[FRC Blog] FRC Events Being Posted and AMAA on FUN

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog (http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/), 6/20/16: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/FRC-Events-Being-Posted-and-AMAA-on-FUN

FRC Events Being Posted and AMAA on FUN
Written by Frank Merrick

FRC Events Being Posted
We just posted our first official events for the 2017 season! More will follow shortly, as we get contracts signed or otherwise have solid confirmation on dates and locations. Check out the ‘Events and Teams’ page here (http://firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLLJR,FLL,FTC,FRC&year=2015), click ‘Event’ under ‘Filter’ in the upper left, then uncheck all but the ‘FIRST Robotics Competition’ boxes, and you’ll be able to see them.

AMAA on FUN
I’ve been invited to participate in an AMAA* on the community webcast First Updates Now (FUN), Tuesday 6/21, at 8:30PM EST. You can watch the show on Twitch here (https://www.twitch.tv/firstupdatesnow). Hope you can join us for some fun and conversation about the season and who knows what else.

Frank

*One of our 20-something FRC staffers told me, when I asked, that AMAA stands for American Medical Athletic Association. That’s not right, is it?

Ask Me Almost Anything, Frank

EDIT: I've made a Google Doc for my own purposes of keeping track of Regionals and MAR District Events, but here's the link if anyone else is interested in having a copy: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLbDNecNaKjBl3FtQIV_UAjI2b3_wpU99Uvvjfa6rmc/edit?usp=sharing. I plan on updating it over the next few weeks/months as more events are announced. I don't plan on adding in any other district events other than MAR.

[bdaroz]

This is interesting...

The Finger Lakes Regional look like it's moved to a Week 3 event for 2017 (from week 4 in 2016). I wonder if the Tech Valley Regional will also shift up a week as well?

[Brian Maher]

This is interesting...

The Finger Lakes Regional look like it's moved to a Week 3 event for 2017 (from week 4 in 2016). I wonder if the Tech Valley Regional will also shift up a week as well?

It will most likely be Week 2. RPI and RIT have the same spring break, the week between Weeks 2-3.

In other news, yay, I have a four day spring break this year that covers both of my high school team's probable events (Mount Olive and Bridgewater).

[Jay O'Donnell]

This is interesting...

The Finger Lakes Regional look like it's moved to a Week 3 event for 2017 (from week 4 in 2016). I wonder if the Tech Valley Regional will also shift up a week as well?

I'm afraid it won't be. RPI's Spring break is the same week that FLR is currently scheduled. If TVR and FLR end up both being week 3, then they both become very different events. It would also cause more NY teams to want/need to travel, which is getting very difficult given all of the districts around us. The only events a decent distance away for 229 are the NY regionals, Montreal and Pittsburgh.

[Sperkowsky]

I'm afraid it won't be. RPI's Spring break is the same week that FLR is currently scheduled. If TVR and FLR end up both being week 3, then they both become very different events. It would also cause more NY teams to want/need to travel, which is getting very difficult given all of the districts around us. The only events a decent distance away for 229 are the NY regionals, Montreal and Pittsburgh.

The move may have something to do with the regional planned for the Westchester area. This doesn't help you much though.

[Jay O'Donnell]

The move may have something to do with the regional planned for the Westchester area. This doesn't help you much though.

To be fair I don't expect there to ever be an event within an hour drive of 229. I just want more options. Having New England, MAR and now Ontario cut off from us is very annoying. Districts are great for those not cut off by them.

[Brian Maher]

The move may have something to do with the regional planned for the Westchester area. This doesn't help you much though.

Is there any information about when the regional will be?

[KosmicKhaos]

I'm afraid it won't be. RPI's Spring break is the same week that FLR is currently scheduled. If TVR and FLR end up both being week 3, then they both become very different events. It would also cause more NY teams to want/need to travel, which is getting very difficult given all of the districts around us. The only events a decent distance away for 229 are the NY regionals, Montreal and Pittsburgh.

The moving up a week also limits the regionals for the teams who can't/don't want to compete back to back. Assuming Pittsburgh stays week 2 that eliminates Pittsburgh for those teams.

Edit: just checked out California university of PA academic calendar and their spring break is the same week as FLR. Wouldn't surprise me if FLR TVR And Pitt are all the same week.

[Sperkowsky]

Is there any information about when the regional will be?

Not that I know of.

[Aren Siekmeier]

https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017
still around if you're feeling old fashioned...

Also, this (http://173.255.246.196/2017) will be updating daily until things get more lively.

[Hitchhiker 42]

To be fair I don't expect there to ever be an event within an hour drive of 229. I just want more options. Having New England, MAR and now Ontario cut off from us is very annoying. Districts are great for those not cut off by them.

NY should move to districts. Then they can be competing with NE again :)

(Not meant to start a debate here).

[Brian Maher]

NY should move to districts. Then they can be competing with NE again :)

(Not meant to start a debate here).

We are all well aware, especially us district-to-NY transplants. Unfortunately, it's much more easily said than done.

[plnyyanks]

Is there any information about when the regional will be?

I haven't heard anything either. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how all the cards fall

NY should move to districts. Then they can be competing with NE again :)

(Not meant to start a debate here).

:deadhorse:

[mwmac]

https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017
still around if you're feeling old fashioned...

Hope this does not mean eight sub-divisions of 50 teams each at each 1/2CMP.

[waialua359]

Hope this does not mean eight sub-divisions of 50 teams each at each 1/2CMP.
I saw that too.:)
Looks like we wont do Iowa or Bayou this season, or Arizona West. Hawaii is week 5 this year.
FLR is a possibility.

[Chris is me]

RPI and RIT have had the same spring break for years. When this happens, RPI typically schedules their event for the start of spring break and RIT for the end of spring break. The events have almost always been back to back, and will almost certainly not be on the same weekend.

It will most likely be Week 2. RPI and RIT have the same spring break, the week between Weeks 2-3.

In other news, yay, I have a four day spring break this year that covers both of my high school team's probable events (Mount Olive and Bridgewater).

Welcome to being a Shaker Robotics mentor in college! My advice is to not go home at all, because you'll probably spend all four of those days off machining and implementing upgrades anyway. This mandatory back-to-back regional schedule is brought to you by the ever growing march toward districts in every state that isn't New York, and FIRST's stubborn refusal to allow anyone to join a district that isn't within the arbitrarily drawn borders they came up with. FIRST - valuing the team experience above all else since... uh... never, I guess.

[rsisk]

I saw that too.:)
Looks like we wont do Iowa or Bayou this season, or Arizona West. Hawaii is week 5 this year.
FLR is a possibility.

Aw dang, it would be fun to alliance with you at AZW. We love going there.

[PayneTrain]

This mandatory back-to-back regional schedule is brought to you by the ever growing march toward districts in every state that isn't New York, and FIRST's stubborn refusal to allow anyone to join a district that isn't within the arbitrarily drawn borders they came up with. FIRST - valuing the team experience above all else since... uh... never, I guess.

Tell us how you really feel, Chris.

[mdituri]

This mandatory back-to-back regional schedule is brought to you by the ever growing march toward districts in every state that isn't New York, and FIRST's stubborn refusal to allow anyone to join a district that isn't within the arbitrarily drawn borders they came up with. FIRST - valuing the team experience above all else since... uh... never, I guess.

So I have a proposal, your team and my team switch addresses and you compete in FIRST Mid-Atlantic all season and I will go to NYC (since it is the closest event to me) and two other regionals so we can play with/against different teams this year. Although we would be sad not to go interdistrict to Waterbury this year.

[avanboekel]

Hope this does not mean eight sub-divisions of 50 teams each at each 1/2CMP.

It's most likely just a leftover from this past year's CMP.

[bdaroz]

Quick related question for those teams who've been through this a few more times than us...

At about what point in time does the FRC event list tend to be "complete"?

[ATannahill]

Quick related question for those teams who've been through this a few more times than us...

At about what point in time does the FRC event list tend to be "complete"?
Septemberish. There have been changes made even later than that.

[EricH]

Septemberish. There have been changes made even later than that.
MI for years was notorious for disrupting Fantasy FIRST draft schedules with a mid-draft-season event addition. SLFF drafts in late November and all of December.

Almost all events will at least be on a competition week by the day event registration opens. Even if they don't quite have a signed venue contract (which is the usual trigger for being on the list).

[bdaroz]

Thanks. Just trying to get a handle on when most of the big picture will be laid out.

[bdaroz]

(Bumping or starting a new thread... coin toss but...)

Just an FYI - The official event list jumped from 7 to 18 in the last few days:

https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017

I didn't make note of what the original 7 were, but it looks like a bunch of week 4 events were added, week 1 events, and PNW are now posted.

[Brian Maher]

It is worth noting that Mid-Atlantic district event schedule is confirmed (https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148989), but not posted on the website for some reason.

[Kevin Leonard]

RPI and RIT have had the same spring break for years. When this happens, RPI typically schedules their event for the start of spring break and RIT for the end of spring break. The events have almost always been back to back, and will almost certainly not be on the same weekend.


Every source I've talked to said that TVR and FLR will be the same weekend, because it's both more convenient for RIT/RPI, and because they want all hands on deck Volunteer-wise for the new Hudson Valley Regional, which should be a different weekend. I'm hoping HVR is either week 1 or week 6 so we can actually have a break between competitions.

I saw that too.:)
Looks like we wont do Iowa or Bayou this season, or Arizona West. Hawaii is week 5 this year.
FLR is a possibility.
Yessssss! I'd love to compete with 359 again, and with TVR/FLR being the same week, and Ontario going to districts, there might actually be room at FLR this year for 359. (Also TVR is almost guaranteed to have openings if it's the same week as FLR, so if you wanted to come back there again, that would be cool too! Maybe they won't throw you in the corner pit this time :D )

[Hallry]

I didn't make note of what the original 7 were, but it looks like a bunch of week 4 events were added, week 1 events, and PNW are now posted.

Original 7 were Houston and STL Champs, Finger Lakes, Iowa, Bayou, Arizona West, and Las Vegas. Lake Superior, Palmetto, Colorado, Hawaii, and the PNW Districts have now been added.

[bdaroz]

Original 7 were Houston and STL Champs, Finger Lakes, Iowa, Bayou, Arizona West, and Las Vegas. Lake Superior, Palmetto, Colorado, Hawaii, and the PNW Districts have now been added.

Thanks - I made a note to save the current 18 for the next update.

[bdaroz]

Looks like some new additions taking us from 18 to 31:

https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017

Regionals: Northern Lights Regional, Orlando Regional

Districts: MAR (7 + Champ), PNW (added Mt. Vernon, Clackamas Acad., Lake Oswego)

[waialua359]

Yessssss! I'd love to compete with 359 again, and with TVR/FLR being the same week, and Ontario going to districts, there might actually be room at FLR this year for 359. (Also TVR is almost guaranteed to have openings if it's the same week as FLR, so if you wanted to come back there again, that would be cool too! Maybe they won't throw you in the corner pit this time :D )

Based on the 31 events posted so far, we would do Palmetto, FLR, and Hawaii.
FLR is definitely competitive and would look forward to coming back to NY.
NY Tech Valley regional is still the #1 regional event I have ever been to. Everyone from the teams to the volunteers/venue are 1st class. Every other event including our own Hawaii one could learn a lot from that event. Kudos to the RD for setting the tone on how a good regional should be run.

[Koko Ed]

It's official Tech Valley and FLR are on the same week.
What a disaster.

[Chris is me]

It's official Tech Valley and FLR are on the same week.
What a disaster.

This is a really disappointing. It's a completely invented conflict, done without consideration for what's best for the vast majority of teams in NY state. Is every team in New York that does two events supposed to go to the brand new Hudson Valley event?

[Jon Stratis]

This is a really disappointing. It's a completely invented conflict, done without consideration for what's best for the vast majority of teams in NY state. Is every team in New York that does two events supposed to go to the brand new Hudson Valley event?

