View Full Version : FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates
Steven Donow
14-08-2013, 18:33
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-something-new-early-release-of-event-dates
Traditionally, FRC has released all event date and location information after Labor Day in September. By that point, we usually, but not always, have all event dates and locations locked down. The downside to this approach is that many teams would like to know these dates much earlier, because of the numerous advantages to be able to start planning event attendance before September. I’ve seen attempts to predict the FRC schedule from bits of data culled from here and there. This tells me there is enough interest for us to make a change.
So, starting now, we’re going to release event date and location information as soon as that information is confirmed. In many cases, ‘confirmed’ will mean FIRST HQ has signed a contract with the venue hosting the event. In others, it will mean the Districts have told us the dates and locations have been confirmed, in situations where the Districts do their own contracting. We will be updating this information at least weekly, as confirmations roll in.
Events for which we don’t have confirmed dates will be listed at the bottom of the Regional section of the schedule, with a date of 12/31/14. Please don’t let the 12/31/14 date confuse you. Our current system requires us to enter some date, and rather than delay getting this information to you further by making a system change at this time, we decided to enter a date that was obviously not in-season. Though I can’t think of a better way to spend to spend New Year’s Eve than at an FRC event, all Regional and District events will actually take place between 2/27/14 and 4/13/14. Also, you will note that some additional location and venue information shows as ‘TBD’. Please don’t call or email asking for date or location information on entries that have information missing. We will post the information as soon as we have it, or very shortly afterward.
The scheduled is posted as ‘Preliminary’. Once a contract is signed, it’s extraordinarily unlikely a date or location will need to change, but we can’t rule this out completely. This could happen, for example, if a venue is damaged in some way and the event can’t be hosted there. If a date or location must change after we have posted it, we will let all teams know via email blast as well as updating the documentation available on the web. We will remove the ‘Preliminary’ notation in the fall.
Note also that this early release of event information does not in any way affect first event registration timing. First event registration is scheduled to open the last Thursday in September, as it traditionally has, this year September 26th.
I realize that for the coming season we’re getting this information out to you only a few weeks before you would have had it anyway. It took us a while to realize we should have been doing this all along, and to put the process in place to make it happen. Assuming this new approach is more Win than Fail, we’ll start earlier next year for the 2015 season.
You can find the currently release information here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events.
I’ll blog again soon.
Frank
OMGYAY PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
(And a Mexico City Regional!?!?!??!?! Awesome)
List is in weekly breakdown format below
waialua359
14-08-2013, 18:39
Frank,
I got 3 boxes of macnut chocolates waiting for you at the 2014 Championships!
Or if you plan to come to the Hawaii regional, I'll have them ready for you there.:)
For our team,
Northern Lights/Lake Superior Week 2. Pretty happy about that. *snowboarding*
Dallas Week 3. Looking very much a possibility given that Hawaii-Dallas airfares are relatively cheaper on AA than other areas. We love those Texas teams. ;)
Andrew Lawrence
14-08-2013, 18:42
Pacific Northwest district? Interesting. Seems like it's only Oregon + Washington, though I wouldn't think there is enough team density in those areas to get a district to themselves.
This is a great thing. I just hope Michigan gets finalized soon.
AND THE GREAT LAKES REGIONAL IS BACK!!
omsahmad
14-08-2013, 18:45
Thank you Frank.
Pacific Northwest district? Interesting. Seems like it's only Oregon + Washington, though I wouldn't think there is enough team density in those areas to get a district to themselves.
Definatly enough teams now. Teams from Idaho and Montana can also take part if they want.
Well allright! I can start planning my tour much earlier!
95 events! YIKES:eek: !!! Fantasy FIRST is getting more and more busy every year!
Steven Donow
14-08-2013, 18:48
Week 1 (2/27-3/1)
Alamo Regional sponsored by Rackspace Hosting
2 TBA Michigan districts(2/28-3/1)
2 TBA MAR Districts(Mt. Olive and Hatboro I believe)
NE District @ Nashua South HS
PNW District @ Auburn Mountainview HS
Week 1.5 (3/2-3/4)
Israel Regional
Week 2 (3/6-3/8)
GTR East
San Diego Regional
Crossroads Regional
Northern Lights Regional
Lake Superior Regional
Central Valley Regional(3/7-3/9)
2 TBA Michigan Districts (3/7-3/8)
NE District @ UNH-Durham
NE DIstrict @ Fitch HS in Groton, CT (3/8-3/9)
PNW District @ Oregon City HS
PNW District @ Glacier Peak HS
Week 3 (3/13-3/15)
Mexico City Regional
Orlando Regional
St. Louis Regional
North Carolina Regional
Dallas Regional
Utah Regional
2 TBA MI Districts (3/14-3/15)
2 TBA MAR Districts (Clifton and Springside-Chestnut Hill)
PNW District @ Mount Vernon HS
TBA PNW District (in Cheneyt, WA)
NE District @ WPI
Week 4 (3/20-3/22)
Waterloo Regional
Los Angeles Regional sponsored by The Rodenberry Foundation
Boilermaker Regional
Buckeye Regional
Virginia Regional
2 TBA MI Districts (3/21-3/22)
MAR District(Lenape Seneca)
PNW District @ Wilsonville HS
PNW District @ Shorewood HS
NE District @ Bryant University (Smithfield, RI)
NE District @ Southington HS
Week 5 (3/27-2/29)
Finger Lakes Regional
Queen City Regional
Oklahoma Regional
Smoky Mountains Regional
2 TBA MI Districts (3/28-3/29)
MAR District (Bridgewater)
PNW District @ Auburn HS
PNW District @ Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)
NE District @ Northeastern University
NE District @ Hartford Public HS
Week 6(4/3-4/5)
Calgary Regional
Silicon Valley Regional
Colorado Regional
South Florida Regional
Midwest Regional
Bayou Regional
Lone Star Regional
TBA MI District(4/4-4/5)
TBA PNW District (in Corvallis, OR)
NE District @ Lewiston Colisee (in Lewiston, ME)
Week 7(4/10-4/12)
NE District Championship @ Boston University
Michigan State Championship
PNW District Championship @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
MAR Championship
Preliminary events:
GTR West
North Bay Regional
Great Lakes Regional (in Windsor, Ontario)
Festival de Robotique FRC a Montreal Regional
Razorback Reigonal
Phoenix Regional
Sacramento Regional
Inland Empire REgional
Washington DC Regional
Peachtree Regional
Hawaii Regional
Southern Illinois Regional
Chesapeake Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Minnesota 10000 Lakes Regional
Greater Kansas City Regional
Las Vegas Regional
SBPLI Long Island Regional
NYC Regional
FIRST Tech Valley Regional
Pittsburgh Regional
Palmetto Regional
Hub City Regional
Wisconsin Regional
New regionals are bolded, excluding new district events, which are all listed as preliminary on the FIRST website
Andrew Lawrence
14-08-2013, 18:52
Definitely enough teams now. Teams from Idaho and Montana can also take part if they want.
I must have been mistaken! Great to hear we're getting districts here in the west! I can't wait to see the events and championships!
Steven Donow
14-08-2013, 18:53
I must have been mistaken! Great to hear we're getting districts here in the west! I can't wait to see the events and championships!
It will definitely be exciting, from the things I've seen, there are so many great teams in PNW that don't get to shine due to the traditional structure and we'll definitely see more superpowers come from that area now.
omsahmad
14-08-2013, 18:59
Didn't expect to have 2 district events in the city Auburn though.
Thad House
14-08-2013, 19:05
The only problem I see with PNW districts is that because of the 150 mile gap between Seattle and Portland, is that at both portland districts there is a potential for the same teams to be at each one of those districts, plus or minus the Corvallis teams. I hope there is a good amount of teams that intermix between the 2 areas to make the events more exciting. Otherwise the PNW dates look really good, and I'm excited.
Also even if I took away my bias from living in portland im glad the championship is here. Ive been to many of the venues that have held NW events over the years, and i've always felt the Coliseum was a better venue in terms of both seating and pit locations and mappings.
Adrienne E.
14-08-2013, 19:05
From an administrative point of view I can not possibly express how happy this makes me.
For our team,
Northern Lights/Lake Superior Week 2. Pretty happy about that. *snowboarding*
Dallas Week 3. Looking very much a possibility given that Hawaii-Dallas airfares are relatively cheaper on AA than other areas. We love those Texas teams. ;)
This also makes me very happy :-)
Joe Ross
14-08-2013, 19:06
AND THE GREAT LAKES REGIONAL IS BACK!!
In Canada...
