Finals Weekend Details

[amannlau]

The league coordinators recently sent out and posted the tentative schedule, so I just wanted to let people know what else we'll have going on/ provided to you for your entertainment and enjoyment this weekend. If you're a captain, let your team know! A lot of the younger and newer players don't know all that is Finals Weekend, so spread the word.

Saturday:
WATER (4 gallons/ team)
JUICE and/ or SODA
FRUIT (a wonderful assortment)
PRETZELS
PIZZA (4/ team--a variety of plain, veggie, and something like "deluxe" [keeping it classy]. Peace A Pizza will again be providing the delicousness. We will be keeping track of this so please don't try to take more than your team is allotted.)
BAND - Starting around 5 or 6, depending on the showcase game.

Sunday:
PRETZELS
GRILLING!! Starting at noon. Hot dogs. Hamburgers. Veggie Burgers. If you want to bring your own food, I'd suggest that you bring your own grill because I don't know that there will be enough space on the grill or enough grill-masters to keep track of it all.
WATER JUGS from Saturday that you will keep and refill... Recycle these when you're done!

- KEGS (of all kinds of beverages) tapped at noon both days. We will be IDing so don't forget your license!
- MOONBOUNCE (both days) and water slide (Sunday)!
- Metal PADA WATER BOTTLES for sale in the afternoons (Still could use some volunteers to man this table. Email laura dot amann at gmail dot com if you can do this for a while between games)
- SECURITY to watch the cars. That's right--hired guards. But they can't be everywhere at once so please use the same caution that you would on any other night! There will be a lot of cars (hint: car pool).
- TRASH! You will generate it. Take a bag for your team in the AM and fill that baby. Please do not use the metal trash cans near the driveway!

Oh yeah, and there will be ultimate. Lots, and lots of glorious ultimate.

Have fun, and see you all out there!

[APeters]

Since Knappy claimed on RSD that Pada has never had observers and no one has even once asked for them, can I officially request observers for the finals? (assuming some of our resident trained observers volunteer their time).  I know at least Stacey Janz, Cuatro, Stephen Wang are all certified.  Mark Dixon was once head observer, though I don't think he's certified on the 11th edition, and there may be more out there.

[amannlau]

Hmm... I personally think that this is a good idea. I would go to the FPSL Coordinators though, specifically Kerry, Neil and Bulb.

[ccline]

summer AT pada DOT org

Cline

[knappy]

I like the idea. Might meet with some controversy, though, from those who claim the loud crowd will keep the players honest.

And, to paraphrase the real Elvis, my claim is true.

[alehr]

I don't think it's a good idea to use a different format (observers) for finals, as players on each team will never have played with them before, and it could cause some confusion.

Is there a clear need for observers?

-Alex (for the record, perfectly in favor of observers in situations where the players are used to them).

[APeters]

Is there a clear need for observers?

That depends on how you define "need."

Can games go on without observers just fine?  Of course (for varying levels of "fine").

Are games improved with the addition of observers?  That's what we're here to argue.  I say they are.  On side pulls.  Lack of delay (official delay counts), recourse for bad calls/lack of rules knowledge, no long arguments filled with reinactments, active in/out calls are a big plus IMO.

I doubt I'm going to convince anyone here who is against observers in general that they be used.  Those who are against observers are going to not like it, those who are for them will.  I'm just here to put forth that there ARE those in the league who would like to see big games observed, and not carry on the idea that no one is asking for it.

[Ultimateer]

If the Observers in question volunteer their time, and the coordinators are for it, I like the idea.  The bigger the stage the more often calls seem to be made tightly, which can lead to bad feelings/lack of SOTG.  I will put forth the twin worries that an/some Observers may not seem to be impartial, being friends with people on one team or another and a precedent set that pressures the Observers in teh area to feel like they HAVE to show up and do more than just spectate.  Things are never as much fun to do when they are obligations, even percieved ones.  If those issues are thought through then by all means lets have Observers!

[simplypie22]

I agree that although observers might be useful (and cool for those of us who have never attended or played in an observed game), I don't think those that are observers should feel as though they have an obligation to volunteer. From what I've heard (and this is my first FPSL), finals weekend is as much about the fun and partying as it is about the frisbee. Those observers might want to relax, have a beer, and heckle, and NOT have to work.

A question for whoever knows: Are the player/spectator sideline rules enforced for the finals? I can imagine that if all 46 teams who are not playing in A finals are standing on the sideline of one field, it might get dangerous and unfair for those who are playing.... If everyone is usually kept a good distance away from the sideline, then disregard this, but if not, should we maybe think about enforcing that?

Pie (also known as squeak's sister, bulb's gf, and co-captain of A/B bound team 14 DON"T TOUCH THE CACTUS!)

[APeters]

Actually, as far as observers volunteering goes, I think PADA could dip into it's coffers a bit to pay them to observe.  They're already paying for people to do various finals weekend tasks, I think PADA could cough up $25/observer for the finals.

Also, there may not be a ton of certified observers in PADA, but if we can get one or two, it's relatively easy to show someone how to be a linesman, we don't necessarily need trained observers for that, and we can make sure that all the lines are covered for in/out calls.

[knappy]

How about we paint lines first & worry about linespeople later?

Are we painting lines on Edgely for this weekend? At least for fields 2 & 3 where finals are usually held would be nice. That would only take 2 people an hour, tops.

We have at least 2 liners. Home depot/lowes has the paint.

Gotta be willing to do it during the day on Thurs or Fri.

Step up, youngsters and/or people w/flexible summer schedules. This would be super helpful.

[ccline]

A question for whoever knows: Are the player/spectator sideline rules enforced for the finals? I can imagine that if all 46 teams who are not playing in A finals are standing on the sideline of one field, it might get dangerous and unfair for those who are playing.... If everyone is usually kept a good distance away from the sideline, then disregard this, but if not, should we maybe think about enforcing that?

Pie (also known as squeak's sister, bulb's gf, and co-captain of A/B bound team 14 DON"T TOUCH THE CACTUS!)

Um, yeah.  As long as the weather's nice (please, please, please), everyone gets pretty close to the action all the way around.  We try to give line when possible, but mostly it just means there's a shorter distance to yell.

Or in the case of Harrison a few years ago, a closer distance to use our boom sticks.  Harrison didn't like boom sticks.

Cline

[amannlau]

Are we painting lines on Edgely for this weekend? At least for fields 2 & 3 where finals are usually held would be nice. That would only take 2 people an hour, tops.

We WILL be painting lines--planning on doing all 9 fields worth. If you can help out let me know-- laura dot amann at gmail dot com. Got a handful of people thus far but the more help the better, of course.

[knappy]

Email Clayton then...he has a third lining machine.

Everyone with nothing to do tomorrow should help Laura out.

I also have a port-a-field you're welcome to use as a template, although I recommend the strings/nails method