Maybe in the east Nationals need to be 10 days long to accomodate the greater likelihood of rain days. In the west, 7 days would be plenty by my accounting. Shorter contests would help me make the choice to attend.

Shouldn't the rules provide flexibility so the duration can be sensibly chosen by locale? Something like: 7 days in the West, 8 days for Hobbs and Uvalde, 10 days in the East.