San Diego: Tech Foul in Finals

[Johnny]

Originally Posted by Brandon1266

On behalf of 1266, the alliance captain of the winning alliance, I'd like to apologize for the technical foul call. While we do accept it as a victory because it was still a very close game, we are a little offput because it sort of seems like we didn't really "win" it. I would have liked to see a 3rd match played, with a matchup like that you guys really deserved it.

I guess we will just have to hope that technical foul calls will be more refined by Las Vegas, and that we're more aware of what exactly was the foul and sooner. Let's keep in mind though that the refs are doing their best, and that we're fortunate to have dedicated people like that in FIRST.

Brandon spoke for our team. Our team doesn't like the idea of our win being questioned because it was a hard fought victory. Having to win a match "on account of a penalty" is never optimal, but it's just part of the game.

I've been involved in FRC for 10 years and have seen ref calls decide matches and lots questionable calls. I've watched the replay and was on the field when the call happened and I honestly can see why the ref could have made that call.

Picture the scenario; the game was close and the beach bots scoring that last ball could have put the blue alliance ahead, but as the beach bots are going to score the ref sees a red ball move across the field with some force hitting the beach bot robot and no attempt by the red team to grab the ball. Seconds later 330 shoots and misses.

This is probably what the referee saw. Intentional or not, we need to understand that this is a difficult call but it's understandable why it was made. 987 and 2485 were fierce competitors and I have great respect for both teams. 987 has been one of my favorite teams since I started frc and I have looked up to their organization ever since. 2485 has a special place for me because I remember when our original mentor and myself as a student helped your team get started in frc and vex. You guys have turned into such an amazing team! Team 1266 apologizes tremendously for having to win under these conditions. Having been around so long though, I accept that penalties are part of the game and I instruct all my students to be very careful with everything they do during a match, especially during elimination because the threat of game deciding penalty are always present.

We will be seeing 987 and 2485 again at the Vegas regional and our team is looking forward to it! Once again I'm sorry for our team having to win by technical foul, but props to our alliance partner team 330( my favorite team besides my own). Their driver was amazing and saved us quite a few times with his ability to weave through defenses and score in the high goal!