Brandon Holley
14-08-2013, 19:12
Week 5 (3/27-2/29)
Finger Lakes Regional
Queen City Regional
Oklahoma Regional
Smoky Mountains Regional
2 TBA MI Districts (3/28-3/29)
MAR District (Bridgewater)
PNW District @ Auburn HS
PNW District @ Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)
NE District @ Northeastern University
NE District @ Hartford Public HS
Mark your calendars New Englanders!!
-Brando
Jorge Ayala
14-08-2013, 19:15
I cannot express how happy I am! Mexico City Regional!
omsahmad
14-08-2013, 19:25
The only problem I see with PNW districts is that because of the 150 mile gap between Seattle and Portland, is that at both portland districts there is a potential for the same teams to be at each one of those districts, plus or minus the Corvallis teams. I hope there is a good amount of teams that intermix between the 2 areas to make the events more exciting. Otherwise the PNW dates look really good, and I'm excited.
Also even if I took away my bias from living in portland im glad the championship is here. Ive been to many of the venues that have held NW events over the years, and i've always felt the Coliseum was a better venue in terms of both seating and pit locations and mappings.
Or you guys can go to one district in Oregon and one in Seattle area.
5 Ontario regionals, 7 Canadian regionals.
FIRST Robotics Canada is hosting 7 regionals in 6 weeks. This marks the first time that more than one event will be happening at the same time (exluding double regionals). This looks like practice for districts, since typically the volunteer base of these events are similar.
COOL!
(Cheif Delphi on my vacation, that's a first. I may have a slight problem...)
In Canada...
I know, it's just great to see the name again :p
5 Ontario regionals, 7 Canadian regionals.
FIRST Robotics Canada is hosting 7 regionals in 6 weeks. This marks the first time that more than one event will be happening at the same time (exluding double regionals). This looks like practice for districts, since typically the volunteer base of these events are similar.
COOL!
(Cheif Delphi on my vacation, that's a first. I may have a slight problem...)
If GTR West happen when I think it's gonna happen (week 5) I will no longer be able to go since FLR has now moved to week 5.
With my week 4 open I may have to go to Waterloo instead (I traveled through there on the way to Chicago. It didn't seem very far away at all).
Ryan Dognaux
14-08-2013, 19:51
Everyone has said it a million times already, but a huge shout out to Frank & FIRST for doing an awesome job at releasing information like this as they know it. It's never too early to help teams plan their upcoming season.
Hmm... Crossroads > St. Louis > Boilermaker > Southern Illinois Mystery Regional. Midwest Robot Tour 2014.
DonRotolo
14-08-2013, 20:04
Teams from Idaho and Montana can also take part if they want.Is that official? That is, if there are teams in ID and MT they have an option to join PNW?
Oh. I get it. There aren't any. Yet. :o
khanh111
14-08-2013, 20:13
This is great! Can't wait to see competition grow this year after 3 times as many games per event!
PNW will many more tough teams from now on. 1983 won't be alone in the top rankings at World!
Is that official? That is, if there are teams in ID and MT they have an option to join PNW?
Oh. I get it. There aren't any. Yet. :o
2122 (Boise, Idaho) will probably be more than happy to throw a few dozen disks at you, along with 15 other teams from that state. Ditto for Montana's 5 teams.
Good to see that out-of-normal-area teams can opt into the district system.
I think you're thinking of the Dakotas, which have few teams (as opposed to a few teams).
OWilliamson
14-08-2013, 20:26
Is that official? That is, if there are teams in ID and MT they have an option to join PNW?
Oh. I get it. There aren't any. Yet. :o
2122 (Boise, Idaho) will probably be more than happy to throw a few dozen disks at you, along with 15 other teams from that state. Ditto for Montana's 5 teams.
Our team will start off the throwing of the discs, but not too hard :D
I say the most interesting event is going to be the FIRST TECH VALLEY its a mini CMP. You got the best from the Palmetto, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Hub city. its the battle of the cardinal directions
Maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't anybody else suprised that there are only 2 districts in Massachusetts. Seriously. That ratio of teams to districts in New Hampshire and Conneticut is ~14.5, but in Massachusetts it's 27 (I'm pulling these numbers off the top of my head, so they may be slightly off).There is just no way that this is going to pan out equally. Even assuming that there are no out of state teams coming into Massachusetts, there are no rookie teams, and each event holds a full 40 teams, over half of all Massachusetts teams will be forced out of state.
But anyways, I can't wait for the Northeastern University. And as always, Frank is an amazing person.
If GTR West happen when I think it's gonna happen (week 5) I will no longer be able to go since FLR has now moved to week 5.
With my week 4 open I may have to go to Waterloo instead (I traveled through there on the way to Chicago. It didn't seem very far away at all).
Well it's changing venue, so who knows when it'll be.
AJCaliciuri
14-08-2013, 21:37
Everyone here in North Bay is very excited for our new Regional.
We're still in the dark about a specific date, so we'll have to wait for the official release in September.
nicholsjj
14-08-2013, 21:49
Does anyone have any insight on if the Southern Illinois Regional will be in Edwardsville or Carbondale? I know SIUE hosts botball but thats not excatly an indicator or pre-req. to hosting an FRC regional.
Kevin Leonard
14-08-2013, 23:07
I say the most interesting event is going to be the FIRST TECH VALLEY its a mini CMP. You got the best from the Palmetto, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Hub city. its the battle of the cardinal directions
And don't forget about that tough local crowd! :P
But seriously, TVR is shaping up to be a competitive event if everyone comes that has said they might.
I, for one, am rather excited. We'll finally have a regional less than three hours away!
Kims Robot
14-08-2013, 23:11
Maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't anybody else suprised that there are only 2 districts in Massachusetts. Seriously. That ratio of teams to districts in New Hampshire and Conneticut is ~14.5, but in Massachusetts it's 27 (I'm pulling these numbers off the top of my head, so they may be slightly off).There is just no way that this is going to pan out equally. Even assuming that there are no out of state teams coming into Massachusetts, there are no rookie teams, and each event holds a full 40 teams, over half of all Massachusetts teams will be forced out of state.
Im not at all surprised. If you take a look at this map, it shows the distribution of teams, and you can zoom into NE. You can see how heavily weighted the MA teams are to the east, and how the density of teams in general is weighted towards southern NE.
The official breakdown of teams from 2013 is
57 in MA (33 of which are w/in 25mi of Boston - which for a state that is over 150mi wide, thats a pretty heavy concentration)
45 CT
29 NH
14 ME
6 RI
3 VT
For Reference the WPI event is 46 miles from Northeastern. Nashua is 48 miles, and Bryant (RI) is 52mi. WPI to Hartford is 64mi. WPI to Southington is 82mi. You can see that "being forced out of state" is really not a significant difference in travel.
Plus with the number of MA teams that traveled to other events like BAE or Pine Tree or CT, I don't think having teams that want to go out of state for events will be that much of an issue.
And the other thing you need to take into account when you look at where the events are is potential host locations, and potential committees. Trust me, most teams would rather have a well run district event in a good venue that might take an extra 30min to drive to than a really poorly run event in a bad venue that might be 30min closer. Plus with the District Championship in Boston, I would think MA teams could hardly complain... :)
If you guys want to volunteer to staff a committee to run another Boston area District event & have a good venue available, I'm sure people would be all ears for 2015 :D.
I say the most interesting event is going to be the FIRST TECH VALLEY its a mini CMP. You got the best from the Palmetto, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Hub city. its the battle of the cardinal directions
Why would people want to make the treck to northern New York?;)
BrendanB
14-08-2013, 23:29
For Reference the WPI event is 46 miles from Northeastern. Nashua is 48 miles, and Bryant (RI) is 52mi. WPI to Hartford is 64mi. WPI to Southington is 82mi. You can see that "being forced out of state" is really not a significant difference in travel.
Plus with the number of MA teams that traveled to other events like BAE or Pine Tree or CT, I don't think having teams that want to go out of state for events will be that much of an issue.
And the other thing you need to take into account when you look at where the events are is potential host locations, and potential committees. Trust me, most teams would rather have a well run district event in a good venue that might take an extra 30min to drive to than a really poorly run event in a bad venue that might be 30min closer. Plus with the District Championship in Boston, I would think MA teams could hardly complain... :)
I am really happy with the New England Districts. Like you said while the events are out of the state distance wise they aren't far. The central group of Boston teams have a nice spread to choose from to the north and south. Hopefully the western part of New Hampshire and Vermont can grow to sustain a Vermont/Lebanon NH district event down the road to give those guys a "home" event. But the list is a great start that works as a base for a strong system down the road.
Really, really excited for the UNH/Durham district event! :]
omsahmad
15-08-2013, 01:14
Is that official? That is, if there are teams in ID and MT they have an option to join PNW?
