I wouldn't suggest closing the app pool permanently by any means, just till the queue was at a more manageable size. Ironically, this would have the exact same effect numberswise as if new teams were put into place.

If part of why you apped was because you liked the game small -- if part of why you continue to feel comfortable there and comfortable running games there relies on it continuing to be small -- yes, opening it up a little more can sometimes be a bad thing. The way these discussions inevitably go is starting to make me resent the fact that more people want to join my game because I feel like I'm being told that I'm the one whose feelings on the matter are my own problem (I agree with other anons that that was a harsh wording), which is an extremely sad commentary, since I love playing with new people.

I like Aather small and I think that it runs better on various ooc and ic levels as a smaller community. I also agree with the above!anon that opening more teams up would probably not remain a viable pallative for more than a month or two. I have a problem with trying it just to see because I do see it as one that has the potential to change elements of the game which I love and find unique to it, partly because it's so easy to find panfandom games with the potential for unlimited or less-limited expansion.