Saving seats and Dean's homework

[Koko Ed]

We are one of those teams that saves seats.
We find it very important to have our team sit together. Having kids spread all over the arena gives off the impression of a lack of cohesiveness and it helps the teachers keep track of what are kids are doing at what time during the event. We do not chase people away though. If you want to sit with us go ahead. Just be prepared to be assimilated into the X-Cats way.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

We are one of those teams that saves seats.
We find it very important to have our team sit together. Having kids spread all over the arena gives off the impression of a lack of cohesiveness and it helps the teachers keep track of what are kids are doing at what time during the event. We do not chase people away though. If you want to sit with us go ahead. Just be prepared to be assimilated into the X-Cats way.

I totally agree, that's how MORT is. We saved seats as soon as we got to the arena on Saturday not only b/c we have a huge team, but b/c its the final day and everyone, I mean EVERYONE comes. Those of you who saw our team at Trenton know how massive our team is. You kinda can't miss the sea of yellow and black But also, teams sometimes save seats in order to have organized scouting and have alternates ready at hand. This is something very important to teams who scout well.

Also, if your team has had the same spot for the last 2 day of competition, let another team take it. Its a little unfair if another team has to sit all the way up in the stands when you have perfect seats throughout the regional. This happened to us and it made scouting,cheering, and also getting out of the arena a lot harder. We actually had people come from other teams constantly asking us if we "really needed those seats" and we assured them that they would be filled up. But yet again, we were asked over and over and finally, at the end of the day, it turned out that we needed more seats than that certain area of the stands had. So yeah...save seats only when you need to.

[dbell]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

I totally agree, that's how MORT is. We saved seats as soon as we got to the arena on Saturday not only b/c we have a huge team, but b/c its the final day and everyone, I mean EVERYONE comes. Those of you who saw our team at Trenton know how massive our team is. You kinda can't miss the sea of yellow and black But also, teams sometimes save seats in order to have organized scouting and have alternates ready at hand. This is something very important to teams who scout well.

Also, if your team has had the same spot for the last 2 day of competition, let another team take it. Its a little unfair if another team has to sit all the way up in the stands when you have perfect seats throughout the regional. This happened to us and it made scouting,cheering, and also getting out of the arena a lot harder. We actually had people come from other teams constantly asking us if we "really needed those seats" and we assured them that they would be filled up. But yet again, we were asked over and over and finally, at the end of the day, it turned out that we needed more seats than that certain area of the stands had. So yeah...save seats only when you need to.

wow, what a complicated issue.
First off, I do respect teams MORT and the X-cats. However, it seems that they are clearly breaking a policy by FIRST.

3.16 BLEACHER RULES
Sitting together in a group during competition matches makes the game more exciting and fun. It’s where you can show support for your team. Since very often there is not enough seating to accommodate everyone, there has to be a policy regarding seating. Teams are not allowed to save seating space. With this in mind, it is not permitted to hang banners or ribbons to designate such an area. We will remove and discard banners or roping, etc. Please take turns sitting in the bleachers. Share the fun. When you see there is a crowding problem, leave after your team's match and return later for another few matches.
It says: Teams are not allowed to save seating space.

To me it seems to me like there isn't enough room for every member and fan of every team to sit together, and still have room for any non-team spectators to sit. I agree that this is a problem that must be solved for Deans homework to succeed. Here is a possible solution:
Have designated areas for "Spectators Only". This could be one or two seating sections where anyone with a team shirt is not allowed. Anyone from the general public can sit here. This section should have a good view, so that non-team spectators can enjoy the event. Then, even if teams save seats, there is still a place for spectators.

Just my thoughts,
DB

[SL8]

Originally Posted by dbell

Have designated areas for "Spectators Only". This could be one or two seating sections where anyone with a team shirt is not allowed. Anyone from the general public can sit here. This section should have a good view, so that non-team spectators can enjoy the event. Then, even if teams save seats, there is still a place for spectators. DB

The problem I have with this arrangment is that it helps create an us and them attitude. I think if the public sat with a team even though they aren't
associated, I feel like they would recieve more of the experience.
I definitely wouldn't want our Gen. Shoemaker to be told that " this seat is saved." If you don't know who he is look him up.
-Jesus

[aksimhal]

My personal opinion is that there just aren't enough seats for everyone in the first place. At VCU last year, almost all the seats were taken! Maybe FIRST needs bigger venues?

Just my two cents

[FourPenguins]

I'm going to clarify MORT's seat-saving policy before this gets blown out of proportion.
MORT is a team of about fifty students. We also have a very active group of alumni who come back for regionals. It is not unusual for MORT's section of the stands to contain about 100 people on a Saturday. In order for our team to sit together, we do take up a massive block of the stands. That's just the nature of a team of our size.
If someone who is not from MORT tried to sit with MORT, I doubt (and sincerely hope, on behalf of my team) that anyone would give them a hard time unless someone was sitting there and had left to get food, go to the bathroom, etc. We do not mark seats as taken unless they actually are, and I would not begrudge it to any person, on or off the team, to sit with us.
That said, there are often seats in our section of the stands containing only a pile of coats. Just ask and we'll move them for you!

