I have just noticed that a recap of HB hasn't been done here yet so ...
New(ish) location--okay but not as tight as the original which seemed like it included downtown HB into the festivities. Might have carried the vibe if the tourney hadn't been bumped a few hundred extra yards south for some sorry surfers. Vending set-up was first rate and parking was expansive though the walk could be a long one depending. Fields were stretched out over creation and it would have been more comfortable if it had been possible to get everything a bit closer together. Didn't think the crowds were as large either as far from the pier and downtown as we ended up.
SoCal in late March was still cold in the morning and the evening. Ok, maybe not cold by most of y'alls standards but cold to poor little Florida boy me. (It was cold enough to effect paint for some teams though.)
Fields--continue to have some of the design complications that the NPPL seem determined to incorporate; low, cluttered fields that allow a lot of movement but are still relatively easy for spectators to watch. This wouldn't be a problem except it makes some fields tough for the refs and frankly, the refs are frequently out of position on some of these fields and they need to be taught specifically how to coordinate and communicate as sub-units on the field in order to cover these kinds of fields consistently. Possibly the worst officiating effort I've seen on the NPPL field in two years. (The giant guitar picks that seem to be the new big bunker were goofy, imho.)
On the plus side there were, I thought, enough lights for when games went past sundown--and they did, both prelim days by schedule.
Guns--not totally outta control or else I'm just getting used to them. I've no idea if anyone was caught with an "illegal" gat but I saw no particular efforts being made to regulate them nor did I hear of any new rules addressing gun issues.
Security--seemed pretty good.
Scores--the cool projector posting scores was--cool, but it quickly got way behind and by late Saturday I suspect more than a few teams had to hang around late or beg for info.
Sunday scheduling--if the game wasn't on the Grandstand (NPPL) field nobody knew when or where it was. Games got way behind as usual on Sunday too. Plus side the bleachers were enormous and they looked to have sold a goodly sum of tickets.
Overall, a solid event and it's hard to put a foot wrong when you're on the beach at HB but even so it wasn't quite up to the standard of the earlier HB events. Could be too I'm just jaded as most anyone who's never been would have likely loved it.
New(ish) location--okay but not as tight as the original which seemed like it included downtown HB into the festivities. Might have carried the vibe if the tourney hadn't been bumped a few hundred extra yards south for some sorry surfers. Vending set-up was first rate and parking was expansive though the walk could be a long one depending. Fields were stretched out over creation and it would have been more comfortable if it had been possible to get everything a bit closer together. Didn't think the crowds were as large either as far from the pier and downtown as we ended up.
SoCal in late March was still cold in the morning and the evening. Ok, maybe not cold by most of y'alls standards but cold to poor little Florida boy me. (It was cold enough to effect paint for some teams though.)
Fields--continue to have some of the design complications that the NPPL seem determined to incorporate; low, cluttered fields that allow a lot of movement but are still relatively easy for spectators to watch. This wouldn't be a problem except it makes some fields tough for the refs and frankly, the refs are frequently out of position on some of these fields and they need to be taught specifically how to coordinate and communicate as sub-units on the field in order to cover these kinds of fields consistently. Possibly the worst officiating effort I've seen on the NPPL field in two years. (The giant guitar picks that seem to be the new big bunker were goofy, imho.)
On the plus side there were, I thought, enough lights for when games went past sundown--and they did, both prelim days by schedule.
Guns--not totally outta control or else I'm just getting used to them. I've no idea if anyone was caught with an "illegal" gat but I saw no particular efforts being made to regulate them nor did I hear of any new rules addressing gun issues.
Security--seemed pretty good.
Scores--the cool projector posting scores was--cool, but it quickly got way behind and by late Saturday I suspect more than a few teams had to hang around late or beg for info.
Sunday scheduling--if the game wasn't on the Grandstand (NPPL) field nobody knew when or where it was. Games got way behind as usual on Sunday too. Plus side the bleachers were enormous and they looked to have sold a goodly sum of tickets.
Overall, a solid event and it's hard to put a foot wrong when you're on the beach at HB but even so it wasn't quite up to the standard of the earlier HB events. Could be too I'm just jaded as most anyone who's never been would have likely loved it.
