying upon it to gauge his time to triple balance. The 30 sec. horn was not enough time for our alliance partner to leave the other side of the field and come to our side to be in the middle of the two of our robots.
The very first thing Sat. morning the three of our teams felt that we could triple balance and practiced it on the practice bridge. We did it twice in under 15 seconds each. We then decided that we would try to select each other and hold it for the finals if we ever made it. No other team pulled it off or tried it until the semifinals (at our regional)
Well, luck would come our way and the three of us were partnered and won the first 5 matches in the finals. We weren't relying upon the clock until then, however, as scoring was all that was necessary to win. For the triple we needed the clock and it was then that we realized that they were pulling the clock from the screen--I assume to heighten the excitement of the "unveiling" of the winning score.
No matter what happened on the score board, we were outscored by the other alliance two times in a row and they deserved to win--no excuses!!!!
They were scoring machines who out scored us. Kudos to them and we'll see them at the Nationals.