Team Update #13

[GaryVoshol]

Alibi brings up good points. It all depends on if the new second sentence in <G14> applies just to <G14>, or if it applies to all the trackball scoring rules. This should generate some good discussion in the meetings with the head refs this morning.

One potential problem: Suppose Red has placed one of their Trackballs on their own Overpass and it is not in motion. A Blue shooter flings their Trackball just as the clock hits zero. The Blue Trackball displaces the Red trackball from the Overpass (in a counterclockwise direction), and comes to rest on the Overpass. Under <G14>, the Blue Trackball now counts for 12 points. But what happened to the Red Trackball? It wasn't restrained by a robot, but it wasn't in motion either. Choices are
(1) 12 points for Red, because it was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero
(2) 8 points for Red, because when the Trackball came to rest it had completed a Hurdle
(3) 0 points for Red, because the Trackball was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero so it doesn't count as a Hurdle, and because it was not on the Overpass when it came to rest.

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Alibi brings up good points. It all depends on if the new second sentence in <G14> applies just to <G14>, or if it applies to all the trackball scoring rules. This should generate some good discussion in the meetings with the head refs this morning.

One potential problem: Suppose Red has placed one of their Trackballs on their own Overpass and it is not in motion. A Blue shooter flings their Trackball just as the clock hits zero. The Blue Trackball displaces the Red trackball from the Overpass (in a counterclockwise direction), and comes to rest on the Overpass. Under <G14>, the Blue Trackball now counts for 12 points. But what happened to the Red Trackball? It wasn't restrained by a robot, but it wasn't in motion either. Choices are
(1) 12 points for Red, because it was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero
(2) 8 points for Red, because when the Trackball came to rest it had completed a Hurdle
(3) 0 points for Red, because the Trackball was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero so it doesn't count as a Hurdle, and because it was not on the Overpass when it came to rest.

In my interpretation of the INTENT of the rule change (everyone knows the GDC wants us to think about intent of rules and not just lawyering the exact terminology), would lead me to believe 8 pts for red, as their ball was influenced by a ball in "unrestrained" motion at the end of the match.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Alibi brings up good points. It all depends on if the new second sentence in <G14> applies just to <G14>, or if it applies to all the trackball scoring rules. This should generate some good discussion in the meetings with the head refs this morning.

One potential problem: Suppose Red has placed one of their Trackballs on their own Overpass and it is not in motion. A Blue shooter flings their Trackball just as the clock hits zero. The Blue Trackball displaces the Red trackball from the Overpass (in a counterclockwise direction), and comes to rest on the Overpass. Under <G14>, the Blue Trackball now counts for 12 points. But what happened to the Red Trackball? It wasn't restrained by a robot, but it wasn't in motion either. Choices are
(1) 12 points for Red, because it was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero
(2) 8 points for Red, because when the Trackball came to rest it had completed a Hurdle
(3) 0 points for Red, because the Trackball was not in motion at the time the clock hit zero so it doesn't count as a Hurdle, and because it was not on the Overpass when it came to rest.

I'm stunned and impressed that you managed to think up a reasonably plausible situation that actually covers every possible interpretation of the rule.

Also, a point I haven't seen considered yet. What does this rules update imply for trackball scoring at the end of the hybrid period? A removed trackball counts 8 points if it's not touching the overpass. Is that also an instantaneous decision or will that also be a wait and see decision? I think this actually argues for the universal interpretation of the wait and see clause and against the interpretation of Gary and me. At least, I think it would make more sense to universally apply the wait and see clause. So I think it's exceedingly odd for the GDC to have added a universal clause to the tail end of just one rule, but I will not be at all surprised if it's interpreted as universal and the GDC releases a later update accusing Gary and I of rules lawyering and general obtuseness.

[GaryVoshol]

The more I think of it, the more I believe it will be a general concept, at least for the end of the game. I don't know what principle will be applied at the end of hybrid. I base this on the two bullet points in the Update (but which are not part of the Rule). It says "in reference to the <G14> rule change" and then the first bullet point discusses robot scoring, which has nothing to do with <G14>. Granted, it says that the change in <G14> does not make a change in any of the robot scoring rules. But then the second bullet point addresses "scores contributed by Trackballs" - scores in general, not scores specific to <G14>.

I guess we shall have to wait and see how it turns out. Maybe some of those people who are busy competing today will get on later and tell us how this was interpreted. And hopefully it will be a universal interpretation, not a regional-by-regional one. My guess, with the timing of this Update on Thursday instead of Friday, was that this came up in a conference call between the head refs, and the GDC realized they had to get it out in time for today's competitions.

[ALIBI]

I do not have much time, however, what is more important is how it is being called today during the qualification matches. Does anyone have a report from the competition? I love the GDC, but, rule changes on the eve of a competition, especially when a direct Q&A previously posted and answered was exactly opposite? I'll be happy as long as which ever way this ends up, as long as everyone is on the same page. Still love you guys!