In seriousness, I am not 100% sure it is official yet. I know there were some troubles with the number of teams and the size of venues...
2122 (Boise, Idaho) will probably be more than happy to throw a few dozen disks at you,
But you're right, Idaho has some top notch teams too. Team Tators (2122) and Alpha+ (2130) for example always perform outstandingly.
Am I reading the Sunday-Monday Hartford and Southington districts correctly? It seems like an odd time span.
Frank,
I got 3 boxes of macnut chocolates waiting for you at the 2014 Championships!
Or if you plan to come to the Hawaii regional, I'll have them ready for you there.:)
For our team,
Northern Lights/Lake Superior Week 2. Pretty happy about that. *snowboarding*
Dallas Week 3. Looking very much a possibility given that Hawaii-Dallas airfares are relatively cheaper on AA than other areas. We love those Texas teams. ;)
YOU GUYS ARE COMING TO DALLAS?
nice.
Nathan Streeter
15-08-2013, 09:40
Am I reading the Sunday-Monday Hartford and Southington districts correctly? It seems like an odd time span.
Does seem odd to me... best explanation I have is that there was some holiday or teacher workshop that gives schools that Monday off. Since the district event does start on Saturday evening anyway, it doesn't seem like there being a conflict at the school with another Saturday event would force the FRC district to Saturday-Monday.
While I do appreciate that the "leave Sundays available!" voice was heard - as there are three events scheduled away from Sundays - I am a little disappointed that there are only 3 of 9 New England district not on Sundays. Fortunately for 1519, two of them are the closest events to us. I'm guessing there are other teams in New England that would at the very least prefer not to compete on Sundays for either religious or personal/practical reasons (being wiped out to start the work/school-week)... unfortunately for them the only events closest to them involve a Sunday.
With there being 4 different "schedules" for district events in New England (1 Thursday-Friday, 2 Friday-Saturday, 4 Saturday-Sunday, and 2 Sunday-Monday), do you think webcast viewership will be affected? My Saturdays afternoons (if not at a meeting) in March and April are usually spent in front of a bunch of webcasts. With elimination matches being spread across as many as 3 or 4 days each weekend, may average webcast viewership suffer? I don't mean anything like "no one will be watching webcasts!" but I'm pretty sure I'll be less likely to see as many webcasts if fewer are happening simultaneously. Thoughts?
MARS_James
15-08-2013, 10:27
I am interested in the Orlando Regional date, every time i have attended the event it has been during UCF spring break. I wonder why there has been a change
@Gregor:
2014 will also mark the first year that FIRST has added >1 event in Canada.
2002 - Canadian Regional
2005 - add Waterloo Regional / rename Canadian Regional to Greater Toronto Regional
2011 - add GTR East colocated with GTRWest, rename GTR to GTRWest (also, 04/06 GTRs were dual field regionals)
2012 - move GTREast to Oshawa, add Montreal
2013 - add Calgary
2014 - add Windsor and North Bay.
Steven Donow
15-08-2013, 10:57
Does seem odd to me... best explanation I have is that there was some holiday or teacher workshop that gives schools that Monday off. Since the district event does start on Saturday evening anyway, it doesn't seem like there being a conflict at the school with another Saturday event would force the FRC district to Saturday-Monday.
While I do appreciate that the "leave Sundays available!" voice was heard - as there are three events scheduled away from Sundays - I am a little disappointed that there are only 3 of 9 New England district not on Sundays. Fortunately for 1519, two of them are the closest events to us. I'm guessing there are other teams in New England that would at the very least prefer not to compete on Sundays for either religious or personal/practical reasons (being wiped out to start the work/school-week)... unfortunately for them the only events closest to them involve a Sunday.
With there being 4 different "schedules" for district events in New England (1 Thursday-Friday, 2 Friday-Saturday, 4 Saturday-Sunday, and 2 Sunday-Monday), do you think webcast viewership will be affected? My Saturdays afternoons (if not at a meeting) in March and April are usually spent in front of a bunch of webcasts. With elimination matches being spread across as many as 3 or 4 days each weekend, may average webcast viewership suffer? I don't mean anything like "no one will be watching webcasts!" but I'm pretty sure I'll be less likely to see as many webcasts if fewer are happening simultaneously. Thoughts?
Sunday-Monday events are weird, maybe it was just a typo/error on FIRST's part?
In regards to the shift to Saturday-Sunday, with the shift to districts, it's kind of an inevitability, as it's much easier to have events at a HS without having to worry about interfering with the Friday school day(all that directly coincides with it is setup for the field, so all the school really has to do is just move gym classes/restrict parking).
And in regards to webcast viewership, personally, I find it much easier to pay attention to more elimination matches, mainly the Sunday afternoon ones, as it's less events overall and easier to pay attention than "ten regionals on one screen"(as well as being able to get other work, ie. homework, especially if your team is meeting all day saturday)
avanboekel
15-08-2013, 11:08
Does anyone have any insight on if the Southern Illinois Regional will be in Edwardsville or Carbondale? I know SIUE hosts botball but thats not excatly an indicator or pre-req. to hosting an FRC regional.
I've heard of Champaign, and Peoria as possible venues. There may be a little bias here, but I'm pulling for Champaign.
Awesome! Glad to see this is released so early. Once again thanks to Frank and the FRC Teams staff for getting it right and doing it for us!
I'm very happy with the schedule in New England, for various reasons. Thanks to all our friends over at ingenuityNE for making it happen!
It's looking to be a good competition season. Can't wait! :D
I've heard of Champaign, and Peoria as possible venues. There may be a little bias here, but I'm pulling for Champaign.
Not sure how Champaign and Peoria qualify as Southern Illinois*, but I've heard those two locations as well.
Related topic: I notice on the FRC calendar, January 4 is listed as Kickoff, but there is no Ship/BnT Day. Huh.
*some say anything south of I-80 is Southern Illinois
Im not at all surprised. If you take a look at this map, it shows the distribution of teams, and you can zoom into NE. You can see how heavily weighted the MA teams are to the east, and how the density of teams in general is weighted towards southern NE.
The official breakdown of teams from 2013 is
57 in MA (33 of which are w/in 25mi of Boston - which for a state that is over 150mi wide, thats a pretty heavy concentration)
45 CT
29 NH
14 ME
6 RI
3 VT
For Reference the WPI event is 46 miles from Northeastern. Nashua is 48 miles, and Bryant (RI) is 52mi. WPI to Hartford is 64mi. WPI to Southington is 82mi. You can see that "being forced out of state" is really not a significant difference in travel.
Plus with the number of MA teams that traveled to other events like BAE or Pine Tree or CT, I don't think having teams that want to go out of state for events will be that much of an issue.
And the other thing you need to take into account when you look at where the events are is potential host locations, and potential committees. Trust me, most teams would rather have a well run district event in a good venue that might take an extra 30min to drive to than a really poorly run event in a bad venue that might be 30min closer. Plus with the District Championship in Boston, I would think MA teams could hardly complain... :)
If you guys want to volunteer to staff a committee to run another Boston area District event & have a good venue available, I'm sure people would be all ears for 2015 :D.
After mapping out the events, I realized that it isn't actually that bad. Although I still believe that there should be a second Boston area event, because like you said there are 33 teams within 25mi. Although your right that I can't complain that much with the Championship here.
Regarding the Saturday-Sunday events, I am really not liking them, considering my team's situation. We are a Catholic school, so there will be moral conflicts with events and a big red flag will be raised with the school administration (I doubt they will stop us from going, but I don't think they will be very happy, and I understand why). Also, students at our school get a lot of homework, and the 3rd quarter ends around this time for us, so its going to be a nightmare to try and get homework done (especially for the people who have to help load in on Friday night, are drivers and need plenty of rest on both nights, and/or are going to be creating a picklist on Saturday night).
Well, I guess sometimes life gives you lemons. Time to make lemonade.
In regards to the shift to Saturday-Sunday, with the shift to districts, it's kind of an inevitability, as it's much easier to have events at a HS without having to worry about interfering with the Friday school day(all that directly coincides with it is setup for the field, so all the school really has to do is just move gym classes/restrict parking).Field can be installed starting at the closing bell, including laying down the floor protection sheets, and still be done by evening. Well, except for those durn electronics boxes. :) Did that for Mainely SPIRIT.
Speaking of which (in a very round-about way), do the District teams (specifically the NE district) get to go in the night before to unpack/get inspected? Or is first morning a mad house adventure? How are the existing districts schedules set up, and what can we look forward to?
