MAR Competitions

[Macktack]

I have been involved in FIRST for a very long time now and I have been a volunteer for many years as well as hosted FRC FLL and Jr.FLL events at my school so I have a pretty good understanding of what goes on behind the curtain. First off, Id like to say that I know all the head refs for MAR, and most of the regular refs as well, and they are all absolutely amazing people. I would trust them with almost anything. While I do agree that the current system of refing is flawed, I would not put all the blame on these people. The problem with FRC refing is that they have very little opportunity to do "what is morally correct" because they are bound by the strict rules given by FIRST. This is very unfortunate and I think that the solution to the problem should start with giving refs a little more opportunity to do what is morally correct regardless of what is written in the rules. Second, I find it to be quite frankly stupid to have a system where you have 6 refs and 6 robots but each ref is supposed to watch more than one robot at a time. As far as I know, there isnt much going on on the field unless there is a robot involved, which begs the question, why isnt each ref assigned one of the six robots to watch for that match? I have been asking myself and others this question for years and I have yet to hear a strong argument for why this wouldnt work. I understand that refs are volunteers and that they need to rest but I really dont think it would be hard to fine one or two more people that could ref so that you could have a total of six refs on the field for each match. So now that I have said that, please tell me that I am not an adult, tell me that I dont know what the time commitment is, tell me that humans get things wrong sometimes, I can handle it. Just keep in mind that I am an adult, I have been the first one in and the last one out (because I get a ride with the guy who has the keys), and I work 18 hours a day seven days a week for the entire summer so I understand what time commitment is.