"...and the winner is!!"

Have you ever noticed how in the DCI world we've already selected our winner before the shows are even completed, before a note ever played, or a step taken on the green??

I was laughing with some old veteran friends about how silly we become sometimes, and we all wondered if the "hype" has a negative effect on those 6-12 corps because they don't really get the attention the elite corps do? So, with that said, does it mean that possibly this hype is showing up later on the judge's sheet because all summer they've heard how "amazing" and "...totally a top 4" these groups are and naturally develop a mindset that it must be so?

Of course, I realize if you march/play/spin like a bag, you're not going to get the points you deserve, but we're talking the elite...do you think maybe the "popularity" plays a part in deciding who the next champion is going to be?

I always say "they're just splitting hairs, and it's decided by the toss of a coin" due to just how excellent the top 3 or 4 usually are, any of them could be champions...maybe it's just the politics that decides? Or maybe there really is a reservation for the TRUE champion, maybe it's a fire unlike the other groups in the top?

As for me & my conspiracy theory of "hype" I think there is naturally more to this, it's fun & creative to wish before anything becomes of the season...but let's not forget those guys/gals in the lower end, they're doing some pretty stelar stuff as well!

Can anyone else smell the "DCI" in the air? Nothing like humidity, diesel, and sweat to REALLY get your veteran heart pumping!!!!

Till next time,

Ty.