longruns

It really is about finals week. From Preview to Finals judges have made the decision which corps' are really in the hunt. Though this is not always the case as you pointed in 1996. However, by mid-late season history shows that on most years two corps' rise to the top. I'm not sure why, it just seems to work out that way. There are always those corps' who if they cleaned like crazy or make some drastic changes can get back in, but few rarely do. Some corps' may start slow, others fast, but with about three weeks to go there just always seems to be Two, maybe three who stand above the rest. If I had a dollar every year Steve R. said that it was a two horse race on the PBS telecast I'd be a moderately poor man, but you get my point.

Conner, Connor... my young lad.... Study your history! It's almost always a two horse race. 2004- Cavies/BD 2003- BD/Cavies 2002- Undefeated Cavies, but BD was still in the game for most of the season 2001- Cavies/BD 2000- Tie between Cadets and Cavaliers 1999- Tie between BD and SCV(neck and neck all season) I could go on and on... every now and then there are three corps' in the mix, but it seems to always come down to two. Check the finals sheets from the last 15 years. There's all the evidence you need.

Come on... they've had to announce scores by now!

Any word yet.... I know awards were suppossed to be around 10 eastern time.

"Here's the thing: The boxes each have SPECIFIC criteria which corps must achieve in order to earn a score in that box. If a corps doesn't achieve said criteria that night, they shouldn't get the score that night" This is the qoute I was referring to in the last post... sorry for the confusion.

I'm not into he said/she said stuff, but a reliable person I know who was in attendance that spoke to some of the Crown folks felt that it was one of their best brass performances of the year. I wasn't there so it's strictly based on someone else who spoke with brass staff members. I totally agree that sometimes corps' have down performances and should receive lower scores, but if they don't they should get the number they deserve.

And in all truth, these guys and gals are out there seeing and hearing things from their perspective, trying to be unbiased...which is something that almost no one hear can claim. I can try to be unbiased all I want, but the fact is, I'm always going to root harder for Regiment, G is always going to root harder for Devils, etc. I agree Nick with your above statement. I think the issue that everyone has with judging is the grave inconsintencies from judge to judge. A few nights ago Crown received a 17.7 in brass and beat devils with Ken Turner judging, who by the way is the chief brass judge. Not even a week later Jeff Mitchell has Crown at a 16.4. If brass judges are truly basing their numbers off performance and the Box 1-5 concept there is no way this should happen. I"m not saying Ken Turner got it right and Jeff screwed up... I"m just saying that there is no way that Crown can be top box 4/low box 5 and then be low box 4 a few days later. I just think that as you mention there are biases and too many preconceived notions about a group and where they should be placed.

It's not official yet from DCI, but from all indications it looks as if Pasadena will be home to the 2007 Championships. Apparantly when TOC was there last year a good relationship was developed between the Rose bowl staff and DCI. Supposedly there will be an announcement at finals this year.

Can someone refresh my memory of the times and performance order for tonights participants at Murfreesboro.... thanks!

I know its early, but let us know something as soon as anyone hears. Thanks!