"Completely invented"? By whom? Is it at all possible that venue availability played a large role in when these events happen? You talk as though you know the planners on the FRC side (RD's and RPC's) did this intentionally for some reason.

I know from scheduling out here, that despite the strongest desires of the RD's and RPC members, sometimes two events you want on separate weekends end up on the same one and thus limit options for teams.

[Kevin Leonard]

"Completely invented"? By whom? Is it at all possible that venue availability played a large role in when these events happen? You talk as though you know the planners on the FRC side (RD's and RPC's) did this intentionally for some reason.

I know from scheduling out here, that despite the strongest desires of the RD's and RPC members, sometimes two events you want on separate weekends end up on the same one and thus limit options for teams.

The venues are available when they are due to college breaks for RIT and RPI. The last time they had the same break, RPI held theirs the first weekend of break, and RIT did the second weekend.
The hope was that they would do the same thing this year.

[Chris is me]

"Completely invented"? By whom? Is it at all possible that venue availability played a large role in when these events happen? You talk as though you know the planners on the FRC side (RD's and RPC's) did this intentionally for some reason.

I wouldn't assert that I don't have any knowledge of the situation at hand here, just because I am complaining about something. That's awfully condescending.

RPI's ECAV facility is not in use either the beginning or the end of spring break, and the regional has been held on both weekends in different years without problems in either case. I am less familiar with RIT's arena, though I believe the same is true there. But it doesn't matter - RPI's is free both weekends, so if the powers that be wanted to, they could have had RPI on deck for the "other" weekend of spring break that RIT didn't want.

The only way the conflict is completely unavoidable, is if the Hudson Valley regional absolutely had to be a single weekend, and that weekend didn't work for either RPI or RIT to share with. But I don't' even think that regional's date is decided yet.


Completely invented was probably too strong of a phrase for this, though. Sorry about that, it's just frustrating.

[1493kd]

I expect the Hudson Valley one to fill up super fast, probably will have to sign up for that first before TVR.

Basically anyone in NY who wants a 2nd regional will have to go, close enough that many NYC teams will consider it. Oh ya and anyone in district looking for another event.

[Jon Stratis]

RPI's ECAV facility is not in use either the beginning or the end of spring break, and the regional has been held on both weekends in different years without problems in either case.

Where did you find their schedule posted for this facility? I've done some searching, and the closest I can find is their general event calendar (http://events.rpi.edu/cal/main/showMain.rdo), which has no athletic events listed on it for the upcoming school year (and doesn't even have the regional listed, either).

Likewise, I've looked for RIT's events, and the best I can find is their general event list (https://events.rit.edu/), which only has 1 event listed for the entire month of March, and it's not even the regional.

I don't mean to be condescending, but you're railing against the local planners of the event without providing any actual data to show that this conflict could have been avoided by them. Are we supposed to just take your word for it? I'd rather give the planners the benefit of the doubt until I can see evidence that they actually had other options.

[Brian Maher]

I expect the Hudson Valley one to fill up super fast, probably will have to sign up for that first before TVR.

Basically anyone in NY who wants a 2nd regional will have to go, close enough that many NYC teams will consider it. Oh ya and anyone in district looking for another event.

I don't imagine it will fill up that fast. NYC and NYLI both fill up rather quickly with TVR not far behind, so I imagine most of their local teams will register for those first out of fear of missing a spot at their home event.

Don't worry, you're safe from district teams, unless you're looking to sign up for the Hudson Valley Regional as a third regional. They are not allowed to register for regionals until Unrestricted Regional Registration, after all regional teams have had a chance to register for two.

[bdaroz]

In a word - ugh.

An interesting thought crossed my mind though.... With Ontario going to districts, FLR/TVR on the same days, what will FLR/TVR attendance look like?

A quick look at last year showed 49 teams for FLR, 36 for TVR, 1 from Ontario attending FLR, and 11 teams that attended both TVR and FLR.

I agree, it does look like the to-be-announced-we-hope Hudson Valley regional will be the tougher one to get into this year.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Btw, PNW is still at nine events as they have been since they first released their dates. MAR at seven, both the same as last year.

Northern Lights was added about a day before Orlando and MAR.


$ diff 1469577601.csv 1469664001.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 25, 2016"
---
> updated,"20:00:03 EDT-0400, Jul 26, 2016"
5c5,6
< mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,53,53
---
> mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
> mndu2,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Northern Lights Regional,0,30,30

$ diff 1469664001.csv last.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:03 EDT-0400, Jul 26, 2016"
---
> updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 27, 2016"
5d4
< mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
6a6
> mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
7a8
> flor,08-Mar - 11-Mar-2017,Orlando Regional,0,54,54
14a16
> mrcmp,05-Apr-2017,Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship sponsored by Johnson & Johnson,0,0,0
15a18,24
> pahat,03-Mar - 05-Mar-2017,MAR District - Hatboro-Horsham Event,0,33,33
> njfla,10-Mar - 12-Mar-2017,MAR District - Mt. Olive Event,0,33,33
> pawch,10-Mar - 12-Mar-2017,MAR District - Westtown Event,0,33,33
> njbri,17-Mar - 19-Mar-2017,MAR District - Bridgewater-Raritan Event,0,33,33
> paphi,17-Mar - 19-Mar-2017,MAR District - Springside Chestnut Hill Event,0,29,29
> njtab,24-Mar - 26-Mar-2017,MAR District - Seneca Event,0,33,33
> njski,31-Mar - 02-Apr-2017,MAR District - Montgomery Event,0,31,31

$ diff last.csv ../../data.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 27, 2016"
---
> updated,"13:29:03 EDT-0400, Jul 28, 2016"
9a10
> nytr,15-Mar - 18-Mar-2017,New York Tech Valley Regional,0,26,26

(Note, Lake Superior and Northern Lights like to randomly switch places in the list, did this last year too)


And is anyone else wondering how they're gonna fit MAR champs into a single Wednesday? :rolleyes:

[Koko Ed]

In a word - ugh.

An interesting thought crossed my mind though.... With Ontario going to districts, FLR/TVR on the same days, what will FLR/TVR attendance look like?

A quick look at last year showed 49 teams for FLR, 36 for TVR, 1 from Ontario attending FLR, and 11 teams that attended both TVR and FLR.

I agree, it does look like the to-be-announced-we-hope Hudson Valley regional will be the tougher one to get into this year.

I would not be surprised to see some Canadian teams come back to RIT to play, especially if they aren't doing as well in the district rankings and see winning FLR as a way to get to St. Louis.

[Brian Maher]

And is anyone else wondering how they're gonna fit MAR champs into a single Wednesday? :rolleyes:

That's how we do it in MAR ;) We totally don't need three days for quals or anything...

[Koko Ed]

Btw, PNW is still at nine events as they have been since they first released their dates. MAR at seven, both the same as last year.

Northern Lights was added about a day before Orlando and MAR.


$ diff 1469577601.csv 1469664001.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 25, 2016"
---
> updated,"20:00:03 EDT-0400, Jul 26, 2016"
5c5,6
< mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,53,53
---
> mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
> mndu2,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Northern Lights Regional,0,30,30

$ diff 1469664001.csv last.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:03 EDT-0400, Jul 26, 2016"
---
> updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 27, 2016"
5d4
< mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
6a6
> mndu,01-Mar - 04-Mar-2017,Lake Superior Regional,0,33,33
7a8
> flor,08-Mar - 11-Mar-2017,Orlando Regional,0,54,54
14a16
> mrcmp,05-Apr-2017,Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship sponsored by Johnson & Johnson,0,0,0
15a18,24
> pahat,03-Mar - 05-Mar-2017,MAR District - Hatboro-Horsham Event,0,33,33
> njfla,10-Mar - 12-Mar-2017,MAR District - Mt. Olive Event,0,33,33
> pawch,10-Mar - 12-Mar-2017,MAR District - Westtown Event,0,33,33
> njbri,17-Mar - 19-Mar-2017,MAR District - Bridgewater-Raritan Event,0,33,33
> paphi,17-Mar - 19-Mar-2017,MAR District - Springside Chestnut Hill Event,0,29,29
> njtab,24-Mar - 26-Mar-2017,MAR District - Seneca Event,0,33,33
> njski,31-Mar - 02-Apr-2017,MAR District - Montgomery Event,0,31,31

$ diff last.csv ../../data.csv
1c1
< updated,"20:00:04 EDT-0400, Jul 27, 2016"
---
> updated,"13:29:03 EDT-0400, Jul 28, 2016"
9a10
> nytr,15-Mar - 18-Mar-2017,New York Tech Valley Regional,0,26,26

(Note, Lake Superior and Northern Lights like to randomly switch places in the list, did this last year too)


And is anyone else wondering how they're gonna fit MAR champs into a single Wednesday? :rolleyes:
Ambitious scheduling.

[Aren Siekmeier]

I would not be surprised to see some Canadian teams come back to RIT to play, especially if they aren't doing as well in the district rankings and see winning FLR as a way to get to St. Louis.

Wouldn't you need to register for FLR long before your district ranking becomes possible to predict?

[Brian Maher]

Wouldn't you need to register for FLR long before your district ranking becomes possible to predict?

Yes. (http://www.firstinspires.org/node/10731)

I can, however, see some of the Ontario teams who traditionally play three regionals or do a travel regional coming to FLR for another play.

[AdamStockton]

Wouldn't you need to register for FLR long before your district ranking becomes possible to predict?

I believe there have been exceptions in the past where teams were able to register for an event (provided they had open capacity) well into the season. I remember that there was a team at the Buckeye regional in 2013 that had registered the Monday or Tuesday leading up to the event.

EDIT - On a side note, it looks like CALU is on spring break the same week as RIT and RPI. Last year, the Greater Pittsburgh Regional was held at the end of CALU's spring break, which makes it a possibility that Greater Pittsburgh Regional will end up on the same week as FLR and Tech Valley.

[Kevin Leonard]

I believe there have been exceptions in the past where teams were able to register for an event (provided they had open capacity) well into the season. I remember that there was a team at the Buckeye regional in 2013 that had registered the Monday or Tuesday leading up to the event.

EDIT - On a side note, it looks like CALU is on spring break the same week as RIT and RPI. Last year, the Greater Pittsburgh Regional was held at the end of CALU's spring break, which makes it a possibility that Greater Pittsburgh Regional will end up on the same week as FLR and Tech Valley.

GG Rochester teams.

I also think HVR will be the harder to get into event, because who is going to TVR now? No Rochester teams will be there, no NYC teams will go. I think TVR is going to be light on teams this year (meaning maybe we'll get a bunch of districts teams!), and FLR will lack the capital region teams, including at least 3 of their best 4 high goal shooters from 2016 (20, 2791, 3044).

5254 is undecided as to which events we'd attend, so I can't say yet.

[Koko Ed]

Wouldn't you need to register for FLR long before your district ranking becomes possible to predict?
It worked for 910 when they qualified for the championships by winning Great Lakes Windsor-Essex with 2056 which was a good thing because they didn't qualify for MSC.

[SoftwareBug2.0]

Btw, PNW is still at nine events as they have been since they first released their dates.

I wonder whether we have the whole set of PNW events now or if there will be one more coming. I don't have any inside information on whether the list as it is now is final, but if it is the only differences from last year are that the Philomath event has disappeared and the Lake Oswego event has appeared.

Presumably the Lake Monsters (2635) will be putting on the new event. They're from the right school district even though they meet at their district's other high school. Congratulations to them and I'm sure they'll do a good job of it.

I wonder if we'll see some major reshuffling of home event assignments. Most of teams previously assigned to Philomath would now be closest to Wilsonville. And most of the teams that were assigned to either Clackamas Academy of Industrial Science ("Oregon City") or Wilsonville will now be closest to Lake Oswego.

[Karthik]

I can, however, see some of the Ontario teams who traditionally play three regionals or do a travel regional coming to FLR for another play.