Steven Donow
15-08-2013, 12:59
Field can be installed starting at the closing bell, including laying down the floor protection sheets, and still be done by evening. Well, except for those durn electronics boxes. :) Did that for Mainely SPIRIT.
Speaking of which (in a very round-about way), do the District teams (specifically the NE district) get to go in the night before to unpack/get inspected? Or is first morning a mad house adventure? How are the existing districts schedules set up, and what can we look forward to?
Let's say a district is a Saturday Sunday. Friday afternoon, pit setup and loadin,as well us unbagging and inspection is allowed. The field is set up during the day on Friday. Also,depending on the progress of field setup,there could be filler line practice matches on Friday. Sometimes they do practice matches Saturday morning,but usually by 10 or 9:30 opening ceremonies and real matches will begin.
*some say anything south of I-80 is Southern Illinois
Not as bad as New York, where anything north of the city is considered "Upstate".
If it is held in Champaign, there's always the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Yum!
Chris is me
15-08-2013, 13:26
Good to see that out-of-normal-area teams can opt into the district system.
If this is the case in some regions but not others, I think that's absolutely outrageous. We're looking to spend more money and travel more in a year because FIRST said we couldn't join the district members of our area have competed in for over two decades, but there are different rules for PNW?
What I think is more likely, sadly, is that local organizers are pushing for this rule but haven't heard a rejection of the idea from FIRST yet.
I say the most interesting event is going to be the FIRST TECH VALLEY its a mini CMP. You got the best from the Palmetto, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Hub city. its the battle of the cardinal directions
I'm definitely super excited for a strong small regional to develop not two blocks from my house. :D I've heard of interest from Palmetto and Pittsburgh teams, as well as a small number looking to come from MAR or FINE. I hope they all have a chance to come, but I'm curious - who's coming from Wisconsin? I'd be thrilled to see a Wisconsin team all the way out here, but it's quite the drive (easily 12 hours minimum) so I don't have great expectations.
Why would people want to make the treck to northern New York?;)
It's not really "northern" New York - it's kinda more like east central NY, but it is "upstate" in that it's not part of the NYC metropolitan area I guess.
Definatly enough teams now. Teams from Idaho and Montana can also take part if they want.
Would teams from Alberta be able to opt in? Right now with PNW going to districts, it's quite the trek for an Alberta team to find a second regional. (Even the PNW events are pretty far.)
Thanks DevenStonow. I figured there had to be some practice time. I guess we have to plan on being there the evening/night before, but at leave after school ends for the day to make the school happy. Which is okay; most of the locations are within an hour, and, except for Lewiston, within two hours. Doesn't make the choices any easier.
Not as bad as New York, where anything north of the city is considered "Upstate".Yonkers is upstate! Come to think of it, so is the Bronx. ;)
same for Teams from Bangor and points Downeast in Maine.....
Chris is me
15-08-2013, 15:37
To clarify some earlier discussion in this thread - today's blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-districts-2014) confirms that no teams located outside of a district will be able to "opt-in" to any district. Not unexpected, but this clears up some of the confusion with the PNW region.
Akash Rastogi
15-08-2013, 15:54
To clarify some earlier discussion in this thread - today's blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-districts-2014) confirms that no teams located outside of a district will be able to "opt-in" to any district. Not unexpected, but this clears up some of the confusion with the PNW region.
While this isn't good news for teams like 2791/20, by any means, I'm glad that FIRST is at least keeping a standard to stick to. If one area's teams can't opt-in, another area's teams can't either.
I'm excited to see the first (I think it's the first) mention of inter-district play for 2015. That is something we are all looking forward to!
To clarify some earlier discussion in this thread - today's blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-districts-2014) confirms that no teams located outside of a district will be able to "opt-in" to any district. Not unexpected, but this clears up some of the confusion with the PNW region.
I hope First will be open to revisiting this matter in the future. The intermountain teams now have very limited options for participating in regional competitions. As of this blog post, Utah is our closest regional venue at 340 miles, followed by Sacramento (554), Denver (813) and Calgary (956). Having previously competed in Portland (431), Seattle (504) and Spokane/Cheney (414) 2122 is not averse to traveling. If the district model is the future of First, with California likely to follow soon, I wonder where that will leave teams from Alberta, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah?
Mark McLeod
15-08-2013, 16:31
If it is held in Champaign, there's always the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Yum!
I just had dinner there last night!
Navid Shafa
15-08-2013, 17:29
Pacific Northwest district? Interesting. Seems like it's only Oregon + Washington, though I wouldn't think there is enough team density in those areas to get a district to themselves.
Washington and Oregon had 156 (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117215&highlight=pnw+district) active teams in 2013 and is projecting growth to 185-200 teams in the 2014 season.
Also even if I took away my bias from living in portland im glad the championship is here. Ive been to many of the venues that have held NW events over the years, and i've always felt the Coliseum was a better venue in terms of both seating and pit locations and mappings.
I may not be the farthest team from the Coliseum, but it's still a drive. Even so, I couldn't think of a better venue to host it.
PNW will many more tough teams from now on. 1983 won't be alone in the top rankings at World!
After simulating the district rankings (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115855) for this year, It certainly is apparent that there are many teams who would be strong competitors at champs. I'm really excited to see how PNW Champs play out!
But you're right, Idaho has some top notch teams too. Team Tators (2122) and Alpha+ (2130) for example always perform outstandingly.
Would teams from Alberta be able to opt in? Right now with PNW going to districts, it's quite the trek for an Alberta team to find a second regional. (Even the PNW events are pretty far.)
It is a bit of a bummer, I’m definitely going to miss 2122 and 2130. I also really enjoyed getting to meet 4334 in Seattle this year.
If this is the case in some regions but not others, I think that's absolutely outrageous. We're looking to spend more money and travel more in a year because FIRST said we couldn't join the district members of our area have competed in for over two decades, but there are different rules for PNW?
What I think is more likely, sadly, is that local organizers are pushing for this rule but haven't heard a rejection of the idea from FIRST yet.
So you would have wished that others couldn't have the opportunity, just because you weren't able to...?
I understand where FIRST is coming from, but I especially feel bad for our close friends in Idaho. I hope that FIRST is able to come up with a solution to district borders soon, seeing how restrictive it is becoming.
On a less discouraging note, I am super excited to see several new events pop up in close proximity to my house! It's astounding to think how fast Washington (and Oregon) have grown!
Chris is me
15-08-2013, 17:45
So you would have wished that others couldn't have the opportunity, just because you weren't able to...?
Not exactly - if one region allowed it I would be petitioning FIRST to make the rules consistent across all regions. I wouldn't want to actively deny anyone something they had just because my team doesn't have that opportunity. I also doubted that special permission for particular teams was going to happen at all based on statements from and about FIRST HQ's position on the matter.
Navid Shafa
15-08-2013, 17:48
Not exactly - if one region allowed it I would be petitioning FIRST to make the rules consistent across all regions. I wouldn't want to actively deny anyone something they had just because my team doesn't have that opportunity. I also doubted that special permission for particular teams was going to happen at all based on statements from and about FIRST HQ's position on the matter.
I am all for the unification of district policy and play, I was just hoping that PNW FIRST might be able to make changes for the better, even if it was unlikely FIRST HQ would approve.
Not exactly - if one region allowed it I would be petitioning FIRST to make the rules consistent across all regions. I wouldn't want to actively deny anyone something they had just because my team doesn't have that opportunity. I also doubted that special permission for particular teams was going to happen at all based on statements from and about FIRST HQ's position on the matter.
Then that reasoning could be used for every team not in a District System. Why do some teams get a district advantage and others don't?
This is a devil's advocate post not a literal gripe post.
Then that reasoning could be used for every team not in a District System. Why do some teams get a district advantage and others don't?
This is a devil's advocate post not a literal gripe post.
...because sometimes life's not fair. Frank blogged that they would have a solution to this for 2015. As irritating as it may be for some teams, this upcoming season will be the last time it's an issue. These last few transition years have been tricky in several ways with FIRST making gradual changes each year towards the district system. Thankfully, these changes will make FIRST far more stable and cost efficient as it continues to grow.
Akash Rastogi
15-08-2013, 20:06
So you would have wished that others couldn't have the opportunity, just because you weren't able to...?
Chris did not say this at all.
The Idaho/Montana/etc teams would feel the same way if they heard similar rumors about the Mid-Atlantic and New England districts.
mwibbels
15-08-2013, 21:34
We have had a great time playing with the PNW teams over the last 6 years and look forward to the opportunity to do it again soon.
Of the teams in the mountain west - those close to Boise don't seem to be as challenged by the district boundary rules as 2130 and 4334. Personally think that it should be possible to develop and publish a hardship criteria based on travel distance/cost (in the short term) that would allow teams to compete within a district that are outside of the boundary.
