mcjordansc

I don't know if Glassmen can catch Boston tonight, but it is interesting that Boston's score has not changed for four shows in a row (neither has Crossmen's). I am not rooting for Boston to get beaten by any corps behind them, but I would like to see a nice competition for eighth place between Boston, Glassmen, Colts, Blue Stars and Blue Knights. Close groupings of corps always make things more exciting in August.

You can only assume that if Blue Knights had a show tonight they would score about five points higher than they did in their last show. They are not sitting at home doing nothing. By the way, 71 something to 75 something is four points where I come from.

Certainly the Blue Stars. Of the corps outside of the top seven, I think most of the are improved. I really like what the Glassmen are doing this year. the Colts seem better. Madison, Crossmen and Troopers are better. Out west Pacific Crest are improved. This is a very good year for the outside top seven corps.

Why call me out for someone else's post? I would certainly go for the Blue Stars. I know you are near 50 and your eyes are not quite what they used to be, but please re-read the thread and post your apology!

1) Cavies 2) Blue Devils 3) SCV 4) PR 5) Cadets 6) Crown 7) Bluecoats 8) Boston 9) Blue Stars 10) Blue Knights 11) Glassmen 12) Colts

My guess is they go back down. I doubt they improved three to four points over night.

Not during warm-ups for my corps, but in 1976 at the American International Open, I did see a member of the Kilties being dressed by support staff as the corps was lining up on the field. I don't have the complete story, but at the time my 16 year old brain told me he was not quite sober.

Mandarin? I would wait until the first regional before discussing where the west coast corps (other than the top two) fall into the mix.

Blue Stars have not made finals for 29 years and look at them now, kicking in the door. Ok, bad example. I am not wishing a 29 year drought on the Scouts.

Good points. The Blue Stars hearts are not in it and they are horribly unmotivated. /sarcasm

Destruction? You have to be kidding me. One low caption score at a June show, a score that ultimately had no impact on the corps placing is destructive? Can you say hyperbole?

Interesting blog post by GH today: Adjust ...... adjust ..... adjust Jun. 30th, 2008 at 3:29 PM The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

I don't think the whole west coast inflation argument is about the corps at the top. Nice post anyway. Carry on.

Better judges, more appropriate scoring. Maybe the judge in Stillwater had no clue.

I don't think it is necessarily west coast inflation. Blue Devils and SCV always seem to be scored about right. The lower tier corps seem to be a little high (or start out higher and see their scores grow slower). I think this is attributable to no middle tier corps. In the midwest and east you have corps that will year-in year-out challenge for the title, you have corps that are perennial finalists, but not quite up to title challenger level and you have corps in the third group that are competing for a finalist spot. This gives you three distinct scoring groups which by default will keep the third groups scores a little lower. On the west coast, the second group does not exist resulting in higher initial scores for the group of corps fighting for semi-finals and finals positions. Their scores ultimately grow a little slower and by the first regional everything is where it should be. Another factor is better weather for outside rehearsals - the west coast corps seem to be a little better prepared early in the season. Now this year, in my opinion, it looks as if Pacific Crest and Mandarins are improved. I dig both of their shows. I think each corps would have fit in somewhere between Madison and the Blue Stars/Glassmen Saturday night (and probably would have done better than you think). They both look like semi-finalist contenders - not sure if Pacific Crest has a finalist caliber show. The Academy does not look as strong this year as last. Couple that with what I believe is not such a great show design and I think they struggle this year. Still a strong semi-finalist contender, but not as high a finish as last year (maybe not a Friday night finish?) Based on all the corps I have seen live or online, semi-finals is going to be a great show.

Unfortunately, there is. The Blue Stars show design is at a much higher level than the Scouts. As the Stars continue to improve their performance level and execution, the gap will continue to increase.

From what I can see, almost all disparaging remarks posted here are directed at George Hopkins. I have read nothing but praise for the performance of the marching members. At Madison, I heard no boos other than when they did the mic check before the show began (yes, there were some groans during the narration). Sorry about what you as a parent must deal with.

I now say: 1) Cavaliers 2) SCV 3) Blue Devils 4) PR 5) Cadets 6) Bluecoats 7) Crown 8) Boston 9) Blue Stars 10) Blue Knights 11) Glassmen 12) Colts

DCP is a case study on redundancy. You, however, just wrote four words that have never before been posted here. Congratulations!

Does it really matter? I have never heard anyone complain about west coast inflation once the regional shows begin. Once all the corps are together, the cream will rise.

Hmmm, did not see too much of that. A little here and there, but not much.

Since last night was their first show and the DCP scores have not been updated to include the 6/28 CA show (DCI had not yet posted the recap), my guess is the Academy and Pacific Crest will be included later today.

Google is your friend.

Plus, she could have placed them third in visual GE and they still would have finished fifth in the show. Her score, ultimately, had no impact on the final placement.

Thanks for the review. FYI - the Blue Stars have a tag ending coming soon.