2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics - Hatboro-Horsham FIRST Robotics District Competition

[ezygmont708]

The Hatboro-Horsham FIRST Robotics District Competition event committee is excited to welcome the following teams to what we hope will be a great and exciting FIRST event of the Mid-Atlantic Robotics Organization.

87 714 1712 3123
224 834 1791 3167
225 869 1923 3607
272 1143 2016 4285
293 1168 2229 4342
341 1218 2234 4361
357 1391 2539 4373
486 1495 2590
708 1640 2600
709 1647 2607

We have been working the past several months to ensure that the event will be a success. Understanding the strains of travel, and the time constraints of a 2 day event, the event planning committee is looking for some feedback on the following items:

How would teams feel about having a team social (DJ, Refreshments, etc.) on Friday night (End of Competition until 8:30 or 9:00 pm)?

We are also trying to gauge the number of teams that are in need of overnight accomodations. If there is interest in reserving rooms please let us know.

If you have any additional circumstances, or special requests please post here, or e-mail ezygmont@team708.org

[Cody Burd]

yes that idea of a party is a great idea for teams to get to konw each other better

[kinganu123]

Our team USUALLY doesn't stay for these things, mainly because of busing issues

[Ryan Dognaux]

Are there any plans to webcast this event at this time? If there aren't any plans to do this, I'd be more than happy to help get a stationary camera setup to stream matches and a machine to archive them on. All we would need is a wired internet connection at the venue.

Also - I'm really looking forward to the event this weekend. I think we will see a lot of competitive matches after everyone gets the last few bugs worked out of their machines Friday morning.

[Jared Russell]

Are there any plans to have the field available for practice rounds on Thursday night?

[liam.larkin]

Jared
Frank, team 272, has been working dilligently to get some sort of practice field it looks like it will be about a 1/4 of the field with a complete set of baskets and one balance. Hope this is enough when I have a confirm on this I will let you know I think I have your email somewhere

Liam

[liam.larkin]

Hahahaha as I was sending out my last reply I got a comfirmation there WILL be a practice field at Horsham. It is roughly 19x17 with a full set (1 high 2 mid 1 low) of baskets and a single balancing beam thingy.

Liam

[thefro526]

Hahahaha as I was sending out my last reply I got a comfirmation there WILL be a practice field at Horsham. It is roughly 19x17 with a full set (1 high 2 mid 1 low) of baskets and a single balancing beam thingy.

Liam

Liam, out of curiosity, do you know if this is the kind of setup that we can come to expect at most events in MAR?

(Oh, and the 'Balancing beam thingy' is called a bridge... :P)

[LH Machinist]

I believe the MARS events will be using the low cost (wood) game pieces for the practice field. Will the teams have access to the real playing fields or are practice matches scheduled?

[liam.larkin]

For two day events like the one at Horsham this weekend teams will get some access to the primary field there are scheduled practice matches in the morning to like 10 or 1030 and I believe each team will have 2 practice rounds....There was discussion about grating access to the primary field for teams on Thursday I do not know what decision was made regarding that.

Dustin thanks for the correction I had a brain cramp there. Yes you can expect the practice field to be similar to what is typically seen at the old Philly regional.

[bhumudar]

My team and I are very excited for this weeks competition, and I think that a post-competition social would be great for the students. My team had a very positive experience with last years social at St. Louis. They really got to meet students from other teams, some of them still even keep in touch! From myself and everyone on FIRST FRC Team 714, Good luck this season!

[liam.larkin]

Alright got this straight from the horses mouth (MAR executive board member)

1. Assuming everything is up and running teams will be granted access to the primary field on Thursday night. It will be a first come first serve sort of thing. I do not know if you need to be fully inspected or only partially.

2. Teams will be scheduled one (1) practice round on Friday morning. Again I dont know about inspection details. I would imagine if you are not fully inspected by then you will probably be more concerned with that.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Alright got this straight from the horses mouth (MAR executive board member)

Liam - any chance you could inquire with the same members about the webcast issue I posted above? I haven't received any feedback by contacting the person who started this thread. All we really would need is a wired internet connection to make it happen. We can utilize ustream or justin.tv to stream the event from a stationary camera with a good view of the field.

