THE SUNYSHORE SCUTTLEBUTT

Even our quiet Sunyshore was not safe from these raucous rioters when the CybirdZ played in the recent Yuzu Cup, though at the time many spectators did not know what we were getting into. What seemed like a rowdy, but manageably local, crowd in the opening matches of the Yuzu Cup turned out to be a trendsetter as these disruptive crowds popped up throughout every match of the Yuzu Cup and beyond into the Eighth season. Through our investigations, we have found that these aggressive fanatics can be traced back to a singular point. A series of anonymous posts found on the website 8pex detail the formation of this "Team Rampage" that have been hounding the venues of the Citrus League since their inception.

But what is Team Rampage? Originally formed by fans of the Spikemuth Steely Hooligans, and mainly championing their cause, the members of Team Rampage claim to be standing for fairness and competitive spirit that the Citrus League supposedly lacks. Their mission statement aims to call out "gutless" strategies and unlucky hits alike, hoping to somehow turn around the supposed bad luck that has kept the Steely Hooligans from the winning circle for seven seasons. Many maneuvers in League play that are widely acknowledged tactics such as flinch hitting, critical hits, and status conditions have become the subject of ire from the members of Team Rampage. While many times these effects are simply the natural byproduct of the battle environment, there are some strategies that are based around generating as many of these 'random' plays as possible to churn extra value out of a battle.

While Team Rampage cannot directly impact Citrus League higher-ups, their protests are theoretically a method of getting their message through to management, though many are skeptical if they truly believe this or are just using it as an excuse to complain about their favourite team losing. It would be one thing if their activities ended there, though. On a handful of occasions, members of this Team Rampage have jumped the barrier between battles and challenged the team they deem to be using "gutless" strategies, wasting time and potentially causing strain on the team when they should be resting off the field. It's unsure whether these incidents are something all members agree on, or whether these are rare outliers using the Rampage cause as justification for reckless and disruptive fan behaviour.

If you suspect there to be members of Team Rampage seated near you in a Citrus League match, here are a few techniques to alleviate the situation. Firstly, contact Guest Services at the venue. Most Citrus League stadiums are already on high alert for these types of fans, and if informed will likely be able to either remove the offenders or move you to a quieter seat. Failing that, many Rampage members are fans at heart, and if you can distract them from the negative parts of the game, are indistinguishable from your average crowd viewer. A well-timed shout about a deal on hot dogs or a mascot Pokemon making their way through the stands can help keep their eyes off of a "gutless" attack. Lastly, if none of the above works, we recommend bringing sound-blocking earbuds tuned in to radio coverage of the match. While it's certainly not the ideal in-person experience, it's better than your eardrums bursting every time a player gets a lucky hit.