For now, it looks likely we will be revisiting friends in California or making new ones in Nevada or Colorado.
DonRotolo
15-08-2013, 21:51
To clarify some earlier discussion in this thread - today's blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-districts-2014) confirms that no teams located outside of a district will be able to "opt-in" to any district. Not unexpected, but this clears up some of the confusion with the PNW region.Precisely why I originally questioned the term "opt-in". I simply couldn't imagine it being so.
Then that reasoning could be used for every team not in a District System. Why do some teams get a district advantage and others don't?
This is a devil's advocate post not a literal gripe post.Really, it comes down to the volunteer base. IF folks want to get the "district advantage"* they have to work for it. Win friends and influence people and all that.
* Just 2 years ago districts were seen as an awful horrible fate to be avoided at all costs. Now see where we are...
Nathan Streeter
15-08-2013, 22:26
Sunday-Monday events are weird, maybe it was just a typo/error on FIRST's part?
In regards to the shift to Saturday-Sunday, with the shift to districts, it's kind of an inevitability, as it's much easier to have events at a HS without having to worry about interfering with the Friday school day(all that directly coincides with it is setup for the field, so all the school really has to do is just move gym classes/restrict parking).
And in regards to webcast viewership, personally, I find it much easier to pay attention to more elimination matches, mainly the Sunday afternoon ones, as it's less events overall and easier to pay attention than "ten regionals on one screen"(as well as being able to get other work, ie. homework, especially if your team is meeting all day saturday)
I'm not critical of Saturday-Sunday events as a whole... just surprised that there are only two Friday-Saturday districts in New England. The Saturday-Monday does seem odd; however, I highly doubt it's a typo... that is within the realm of possibility for sure though.
My comment on the webcast viewership had little to do with there being Saturday-Sunday events... having the elims nationwide spread out over two days is actually kind of nice. I more meant the fact that - at least in New England - we now have Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday events! It seems to me that having three or four different days that elims are on starts getting too spread out...
On the other hand... what about the ability to get both of your districts in on the same weekend, if there's a Thursday-Friday and a Sunday-Monday both within range of you? Or is that just too much?
It looks like Sunday-Monday was a typo. Those 2 district events have been changed to be Saturday-Sunday events. I think 2 districts in a weekend might be a little much but I'd give it a shot though!
On the other hand... what about the ability to get both of your districts in on the same weekend, if there's a Thursday-Friday and a Sunday-Monday both within range of you? Or is that just too much?
I'm sure it could be done, but it would be exhausting for the team. The biggest problem with this is earning points towards your district championship. There are lots of lessons learned from your first event that can be applied towards improving your on field performance. Forsaking the 8 hour unbagged window at your shop as well as any fill-in practice you get at your second event could leave you at a severe disadvantage points wise if your performance at the first event was average.
Nathan Streeter
16-08-2013, 07:48
It looks like Sunday-Monday was a typo. Those 2 district events have been changed to be Saturday-Sunday events. I think 2 districts in a weekend might be a little much but I'd give it a shot though!
Looks like either there were a bunch of typos with the New England District events or several of the dates changed... Now there are no Sunday-Monday districts. There are only three Saturday-Sunday districts (the three in CT), while there are now two Thursday-Friday districts (UNH Durham and WPI).
This definitely opens things up a fair bit for our team... WPI or Northeastern are big possibilities.
I'm sure it could be done, but it would be exhausting for the team. The biggest problem with this is earning points towards your district championship. There are lots of lessons learned from your first event that can be applied towards improving your on field performance. Forsaking the 8 hour unbagged window at your shop as well as any fill-in practice you get at your second event could leave you at a severe disadvantage points wise if your performance at the first event was average.
Yeah, it does seem like losing the 8 hours of unbagged time between your two districts would be a huge loss, along with any practice time. Additionally, just running into the second event without the first would cut out really almost any time to sit back and reflect on it.
I suppose it's feasible, but it definitely seems like it'd come at some costs... not the least of which being how tired you'd be on Monday morning! :-)
I'm really liking how theres now 7 (i think) regionals within a not completely stupid driving distance for me.
North Bay: 238km, 2:29 travel time
Oshawa: 70km, 1:04 travel time
Mississauga: 130km, 1:32 travel time
Waterloo: 201km, 2:11 travel time
Montreal: 556km, 5:37 travel time
Windsor: 455km, 4:30 travel time
Rochester: 383km, 3:50 travel time.
Cleveland clocks in around the same as Montreal, and Pittsburgh is 6:01 travel time, too.
Gary Dillard
23-08-2013, 12:48
So after looking at the schedule a dozen times, it just clicked in my brain that the Peachtree regional has moved from the Gwinnett Center in Duluth to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Also the new home of GRITS (http://gafirst.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:grits-2013&catid=14:upcoming-events). Next stop, the Georgia Dome baby.
Concerning the teams in ID joining the PNW district from what I understand ID was originally intended to be part of the PNW district. However it didn't make sense for the southern ID teams to join and the northern ID teams were asked if they wanted to be part of the district some time ago. I guess that there were not enough of them that said they wanted to join or FIRST wanted to stick to state boundaries for districts.
I am quite sad that we won't be seeing some of our friends from ID or MT unless it is at CMP.
Joe Ross
23-08-2013, 14:02
I guess that there were not enough of them that said they wanted to join or FIRST wanted to stick to state boundaries for districts.
MAR didn't stick to state boundaries in Pennsylvania.
MAR didn't stick to state boundaries in Pennsylvania.
Correct but MAR was another pilot district while the NE and PNW districts are part of the official roll out of districts that will eventually go nationwide. Note just like FiM, MAR was allowed to set their own system of advancing to the district CMP and world CMP while the current word from FIRST is that all districts will use a common points and advancement system for the 2014 season. Part of the reason for the common system is of course due to the fact that many people want interdistrict play and the other reason is because FIRST wants to ensure the mix of teams (on field vs off field performance veterans vs rookies) advancing to world CMP is similar to the mix of teams that advanced from traditional regionals to CMP.
Or it could be as I also postulated that not enough of the N ID teams wanted to become part of the PNW district. The S ID teams did not traditionally play frequently at the regionals that the PNW district is replacing while N ID teams did. I know from some of the N ID team mentors that I talked to after they had been given the option during early discussions they had mixed feelings about joining the district. It also just could be due to the projected growth of teams in WA and OR. We are shooting for about 125-130 teams for WA alone this year. The OR legislature just approved multi-year funding for FRC team grants similar to what we have had in WA for a few years now, so their growth rate could increase dramatically in the coming years.
Alpha Beta
23-08-2013, 16:03
Not sure how Champaign and Peoria qualify as Southern Illinois*, but I've heard those two locations as well.
*some say anything south of I-80 is Southern Illinois
Noticed that the name of the regional has been changed to "Central Illinois Regional". (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events)
Still no date or location listed.
gabrielau23
23-08-2013, 16:26
I'm assuming that Preliminary means they haven't set the date, right?
Or it could be as I also postulated that not enough of the N ID teams wanted to become part of the PNW district. The S ID teams did not traditionally play frequently at the regionals that the PNW district is replacing while N ID teams did.
I would suggest that it is more a matter of there not being many teams in Idaho (approximately 15), rather than S. ID teams not "traditionally" playing in Oregon or Wash. regionals. The creation of the Utah regional in 2010 proved to be the closest venue for many Idaho teams (especially those entering only a single event) until 2012 with the start of the Spokane and Ellensburg regionals.
The fact that 2122 has entered 6 OR/WA events out of 8 years in our team's existence and 1569 from Pocatello ID 6 events/9 years; and 1891 from Meridian ID,5 events/8 years tends to support the idea that teams from across ID have been regular participants in FRC events in Oregon and Washington, a history that, sadly, has come to a close. We will miss competing with our friends in Oregon and Washington and look forward to meeting new friends farther from home...Vegas anyone?
I would suggest that it is more a matter of there not being many teams in Idaho (approximately 15), rather than S. ID teams not "traditionally" playing in Oregon or Wash. regionals. The creation of the Utah regional in 2010 proved to be the closest venue for many Idaho teams (especially those entering only a single event) until 2012 with the start of the Spokane and Ellensburg regionals.
The fact that 2122 has entered 6 OR/WA events out of 8 years in our team's existence and 1569 from Pocatello ID 6 events/9 years; and 1891 from Meridian ID,5 events/8 years tends to support the idea that teams from across ID have been regular participants in FRC events in Oregon and Washington, a history that, sadly, has come to a close. We will miss competing with our friends in Oregon and Washington and look forward to meeting new friends farther from home...Vegas anyone?
