Ts3 is not mandatory... it would be nice to see everyone atleast go on and listen to their captain but if it makes you lag or just doesnt run well in the background, then just be in contact with your leader by email, phone or irc and show up on time.
As for maps, each round will have a map selected for it. I don't have that built yet because i don't know how many brackets we will have due to how many people signing up. Each round will also have tie breaker map predetermined. The person who gets to pick the first maps side is chosen by a flip of a coin, much like a pickup. And if there is a tie breaker, the team that did not get to pick a side on the first map gets to pick the side for the tie breaker.
The default server that will be used i'm still trying to figure out. I think the New Jersey (east coast) server may be for the best since teams will most likely have west coast + euros on the same team. However, i think it would be fair if both captains agree on the Illinios (central) server or a Euro server, then they can play on which ever server. I'd like to keep it located in on spot because i can only imagine some people bitchin saying "im not playing if we cant play euro" and then the other team will say vice versa "well we're not playing if we dont play on central!"
What do you think?