Perhaps. FIRST Canada has made sure there will be ample space in Ontario for teams to get 3rd plays, so many teams may forgo playing at a regional in order to save on registration fees ($1200 CAD for a 3rd district vs ~$5200 CAD for a regional) and travel costs. However as stated by Ed and others, there still might be some Ontario teams looking to attend a regional for the direct qualification option. Also, don't be surprised to see an uptick in registration from Quebec teams who can no longer go to Ontario for their second play.

[Sperkowsky]

The 5 new york regionals
Long Island - almost impossible to get into if your not a long Island team.
NYC - not nearly as difficult to get into but could see a lower slot count with the new venue
FLR - the same week as tvr going to be hard to fill
TVR - the same week as flr going to probably fill up but not nearly as fast as usual
Hvr - not even officially confirmed regional that looks like it will give long Island a run for it's money in terms of how fast can a regional fill.

Hmm.... This looks like kind of a mess.

[Jay O'Donnell]

The 5 new york regionals
Long Island - almost impossible to get into if your not a long Island team.
NYC - not nearly as difficult to get into but could see a lower slot count with the new venue
FLR - the same week as tvr going to be hard to fill
TVR - the same week as flr going to probably fill up but not nearly as fast as usual
Hvr - not even officially confirmed regional that looks like it will give long Island a run for it's money in terms of how fast can a regional fill.

Hmm.... This looks like kind of a mess.

Not to mention many of the closest areas around NY are districts, meaning many teams probably won't be happy with what they get. 229 probably has 4 events we can go to, and two are already on the same week. If NE or MAR or Ontario were still open, that number would be insanely larger. The growing borders between regionals and districts is becoming a serious issue.

[Koko Ed]

Not to mention many of the closest areas around NY are districts, meaning many teams probably won't be happy with what they get. 229 probably has 4 events we can go to, and two are already on the same week. If NE or MAR or Ontario were still open, that number would be insanely larger. The growing borders between regionals and districts is becoming a serious issue.

New York badly needs to go district!

[Sperkowsky]

New York badly needs to go district!

At an SBPLI meeting the other night (I did not even know it was going on but my mentor attended) SBPLI (The organization that runs FIRST on long island) said that they are "going to hold on to the regional model for as long as they can to maximize the number of teams they can send to World's, with the two regionals." What they are talking about with the two regionals is the possibility of a second Long Island regional is 2018.

The part that really alarms me is the maximize the numbers of teams to worlds... Is that a joke? It seems to me like they are not even aware of the benefit that the district system provides. I reached out to the RD of long island to verify stuff but I would not be surprised if its accurate. It should also be mentioned SBPLI has spoken about not having enough money before yet wants to host a second regional after presumably losing a large sponsor (Cablevision) as the company was absorbed into a larger French telecom.

So now I hear in 2018 NY is going to try to have 6 regionals...

ugh...

Hey MAR or NE want some long island friends? We bring good bagels.

[IKE]

At an SBPLI meeting the other night (I did not even know it was going on but my mentor attended) SBPLI (The organization that runs FIRST on long island) said that they are "going to hold on to the regional model for as long as they can to maximize the number of teams they can send to World's, with the two regionals." What they are talking about with the two regionals is the possibility of a second Long Island regional is 2018.

The part that really alarms me is the maximize the numbers of teams to worlds... Is that a joke? ...snip...

For many years, Michigan got 18 spots because there were 3 regionals replaced thus 18 spots. This stood for many years and lead to a belief that the number of regionals replaced is how many slots you will get. That changed a few years ago when the championship got larger and now it is %of teas representation which is why there are so many teams from Michigan an Worlds.

[Koko Ed]

At an SBPLI meeting the other night (I did not even know it was going on but my mentor attended) SBPLI (The organization that runs FIRST on long island) said that they are "going to hold on to the regional model for as long as they can to maximize the number of teams they can send to World's, with the two regionals." What they are talking about with the two regionals is the possibility of a second Long Island regional is 2018.

The part that really alarms me is the maximize the numbers of teams to worlds... Is that a joke? It seems to me like they are not even aware of the benefit that the district system provides. I reached out to the RD of long island to verify stuff but I would not be surprised if its accurate. It should also be mentioned SBPLI has spoken about not having enough money before yet wants to host a second regional after presumably losing a large sponsor (Cablevision) as the company was absorbed into a larger French telecom.

So now I hear in 2018 NY is going to try to have 6 regionals...

ugh...

Hey MAR or NE want some long island friends? We bring good bagels.
New York clings desperately to it's old habits when everyone else around them is progressing towards the future. I don't understand it. It's like they want to get left behind.

[Michael Corsetto]

At an SBPLI meeting the other night (I did not even know it was going on but my mentor attended) SBPLI (The organization that runs FIRST on long island) said that they are "going to hold on to the regional model for as long as they can to maximize the number of teams they can send to World's, with the two regionals." What they are talking about with the two regionals is the possibility of a second Long Island regional is 2018.

The part that really alarms me is the maximize the numbers of teams to worlds... Is that a joke? It seems to me like they are not even aware of the benefit that the district system provides. I reached out to the RD of long island to verify stuff but I would not be surprised if its accurate. It should also be mentioned SBPLI has spoken about not having enough money before yet wants to host a second regional after presumably losing a large sponsor (Cablevision) as the company was absorbed into a larger French telecom.

So now I hear in 2018 NY is going to try to have 6 regionals...

ugh...

Hey MAR or NE want some long island friends? We bring good bagels.

According to the 3rd chart on this page (http://frc.divisions.co/charts), NY was actually under-represented at CMP in 2016. MN was severely under-represented at CMP in 2016.

-Mike

[Sperkowsky]

According to the 3rd chart on this page (http://frc.divisions.co/charts), NY was actually under-represented at CMP in 2016. MN was severely under-represented at CMP in 2016.

-Mike

Does not surprise me.

And this begs the question... What can we do?

Well. Without the regional directors even wanting districts not much. We can make a document like yours which is definitely a step in the right direction but convincing RD's is likely not too easy especially when they are already panning regionals for 2018.

[Debbie]

Any Michigan events locked in yet?

[Koko Ed]

Any Michigan events locked in yet?

Haven't seen any signs of life yet.

[Caleb Sykes]

According to the 3rd chart on this page (http://frc.divisions.co/charts), NY was actually under-represented at CMP in 2016. MN was severely under-represented at CMP in 2016.

-Mike

Sometimes I think that things really aren't that bad in MN, that we may be a bit behind some other regions in some respects, but that by and large we are doing just fine.

Then I look at this map again, and the huge red splotch that is our state sears itself into my mind...

[ASD20]

According to the 3rd chart on this page (http://frc.divisions.co/charts), NY was actually under-represented at CMP in 2016. MN was severely under-represented at CMP in 2016.

-Mike

Darn Connecticut. Share some of your slots with the rest of New England.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Sometimes I think that things really aren't that bad in MN, that we may be a bit behind some other regions in some respects, but that by and large we are doing just fine.

Then I look at this map again, and the huge red splotch that is our state sears itself into my mind...

I think it's important to look at the proportions rather than the raw numbers. The map shows MN in a far brighter red than any other state, while it actually has a comparable proportion of its teams qualifying compared to other red states. It is however the only state with a sizable team population and number of events that still has such low CMP representation and plays/team numbers.

I've been collecting data here (https://goo.gl/Puqdx3) that I've found useful in understanding the situation.

https://goo.gl/Puqdx3

[Mark Holschuh]

The Wisconsin Regional dates will be March 22-25 according to the UW Milwaukee Panther Arena website.

[Aren Siekmeier]

San Diego added this afternoon, Week 2.

[Brian Maher]

Central Valley was added on Week 2.
Greater Pittsburgh was added on Week 3. Interesting choice, considering a decent handful of teams attend both Pittsburgh and FLR, which will also be Week 3.

[bdaroz]

Greater Pittsburgh was added on Week 3. Interesting choice, considering a decent handful of teams attend both Pittsburgh and FLR, which will also be Week 3.

/facepalm

I'm really hoping to hear some news on the often-alluded to Hudson regional soon.

[Brian Maher]

/facepalm

I'm really hoping to hear some news on the often-alluded to Hudson regional soon.

I've heard from multiple sources that it's very likely to be Week 4.

[bdaroz]

I've heard from multiple sources that it's very likely to be Week 4.

Is it bad the first reaction from the programmer in me is, "OMG if they're off-by-one it could be week 3!"

.. I think I need to back off on the caffeine. :)

Thanks!

[TDav540]

Rocket City Regional posted for Week 4

[bdaroz]

Central Valley Regional now on Week 2.... And that brings us to 37, and counting.

[Starke]

It's official Tech Valley and FLR are on the same week.
What a disaster.

Pittsburgh, which has been a travel regional for quite a few Central New York teams in the past, is also on the same weekend.

This is unreal.

[Kevin Leonard]

Pittsburgh, which has been a travel regional for quite a few Central New York teams in the past, is also on the same weekend.

This is unreal.

I guess New York having it's best year ever as a state was too much, so they decided to nerf us. ;)

[Chris is me]

Pittsburgh, which has been a travel regional for quite a few Central New York teams in the past, is also on the same weekend.

This is unreal.

If any NY state teams don't get into Hudson Valley, where can they go for a second event?

Montreal? Hopefully Buckeye? One of those requires a border crossing, and the other is >6 hours away for any teams east of Syracuse. If those don't work for whatever reason (or heaven forbid they are also week 3), I think there's a regional in Cincinnati, which is ~10 hours away. Beyond that, there is the Midwest Regional in Chicago, which is obviously getting ridiculous in terms of travel (but it's a great event!)

If FRC is going to continue to put these brick walls where non-District teams are never, ever, ever allowed to compete in a District event (even without the possibility of qualifying), and FRC is going to continue to let scattered pockets of the country stick to the outdated regional model, they need to do a better job coordinating event dates to allow teams a realistic possibility of competing at two events. This is unacceptable.

[Koko Ed]

If any NY state teams don't get into Hudson Valley, where can they go for a second event?

Montreal? Hopefully Buckeye? One of those requires a border crossing, and the other is >6 hours away for any teams east of Syracuse. If those don't work for whatever reason (or heaven forbid they are also week 3), I think there's a regional in Cincinnati, which is ~10 hours away. Beyond that, there is the Midwest Regional in Chicago, which is obviously getting ridiculous in terms of travel (but it's a great event!)

If FRC is going to continue to put these brick walls where non-District teams are never, ever, ever allowed to compete in a District event (even without the possibility of qualifying), and FRC is going to continue to let scattered pockets of the country stick to the outdated regional model, they need to do a better job coordinating event dates to allow teams a realistic possibility of competing at two events. This is unacceptable.

If you got money I guess you can go out of state but most teams are tethered to the very slim pickings around here.

[mwmac]

If FRC is going to continue to put these brick walls where non-District teams are never, ever, ever allowed to compete in a District event (even without the possibility of qualifying), and FRC is going to continue to let scattered pockets of the country stick to the outdated regional model, they need to do a better job coordinating event dates to allow teams a realistic possibility of competing at two events. This is unacceptable.

2 things:
1. Absolutely agree that better event date coordination is required between RD's and First HQ. Last year was bad for teams doing two events (given the travel distances involved) for the intermountain west, (with Utah, Sacramento, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas and Western Canada events all scheduled within three weeks) but the 2017 schedule for Pittsburgh, FLR and Tech Valley is now the poster child for poor event scheduling.

2. Some scattered pockets of the country will not have the team/mentor/volunteer density required by the district model for the foreseeable future. This factor is often overlooked by FRC participants in densely populated parts of the country.

[Koko Ed]

2 things:
1. Absolutely agree that better event date coordination is required between RD's and First HQ. Last year was bad for teams doing two events (given the travel distances involved) for the intermountain west, (with Utah, Sacramento, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas and Western Canada events all scheduled within three weeks) but the 2017 schedule for Pittsburgh, FLR and Tech Valley is now the poster child for poor event scheduling.

2. Some scattered pockets of the country will not have the team/mentor/volunteer density required by the district model for the foreseeable future. This factor is often overlooked by FRC participants in densely populated parts of the country.

