Thoughts from an Outsider

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Tstone

1. If there were banners or a-frame signs around the entrances that explained the gameplay and penalties.

2. If there were programs for sale (I would have easily paid $5.00 to $10.00 for such a great item) which gave photos and bios of all the teams, and a little history about their teams. It could also contain sections explaining rules, penalties and gameplay.

The programs are free. The problem is that too often, they are at Pit Admin and not out where people are coming in. Team info (no photos) and a one-page overview of the game are included. Event-specific info is another component (e.g. last year's winners of various awards).

Originally Posted by Tstone

3. If the announcers would, from time to time, explain what the penalties and scoring are. There is a lot of "fluff" time between matches where the host or announcer could take a moment to explain some important aspect of the game using instant replay video or even just some canned animation. This would add a lot of useful info to the event.

Unfortunately, matches are not recorded on-site. animation would have to be used. Also, most announcers do announce the penalties and scoring; they integrate the scoring into their play-by-play and announce the penalties after the match.

Originally Posted by Tstone

4. Understanding the ranking system is imperative! This is a sport! Scores matter to the teams AND spectators. Its like going to a football game and having to wander down to the locker room to have to find out what the score is. So much focus is put on match score but nobody talks about the ranking system as it builds through the event. Thats not very fan friendly. I watched the enitre KC regional and was halfway through the Denver event before I realized that points of the LOSING team had an impact on the winner! I think that ranking boards like those found in the pits need to be displayed in a couple of public areas and a clear explanation of the ranking system should accompany the board.

Agreed. Sometimes in the past, the rankings were shown on the field screens during breaks. This needs to return. Also, a clear explanation of the ranking is needed; I actually saw that someone had put the criteria (from the manual) down on the table in front of the screens in the pit to help people figure it out at one event. Even the mentors found it helpful on occasion...

Yes, everything is in the manual. Not every spectator reads the manual, though, nor can we expect them to.