[galewind]

The way I see it, MORT also has the common courtesy and sense to utilize a section of the stands that isn't prime real estate that everyone else is "fighting" for. You realize that sometimes you have to make sacrifices to make sure you can fit everyone in. I suspect that we'll be having to do similar things in the coming years. (Of course, this means now everyone will fight for the top box seats so we can all fit our huge teams )

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by aksimhal

Maybe FIRST needs bigger venues?

Indeed, the stands at NJ were almost maxed out.

Originally Posted by FourPenguins

It is not unusual for MORT's section of the stands to contain about 100 people on a Saturday.

If someone who is not from MORT tried to sit with MORT, I doubt (and sincerely hope, on behalf of my team) that anyone would give them a hard time

First, MORT took up a sizable fraction of the arena, they are a HUGE team. It's a beautiful sea of yellow and black!

Second, MORT selected very non-prime seats, off to the side and up pretty high. (A minor logistical issue when they came down for their trophy ensued...)

Third, I actually DID sit within MORT's "area" and nobody said a word, shoo'd me away or anything - there was an empty seat, I sat there, later I left...Just like it should be.

I agree that teams need to sit together, and kind-of staking out your area is a real necessity. Chasing people away is to be frowned upon. If anyone were to say "that seat is saved", I'd reply "OK, I'll leave when they return".


On a related note: I wish there was some better way of managing ALL THE COATS that are a necessity at a northern regional. Bring a team of 35 and you have to somewhere store 35 big fluffy coats - not to mention the other paraphernalia that teenagers bring with them. The pits don't have the room, there is a security concern ( I don't want my coat to walk away), I need occasional access to it, etc...

Hmmm, perhaps some team can organize a free Coat Check service next year...

Don

[galewind]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

On a related note: I wish there was some better way of managing ALL THE COATS that are a necessity at a northern regional. Bring a team of 35 and you have to somewhere store 35 big fluffy coats - not to mention the other paraphernalia that teenagers bring with them. The pits don't have the room, there is a security concern ( I don't want my coat to walk away), I need occasional access to it, etc...

Hmmm, perhaps some team can organize a free Coat Check service next year...

Don

Don, as we sat right in front of you I'm sure you can attest that we had coats filling multiple seats as well, and we were trying to stack coats, too! Include things like spirit items to help cheer you on, it gets REALLY tight, especially when you're trying to invite the public. And yes, with only a 10x10 space in the pits, you barely have room to work, let alone store anything

[Koko Ed]

Leaving coats in the pits is a guaranteed way to incur the wrath of the pit crew. And just laying them elsewhere is a very bad idea as we have had team sweatshirts stolen before and here in Rochester it is unreasonable to leave the coats in the cars.

[merybar]

I to have mixed feelings on this issue. I really like the idea however of dividing up the arena into sections where teams can then reside. It would solve all the problems of "saving seats" and would also show where you can find people. It is awesome to sit with your team at the events!!!!!!!
Good Luck to Everyone!
Matt Rybar
894

[EricH]

Originally Posted by merybar

I to have mixed feelings on this issue. I really like the idea however of dividing up the arena into sections where teams can then reside. It would solve all the problems of "saving seats" and would also show where you can find people. It is awesome to sit with your team at the events!!!!!!!
Good Luck to Everyone!
Matt Rybar
894

The one problem with this is: Teams do not have a fixed size. How would you divide the sections equally between teams so that a team could just pick a spot? If you have the sections different sizes, how do you position them so that there isn't favoritism towards one team size or another? And do you jumble the sections up between days to give more teams the good seats, or do you leave them?

[Laaba 80]

Originally Posted by aksimhal

Maybe FIRST needs bigger venues?

I dont think they need bigger venues, mainly because they dont get much bigger. I do think they need to reorganize the set up. It they put the field in the middle of the stadium you could use the side bleachers that would be around 1/2 courd or the 50 yard line. This would allow seating on both sides of the field. They could split the pits into 2 sections like they do at WI. Put pits on either sides of the field. The only problem I see with this set up is trying to find a place for the large display screen.
Joey

[aksimhal]

Originally Posted by Laaba 80

I dont think they need bigger venues, mainly because they dont get much bigger. I do think they need to reorganize the set up. It they put the field in the middle of the stadium you could use the side bleachers that would be around 1/2 courd or the 50 yard line. This would allow seating on both sides of the field. They could split the pits into 2 sections like they do at WI. Put pits on either sides of the field. The only problem I see with this set up is trying to find a place for the large display screen.
Joey

There is a solution, but it is (in my opinion) not extremely desirable: have less teams at the regional. (and then have more regionals )

[KTorak]

I'll admit we save seats so the kids in the pits and parents have seats WITH our team to watch matches. We believe everyone should be seated by each other, especially when cheering. However, we only save as many seats as we need for everyone there.