When I talked to Frank a couple of years ago at Tech Valley he admitted that there are places that just cannot go district because of the lack of teams/mentors/volunteers. There are also places that have a high number of team/mentor/volunteers that are struggling to convert to districts for varying reason. Right now FIRST is split into two worlds and it looks like it'll be that way forever due to geographical barriers that cannot be solved.

[Chris is me]

When I talked to Frank a couple of years ago at Tech Valley he admitted that there are places that just cannot go district because of the lack of teams/mentors/volunteers. There are also places that have a high number of team/mentor/volunteers that are struggling to convert to districts for varying reason. Right now FIRST is split into two worlds and it looks like it'll be that way forever due to geographical barriers that cannot be solved.

Ultimately, the direction I feel FIRST as a whole eventually has to go in is to have multi-tiered competition for all styles of play. Qualifying Events, Region Championships, and World Championship(s) everywhere, no borders, some method to allow teams that can only do 1 Qualifying event to still participate, etc. What are we going to do when we have less than a dozen regionals left, scattered in tiny pockets in random places around the country? At some point (not soon) the change has to sweep through every region, ready or not.

[Koko Ed]

Ultimately, the direction I feel FIRST as a whole eventually has to go in is to have multi-tiered competition for all styles of play. Qualifying Events, Region Championships, and World Championship(s) everywhere, no borders, some method to allow teams that can only do 1 Qualifying event to still participate, etc. What are we going to do when we have less than a dozen regionals left, scattered in tiny pockets in random places around the country? At some point (not soon) the change has to sweep through every region, ready or not.

Isolated teams are going to have to either do local only events or spend big bucks to travel far and wide to go to other events. I don't even know what foreign teams are going to do.

[TheBoulderite]

2 things:
1. Absolutely agree that better event date coordination is required between RD's and First HQ. Last year was bad for teams doing two events (given the travel distances involved) for the intermountain west, (with Utah, Sacramento, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas and Western Canada events all scheduled within three weeks) but the 2017 schedule for Pittsburgh, FLR and Tech Valley is now the poster child for poor event scheduling.

Agreed with mwmac. Travelwise, our team, among others, had to go farther. Last year, the Utah Regional was scheduled for Week 3, and the Colorado Regional was for Week 4. Traditionally, a lot of Colorado teams go to Utah and then Colorado a few weeks later. However, due to the week change, most Colorado teams that would have gone to Utah opted to go to the Arizona North Regional, and Utah ended up being a lot smaller this year than in previous years. Few Colorado teams went to Utah, and there were some that opted to go to Las Vegas, a Week 5 event, instead of Utah.

That being said, I've never seen a scheduling mishap like this before. The teams that are close to all of them now have to decide between one, when they would otherwise go to more. Sorry to hear you all have this decision to make. Hope this doesn't happen again in the future. :(

[Chris is me]

Isolated teams are going to have to either do local only events or spend big bucks to travel far and wide to go to other events. I don't even know what foreign teams are going to do.

This is basically the same problem as it exists now, albeit made worse if they do well enough at their 1 event to qualify for the next tier. Perhaps certain isolated regions / foreign teams will do Points style advancement directly to the World Championship without a Region Championship, similar to how states in regional areas determine their off season State Championship qualifying teams.

[Jon Stratis]

Perhaps the biggest thing that's missing in the scheduling discussion is that FIRST often doesn't have many options when it comes to scheduling. They sign contracts with venues each year, for the days that are available on the venue's calendar. I have insight into a few regionals, and I can tell you that many times there may only be 1 weekend available for an event, or if there is a second weekend available it may conflict with another nearby event. This sometimes causes nearby regionals to stack up back to back, or for the planners to choose one regional conflict over another.

The only way this can be solved is to contract with the venues earlier (like they do with Champs). But that can't be done until FIRST knows they are going to hold that event in that year and in that location - and I strongly doubt that FIRST knows much more in advance which events will be held again, and which ones won't. Contracting a venue now for the next 3 years locks you into it, which means wasted money if that area switches to districts or wants to change venues. And we've seen events switch venues (https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145886) before, and areas switch to districts (https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148937) (or not (https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149519)), sometimes with very little warning to the community, especially the peripheral community that may have attended regionals in that area but are not part of the new district.

[Michael Corsetto]

Perhaps the biggest thing that's missing in the scheduling discussion is that FIRST often doesn't have many options when it comes to scheduling. (snip)

The only way this can be solved is to contract with the venues earlier (like they do with Champs). (snip)

Not to :deadhorse: , but I think there could be another way. Open up the options for venues in order to find venues that are more flexible/available.

To open up options, the following trade-offs probably have to happen:

Shrink event size to ~40 teams
Relax requirements surrounding A/V infrastructure requirements
Probably host one or two more Regionals in the area (also at smaller venues) to make up for the smaller events

It isn't districts by any means (not as many events required), but it does sound like a little more work. Just an idea for alternatives.

-Mike

[wesbass23]

With you guys discussing different regions options I decided to look into the Midwest options (at least from a Wisconsin perspective) for last year.

With Michigan out of the picture and Indiana moving to districts (taking the Boilermaker regional with it) we are left with the following...

The 4 Minnesota regionals are weeks 1 and 6 but those are nearly filled by local MN teams with a couple of Wisconsin and Iowa teams filling in the open spots. The best options week 2 are Arkansas, Kansas City, and St. Louis (How did both of the MO regionals end up on the same week?). The closest of those is St. Louis, 6 hours away from Milwaukee, but a much better option for some of the Illinois team. Week 3 is Central Illinois and Buckeye (why go to Buckeye when you can go to CIR?). Week 4 is Iowa and Wisconsin, week 5 is Midwest.

If you don't want to travel the 6 hours to MO, you are pretty much stuck with weeks 3-5, with a high chance of ending up with back to back regionals. This may be helped a bit this year with the addition of a new regional in Wisconsin.

While this is no where near the difficulty that is appearing in NY, I know both WI and IL want to go to districts, some people in MN would like to as well. But there is no way they all go at the same time which means some states are going to be left in the dust with few options.

[bdaroz]

Quick Update, current count is now 47. New additions are for the Ontario district events.

[Koko Ed]

Bummer. The Ontario Championship is week 7. MSC will be the same week no doubt....

[plnyyanks]

When I talked to Frank a couple of years ago at Tech Valley he admitted that there are places that just cannot go district because of the lack of teams/mentors/volunteers. There are also places that have a high number of team/mentor/volunteers that are struggling to convert to districts for varying reason. Right now FIRST is split into two worlds and it looks like it'll be that way forever due to geographical barriers that cannot be solved.

Well, there is a silver lining of the scheduling issues in upstate NY this year: we can grow our volunteer base since we have to staff two events (plus Pittsburgh) the same week. That's a plus for the march towards districts, I guess :rolleyes:

Not to :deadhorse: , but I think there could be another way. Open up the options for venues in order to find venues that are more flexible/available.

To open up options, the following trade-offs probably have to happen:

Shrink event size to ~40 teams
Relax requirements surrounding A/V infrastructure requirements
Probably host one or two more Regionals in the area (also at smaller venues) to make up for the smaller events



Typically, both Tech Valley and FLR are pretty small events. Tech Valley only had 36 teams last year, and I believe FLR was at about 40. Can't go much smaller than that.

The A/V requirements are set by FIRST, and there is less leeway with regionals than with district events. The official regional quality standards are here (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/rpg/rpg-section-11-quality-standards.pdf), I wonder how much those can be bent...

Multiple regionals is an interesting idea, although I'm not sure FIRST would agree to the additional logistics + SRE costs + field trucking + etc. Here's a thought, though: this is all basically like running a district, but still calling them regionals. What if there was an arrangement a region could make with FIRST to allow their local organization to run the state's regionals for a few years (buy a field, do transport, staff events, etc) during the transition period to districts. That would let the region get its logistics up and running before they "officially" move to the district system.

[Koko Ed]

Well, there is a silver lining of the scheduling issues in upstate NY this year: we can grow our volunteer base since we have to staff two events (plus Pittsburgh) the same week. That's a plus for the march towards districts, I guess :rolleyes:



Typically, both Tech Valley and FLR are pretty small events. Tech Valley only had 36 teams last year, and I believe FLR was at about 40. Can't go much smaller than that.

The A/V requirements are set by FIRST, and there is less leeway with regionals than with district events. The official regional quality standards are here (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/rpg/rpg-section-11-quality-standards.pdf), I wonder how much those can be bent...

Multiple regionals is an interesting idea, although I'm not sure FIRST would agree to the additional logistics + SRE costs + field trucking + etc. Here's a thought, though: this is all basically like running a district, but still calling them regionals. What if there was an arrangement a region could make with FIRST to allow their local organization to run the state's regionals for a few years (buy a field, do transport, staff events, etc) during the transition period to districts. That would let the region get its logistics up and running before they "officially" move to the district system.

FLR had 50 teams last year.

[Aren Siekmeier]

FLR had 49 teams last year.

??

[sanddrag]

Still waiting to hear when (and where) Los Angeles will be, and when Ventura will be, and some of the others out this way (Arizona and whatnot). California schools (at least ours) had their full year calendar set two months ago, and started school 4 days ago. It would kind of be nice to plan these things right around now.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Some of us 229 mentors were curious about how different the event availability would look if districts were open, so we decided to look it up and sort all events by driving distance from Potsdam. Here are the results http://m.imgur.com/lX2A9bN (couldn't figure out pictures on CD so I just put it on imgur). As you can see while the top few that are closest to us are regionals, if we can't get two out of those four, we have to travel a considerable distance. The three nearby district take away many potential areas (NE and Ontario are basically the same if you include the border crossing). Since we are somewhat limited to what weeks we would prefer to compete due to school, finding two events that work well for us is going to be very tough to do.

[Sperkowsky]

Some of us 229 mentors were curious about how different the event availability would look if districts were open, so we decided to look it up and sort all events by driving distance from Potsdam. Here are the results http://m.imgur.com/lX2A9bN (couldn't figure out pictures on CD so I just put it on imgur). As you can see while the top few that are closest to us are regionals, if we can't get two out of those four, we have to travel a considerable distance. The three nearby district take away many potential areas (NE and Ontario are basically the same if you include the border crossing). Since we are somewhat limited to what weeks we would prefer to compete due to school, finding two events that work well for us is going to be very tough to do.
I'm not sure where you put hvr but it's probably going to be much closer to the nyc regional then an hour and a half difference. (somewhere around the Yonkers, new Rochelle area). I'm assuming that makes hvr farther from you.

Although, this is all speculation I have not heard of a specific venue being locked down for sure for either event. Now let's all hold our breathe in finding out the weeks for nyc, sbpli, and hvr.

[Jay O'Donnell]

I'm not sure where you put hvr but it's probably going to be much closer to the nyc regional then an hour and a half difference. (somewhere around the Yonkers, new Rochelle area). I'm assuming that makes hvr farther from you.

Although, this is all speculation I have not heard of a specific venue being locked down for sure for either event. Now let's all hold our breathe in finding out the weeks for nyc, sbpli, and hvr.

We guessed on the location for HVR.

[Dominick Ferone]

FLR had 50 teams last year.

Last year was a bigger FLR event
They booked up quick, I know with recycle rush we didn't apply until about a week before Tech Valley. I had gotten an email saying there were still spots left and I believe there was about 44 teams that year.

The biggest problem in the upstate region is either teams have to end up playing back to back, or all fight for the same events.

We would have loved to do Pittsburgh and FLR, but PITT filled up too quick. We were lucky enough to get NYC and FLR this year. Who knows if it could hold up again.
And in the past many upstate teams also flocked to Canada for events which made it easier to get 2 close events.

[ollien]

I'm not sure where you put hvr but it's probably going to be much closer to the nyc regional then an hour and a half difference. (somewhere around the Yonkers, new Rochelle area). I'm assuming that makes hvr farther from you.

Although, this is all speculation I have not heard of a specific venue being locked down for sure for either event. Now let's all hold our breathe in finding out the weeks for nyc, sbpli, and hvr.