By all means! As the announcer on "The Price is Right" says to selected contestants..."COME ON DOWN!" We are having a grand 10th year celebration and would love to have more teams from your area share in the festivities. Any way you look at it as more districts are created there will likely be a few regionals left to service sparse populations and visiting international teams. We are hoping to continue to be one of those special cases that serves a special need!
ttldomination
23-08-2013, 18:47
So after looking at the schedule a dozen times, it just clicked in my brain that the Peachtree regional has moved from the Gwinnett Center in Duluth to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Also the new home of GRITS (http://gafirst.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:grits-2013&catid=14:upcoming-events). Next stop, the Georgia Dome baby.
Well, the pits and the field will be in the GWCC, so it'd be just "next stop, GWCC."
- Sunny G.
By all means! As the announcer on "The Price is Right" says to selected contestants..."COME ON DOWN!" We are having a grand 10th year celebration and would love to have more teams from your area share in the festivities. Any way you look at it as more districts are created there will likely be a few regionals left to service sparse populations and visiting international teams. We are hoping to continue to be one of those special cases that serves a special need!
Just waiting for the schedule to be finalized for a couple of regionals. A Week 6 in Vegas could work very well.
Just waiting for the schedule to be finalized for a couple of regionals. A Week 6 in Vegas could work very well.
It is a week 6 event...it is pending because we are just putting the insurance package together and at that point can sign the venue contract.
waialua359
23-08-2013, 23:20
By all means! As the announcer on "The Price is Right" says to selected contestants..."COME ON DOWN!" We are having a grand 10th year celebration and would love to have more teams from your area share in the festivities. Any way you look at it as more districts are created there will likely be a few regionals left to service sparse populations and visiting international teams. We are hoping to continue to be one of those special cases that serves a special need!
I do hope that the Vegas regional continues to be one of the special cases. The city itself is a great reason to continue the way things are. It seems as though Hawaii and you folks, for the time being, is going to stay that way.
I would suggest that it is more a matter of there not being many teams in Idaho (approximately 15), rather than S. ID teams not "traditionally" playing in Oregon or Wash. regionals. The creation of the Utah regional in 2010 proved to be the closest venue for many Idaho teams (especially those entering only a single event) until 2012 with the start of the Spokane and Ellensburg regionals.
The fact that 2122 has entered 6 OR/WA events out of 8 years in our team's existence and 1569 from Pocatello ID 6 events/9 years; and 1891 from Meridian ID,5 events/8 years tends to support the idea that teams from across ID have been regular participants in FRC events in Oregon and Washington, a history that, sadly, has come to a close. We will miss competing with our friends in Oregon and Washington and look forward to meeting new friends farther from home...Vegas anyone?
I should have said since the Utah regional teams from S ID haven't been playing at the regionals that the PNW district with a couple of exceptions. Your team 2122 and 4106 are the only S ID teams that have recently played in a PNW regional and in both cases that was for 1/2 of the events attended. 3251 a team in the middle or the state played in a PNW regional in 2011 but not in 2010, 2012, and 2013.
1891 and 1569 haven't competed in an OR or WA event since 2009, neither have 1566 and 2594. 3562, 4086, 4175, 4178 have never played in a PNW regional.
The Panhandle teams 2130, 3145, 3315, 3513, 4520 have only played in PNW regionals in recent years. Which is why they were asked if they wanted to join the PNW district in 2012 and were invited to attend the PNW district information webinar in May 2013, and a mentor from at least one team did participate.
It is unfortunate that we won't be seeing the teams from ID in our area anymore, but lines have to be drawn somewhere, but nothing says they can't be redrawn in the future, and hopefully interdistrict play will be a reality for the 2015 season.
For the North Idaho teams, is the Calgary Regional still within driving distance?
The Calgary area teams are in a bit of an island too with the PNW going district, but they at least have a Regional event to call their own!
Is there a contact in N ID who we can reach out to? The earlier the better, because things like passports need a fair bit of lead time...
For the North Idaho teams, is the Calgary Regional still within driving distance?
The Calgary area teams are in a bit of an island too with the PNW going district, but they at least have a Regional event to call their own!
Is there a contact in N ID who we can reach out to? The earlier the better, because things like passports need a fair bit of lead time...
Coeur d'Alene ID to Calgary is about 400 miles/8hours so N. ID teams could make Calgary regional work....
For the North Idaho teams, is the Calgary Regional still within driving distance?
The Calgary area teams are in a bit of an island too with the PNW going district, but they at least have a Regional event to call their own!
Is there a contact in N ID who we can reach out to? The earlier the better, because things like passports need a fair bit of lead time...
It does look like Calagary is going to be the closest for the N ID teams. You can find the teams at the first website in the what's going on in my area. The link below will get you the ID teams that participated in 2013. If you click on the team number most of them have websites that have information on how to contact them. You can check my earlier post to determine the N ID teams.
The other big hurdle could be getting the school district to approve an out of country field trip, sometimes it is hard enough to get them to approve an out of state trip.
I have to wonder if FIRST really looked at the hardship excluding the N ID (and W MT) teams from the PNW district would create.
http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on/teams?ProgramCode=FRC&Season=2013&Country=USA&StateProv=ID&ZipCode=&Radius=&op=Search&form_build_id=form-PYLxK0aoQqQa-EdfipZOlF9UBadSP12gHXGZqNUwrKA&form_id=first_search_teams_form
mrmummert
25-08-2013, 00:30
Wondering if Bilfred has seen this....
http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/includes/calendar-of-events/11th-Annual-Palmetto-Regional-First-Robotics-Competition/9368/sitemap/sitemap/
Its not on the First site yet. So it seems that it will be in Myrtle Beach again.
Nice venue, but hope the Team Social will be better than this years was.
Gary Dillard
25-08-2013, 14:47
Wondering if Bilfred has seen this....
http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/includes/calendar-of-events/11th-Annual-Palmetto-Regional-First-Robotics-Competition/9368/sitemap/sitemap/
Its not on the First site yet. So it seems that it will be in Myrtle Beach again.
Nice venue, but hope the Team Social will be better than this years was.
Interesting, since the FIRST site says Palmetto will be in N. Charleston.
Billfred
25-08-2013, 22:17
Interesting, since the FIRST site says Palmetto will be in N. Charleston.
My sources (VERY reliable ones) say Week 1, Myrtle Beach. Charleston was very good to me, but I would only expect to be back there if there was something absolutely irreconcilable in Myrtle Beach.
Gary Dillard
02-09-2013, 11:54
My sources (VERY reliable ones) say Week 1, Myrtle Beach. Charleston was very good to me, but I would only expect to be back there if there was something absolutely irreconcilable in Myrtle Beach.
And thus it is so, according to the latest list.
We are just waiting on an OK on the final contract then we can announce Inland Empire. So close...
Alpha Beta
03-09-2013, 22:05
Just got an official e-mail from KC FIRST.
Greater Kansas City Regional will likely be held Week Four (March 19-22 2014)
Location: Hale Arena - American Royal Complex (same as the last 7 years.)
Turns out the word "likely" in that official e-mail just made other plans.
Greater Kansas City showed up today as week 3 (March 13-15) which places it at the same time as St. Louis for the 2nd year in a row. Venue is TBD which may mean that we are considering an arena other than Hale. Wonder what that means for the size of the tournament if there is a change?
New locations (and dates) posted for the Chesapeake & DC Regionals.
Nate Laverdure
04-09-2013, 08:21
New locations (and dates) posted for the Chesapeake & DC Regionals.
Clarifying, these are:
DC Regional is now the "Greater DC Regional"
Week 5 (Mar 27-29)
Patriot Center (10,000 seat basketball arena)
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Chesapeake Regional
Week 6 (Apr 3-5)
Comcast Center (18,000 seat basketball arena)
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
The size of these events should compare well with the Virginia Regional (the Siegel Center is an 8,000 seat basketball arena). It will be disappointing not to play a stone's throw from DC's Chinatown or Baltimore's Inner Harbor-- maybe I'll have to make some side trips during practice rounds!
I know my students were disappointed about the inner harbor but DC moving it to GMU puts that event even closer to our back yard. Now to wait on one more "localish" regional to get finalized before we start making serious schedule decisions.
Pesonally I was hoping one of the DMV events was going to be "early" but with these two being finalized its time for plan B.
holygrail
05-09-2013, 11:50
Turns out the word "likely" in that official e-mail just made other plans.
Greater Kansas City showed up today as week 3 (March 13-15) which places it at the same time as St. Louis for the 2nd year in a row. Venue is TBD which may mean that we are considering an arena other than Hale. Wonder what that means for the size of the tournament if there is a change?
