31 August, 1890
To the Hogwarts Board of Governors:My name is Cameron Gillenwater and I am the Gryffindor quidditch captain in light of the new rules. I am sure you have heard a fair number of complaints since the rule changes were announced in The Daily Prophet, but I come with a suggestion:
Replace the beaters with additional chasers. If you have played quidditch before, you'll know how lonely it already feels to be flying in a quidditch stadium the size of Hogwarts' with fourteen players. To remove a whole four players during a match makes the stakes feel much lower—and thus, the game less entertaining. The inclusion of additional chasers would add a new dynamic to the game play without increasing the risk in any substantial way.
Quidditch is a vital part to Hogwarts culture, and really to magical culture overall. While I would be pleased with the compromise I've suggested, I still wholeheartedly believe that the lack of bludgers at Hogwarts will hurt the sport in the long-term. How will students be prepared to move to the professional league if they've spent years without worrying about the obstacles? They will have never developed the instinct needed to protect themselves against a bludger's assault, leading to more injuries and more controversy.
Sincerely,