Last I heard, it was in Rockland County on the 24th-26th, but take this with a grain of salt.

[TheBoulderite]

According to the folks who just competed in China, a Chinese Regional has been confirmed for Week 2 in Shenzhen.

[TheBoulderite]

The Smoky Mountains Regional has been confirmed for Week 4, according to the website.

[Tim Sharp]

The Smoky Mountains Regional has been confirmed for Week 4, according to the website.

Just noticed that Smokey Mountains in Knoxville, Rocket City in Huntsville and Bayou in New Orleans are all scheduled on the same weekend. That puts us SE teams in a bind when we are trying to find places to compete. We'll have to travel a long way for a second regional.

I believe it will also hurt attendance at all three regionals.

[TDav540]

Just noticed that Smokey Mountains in Knoxville, Rocket City in Huntsville and Bayou in New Orleans are all scheduled on the same weekend. That puts us SE teams in a bind when we are trying to find places to compete. We'll have to travel a long way for a second regional.

I believe it will also hurt attendance at all three regionals.

GA teams also might not be able to make it our there either. Week 4 has been rumored to be a district event this year and it's likely at least half the teams in the region will be competing. That further limits potential entrants.

[TheBoulderite]

Just noticed that Smokey Mountains in Knoxville, Rocket City in Huntsville and Bayou in New Orleans are all scheduled on the same weekend. That puts us SE teams in a bind when we are trying to find places to compete. We'll have to travel a long way for a second regional.

I believe it will also hurt attendance at all three regionals.

Yeah. Depending when the Texan or Midwestern regionals are scheduled, it could definitely hurt attendance even more. Hope it works out for you all in the Southeast.

[bdaroz]

The Smoky Mountains Regional has been confirmed for Week 4, according to the website.

And in addition the Utah Regional is set for week 2.

Current total is 49 events.

[Golfer4646]

Showing 54 events (Including both championships) now.

I believe that the newly posted events are:
St. Louis (Week 2)
Sacramento (Week 4)
Oklahoma (Week 4)
Silicon Valley (Week 5)
Midwest (Week 5)

[bdaroz]

Showing 54 events (Including both championships) now.

I believe that the newly posted events are:
St. Louis (Week 2)
Sacramento (Week 4)
Oklahoma (Week 4)
Silicon Valley (Week 5)
Midwest (Week 5)

Concur. Nice catch.

[TheBoulderite]

Showing 54 events (Including both championships) now.

I believe that the newly posted events are:
St. Louis (Week 2)
Sacramento (Week 4)
Oklahoma (Week 4)
Silicon Valley (Week 5)
Midwest (Week 5)

Can confirm. These regionals are all newly posted.

[Trying to Help]

Still, still waiting on New England Districts. I spoke with FIRST last week and was told that they are still waiting on contracts being signed but that the details would be up by the middle of September.

[bdaroz]

New count is 63, up from 54... additions are:

Arkansas Rock City - 08 Mar
Seven Rivers - 12 Apr

+ 6 Chesapeake District Events
+ Chesapeake District Championship - 5 Apr

---

Edit: Also interesting to note we've about hit 1/2 of the total event count from last year.

[Brian Maher]

Seven Rivers - 12 Apr


A Week 7 regional, that's unusual. There hasn't been one of those since Chesapeake in 2013.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Seven Rivers - 12 Apr

Kudos to the La Crosse folks for this new event! Should be very nice for everyone in the area looking for spots. Even though Week 7 is very close to Champs, at least it helps prevent a collision with another event nearby.

[TheBoulderite]

Seven Rivers - 12 Apr

Another Wisconsin regional, huh? Nice to hear that teams up there now have another choice!

[Mastonevich]

I grew up in La Crosse, WI where seven rivers is being held (https://www.google.com/maps/place/La+Crosse+Center/@43.8122373,-91.2579129,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f955a5e34f4261:0x8aba6 35d53df2d49!8m2!3d43.8122334!4d-91.2557242).

I think the out of towners will be surprised what a nice city it is. The scenery is actually one of kind with it being in the driftless area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driftless_Area) and the Mississippi river right behind the venue. It is certainly not the big city, but that is what makes it great.

[SteveB2977]

Thanks for the feedback on the Seven Rivers Regional.


We knew Week 7 would be tricky (even more so next year as that is Easter)

There is actually a separate thread already for the regional - and I didn't start it. Thanks Alex!

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=150469

[Tyler Olds]

Another Wisconsin regional, huh? Nice to hear that teams up there now have another choice!

Yes, yes it is. Stepping stones towards something more.

[BrendanB]

Yes, yes it is. Stepping stones towards something more.

This sounds like code for something else but we'll keep it as it so as to not trigger anyone. CD is a minefield lately.

[Ernst]

This sounds like code for something else but we'll keep it as it so as to not trigger anyone. CD is a minefield lately.

Oh, did you mean

DISTRICTS IN WISCONSIN

?

I haven't run into many people in the state who are against the idea, but I have met some who are working hard to make it a reality.


La Crosse already has great team growth- 7 teams have popped up in and around it over the past 5 years. A Regional there will be great for team and volunteer growth in western WI and will make hosting a District Event so much easier for them in, hopefully, 2018.

I was pretty excited about potentially going to Seven Rivers, but seeing as it's Easter weekend, during our schools' spring breaks, and Week 7, 1732 unfortunately probably won't be going.

[Tyler Olds]

I was pretty excited about potentially going to Seven Rivers, but seeing as it's Easter weekend, during our schools' spring breaks, and Week 7, 1732 unfortunately probably won't be going.

I am not 100% sure if Wave will be going either, but I will try to volunteer and bring others with me if possible.

[Jon Stratis]

I am not 100% sure if Wave will be going either, but I will try to volunteer and bring others with me if possible.

I know my team won't be going (back-to-back with North Star is pretty much a non-starter, assuming North Star is week 6), But I look forward to heading over there for the day on Saturday and enjoying my first ever event as a spectator!

[FrankJ]

Sorry if this was addressed somewhere in the previous 8 pages. But I am getting no results found on the firstinspires (http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search)(new) site. I have tried various searches on that page with the same non-result. Am I looking on the wrong page? Site doesn't like my browser? (current version of FF). Doesn't like me?

[Koko Ed]

Sorry if this was addressed somewhere in the previous 8 pages. But I am getting no results found on the firstinspires (http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search)(new) site. I have tried various searches on that page with the same non-result. Am I looking on the wrong page? Site doesn't like my browser? (current version of FF). Doesn't like me?

I've been using this. ( https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017)

[Jon Stratis]

Sorry if this was addressed somewhere in the previous 8 pages. But I am getting no results found on the firstinspires (http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search)(new) site. I have tried various searches on that page with the same non-result. Am I looking on the wrong page? Site doesn't like my browser? (current version of FF). Doesn't like me?

That page works for me. Selected Event at the top, selected the 2016-2017 season, verified the date range was correct (I've seen the date range fail to update before, so I was searching for 2017 events with a date range that only covered the 2016 season - nothing was returned), selected FRC only, selected country and State... at each of these selections the returned results changed.

Edit: I did this in Firefox 46.0.1, then updated to the most recent, 47.0.1 and did it again. Also did it in Chrome 52.

[FrankJ]

That page works for me. Selected Event at the top, selected the 2016-2017 season, verified the date range was correct (I've seen the date range fail to update before, so I was searching for 2017 events with a date range that only covered the 2016 season - nothing was returned), selected FRC only, selected country and State... at each of these selections the returned results changed.

The season button doesn't drop down to anything. It lets you select the 2017 season on yours?

Edit: KokoEd's site -the old one does work for me.

Edit: Firstinspires site works on my phone. Maybe my companies firewall doesn't like the site and blocks snippets of it.

[bdaroz]

Now at 88 events, up from 63. Changes:

North Carolina District, DCMP + 4 events
FIM District DCMP + 19 events

[orangemoore]

Now at 86 events, up from 63. Changes:

North Carolina District, DCMP + 4 events
FIM District Events (no DCMP) + 18 events

And Midwest which is Week 5

[Brian Maher]

Now at 88 events, up from 63. Changes:

North Carolina District, DCMP + 4 events
FIM District DCMP + 19 events

And NYC, week 6 in a new venue. Still nothing on the mystery new NY regional.

[Sperkowsky]

And NYC, week 6 in a new venue. Still nothing on the mystery new NY regional.

Wow week 6 that's a big change from it being week 2 last year. Now this is making me worried whether it will fall on the same week as long Island.

The new venue looks great and has a ton of food around it. No longer is every team limited to the hot dog stand.

[KosmicKhaos]

Hope NYC is ready for the likely flood from upstate teams.

I would not be surprised if many upstate teams doing two regionals came to NYC with the FLR, TVR, and Pitt conundrum. With lots of time between week 3 events and NYC, and being relatively close to upstate there could be a lot of competition between NYC teams, international teams, and upstate teams to get a spot at NYC. Then again there will likely be lots of competition with upstate teams at all the regionals relatively close to upstate (Quebec, NYC, Long Island, mythical new regional) depending on dates.

[Koko Ed]

Wow week 6 that's a big change from it being week 2 last year. Now this is making me worried whether it will fall on the same week as long Island.

The new venue looks great and has a ton of food around it. No longer is every team limited to the hot dog stand.

Is parking still $60?

[Sperkowsky]

Is parking still $60?
No! Volunteering just got a lot cheaper.

[Dominick Ferone]

And NYC, week 6 in a new venue. Still nothing on the mystery new NY regional.

The Armory is an amazing venue, I have had many track meets there. My question is if memory serves, can they actually fit a lot of teams in there.

[Bluman56]

Wow week 6 that's a big change from it being week 2 last year. Now this is making me worried whether it will fall on the same week as long Island.

The new venue looks great and has a ton of food around it. No longer is every team limited to the hot dog stand.

Considering Hofstras Spring Break (https://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/studentservices/academicrecords/academic-records-spring-2017-calendar.html) is Mar 19-25th, wouldn't this all but confirm LI is a Week 4 event this year?

[Mark McLeod]

Considering Hofstras Spring Break (https://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/studentservices/academicrecords/academic-records-spring-2017-calendar.html) is Mar 19-25th, wouldn't this all but confirm LI is a Week 4 event this year?
No, the SBPLI event isn't related to the Hofstra break.
It's planned for week 5, as announced at the team leader meeting in June, but isn't official yet.

[SenorZ]

Still waiting to hear when (and where) Los Angeles will be, and when Ventura will be

Well, Ventura is March 15-18.
Still no official Los Angeles or Orange County.

[Christopher149]

Now at 88 events, up from 63. Changes:

North Carolina District, DCMP + 4 events
FIM District DCMP + 19 events

FIM events are all the same as last year, except there is neither LSSU/Sault Ste. Marie or Standish-Sterling so far. As a UP team, not knowing about northern events is a small worry.

[Hallry]

And NYC, week 6 in a new venue.
Hope NYC is ready for the likely flood from upstate teams.

Well on the bright side for regional teams, MAR teams now have to choose between attending the MAR DCMP or the NYC Regional.

[EricH]

Well, Ventura is March 15-18.
Still no official Los Angeles or Orange County.
I've heard some rumors on L.A., and some digging knowing a little bit about the possible location would, at a best guess, put L.A. two weeks later than Ventura as the best time for the rumored venue. (One of the rumors indicated that it's waiting on FIRST approval/posting.)

But, rumors being rumors and all, I'm more inclined to wait until announced.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

FIM events are all the same as last year,

Why would someone do that - just go on the internet and tell lies?

But seriously though, there are a LOT of dates that changed. Lakeview, Livonia, Woodhaven, Waterford, and Center Line, just to name the ones I recognized.

[Bluman56]

No, the SBPLI event isn't related to the Hofstra break.
It's planned for week 5, as announced at the team leader meeting in June, but isn't official yet.

I guess my assumption was completely off base. Thanks for the clarification.

