One rule change that could modify the game

[jwillis35]

10 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:

Yeah it would change how many corps remained 

I know. I was trying to be over the top in my response to the question about a rule that would change things dramatically. I guess I was in a somewhat joking mood that day. 🙂  Obviously I would hate that rule and it would kill most of the activity. 

[jwillis35]

On 11/9/2025 at 9:04 PM, LabMaster said:

Does this mean a corps can only accept members from within that radius?  That would mean several corps would be blocked out of Texas.  And no kids from any country other than the US could participate.  

No doubt. Hopefully everyone caught that I was being snarky and joking with this rule. I was in that kind of mood that day. 🙂 

[Old Corps Guy]

12 hours ago, Slingerland said:

Another option that I hope would garner widespread support.

Every frigging trombone gliss is a .5 penalty for each and every trombonist who performs one.  Trombone "splatting" (which has become unconscionably popular) would result in an immediate DQ.

Should I be offended?

[OldCorpsGuy]

2 hours ago, Old Corps Guy said:

Should I be offended?

Maybe. Lol. But he does have a point. It seems like 90% of the time trombones are used to make the two most obnoxious sounds they make. Which then begs the question of are they really necessary. 

[denverjohn]

12 hours ago, jwillis35 said:

No doubt. Hopefully everyone caught that I was being snarky and joking with this rule. I was in that kind of mood that day. 🙂 

Your rule caused me to consider the change from drum corps' "local" "neighborhood" organizations to nationwide/international membership and the ramifications of that transformation. Why would any local philanthropic organizations or small businesses be induced to donate to provide money for a 9 week "band camp tour" for kids from all over the USA, Japan, etc.? The small Elks Clubs, local chuches, P.A.L. organizations, Joe's Tire Shop probably would rather donate to a city's local Little League, soccer league, Food Banks, etc. since they support kids that actually live in their geographic community. I don't even know why many corps even have a city's name as part of the organizational name. At this point, I think it only represents where most of the B.O.D. resides, equipment is stored, bingo might be run. Instructors and corps membership are generally speaking "non-residents". Rehearsals/camps are rarely held in their legally declared city or town.

[OldSnareDrummer]

Just spit ballin', but ...What are the hotbed states for recruiting now days? I was thinking DCI published this data some time ago. 

Texas and California I presume dominate the list. What other states are hot? 

Maybe you could expand jwillis' recruiting radius to a few neighboring states and make Texas and California restricted free agent states, i.e. limit number of or a percentage of membership who hold legal residency in those states. Maybe spread the wealth a little bit. 

[Chief Guns]

On 11/9/2025 at 5:02 PM, jwillis35 said:

One rule that would change everything: 

Corps are only allowed to recruit members from within a 4 hour radius

- I personally would not like this but it would change A LOT!

I know you are joking as I saw your other comments, but for the sake of argument, with the amount of kids and talent from SoCal that hit the road and head north up the 101 fwy and the I-5 to Concord, Santa Clara and Sacramento..........Pacific Crest would be the biggest winners of this rule as they would be able to throw a net over SoCal keep all this homegrown talent, and we haven't even talked about the SoCal talent that leaves the state to march at other corps.

That would make PC an immediate threat to the top five/top three strictly from a talent perspective. 

[IllianaLancerContra]

1 hour ago, Chief Guns said:

I know you are joking as I saw your other comments, but for the sake of argument, with the amount of kids and talent from SoCal that hit the road and head north up the 101 fwy and the I-5 to Concord, Santa Clara and Sacramento..........Pacific Crest would be the biggest winners of this rule as they would be able to throw a net over SoCal keep all this homegrown talent, and we haven't even talked about the SoCal talent that leaves the state to march at other corps.

That would make PC an immediate threat to the top five/top three strictly from a talent perspective. 

Good to still see you here Chief.  Probably the wrong thread, but does the lad have any insight from within on what happened at Mandarins?   

[Old Corps Guy]

2 hours ago, Chief Guns said:

I know you are joking as I saw your other comments, but for the sake of argument, with the amount of kids and talent from SoCal that hit the road and head north up the 101 fwy and the I-5 to Concord, Santa Clara and Sacramento..........Pacific Crest would be the biggest winners of this rule as they would be able to throw a net over SoCal keep all this homegrown talent, and we haven't even talked about the SoCal talent that leaves the state to march at other corps.

That would make PC an immediate threat to the top five/top three strictly from a talent perspective. 

The same would apply to Crossmen, Genesis and Guardians.

[Chief Guns]

49 minutes ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

Good to still see you here Chief.  Probably the wrong thread, but does the lad have any insight from within on what happened at Mandarins?   

He is hurting for all the members who were going to return in 2026, and he is just torn up about the whole thing. He doesn't want to talk about it, so me and the wife just give him his space to let him process it, and when he is ready to talk, we are here for him. Other than that, he hasn't said a word.