[kinganu123]

Will there be a live stream for the parents and kids at school/home/work?

[moojoe]

Will there be a live stream for the parents and kids at school/home/work?
Got this the other day.
All DE-NJ-PA FRC Teams - The Week #1 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition District event at Hatboro-Horsham HS will be available at the following…

http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Page/6373

[JB]

Anyone know where one could find a match list?

[thefro526]

Anyone know where one could find a match list?

Seconded. FIRST's site just has the template in place.

Oh, and the stream seems to be up.

[JB]

I believe these are practice matches seeing as how a few alliances have been short a team. I'm heading over there around twelve and will post a picture of the match schedule if it is not up yet

[JB]

Found the match list.

The links on the first website are screwed up only the standings one works correctly.

Here it is http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/events/PAH/schedulequal.html

[Hallry]

I believe these are practice matches seeing as how a few alliances have been short a team. I'm heading over there around twelve and will post a picture of the match schedule if it is not up yet

Opening ceremonies seem to be going on now.

[Coach Tom]

Does anyone have a link to the current standings? Apparently, FIRST event summary is not linked to this event.

[thefro526]

Does anyone have a link to the current standings? Apparently, FIRST event summary is not linked to this event.

I've been trying to track them down all day along with a match list. Neither seem to exist outside of the competition venue.

[JB]

The match list is on the first website. However the link is incorrect you must go to standings and than select qualification schedule to view the match list. As for rankings I have not come across them yet.

[thefro526]

The match list is on the first website. However the link is incorrect you must go to standings and than select qualification schedule to view the match list. As for rankings I have not come across them yet.

Can you post the list here? Every time I go through FIRST's site for HH it ends up sending me to the 'test' page which is BAE with no info.

[Kristian Calhoun]

Can you post the list here? Every time I go through FIRST's site for HH it ends up sending me to the 'test' page which is BAE with no info.
Here's the link to the qualification match schedule:
http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/events/PAH/schedulequal.html

[thefro526]

Here's the link to the qualification match schedule:
http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/events/PAH/schedulequal.html

Thanks Kristian!

Each team gets 12 matches? I'm kind of really excited about this whole robots thing now.

[Mike8519]

Thanks Kristian!

Each team gets 12 matches? I'm kind of really excited about this whole robots thing now.

I believe that at each MAR event you are guaranteed 12 matches. Makes for short turnaround time, but a much better cost-playtime ratio :)

[ZeroGAdam]

What's going on with the rankings and match results etc.? I keep looking on the FIRST website for the online stats, but none seem to be updated at all. On FRC Spyder/ Tracker 2012, nothing has been updated which I would assume is because nothing on the event page has been updated ....

[tim-tim]

I believe those pull from the FIRST website and the FRCFMS feed...

...both of which show nothing

[Deetman]

One of my fellow mentors was talking to the field staff. Apparently the school's web filtering is preventing them from either downloading an xml config file or preventing the fms messages from going out. With a lot of first time volunteers (doing a great job!) the external updates are low priority.

I have the full current rankings but im on my phone for now. Top eight as of 8pm all friday matches played are:

1) 341
2) 1218
3) 2234
4) 2590
5) 1712
6) 2016
7)1647
8) 486

EDIT: Full, official standing are now available at http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/Events/PAH/rankings.html

[penguinfrk]

Miss Daisy's hybrid mode is simply astounding.... 176 HP in 8 matches. And I admire how modest the status on their Facebook page is.

[Akash Rastogi]

Miss Daisy's hybrid mode is simply astounding.... 176 HP in 8 matches. And I admire how modest the status on their Facebook page is.


That modesty matches the way they act in person as well. Very classy group of folks, including Jared the drive coach.

Good luck to them today.:)

[Steven Donow]

Matches have started, and here's a question.


Are turnaround times between matches at Districts REALLY that quick? 1640 were in the first match of the day (Match 51) and are already back up again (Match 54). Less than 20 minutes, I believe, between each match.

[Kristian Calhoun]

Matches have started, and here's a question.


Are turnaround times between matches at Districts REALLY that quick? 1640 were in the first match of the day (Match 51) and are already back up again (Match 54). Less than 20 minutes, I believe, between each match.