Looks like they are having the KC Regional at the MCC Business and Technology campus. They have an exhibit hall there that must be the place. Up Next (team 3528) builds there so maybe they can offer some insight. It could be awesome, especially if they let teams use the FabLab as an on sight machine shop. I have a lot of great memories at Hale Arena, but I'm optomistic that this could be a good thing.
Bummer about the conflict with St. Louis. However, there were many teams that were going to be on spring break during week 4. As a coach, it is a very awkward position to have to ask students to choose between robotics and family vacation. Our team wasn't going to be able to go to the KC Regional this year, but with the move, now we can.
Alpha Beta
05-09-2013, 13:02
Bummer about the conflict with St. Louis. However, there were many teams that were going to be on spring break during week 4. As a coach, it is a very awkward position to have to ask students to choose between robotics and family vacation. Our team wasn't going to be able to go to the KC Regional this year, but with the move, now we can.
This is the second year in a row that KC has hit our Spring Break. Not my preference, but many of our varsity sports have tournaments over spring break, and the band often takes a trip somewhere. It is a conflict that families in high caliber activities are growing accustomed to in our community. In the past we have enjoyed hosting some of our feeder elementary schools for a field trip at the tournament, and will be missing that again this year with the spring break conflict.
Loved Hale, but am also looking forward to the new space at the BTC. I heard that it was bigger than Hale and should be able to still accommodate the large number of teams we are used to seeing in KC.
PS. The KC regional wouldn't be the same without 1939. Glad the date change allows you to come.
Loved Hale, but am also looking forward to the new space at the BTC. I heard that it was bigger than Hale and should be able to still accommodate the large number of teams we are used to seeing in KC.
It's probably a fair bit cheaper than Hale, because from what I've heard they kept raising the rate every year.
Yes indeed, the exhibit hall at MCC BTC is less expensive than Hale. It's also larger compared to the spaces FIRST used in the past at Hale, and cleaner. It has ample room for 64+ pits, the main field, plus a practice field (or two). Tons of free parking. Easy access. Here's a good, albeit older, article about the space:
http://meetmags.com/mme/2005/12/a-unique-facility-that-morphs-to-your-needs/
Does anyone have any idea when GTR West will have a definitive date and location? Registration is merely 10 days away and there is still nothing posted :confused:
Kevin Pardus
19-09-2013, 12:27
In just one week the insanity of FRC event registration begins for the 2014 season.
I'm pretty concerned that there is only a week left until registration and some dates are still preliminary. Is there anybody hare that has any information on any of them.
GTR West is going to be at the Crescent School, 610's school!
Has any team ever hosted a regional event before?
I'm happy that there's now a regional I can get to just via local public transit.
With both GTRE and GTRW back to backs weeks 2 and 1, Toronto teams that don't like to travel will be doing back to back, early regionals.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events
Mark McLeod
20-09-2013, 13:13
GTR West is going to be at the Crescent School, 610's school!
Has any team ever hosted a regional event before?
The Arizona Regional has been hosted by Hamilton High School, Team 698, since 2011.
They do a great job too!
According to the event list...
Inland Empire Regional is hosted at Grand Terrace High School
Central Valley Regional is at Madera South High School, Team 1323
And of course the first ever event in 1992 was at Memorial High School in Manchester, NH.
GTR West is going to be at the Crescent School, 610's school!
Has any team ever hosted a regional event before?
I'm happy that there's now a regional I can get to just via local public transit.
With both GTRE and GTRW back to backs weeks 2 and 1, Toronto teams that don't like to travel will be doing back to back, early regionals.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events
Very exciting that Crescent School is hosting GTR West this year. (Or maybe it should be renamed GTR Central) They've hosted very successful FLL and VRC events in the past, I'm sure this event will be great. Unfortunately 1114 won't be able to attend as our school is hosting the Ontario Provincial VRC Championship that same weekend. Will be weird not being a part of GTR West, but at least there are now five options for events in the Province.
Gotta say, I'm a little confused by Crescent School being the host. Don't get me wrong, 610 is a great team, and will be great hosts, but their facility isn't exactly conducive to the type of environment an FRC event needs.
From what I know of their school, there isn't really an appropriate spot to host a FRC field, complete with enough seating for 30+ teams, plus 30+ 10x10 pits with aisleways nearby.
I presume the venue is Crescent's field house, which I understand they had a partial field set up in for practice in 2013 due to space concerns.
The building is roughly 40m x 40m judging by the satellite image on Google. Crescents Website says 30,000 ft^2, which doesn't add up. The on-floor footprint of an FRC field plus all of its gear is about 40x70ft = 2800ft^2. Add some buffer for aisles between the field and whatever seating there is, and you get pretty close to NCAA basketball courts at 50x94ft. This is easily seen at Waterloo, where we play on an NCAA-spec Basketball Court. Pits needs another area that size minimum. Then people need somewhere to sit.
Crescent school has ~135 parking spaces based on the satellite image on Google. There is no nearby public parking facilities. 30 teams plus event staff? Never mind that the school will presumably still need some of its parking for staff and students not involved in the event, I can't see how enough cars will fit.
Certainly, I don't see this event being able to have capacity >28-32 teams, same as Waterloo.
This is a problem, as its replacing an event that had 60+ capacity.
Yes, Ontario as a whole has gained some capacity this year with the addition of Windsor and North Bay, but its lost about 30% of its former capacity in the Toronto area. Of the 73 Ontario teams registered in 2013, this relocated event at Crescent is geographically the closest to 40 of them. Additionally, almost 44% of Ontario's 73 teams were multiple regional attendees in 2013.
I don't see this leaving much room for growth in Ontario in 2014, especially in the Toronto area. This also completely ignoring the ~23 Ontario teams that were lost in 2013 to the Teacher Strike who may return.
All in all, cool, I'm excited for an event at Crescent, but if they were axing half of GTRWest's capacity, they should have added a 3rd similarly-sized GTR, perhaps in the Mississauga area (Rick Hansen SS maybe?)
Steven Donow
20-09-2013, 15:53
Another thing to note: there are only 4 preliminary events now (Razorback, Tech Valley, Long Island, and Pittsburgh), and now the two "Sunday-Monday" events in NEFIRST are now Saturday-Sunday-probably was just a typo on FIRST's part.
PayneTrain
20-09-2013, 16:05
Gotta say, I'm a little confused by Crescent School being the host. Don't get me wrong, 610 is a great team, and will be great hosts, but their facility isn't exactly conducive to the type of environment an FRC event needs.
From what I know of their school, there isn't really an appropriate spot to host a FRC field, complete with enough seating for 30+ teams, plus 30+ 10x10 pits with aisleways nearby.
I presume the venue is Crescent's field house, which I understand they had a partial field set up in for practice in 2013 due to space concerns.
The building is roughly 40m x 40m judging by the satellite image on Google. Crescents Website says 30,000 ft^2, which doesn't add up. The on-floor footprint of an FRC field plus all of its gear is about 40x70ft = 2800ft^2. Add some buffer for aisles between the field and whatever seating there is, and you get pretty close to NCAA basketball courts at 50x94ft. This is easily seen at Waterloo, where we play on an NCAA-spec Basketball Court. Pits needs another area that size minimum. Then people need somewhere to sit.
Crescent school has ~135 parking spaces based on the satellite image on Google. There is no nearby public parking facilities. 30 teams plus event staff? Never mind that the school will presumably still need some of its parking for staff and students not involved in the event, I can't see how enough cars will fit.
Certainly, I don't see this event being able to have capacity >28-32 teams, same as Waterloo.
This is a problem, as its replacing an event that had 60+ capacity.
Yes, Ontario as a whole has gained some capacity this year with the addition of Windsor and North Bay, but its lost about 30% of its former capacity in the Toronto area. Of the 73 Ontario teams registered in 2013, this relocated event at Crescent is geographically the closest to 40 of them. Additionally, almost 44% of Ontario's 73 teams were multiple regional attendees in 2013.
I don't see this leaving much room for growth in Ontario in 2014, especially in the Toronto area. This also completely ignoring the ~23 Ontario teams that were lost in 2013 to the Teacher Strike who may return.
All in all, cool, I'm excited for an event at Crescent, but if they were axing half of GTRWest's capacity, they should have added a 3rd similarly-sized GTR, perhaps in the Mississauga area (Rick Hansen SS maybe?)
The listed capacity of GTR-Crescent School is 20. I imagine it might have wiggle room up to 24 so the regional could potentially field 8 playoff alliances. The total listed capacity of all Ontario regionals combined is 145, and I imagine if necessary could edge up a little bit. If the province fielded 90 teams next year and half of them attended 2 events, there would still be slots left for other teams outside of the province.
