This year's "game" is a job, not a game

[Siri]

Originally Posted by jman4747

FRC matches never look "cool" to outsiders at lower and medium levels of play and usually not even at high levels. That aspect is no different than years past. This challenge is great and the competition is as good as its ever been.

I will counter your anecdote-based opinion with my own anecdote. I've been fieldside for a number of high-profile outsider guests these past few weeks, and it is much worse than last year or particularly 2013 (also 2012). They're not as engaged, don't get caught up in the action, don't watch as long, and make decidedly unexcited comments about how hard this must be.

Now that we both have anecdotes, can we stop asserting their conclusions as fact?

If you'd like to recall your own anecdotes, I'd like to suggest the TBA Approach. Pick your favorite event and your favorite number (under ~70). Watch that match from 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (a current senior's career in FIRST). I just did Match 40 at Week 1 Hatboro-Horsham.

2015 Week 1 HH Match 40
2014 Week 1 HH Match 40
2013 Week 1 HH Match 41 (40 is missing)
2012 Week 1 HH Match 40

There's no correct answer as to which one you enjoy more, but it might be an interesting exercise regardless.