[Koko Ed]

Alamo has posted in week 6.

[Christopher149]

Why would someone do that - just go on the internet and tell lies?

But seriously though, there are a LOT of dates that changed. Lakeview, Livonia, Woodhaven, Waterford, and Center Line, just to name the ones I recognized.

I meant the events had the same name (and probably same town and venue?). I did not mean to imply they were all the same week that they were last year. It would be a "lie" to say that St. Joe and Niles were the same event.

[bdaroz]

Going from 88 (my last post) to 92 we've added:

+ Ventura Regional Mar 15
+ Alamo Regional Apr 5
+ NYC Regional Apr 6
+ CHS District - Central VA Event Mar 24

[Monochron]

Going from 88 (my last post) to 92 we've added:

+ Ventura Regional Mar 15
+ Alamo Regional Apr 5
+ NYC Regional Apr 6
+ CHS District - Central VA Event Mar 24

All NC district events have been announced as well, but it looks like they haven't made their way to the FIRST site yet. Total count should be 92 + 5.

[PayneTrain]

Well on the bright side for regional teams, MAR teams now have to choose between attending the MAR DCMP or the NYC Regional.

similar odds for 1676 to win the chairmans award tho

[Christopher149]

The FIM DCMP (MSC) is no longer listed.

[jds2001]

Is parking still $60?

Parking? Who drives in NYC? :D

I like the new venue as well, never been there though. The reason is that it's a straight subway shot from my apartment :D.

Applied to be a ref again now that it's posted.

[ATannahill]

Parking? Who drives in NYC? :D


No one in New York drives, there is too much traffic.

[logank013]

Any Ideas on when IN events are being announced? Last year, IN did it before the mentor meetings and it was on August 31st when they made a blog about the events. This year, the mentor meetings were yesterday, 2 days ago, and 3 days ago. So it isn't really following the same pattern.

Thanks! Just curious about the events. It's the start of the excitement that builds up to build season. :D

[Koko Ed]

No one in New York drives, there is too much traffic.

I parked at the event on Sunday when the trains weren't running from Jersey.

[Brian Maher]

I parked at the event on Sunday when the trains weren't running from Jersey.
Do you take NJ Transit or PATH?

NJ Transit runs on Sunday. I'm not sure about PATH, but NJ Transit runs on the same schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.

[Koko Ed]

Do you take NJ Transit or PATH?

NJ Transit runs on Sunday. I'm not sure about PATH, but NJ Transit runs on the same schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.

Actually that was DC I was thinking about back in 2009 because they were doing repairs to the tracks. I brought the car in to Javitts because we were leaving for home after the event.

[Zealii]

Any Ideas on when IN events are being announced? Last year, IN did it before the mentor meetings and it was on August 31st when they made a blog about the events. This year, the mentor meetings were yesterday, 2 days ago, and 3 days ago. So it isn't really following the same pattern.



Thanks! Just curious about the events. It's the start of the excitement that builds up to build season. :D



Last I heard, they planned on releasing today. Be patient. Registration doesn't open any earlier.

[MechEng83]

Any Ideas on when IN events are being announced? Last year, IN did it before the mentor meetings and it was on August 31st when they made a blog about the events. This year, the mentor meetings were yesterday, 2 days ago, and 3 days ago. So it isn't really following the same pattern.

Thanks! Just curious about the events. It's the start of the excitement that builds up to build season. :D

Ask your mentor who was at the meeting yesterday!

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

IND Districts are posted RIGHT NOW!

District CMP tba.

[MechEng83]

Indiana events are now posted:


District Event IN District - Tippecanoe Event William Henry Harrison High School West Lafayette, IN USA 03-Mar - 05-Mar-2017

District Event IN District - St. Joseph Event Penn High School Mishawaka, IN USA 10-Mar - 12-Mar-2017

District Event IN District - Perry Event Perry Meridian High School Indianapolis, IN USA 23-Mar - 25-Mar-2017

District Championship Indiana State Championship Huntington North High School Huntington, IN USA 06-Apr - 08-Apr-2017

[Brian Maher]

Shenzhen Regional posted, Week 2.

[Golfer4646]

Currently up to 108 events. I believe that the new events are from New England.

[Christopher149]

FIM has added a Gull Lake event, in addition to the nearby Lakeview event.

[BrendanB]

New England

Week 1:

Waterbury Event @ Wilby HS (CT) March 3rd-5th (Fri-Sun)
Granite State Event @ Windham HS (NH) March 3rd-5th (Fri-Sun)

Week 2

WPI Event @ WPI (MA) March 8th-10th (Wed-Fri)
SE Mass Event @ Brdigewater-Rayham HS (MA) March 10th-12th (Fri-Sun)

Week 3

North Shore Event @ Reading HS (MA) March 17th-19th (Fri-Sun)
Greater Boston Event @ Revere HS (MA) March 17th-19th (Fri-Sun)

Week 4

Southern NH Event @ Bedford HS (NH) March 24th-26th (Fri-Sun)
Rhode Island Event @ Bryant University (RI) March 24th-26th (Fri-Sun)

Week 5

Pine Tree Event @ Androscoggin Bank Colisee (ME) March 30th-April 1st (Thurs-Sat)
Hartford Event @ Hartford Public HS (CT) March 31st-April 2nd (Fri-Sun)

Week 6
New England District Championship @ UNH Whittemore Center (NH) April 5th-8th (Wed-Sat)

[Jay O'Donnell]

New England

Week 1:

Waterbury Event @ Wilby HS (CT) March 3rd-5th (Fri-Sun)
Granite State Event @ Windham HS (NH) March 3rd-5th (Fri-Sun)

Week 2

WPI Event @ WPI (MA) March 8th-10th (Wed-Fri)
SE Mass Event @ Brdigewater-Rayham HS (MA) March 10th-12th (Fri-Sun)

Week 3

North Shore Event @ Reading HS (MA) March 17th-19th (Fri-Sun)
Greater Boston Event @ Revere HS (MA) March 17th-19th (Fri-Sun)

Week 4

Southern NH Event @ Bedford HS (NH) March 24th-26th (Fri-Sun)
Rhode Island Event @ Bryant University (RI) March 24th-26th (Fri-Sun)

Week 5

Pine Tree Event @ Androscoggin Bank Colisee (ME) March 30th-April 1st (Thurs-Sat)
Hartford Event @ Hartford Public HS (CT) March 31st-April 2nd (Fri-Sun)

Week 6
New England District Championship @ UNH Whittemore Center (NH) April 5th-8th (Wed-Sat)

There's a couple complaints I would have based on how good districts have been in NE for the last few years. Pretty sad to have the Boston event moved to Revere. I get that it helps bring FRC to their high school, but the venue is a major step down. Also the lack of different day distributions isn't the best. I personally like Fri-Sun events, but I understand many teams don't (1519 also only has two possible events since they don't compete on Sunday's).

I am excited to hear about how the new venue at Bedford High School works out. And there are still many of the old venues back from last year that this isn't the worst possible scenario. But not having any events in four of the best NE venues (BU, NU, Verizon, Hartford's arena) stinks and only have two events that aren't fri-sun isn't great.

Then again it's still better than not being in districts at all.

[Andrew Schreiber]

There's a couple complaints I would have based on how good districts have been in NE for the last few years. Pretty sad to have the Boston event moved to Revere. I get that it helps bring FRC to their high school, but the venue is a major step down. Also the lack of different day distributions isn't the best. I personally like Fri-Sun events, but I understand many teams don't (1519 also only has two possible events since they don't compete on Sunday's).

I am excited to hear about how the new venue at Bedford High School works out. And there are still many of the old venues back from last year that this isn't the worst possible scenario. But not having any events in four of the best NE venues (BU, NU, Verizon, Hartford's arena) stinks and only have two events that aren't fri-sun isn't great.

Then again it's still better than not being in districts at all.


Upside to Revere is that one of the biggest costs teams always had about BU/NEU was cost of parking is no longer an issue.

And, while the venue is definitely not as ... as something, I'm not really sure the word, maybe, nice? It does meet the requirements for a district event quite well and may even improve on team experience by decreasing costs for teams.

[Rick]

...only have two events that aren't fri-sun isn't great.

In New England, as long as events are primarily being held in high schools, the trend is going to be Fri-Sun events.

The only reason RIDE, which is returning to Bryant University, is not Thu-Sat is because the president of Bryant got complaints from the faculty about having to walk a further distance from their cars during the event. Nothing to do with policies, event conflicts, etc.

Providence Career and Tech high school, who hosted RIDE last season, would not let us into the gym early Thursday due to gym classes running during school hours. We only got Thu - Sat because the school was closed for Good Friday.

Regarding DCMP, I am a huge fan of the Week 6 DCMP as it gives WCMP qualifying teams a better chance of using their invite. That 11 day turnaround from DCMP to WCMP was tight.

[BrendanB]

In New England, as long as events are primarily being held in high schools, the trend is going to be Fri-Sun events.

The only reason RIDE, which is returning to Bryant University, is not Thu-Sat is because the president of Bryant got complaints from the faculty about having to walk a further distance from their cars during the event. Nothing to do with policies, event conflicts, etc.


I think what some of us are curious about is why GSD was scheduled as a Sat/Sun event. It is at a high school however it falls during New Hampshire school vacation week and when it was hosted at Nashua in 2014/2015 it was kept as a Fri/Sat event. The move to Windham coincided with the off calendar year pushing out a week so it had to be Sat/Sun. Knowing what happens at the school during vacation week it surprised me to see it come up as a Sunday event. With such a tight schedule and one of two non-Sunday options pushing teams to take two full days plus early release on Wednesday to beat traffic to Worcester it would have been nice to have it return to a Saturday event.

I do have some concerns for UNH hosting the DCMP, but those aren't for me they are for other teams having to travel. We do thank NEFIRST for rotating it up here so our families and sponsors have a chance to attend! We just know there isn't much for hotel options for visiting teams and even we push the boundaries of commuting vs staying overnight. Parking will also be tight from family and friends who commute to UNH. Its not perfect but I think of the four venues we've had its the lower on the list of good places to host.


Glad to see a Bedford, NH event. Maybe Dean will stop by considering its 5 minutes from his house! :rolleyes:

[Brian Maher]

Four PCH District events and the DCMP brings us from 108 to 113.

[rwodonnell]

I started looking at where our team might attend, and made a map to visualize the location of the NEFIRST events (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OXD7VCLKYR_8x4wAKJeQ60dDlr8&usp=sharing). I put the teams in as a layer to see the rough distribution (teams are from 2016, TBA data), and thought other teams might be interested in saving the work.

[Hitchhiker 42]

I started looking at where our team might attend, and made a map to visualize the location of the NEFIRST events (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OXD7VCLKYR_8x4wAKJeQ60dDlr8&usp=sharing). I put the teams in as a layer to see the rough distribution (teams are from 2016, TBA data), and thought other teams might be interested in saving the work.

Just wondering about the map - I can't seem to find 3654 on it. Same with 3525 in Waterbury. Is it put down as 1 team/per town max because Middletown, CT hosts at least two. Just might change the densities of teams.

[rwodonnell]

Just wondering about the map - I can't seem to find 3654 on it. Same with 3525 in Waterbury. Is it put down as 1 team/per town max because Middletown, CT hosts at least two. Just might change the densities of teams.
Yes. Unfortunately, the data from TBA that was easy for me only has city and state. When I imported them into the map, it stacks teams from the same city. If you click on the down arrow below the "teams.csv" layer, it will list all the teams that have a dot there. Cities like Middletown and Waterbury (from the teams you mentioned) and of course Boston (6 teams), Worcester (4 teams) and others will look like they just have one dot.

This does have the effect of improperly showing less team density in certain areas. If I could figure out how to have it put a number on those, or change the size of the dot, I would. If anyone has a CSV file of the teams in NE that includes a street address, I will import that and that should fix the problem, save for teams with the exact same street address (if there are any).

