Other game companies do that have major tournaments scheduled. KI doesn't do this, Dota 2 doesn't do this, for quick examples. So yes, they can (and should) be expected to release their patches at opportune times.
You think that the onus is on the tournament hosts to magically ensure that no system has the update that's being used? I'm not sure what fairy land you live in, but that's more difficult than it sounds on top of the work that goes into hosting it in the first place.
Like others have said, it's a slap in the face from NRS.
But what surprises me most is that any of you who have been here for some time now are surprised. NRS does not give much support to tournament goers - they didn't for MK9, they didn't for Injustice. They cater towards casuals because casuals are valued higher as their main source of income.
Ninja edit - NRS showing up at tournaments is the lowest amount of support they can give. They also threw in some prize money a couple times...great. These patch timings are far bigger because they influence the outcome of the tournaments directly. They also alter gameplay negatively for people who are spending significant amounts of their own money to fly to these events and support their game.
Piss poor.
