NCs max out at a possible 226 teams. From what I was told, every one of the 172 original teams qualified, no fill ins. Some teams cannot make up their mind and try to come in late. It doesn't mean they did not qualify at some point.

Also, in some cases, there are teams that may have been in the fringe and just missed qualifying, or teams earned berths and returned them. When this happens, the host may offer berths to "fill in" teams. Usually, this comes through the team's JO Commissioner who probably wouldn't lift a finger if that team did not support the local ASA program, so most of the time, it is a legitimate ASA team used as a fill-in.

Temps on the "coolest day" was 97. Out of the 8 days, 6 were over 100 and two days were 106 and 108 with high humidity. The heat index on the first day was 128 or something. It was dangerous. The temps you guys experienced was similar to what Cary had 2 weeks ago.

First day we had 14 umps go to Duke University Med. Center for heat illnesses.

Which is why I ended up getting a call from one of the UICs, asking if I could help out on Saturday. Unfortunately, I was in Wisconsin attending my grandmother's funeral, or I would have certainly helped out as much as possible.

The whole time, I was thinking and worrying about you guys (and ladies) who were calling the tournament. I knew how hot it was, and my fears of umpires falling out were proven correct. Thankfully, no one had serious complications that the medical facilities couldn't handle.