[Hitchhiker 42]

Yes. Unfortunately, the data from TBA that was easy for me only has city and state. When I imported them into the map, it stacks teams from the same city. If you click on the down arrow below the "teams.csv" layer, it will list all the teams that have a dot there. Cities like Middletown and Waterbury (from the teams you mentioned) and of course Boston (6 teams), Worcester (4 teams) and others will look like they just have one dot.

This does have the effect of improperly showing less team density in certain areas. If I could figure out how to have it put a number on those, or change the size of the dot, I would. If anyone has a CSV file of the teams in NE that includes a street address, I will import that and that should fix the problem, save for teams with the exact same street address (if there are any).

Thanks, that clears that up!

[ahartnet]

Yes. Unfortunately, the data from TBA that was easy for me only has city and state. When I imported them into the map, it stacks teams from the same city. If you click on the down arrow below the "teams.csv" layer, it will list all the teams that have a dot there. Cities like Middletown and Waterbury (from the teams you mentioned) and of course Boston (6 teams), Worcester (4 teams) and others will look like they just have one dot.

This does have the effect of improperly showing less team density in certain areas. If I could figure out how to have it put a number on those, or change the size of the dot, I would. If anyone has a CSV file of the teams in NE that includes a street address, I will import that and that should fix the problem, save for teams with the exact same street address (if there are any).

If you put the data in google sheets, you can do the map marker and you'll have bubbles sized to the # of teams there. I recently downloaded Tableau (that's what the person who did the map for Michigan team density did and it looked great) to do the same there though, because with the google sheets map, it's "smallest" size is the continental US. Which is workable for mapping teams in Texas. probably not so much so NE. *EDIT* - here's a link to my google sheet for reference: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-zx8zGdQNCpbe0zXCrDDLwYy7HnXsOyzbj_VR8IG5mQ/edit#gid=0 - it takes a long time to load because it basically does a search for every one of the cities

[rwodonnell]

If you put the data in google sheets, you can do the map marker and you'll have bubbles sized to the # of teams there. I recently downloaded Tableau (that's what the person who did the map for Michigan team density did and it looked great) to do the same there though, because with the google sheets map, it's "smallest" size is the continental US. Which is workable for mapping teams in Texas. probably not so much so NE. *EDIT* - here's a link to my google sheet for reference: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-zx8zGdQNCpbe0zXCrDDLwYy7HnXsOyzbj_VR8IG5mQ/edit#gid=0 - it takes a long time to load because it basically does a search for every one of the cities
Thanks for the tip - that's a good way to go about it. The map I made is made from "Google My Maps". I hadn't make a map in a google sheet before, I will have to give that a try.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Does anyone have any info on LI, HVR or Montreal, such as when dates will be officially be posted?

[Jay O'Donnell]

http://www.robotiquefirstquebec.org/programmes/frc/evenements/festival-de-robotique/
If this is accurate and my high school level French is correct, looks like Montreal is week 4.

[Kevin Leonard]

http://www.robotiquefirstquebec.org/programmes/frc/evenements/festival-de-robotique/
If this is accurate and my high school level French is correct, looks like Montreal is week 4.

I guess they didn't get the memo that every event in the area is supposed to be week 3 this year. As much as we've been complaining in NY, Montreal teams have it even worse, having only the Montreal event to go to, and the only other driving distance event is hours away, across a border, and the next week. I bet TVR is going to get a good number of Montreal teams this year who used to compete for their second event in Ontario.

[logank013]

Any info on Queen City Regional information? I don't see it posted quite yet. Thanks :)

[guniv]

Any info on Queen City Regional information? I don't see it posted quite yet. Thanks :)

I emailed them a while back after Rocket City and Smoky Mountains ended up on the same week. They didn't offer what week it would be, but Queen City will be moving from Cincinnati to Dayton because their venue is unavailable, they told me.

[Dominick Ferone]

I guess they didn't get the memo that every event in the area is supposed to be week 3 this year. As much as we've been complaining in NY, Montreal teams have it even worse, having only the Montreal event to go to, and the only other driving distance event is hours away, across a border, and the next week. I bet TVR is going to get a good number of Montreal teams this year who used to compete for their second event in Ontario.

I have a big feeling TVR and FLR are going to get flooded with a lot of Canadian teams. I look forward to it, as it helps provide diversity and bring in all sorts of new levels of competition. With both events already being so strong with everyone so evenly matched, this year may be even harder and closer of an event unless someone has a super outside the box design that reins supreme.

[Christopher149]

FIM LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie has been posted.

[Brian Maher]

FIM District - Lake Superior State University Event and Idaho Regional have been posted for week 5.

[mwmac]

Was hoping Idaho would get moved to week 6 to facilitate more teams coming from Colorado & the SF Bay area. Last year the event hosted 30 teams with room for at least 12 more. Help fill the field... https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12909677_1047606308629276_7221715398332548675_o.jp g

[TheBoulderite]

Was hoping Idaho would get moved to week 6 to facilitate more teams coming from Colorado & the SF Bay area. Last year the event hosted 30 teams with room for at least 12 more. Help fill the field... https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12909677_1047606308629276_7221715398332548675_o.jp g

That's a shame it's Week 5. It'd be fun to come up there.

[Dominick Ferone]

Does anyone know when the Hudson valley event is, or how big of an event it's supposed to be?

[Brian Maher]

Does anyone know when the Hudson valley event is, or how big of an event it's supposed to be?

I heard a while back from someone on the regional planning committee that it was most likely going to be Week 4. For anyone who wants to go to it and TVR/FLR, get ready for good old back-to-back events

[Dominick Ferone]

I heard a while back from someone on the regional planning committee that it was most likely going to be Week 4. For anyone who wants to go to it and TVR/FLR, get ready for good old back-to-back events

I mean who doesn't want a match between the Pittsburgh, TVR and FLR winners. Plus we don't even need to worry about packing for a second event. Everything will be packed from FLR.

[Koko Ed]

Long Island listed week five and Laguna (Mexico) listed week one!

[Koko Ed]

Western Canada got listed in week six!

[Golfer4646]

According to http://www.kcfirst.org/events, the Greater Kansas City Regional will be week 3 (March 15-18).

[Ernst]

Long Island listed week five and Laguna (Mexico) listed week one!

Is Laguna replacing Mexico City or are there two Mexican Regionals now? I don't see MXMC listed anywhere yet. Last year Mexico had 53 teams total, including 16 rookies, so it looks like they might need a 2nd Regional soon.

[ollien]

Long Island listed week five and Laguna (Mexico) listed week one!

Thank god it doesn't overlap with NYC. Higher capacity too, now that NYC has moved away from Javits (:(). Now we wait for HVR.

[Rangel(kf7fdb)]

Though Arizona North is not officially confirmed yet, it was unofficially confirmed in a recent Arizona FRC email blast. For any teams outside Arizona that might be interested, it is going to be Week 2, March 8th-11th.

[SenorZ]

Saw "Laguna" and thought it was Orange County regional in Laguna Beach.

Still I wait for Los Angeles and Orange County

[bobbysq]

According to http://www.kcfirst.org/events, the Greater Kansas City Regional will be week 3 (March 15-18).

>week before iowa

CIR better be week 2

[Aren Siekmeier]

Is Laguna replacing Mexico City or are there two Mexican Regionals now? I don't see MXMC listed anywhere yet. Last year Mexico had 53 teams total, including 16 rookies, so it looks like they might need a 2nd Regional soon.

Looks like it is a second event.

https://www.facebook.com/DesertRoboFalcons/photos/a.195269500607665.49177.192704530864162/785196881614921/?type=3

[sanddrag]

Still I wait for Los Angeles and Orange CountyDitto. We're getting pretty close to registration day here, and pretty late to be making plans. To give FIRST some perspective, our 2016-17 school year has been calendared for about 4 months now, and we're beginning planning now for the 2017-18 school year. I would like to know when these events in March and/or April will be.

[Brian Maher]

Dallas posted for Week 2 and Buckeye for Week 5.

[Bkeeneykid]

It's not on the FIRST website yet, but GKC has been posted on the KC FIRST website for Week Three this year: http://www.kcfirst.org/events/greater-kansas-city-regional-first-robotics-competition

[Koko Ed]

Hub City is listed in Week 1.

[BSV]

Hub City is listed in Week 1.

And it has a change of venue, which is probably a good thing. Texas Tech was a nice venue, but their staff treated the FIRST crowd badly. I doubt they recruited anyone to their university that weekend.

I was hoping it would stay late season, though. We don't have many late season options that will work for us.

[lynca]

Hub City is listed in Week 1.

Texas event schedule is a bit odd this year.

Week 1 - Hub City
Week 2 - Dallas
Week 6 - Alamo

Hopefully LSR is week 4, but week 4 is also bayou, oklahoma and rocket city.

[Brian Maher]

A new San Francisco Regional was announced for Week 3.

[Mastonevich]

And it has a change of venue, which is probably a good thing. Texas Tech was a nice venue, but their staff treated the FIRST crowd badly. I doubt they recruited anyone to their university that weekend.

I was hoping it would stay late season, though. We don't have many late season options that will work for us.

The only issue was bringing food in as far as I could tell, and I suspect that was a simple miscommunication. These event venues are used to something that lasts 3-5 hours total, not something that lasts 3-4 days.

Personally I enjoyed Hub City last year.

[bdaroz]

A new San Francisco Regional was announced for Week 3.

Come on! Yet another regional us NY teams can't go to!

:D :D

/sarcasm

[Brian Maher]

Arizona North is Week 2.

[bdaroz]

In all seriousness, the 2017 schedule is 4 events short of the 2016 total... Here's what we know are missing (not including specific district events):

Israel District
Michigan State Champs
Australia Regional
Central Illinois Regional
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional ( + another possible new Regional)
Los Angeles Regional
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Orange County Regional
Queen City Regional
South Florida Regional
(Rumored) Hudson Valley Regional


And registration opens in < 10 days.

Am I missing any?

[Koko Ed]

In all seriousness, the 2017 schedule is 4 events short of the 2016 total... Here's what we know are missing (not including specific district events):

Israel Region
Australia Regional
Central Illinois Regional
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional
Los Angeles Regional
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Orange County Regional
Queen City Regional
South Florida Regional
(Rumored) Hudson Valley Regional


And registration opens in < 10 days.

Am I missing any?
The Israel regional no longer exists because Israel went district.

[ATannahill]

The Israel regional no longer exists because Israel went district.
My guess is he said Region instead of Regional to denote their district events and district championship.

[bdaroz]

The Israel regional no longer exists because Israel went district.

Yeah, small brain-fart on that one... I called it a region not a district. Edited. :)

[Christopher149]

In all seriousness, the 2017 schedule is 4 events short of the 2016 total... Here's what we know are missing (not including specific district events):

And registration opens in < 10 days.

Am I missing any?

Michigan State Champs (since DCMPs count as regionals in most ways)

[Drakxii]

In all seriousness, the 2017 schedule is 4 events short of the 2016 total... Here's what we know are missing (not including specific district events):

Lone Star Regional


And registration opens in < 10 days.

Am I missing any?

Along with Lone Star there may or may not be another Texas event. As they said, "Additional FRC Regional events may be added this year in order to accommodate the anticipated team growth", when announcing that Texas was not going to districts in 2017.

[bdaroz]

Added MI State Champs and another possible TX regional in addition to Lone Star. Edited earlier post.

[Jay O'Donnell]

In all seriousness, the 2017 schedule is 4 events short of the 2016 total... Here's what we know are missing (not including specific district events):

Israel District
Michigan State Champs
Australia Regional
Central Illinois Regional
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional ( + another possible new Regional)
Los Angeles Regional
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Orange County Regional
Queen City Regional
South Florida Regional
(Rumored) Hudson Valley Regional


And registration opens in < 10 days.

Am I missing any?
Montreal regional doesn't seem to be officially posted, although their website has dates for 2017 on it.

[Golfer4646]

With the posting of the Orange County Regional (week 5), we are now up to 124 events.

[Koko Ed]

South Florida is week one! Montreal is week four!

