Standing Up During Competition...

[CJV648]

I think there are conflicting principles at work here. The inconvenience of not seeing a 2:15 match versus the desire to express enthusiasm for/inspiration by their team during the short 2:15 that they are on the field. I think FIRST is mainly about inspiring teenage kids to participate in science and technology not about the mentor/sponsor/chaperone spectator experience, though that can be pretty good too. I have experienced the frustration of missing part of a match I was scouting because my view was blocked, but in the big picture I think letting the team in front of me express their enthusiasm is more important to FIRST than my knowing how many tubes team XYZ placed on the rack. The excitement of the matches at the events that makes teams stand and shout encourages me that the program is working. I think specific rules discouraging simple displays of enthusiasm, for example requiring spectators to sit and be quiet during matches (isn't it also rude when you can't hear the announcer over the cheering) should be eschewed.

Perhaps the event organizers should experiment with a separate scouting/no standing section for those who are unable or unwilling to stand during a match.

Just my $.02.