Sounds wrong, but throwing a match for FL?

[Joe Menassa]

I know this sounds really wrong (or does it)? But I was wondering if anyone one else thought about this scenario. In the finals at a regional if there are 3 even numbered teams already going to FL playing against 3 odd numbered teams trying to win so they can go to FL would it be so bad if the EVEN numbered alliance threw the match so the ODD numbered alliance could go to FL. I personally think this would be a nice thing to do (us being an odd numbered team hoping to win our way to FL) but I would not want it to happen because I think it would cause too much unwanted controversy. How do others feel about this idea?

[Brian Savitt]

would it be so bad if the odd numbered alliance threw the match so the even numbered alliance could go to FL.

I think you have it backwards that the even numbered team would be the one who would theorhetically throw the match.

Brian

[AdamT]

Either way, I think it would be cool, but can you actually see teams doing this?? Remember, if the even number team wins it, then they get more points for nexy year.

[Tom Schindler]

You have to remember that teams want to qualify for the 2003 competition... i dont think teams will be throwing matches.

Tom

[Todd Derbyshire]

As soon as I heard the qualification process for Florida I started a similar thread. The general concensus was that teams wouldn't do it because they need to qualify for FL. However, what happens if that team already has qualified via Chairman's award or another award from another Regional due you
A) Go ahead and still smash the other alliance
B) Ask your alliance partners (who are all going to FL) if they want to give away the match
C) Don't ask alliance partners and just jeopardize there chances next year so that the other alliance can go to FL.

In my personal opinion I hope A only happens because I feel that it is unfair for the rest of the competition to be given that chance. (C should never happen if it does it is a tragedy) However, if anything is fair they should keep the teams that qualified out of the elimination rounds and do something separate for next year's qualification points maybe a separate playoffs where the four top qualified teams pick alliances and battle.

[Patrick Wang]

Personally,

I think that throwing a match would defeat the purpose of having a competition in the first place. The idea, I think is to do your best, and nothing less. If you think about it from the perspective of the team you are throwing the match to, I would personally think that I had won something that I had not deserved.

Competing, I suppose there is a sense of honor to it. I would not accept nor expect any less of another alliance but their best.

Sure the topic of discussion would be, whether or not it would be within the spirit of FIRST and gracious Professionalism to allow another team to goto nationals, but you also have to consider that maybe another team would want to really compete against a truthful opponent.

[junkyarddawg]

Sounds like a noble idea. However, the reason they are limiting the number of teams going to Epcot is due to a limitation at Disney to accomodate all of the teams at once. I would sure hate to see the limitation shrink to a lower number of teams because this years limitation didn't produce the expected results. I would pursue a concept of increasing the number of teams from each regional that could win their way to Epcot on a waiting list composed of the even number teams that are not going for lack of resources.

Tim Gates

[Mr. Van]

It is this sort of problem that will lead FIRST to seriously reconsider the curent set-up for the "Championship" in Fl. FIRST wants to play down the importance of going to Epcot while at the same time, it is clear that many teams consider the Florida event to be the very most important.

For some teams this year, winning a regional will be "everything" while others (for various reasons) will not have the same incentives.

-Mr. Van

[THE EDGE]

oh yeah then why dont we just start ripping everyones wires out huh?!

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by THE EDGE
oh yeah then why dont we just start ripping everyones wires out huh?!

Now that's just a little extreme, don't you think? It's a perfectly good discussion about what might happen at Nationals, let's keep the topic at that.

It's great that you like posting in this forum, but try not to post too many "funny" comments and not share any ideas...

The chances of a 3 even vs 3 odd for the championships are tiny....one side being all odd or one side being all even is a posibility...but I doubt anyone would have to worry about that happening...but if it did and I was involved...i wouldnt throw the match..id continue on like normal...


plus i really dont think "Throwing a match" is "gracious professionalism"....dont quote me on that...but thats just my thoughts

[megabass31]

Ahh, the choice of throwing the match. Sometimes, you may think it makes you look gracious. But let us remember, sometimes winning a match because the other team did not perform their best on purpose can be seen as more of an insult than a gracious act.

I have seen several times where athletes have thrown games or given up a touchdown or basket so that they or someone else could earn a record. In one case, it caused a very strong resentment that has lasted over 25 years. Amazing how people can get upset over some things.

So, be careful, as this is a very sensitive subject. Perform to the best of your abilities and don't worry about the other guy. If he wants it bad enough, he'll get it.


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'It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.'