why doesn't FIRST have 3rd place?

[Anupam Goli]

Well, there is usually a lot of time between the semifinals and the finals. It could be run just like an ordinary match in this case, or run between finals matches.

[dcarr]

While it might make it easier to explain to outsiders how well you did, I don't really see any other benefits to determining a third place. We were semifinalists in LA...being called '3rd place' would have made no difference.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Wing

Well, there is usually a lot of time between the semifinals and the finals.

If there is - and there doesn't have to be - there would be just as much time between the semifinals and the 3rd place match.

[Peter Matteson]

We always refer to the the allaince that went to 3 matches as 3rd place if the other side went 2 and out for ease of explaining it.
I don't think there's really a bennefit to doing it officially.
The time cycle for most games in the past has usally made it so clean up and breakdown of the fields pushes it close to when we are supposed to be out of venues. I think this would just drag out the wait for awards.

Also look at most major sports, football, baseball, basketball (NCAA tournament too) and hockey where when you're out that's it. There is no need to find a 3rd place because all that the people want to see is the champion.

[IndySam]

Why does it matter who came in third? There is no award for third or forth or anything other than 1st and runner up.

Until this thread I have never even heard it brought up?

[Will Andrews]

I had been wondering why this hasn't been established yet. Teams should get to play in as many matches as possible considering the investment required to register for an event. I don't think anyone would get upset if they used a little more than the breaks between the finals to play.

[dk5sm5luigi]

Originally Posted by Wing

Well, there is usually a lot of time between the semifinals and the finals.

That time is because you are guaranteed at least five minutes between matches. Adding a third place match will add 10 minutes to the day and that is only if you play one match. Doing best 2 out of 3 could add up to a half hour and that is a lot of time to determine something that really doesn't matter.
Nick