Regardless, I'm not on the planning committee of any of these events nor am I a participant in any capacity with FIRST Canada, including its volunteering group or advisory/director board, so I'd defer to them knowing what to anticipate relative to teams, venues, and how the capacity for the events work together.
So 1114 wont be at GTR West. Does anyone know if 2056 will be attending. If they're not than this would make a much more even playing field, Even if they are though, with 1114 not competing it will open up another spot to give an extra team the opportunity to make it to worlds.
The listed capacity of GTR-Crescent School is 20. I imagine it might have wiggle room up to 24 so the regional could potentially field 8 playoff alliances. The total listed capacity of all Ontario regionals combined is 145, and I imagine if necessary could edge up a little bit. If the province fielded 90 teams next year and half of them attended 2 events, there would still be slots left for other teams outside of the province.
Regardless, I'm not on the planning committee of any of these events nor am I a participant in any capacity with FIRST Canada, including its volunteering group or advisory/director board, so I'd defer to them knowing what to anticipate relative to teams, venues, and how the capacity for the events work together.
The running theory is that FIRST Robotics Canada is holding 8-10 spots at the Crescent school event for rookies.
This is similar when compared to Ontario's other super-tiny event, Waterloo. Waterloo has capacity for 30-32 teams, but is currently showing much less open capacity.
In 2013, when we had the teacher's strike swallow a bunch of public school board teams, and stifle public school board rookies, we had about 24 rookies, and lost about 25 teams to the strike.
Based on my predictions, I believe Ontario will see 70ish of its 2013 teams return, plus about 20 of the 2012 vets that were lost to the teachers strike, plus about 35-40 new rookies (assuming we keep steady growth, and the public school board rookies start coming again.)
That's about 130 teams by my count. In 2013, 30% of Ontario teams went to 2 regionals, and 13.5% went to 3. If that split stays consistent and my predictions for growth are correct, that means that Ontario needs capacity for about 205 teams at events. That's a whole event more than we're showing right now.
So 1114 wont be at GTR West. Does anyone know if 2056 will be attending. If they're not than this would make a much more even playing field, Even if they are though, with 1114 not competing it will open up another spot to give an extra team the opportunity to make it to worlds.
Although I am always inspired by the dominance of a 1114 2056 alliance (that's easy for me to say, I'm not on the receiving end of it) I hope that we can see them go to 1 or 2 different events. That will really make for some interesting regionals, especially is as good this year as they were last year.
and now the two "Sunday-Monday" events in NEFIRST are now Saturday-Sunday-probably was just a typo on FIRST's part.
I'm pretty sure your right, that was a typo. They actually made this change about a week after they released a schedule. The Th-Fr events are strange enough, we didn't need Sun-Mon.
The running theory is that FIRST Robotics Canada is holding 8-10 spots at the Crescent school event for rookies.
This is similar when compared to Ontario's other super-tiny event, Waterloo. Waterloo has capacity for 30-32 teams, but is currently showing much less open capacity.
Similar to many other events as well. My understanding is that for any given event, a number of slots are held back for rookies, particularly late-registering rookies. The exact number varies, I think, but 8-10 is a pretty good target.
For example, Los Angeles is listed as a 55-team event. Last year's event capacity was 65 teams, at the same venue--and I'll vouch that room is plentiful in there even with 65 teams. That means that there are 10 slots not available; it's reasonable to assume that they're being held back for rookie teams.
Similar to many other events as well. My understanding is that for any given event, a number of slots are held back for rookies, particularly late-registering rookies. The exact number varies, I think, but 8-10 is a pretty good target.
For example, Los Angeles is listed as a 55-team event. Last year's event capacity was 65 teams, at the same venue--and I'll vouch that room is plentiful in there even with 65 teams. That means that there are 10 slots not available; it's reasonable to assume that they're being held back for rookie teams.
All traditional regionals are set up with 10 spots "reserved" for rookies or other hardship cases. The district events are set up with 5 spots reserved except for NE which is holding back 10.
Alpha Beta
24-09-2013, 20:30
We should be able to announce something in Arkansas early next week. Nothing like right up to the wire. Sigh.
Moving to Searcy, and dropping the name Razorback?
Gorav Menon
08-10-2013, 16:29
Gotta say, I'm a little confused by Crescent School being the host. Don't get me wrong, 610 is a great team, and will be great hosts, but their facility isn't exactly conducive to the type of environment an FRC event needs.
From what I know of their school, there isn't really an appropriate spot to host a FRC field, complete with enough seating for 30+ teams, plus 30+ 10x10 pits with aisleways nearby.
I presume the venue is Crescent's field house, which I understand they had a partial field set up in for practice in 2013 due to space concerns.
The building is roughly 40m x 40m judging by the satellite image on Google. Crescents Website says 30,000 ft^2, which doesn't add up. The on-floor footprint of an FRC field plus all of its gear is about 40x70ft = 2800ft^2. Add some buffer for aisles between the field and whatever seating there is, and you get pretty close to NCAA basketball courts at 50x94ft. This is easily seen at Waterloo, where we play on an NCAA-spec Basketball Court. Pits needs another area that size minimum. Then people need somewhere to sit.
Crescent school has ~135 parking spaces based on the satellite image on Google. There is no nearby public parking facilities. 30 teams plus event staff? Never mind that the school will presumably still need some of its parking for staff and students not involved in the event, I can't see how enough cars will fit.
Certainly, I don't see this event being able to have capacity >28-32 teams, same as Waterloo.
This is a problem, as its replacing an event that had 60+ capacity.
Yes, Ontario as a whole has gained some capacity this year with the addition of Windsor and North Bay, but its lost about 30% of its former capacity in the Toronto area. Of the 73 Ontario teams registered in 2013, this relocated event at Crescent is geographically the closest to 40 of them. Additionally, almost 44% of Ontario's 73 teams were multiple regional attendees in 2013.
I don't see this leaving much room for growth in Ontario in 2014, especially in the Toronto area. This also completely ignoring the ~23 Ontario teams that were lost in 2013 to the Teacher Strike who may return.
All in all, cool, I'm excited for an event at Crescent, but if they were axing half of GTRWest's capacity, they should have added a 3rd similarly-sized GTR, perhaps in the Mississauga area (Rick Hansen SS maybe?)
Thank you for your thoughts. I believe the document below will address all of your concerns and questions. We are hard at work to produce the best regional we possibly can, taking into consideration all of the concerns that have been brought up by FIRST and yourself.
Crescent School's FRC Regional: GTR West Information
http://team610.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Greater-Toronto-West-Regional-Information.pdf
Thank You,
Thank you for your thoughts. I believe the document below will address all of your concerns and questions. We are hard at work to produce the best regional we possibly can, taking into consideration all of the concerns that have been brought up by FIRST and yourself.
Crescent School's FRC Regional: GTR West Information
http://team610.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Greater-Toronto-West-Regional-Information.pdf
Thank You,
Well, it doesn't answer all of my concerns, but I'm really glad to see that the team behind this event is working hard to make it awesome. I look forward to being there!
Thank you for your thoughts. I believe the document below will address all of your concerns and questions. We are hard at work to produce the best regional we possibly can, taking into consideration all of the concerns that have been brought up by FIRST and yourself.
Crescent School's FRC Regional: GTR West Information
http://team610.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Greater-Toronto-West-Regional-Information.pdf
Thank You,
I am very impressed that you guys thought out how to handle scouting. That ScoutCentre idea sounds amazing.
AdamHeard
09-10-2013, 00:37
I am very impressed that you guys thought out how to handle scouting. That ScoutCentre idea sounds amazing.
Yes it does.
Very curious how it works out. I wager it's highly dependant on quality of video and camera angle.
Should be interesting.
Provided that they can keep HD quality streaming across their school's network on a properly set up wide-angle lens? Should be OK.
*Some* of the regional streams were good enough last year over the internet that scouting would have been possible. GKC, GTREast, and MICMP come to mind.
Thank you for your thoughts. I believe the document below will address all of your concerns and questions. We are hard at work to produce the best regional we possibly can, taking into consideration all of the concerns that have been brought up by FIRST and yourself.
Crescent School's FRC Regional: GTR West Information
http://team610.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Greater-Toronto-West-Regional-Information.pdf
Thank You,
I am extremely interested in how this works. May be a great "thought" for Championship scouting.
I have "tele-scouted" from afar in previous years. Text messaging was helpful, though you don't have a good feel for how relevant the info you are giving is.
Make sure the angle is wide enough to pick up the Human Players if it is a Human Player important game (like 2009 or 2011).
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