In response to the many posts and threads about what refs called, didn’t call, what the GDC intended for the rules to be, etc. I believe it is unfair to rant against refs for “calling it as they see it”.
I referee soccer, I’ve dealt with soccer moms (they’re a scary bunch, but thats a different story). People tend to think that refs are biased; like the referees want a certain outcome. Speaking as a referee: We don’t care about the result, as in the win or loss. Face it, how often will you watch a game, with nothing on either team, and afterwards think, “dang, those refs were biased!” ?
While reffing with another senior referee, a high school player came up and started complaining about our calls, including going as far to tell us how biased we were. In this instance, who do you think had the most biased perspective?
As far as the player was concerned, the refs did (duh 
), and as far as I was concerned, the player did. Keep in mind that whatever bias there might have been, I was human, and I was upset with the player. Maybe it influenced my future calls, maybe not (but it most certainly didn’t help him).
Next thing I’d like to say: Rules can’t be about intent. That is, if rules are not black and white, and clear calls, they give the refs too much leeway, and usually end up not getting called. After the fact, the call can’t change even if the arguments were… I didn’t intend to hit that robot that hard… I didn’t intend to back over the line… Of course you didn’t, but you did. (question: you didn’t intend to lose, did you? )
When I’m a referee, I have absolutely no idea what the players are trying to do, and they’re standing in front of me. In these competitions, theres another degree of separation. I know that my job as a soccer ref is hard, but I can’t imagine refereeing a robotics match.
Last point on refs, they can’t call it if they don’t see it. Think about it for a second. As drivers, we complain about the glare. Do you think that no one else has that problem? Drivers also have the luxury of standing behind a full wall. Robots don’t get through the walls, but they do get past the side rails, where the refs are.
Needless to say I’ve been content with all the calls from the refs, and an important thing that made that happen was communication. I ask a question about a ruling before I get upset with it. (when you go to do that, bring your GP, and know that the result is the result, and its unlikely to change).
With the GDC, its important to remember that they try (and from what I see, extremely hard!). If theres a bad rule, they change it. Thats why theres been that many updates. Also, the GDC has to face 1500 teams full of bright people, tearing through the rules looking for strategies and loopholes, doctoring the rules. There are mistakes in interpretations, and its tough. But if I’ve heard FIRST correctly, winning isn’t everything.
I’ve helped make a mini-competition for a summer camp. Let me tell you, it is extremely difficult. And each year each game is completely unique; separate (IMHO anyway). Think of all the brainpower that took :ahh: !
In conclusion, please think before you post, and step back every now and then and look from the other perspective.
(YIKES! that was long)
So we’re allowed to say our $0.02, right?