Looking at the posted schedule, that appears to be the case. 1923 just played in Match 62 and are back up again in Match 65. Hatboro-Horsham is one of the two smaller MAR events, but the other districts are only 3-5 teams larger. Having played at off-season events that have had less than 20 teams, I'm excited for the amount of play time we get.

[scottandme]

Alliances -

341, 1218, 1640
486, 2590, 1811
2016, 357, 708
834, 1168, 709
2234, 1647, 2607
1923, 1143, 4342
272, 1712, 293
224, 714, 225

From my phone, so hopefully no typos.

[George Nishimura]

Wait a minute, what happened in that 103-0 match? I just saw that score, were there a lot of fouls, a triple balance or what?

[Lowfategg]

What happen to the live webcast?

[Kristian Calhoun]

What happen to the live webcast?

It went down for a couple minutes. It's back up again.

[Mr MOE]

Wow.

Miss Daisy and Vulcan Robotics together are a force! Add Sa-BOT-age and what a fantastic alliance you have.

[Mr MOE]

Second match of the finals. How many balls were in the Blue Alliance basket at the end of bybrid? I'm sure someone has a picture of the stuffed basket. Please share! Terrific hybrid blue alliance! Hopefully, you can repeat that hybrid performance in the replay match!

[George A.]

Second match of the finals. How many balls were in the Blue Alliance basket at the end of bybrid? I'm sure someone has a picture of the stuffed basket. Please share! Terrific hybrid blue alliance! Hopefully, you can repeat that hybrid performance in the replay match!

...just without clogging the basket :cool:

[Kristian Calhoun]

Second match of the finals. How many balls were in the Blue Alliance basket at the end of bybrid? I'm sure someone has a picture of the stuffed basket. Please share! Terrific hybrid blue alliance! Hopefully, you can repeat that hybrid performance in the replay match!

Here's a picture taken by one of our team members, Sue, who was volunteering at the event today.

Congratulations to the winning alliance of 341, 1218, and 1640! I believe that final match set a new week 1 high score!

[Steven Donow]

Congrats to 1218, 341, and 1640 on their win!



2016, can't wait to see you guys next week :D

[Coach Tom]

Looks like either 5 or 6. Can't see any one the field.

Stretch the Nets!

[Akash Rastogi]

Was at the the event today and wanted to give some well deserved shout outs to some teams - 341 for your beautiful execution of this game, 357 and 2016 for your finals appearance. It was great seeing you all in the finals!

[Deetman]

Matches have started, and here's a question.


Are turnaround times between matches at Districts REALLY that quick? 1640 were in the first match of the day (Match 51) and are already back up again (Match 54). Less than 20 minutes, I believe, between each match.

Match turn around is REALLY quick. I'd say a good average for Qualification rounds was around 5 matches this weekend at Hatboro-Horsham. Our shortest turnaround all weekend was match 10 then 13. We didn't even return to the pits, right back to the queue.

Reliability and quick repairs are key for the District events. Charged batteries help too.


Congrats to 341, 1218, and 1640. Well deserved.

Congrats to 1218 for their Chairman's award as well.

[ks_mumupsi]

Just wanted to say this was a great fun event. The event for being the first district was managed extremely well and was a great place to be.

I would just say loosing that practice day really puts you in a whirl if you normally use that to work out the kinks like we have been. But its manageable. I think it will take some getting used to the change.

Congrats to 341, 1218 on building solid looking machines through week 1, even before the event I thought 1218 was one of the strongest bot out of MAR region and they definitely confirmed that. And 341 not much needs to be said there, a monster machine will be challenging others for a long time to come.

I would like to thank 357 and 708 for great alliance partners. It was great working with you guys.

Looking forward to seeing many of the bots at MAR championships and Rutgers should be a blast, we will definitely we looking to turn around our bot quickly.

[Deetman]

I can't believe I forgot to congratulate the event staff, volunteers, and the MAR board and organizers. They really did a fantastic job with very few hiccups.

[LH Machinist]

Here's a picture taken by one of our team members, Sue, who was volunteering at the event today.

Congratulations to the winning alliance of 341, 1218, and 1640! I believe that final match set a new week 1 high score!