[SenorZ]

With the posting of the Orange County Regional (week 5), we are now up to 124 events.

Woohoo! We're at UC Irvine. Maybe we'll register OC instead of LA.

[bdaroz]

Updated list of the missing....


Israel District
Michigan State Champs
Australia Regional
Central Illinois Regional
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional ( + another possible new Regional)
Los Angeles Regional
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Montreal Regional Week 4
Orange County Regional Week 5
Queen City Regional
South Florida Regional Week 1
(Rumored) Hudson Valley Regional

[Ali Ahmed]

Woohoo! We're at UC Irvine. Maybe we'll register OC instead of LA.

Anyone know where exactly it'll be at UCI? I'm excited to see what that planning committee will do with a bigger venue. Last season's event was run very well.

[Hallry]

Anyone know where exactly it'll be at UCI?

University of California, Irvine
Bren Events Center
100 Bren Events Center
Irvine, CA 92697
USA

[Koko Ed]

Israel has listed three event but they don't have a name yet.

[logank013]

Israel has listed three event but they don't have a name yet.

It now shows 4 Israel events with no names plus the Israel DCMP

[Brian Maher]

Central Illinois Regional posted for Week 3 and LPS Angeles for Week 4.

[Brian Maher]

Congrats to Australia, who will be holding two Week 3 regionals this year: Southern Cross (Mon-Wed) and South Pacific (Thu-Sat). That's some interesting scheduling; I wonder how many teams will go to both.

[Kevin Leonard]

Congrats to Australia, who will be holding two Week 3 regionals this year: Southern Cross (Mon-Wed) and South Pacific (Thu-Sat). That's some interesting scheduling; I wonder how many teams will go to both.

Just a week straight of FRC... I wonder if it's their school break or something...

[Hallry]

The Hudson Valley Regional has now been officially announced for Week 4 (Thursday 23-Mar - Saturday 26-Mar-2017) at

Rockland Community College - Athletic Center
145 College Road
Suffern, NY 10901
USA

There looks to be only 24 open spots initially.

[Kevin Leonard]

The Hudson Valley Regional has now been officially announced for Week 4 (Thursday 23-Mar - Saturday 26-Mar-2017) at

Rockland Community College - Athletic Center
145 College Road
Suffern, NY 10901
USA

There looks to be only 24 open spots initially.

Where can you find the available spots on the new website?

[Hallry]

Where can you find the available spots on the new website?

I use either of this site (http://173.255.246.196/2017/) or this official one (https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017). I have also been adding all of the regional and MAR District Event info into my own Google Doc (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tLbDNecNaKjBl3FtQIV_UAjI2b3_wpU99Uvvjfa6rmc/edit?usp=sharing), including registration counts from last year.

[SenorZ]

And... the Los Angeles Regional is posted.

Date: Mar 23 - Mar 26 2017
Event:Regional
Program:FIRST Robotics Competition

Walter Pyramid
1250 N Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach State University
Long Beach, CA 90840 USA

Go Beach!

[ahartnet]

Where can you find the available spots on the new website?
I've only been able to find the information on the old website: https://my.usfirst.org/myarea/index.lasso?event_type=FRC&year=2017

[bdaroz]

Updated list of the missing....


Israel District
Michigan State Champs
Australia Regional (2) Week 3 Regionals
Central Illinois Regional Week 3
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional ( + another possible new Regional)
Los Angeles Regional Week 4
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Queen City Regional
Hudson Valley Regional Week 4


136 Listed, 7-8 to go, total of 143-144 vs 127 for 2016 season or about 13% growth in number of events.

[Kevin Leonard]

So the new HVR has a 24 spot initial capacity, and so does NYC this year. Assuming those events both end up at somewhere like 35-40 teams a piece, that's just a few more spots than the single NYC regional had last year. If upstate teams want to attend HVR, it's going to be a tight fit.

[bdaroz]

So the new HVR has a 24 spot initial capacity, and so does NYC this year. Assuming those events both end up at somewhere like 35-40 teams a piece, that's just a few more spots than the single NYC regional had last year. If upstate teams want to attend HVR, it's going to be a tight fit.

It's not like there are a lot of options for us... I'd consider Montreal, but travel outside the country will be a problem. Hudson Valley is the only other remotely economical option we have. And interesting you mention 24 slots, TVR is starting at 26, and should hard cap at 36 (unless they start adding tents). If HVR is starting at 24, are they capping at <36? Ugh.

[Brian Maher]

It's not like there are a lot of options for us... I'd consider Montreal, but travel outside the country will be a problem. Hudson Valley is the only other remotely economical option we have. And interesting you mention 24 slots, TVR is starting at 26, and should hard cap at 36 (unless they start adding tents). If HVR is starting at 24, are they capping at <36? Ugh.

I have no inside info, but I expect that the final cap on HVR will be at least 36. They are likely keeping the initial cap smaller to make sure local teams looking for a second play will be able to get in later.

[Kevin Leonard]

I have no inside info, but I expect that the final cap on HVR will be at least 36. They are likely keeping the initial cap smaller to make sure local teams looking for a second play will be able to get in later.

I heard a rumor Long Island was going to be bigger this year to accommodate the redistribution of teams at events, but LI was already a 50 team event to begin with.

I legitimately don't know how NY is going to fit the teams that want to attend their events. TVR is going to be begging for teams to come, and HVR/NYC are going to be packed to the brim with a waitlist.

5254 could maybe attend Ohio events or Montreal, but it's super inconvenient. And even if we do HVR, we're pretty much guaranteed back to back events again!

[Chris is me]

I heard a rumor Long Island was going to be bigger this year to accommodate the redistribution of teams at events, but LI was already a 50 team event to begin with.

I legitimately don't know how NY is going to fit the teams that want to attend their events. TVR is going to be begging for teams to come, and HVR/NYC are going to be packed to the brim with a waitlist.

5254 could maybe attend Ohio events or Montreal, but it's super inconvenient. And even if we do HVR, we're pretty much guaranteed back to back events again!

I'm pretty convinced there will be more than a few NY teams that are one event teams this year, not constrained by budget but by the event schedule. Who can game registration timing the best? That's who gets two plays.

[ATannahill]

Updated list of the missing....


Israel District
Michigan State Champs
Australia Regional (2) Week 3 Regionals
Central Illinois Regional Week 3
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional ( + another possible new Regional)
Los Angeles Regional Week 4
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional
Minnesota North Star Regional
Queen City Regional
Hudson Valley Regional Week 4


136 Listed, 7-8 to go, total of 143-144 vs 127 for 2016 season or about 13% growth in number of events.

To be fair, Michigan Champs doesn't need to be posted for a while.

[Koko Ed]

I'm pretty convinced there will be more than a few NY teams that are one event teams this year, not constrained by budget but by the event schedule. Who can game registration timing the best? That's who gets two plays.

Maybe Montreal will see a few more teams wandering across the border to play with them.

[Bluman56]

I heard a rumor Long Island was going to be bigger this year to accommodate the redistribution of teams at events, but LI was already a 50 team event to begin with.

I legitimately don't know how NY is going to fit the teams that want to attend their events. TVR is going to be begging for teams to come, and HVR/NYC are going to be packed to the brim with a waitlist.

5254 could maybe attend Ohio events or Montreal, but it's super inconvenient. And even if we do HVR, we're pretty much guaranteed back to back events again!

Having attended and volunteered at LI, that place is filled to the brim. Other than removing the practice field, I see no way of getting more teams in there (and even then that would only add at most 4 teams).

[Sperkowsky]

Having attended and volunteered at LI, that place is filled to the brim. Other than removing the practice field, I see no way of getting more teams in there (and even then that would only add at most 4 teams).

Ditto I am amazed they fit the amount of teams that they do and still have 10x10 pits. Only thing I could think of is pushing the bleachers back but then I doubt there would be enough seats and viewing the event would be suboptimal.

[EricH]

Ditto I am amazed they fit the amount of teams that they do and still have 10x10 pits. Only thing I could think of is pushing the bleachers back but then I doubt there would be enough seats and viewing the event would be suboptimal.
There's the 8x8 pit option, but that's called "crowded". If you've got 4 pits in a row, you can squeeze 1 more in by doing that... at the expense of a decent pit size.

[Mark McLeod]

The number of SBPLI team pits is actually limited by Fire Marshal rules, because of the total number of people on the floor and in the facility.

[ollien]

Honestly, the situation in New York is upsetting. Aside from us not having Javits, a huge venue that is awesomely inspirational, Hudson Valley was supposed to allow MORE double plays in NY, not fewer. The upstate regionals are both on the same day, which would seem like, at least to me, upstate teams are going flock south. I'm hoping this is just a glitch and the capacities aren't actually this low, but I'd hate to see my last year be limited to one regional because of these low capacities.

If we had districts, this might be less of a problem, but as it stands, we don't. We just have largely downsized regionals.

[Kevin Leonard]

Honestly, the situation in New York is upsetting. Aside from us not having Javits, a huge venue that is awesomely inspirational, Hudson Valley was supposed to allow MORE double plays in NY, not fewer. The upstate regionals are both on the same day, which would seem like, at least to me, upstate teams are going flock south. I'm hoping this is just a glitch and the capacities aren't actually this low, but I'd hate to see my last year be limited to one regional because of these low capacities.

If we had districts, this might be less of a problem, but as it stands, we don't. We just have largely downsized regionals.

On the bright side, this Hudson Valley event is definitely another step towards districts. It's just an awkward teenage step when combined with all the scheduling conflicts.

[Brian Maher]

I started a new thread (https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1606854) to discuss the New York Regionals so we can keep this thread about more general event postings.

[Brian Maher]

Brazos Valley Regional in Waco, TX and ONT - District Windsor Essex Great Lakes Event, both posted for Week 5

[Phoenix Spud]

Just a week straight of FRC... I wonder if it's their school break or something...

Nope, not school vacation. We just outgrew one event!

[TheBoulderite]

Brazos Valley Regional in Waco, TX and ONT - District Windsor Essex Great Lakes Event, both posted for Week 5

Ooh, a new Texas Regional. I could see a showdown of some top Texas teams happening in Waco this year.

[TheBoulderite]

Nope, not school vacation. We just outgrew one event!

Congrats on another Regional, Australia! The more Aussie teams that come to champs, the merrier!

[Drakxii]

Brazos Valley Regional in Waco, TX and ONT - District Windsor Essex Great Lakes Event, both posted for Week 5

Weirdly Brazos Valley is listed as a district event currently.

Also Lone Star posted kind of...

There will be 2 Lone Star events:
Lone Star North at College Park High School in The Woodlands, TX (Team #1477 Texas Torque's school) Week 5
Lone Star Central at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, TX (one of Team #3487 Spectrum's schools) Week 3

[Brian Maher]

In addition to the two Lone Star Regionals being posted for Week 3 and 5, the Minneapolis regionals (North Star and 1000 Lakes) were posted for Week 6.

[bdaroz]

Updated list of the missing....


Michigan State Champs
Greater Kansas City Regional
Lone Star Regional Houston Week 3, Woodlands Week 5
Mexico City Regional
Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional Week 6
Minnesota North Star Regional Week 6
Queen City Regional


141 posted of 145 expected.

[bobbysq]

Brazos valley has also been corrected from a district to a regional. Sorry.

[Brian Maher]

FIM DCMP is back for Week 7.

Greater Kansas City is posted for Week 3.

Miami Valley Regional is a new Week 2 regional in Springfield, Ohio.

[Koko Ed]

FIM DCMP is back for Week 7.

Site TBD. Intriguing.....

[Dave Campbell]

Miami Valley Regional is a new Week 2 regional in Springfield, Ohio. emphasis mine...

Miami Valley is the former Queen City Regional - due to un-availability (construction/ renovation) of the CINTAS Center at Xavier, we needed to make the change. Same crew planning the event as the prior Queen City, with a few great additions from the area. Look for many more details and updates. Registration for the 35 teams (not including "hold-back" slots) in this week two event will fill quickly!