--- In quizbowl_at_y..., zvirosen <no_reply_at_y...> wrote: > As one of the more experienced slap bowlers on the circuit, I have > to disagree for two reasons. > > a) Slapping is much closer to buzzing than using words. > > b) Slapping creates a quick, short, and distinct sound which is > generally not created by speech. It is harder to tell who went > first for a sound of any duration, and it can cause a cacophony. It may be hard to tell who went first with speaking, but it's basically impossible to tell who went first with slapping. Which is not such a problem in the situation Yeshiva is most likely used to -- one team slapping, one team buzzing. In this case, slapping is probably the better option, as you can at least tell between one team and the other that way. In the case present at NE TRASH Regionals -- to which not one, not two, but three teams forgot to bring their buzzers, resulting in one room of slap bowl -- I'd argue speaking is more distinctive. You don't have the dichotomy of slap = Yeshiva, buzz = team Yeshiva's playing against. So you need to rely on something; verbal buzzing, while not perfect, at least creates something of a distinction between players. On the other hand, I would agree that, unless your name is one syllable, you'd be better off saying "buzz" or something of that nature than your name. Of course, in this situation, the best solution is for teams to bring the buzzers they said they'd bring -- which leads to a question. Would anyone be bothered if a team imposed a financial penalty -- not anything major, but not insubstantial either, say $20 or so -- on teams which say they'll bring buzzer systems but do not do so? Of course, this would have to be announced ahead of time; I think it would indubitably be unfair to spring fees on people ex post facto.
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