They had 5 balls in and one of volunteers tried unclogging it with the net pole and another volunteer made her stop. Not sure why?

[Cody Burd]

I would like to thank team 708 for a great event. I would also like to thank team 1647 for once again helping us. I would also like to congradulate teams 1218,1640 and 341 for winning. Also Congrats to team 1218 for winning the chairmans award. all in all our team had a great time and even though we came in last the "Trojan Horse" went to battle and scored more points than last year.

[AGPapa]

Wow! That was great! I loved the district competetion style. We competed way more than we would have at a regional! The competetion was very well managed.

Thebluealliance doesn't have any video for the event, was any of it recorded?

[Ryan Dognaux]

I would like to thank 357 and 708 for great alliance partners. It was great working with you guys.

A big thanks to 2016 for asking us to join their alliance, it was great working with you and 708. When our autonomous modes were hitting 5 of 6 shots, it was very cool to watch.

Congratulations to 341, 1218 & 1640 for winning the event. 341 & 1218 both had amazing shooters and intake systems; I was impressed by the high caliber of play from both of these team's robots during a week 1 event.

As for the event, it ran very smooth for the first ever district MAR event. I can easily say that while the flair of a regular regional event wasn't all there, the excitement and energy level was and it was great playing 12 qualifying matches. I think everyone can breathe a little sigh of relief now - the district model works outside of Michigan, and it's awesome.

[Joe Troy]

Second match of the finals. How many balls were in the Blue Alliance basket at the end of bybrid? I'm sure someone has a picture of the stuffed basket. Please share! Terrific hybrid blue alliance! Hopefully, you can repeat that hybrid performance in the replay match!

The Blue Alliance, comprised of: 2016, 357 & 708, were responsible for stuffing that basket with no less than 5 balls. The coordinated, autonomous shooting of this number 3 alliance was amazing.

Something tells me that this will not be the last time we see an overstuffed basket this season. :D

[mryeagle]

Unreal!

[IKE]

Were the points awarded after the fact for the 5 balls in Hybrid i.e. 30 points?
It is my understanding that the system is automatic, and balls that haven't passed through the scoring gate would only get the regular 3pts... (I hope they got the full points).

Congrats to MAR on getting your first taste of a "District" event? The first round of events are the hardest with the push to get going. Just wait until the second round, as it is amazing how much teams improve simply from the experience of the first event. Second events will impress you. Then your championship will hook you.

[Talks Too Much]

No, points for the stuffed balls never hit the scoreboard. When they stopped the match, blue alliance still had zero.

[JB987]

Miss Daisy's hybrid mode is simply astounding.... 176 HP in 8 matches. And I admire how modest the status on their Facebook page is.

176 HP over 8 matches was their solo performance or does that include their alliance partner contributions? Great performance either way though:)

[OZ_341]

Team 341 just wanted to thank Team 708 & Erik Zygmont for hosting this event. After 12 years of running Ramp Riot we understand how hard you worked to ensure this quality event at Hatboro-Horsham.

Also to our friends on 1218 & 1640, we could not have asked for better partners. We worked together so well and covered for each other's shortcomings. Truly an ALLIANCE!

And to our opponents in the Finals (2016, 708, and 357), you played amazingly well together and kept us scared the entire time. Great job!

Congratulations also go out to Team 1218 for a well deserved Chairman's Banner. You are doing so much to promote FIRST in your school and community. We are rooting for you to win at the MAR Championship and beyond.
Can't wait to play at the Chestnut Hill District event next week!

[Kristian Calhoun]

Does anyone have a full list of awards given at Hatboro? I had to leave early and couldn't see the award ceremony.
Awards are listed on the FIRST event page: http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/events/PAH/awards.html

[Lil' Lavery]

Were the points awarded after the fact for the 5 balls in Hybrid i.e. 30 points?
It is my understanding that the system is automatic, and balls that haven't passed through the scoring gate would only get the regular 3pts... (I hope they got the full points).
The field reset crew attempted to clear the balls with the post, but were unable to do so. With the basket jammed and no points counted, the match was ended for a field fault. I'm still unsure if this was the right call or not.

176 HP over 8 matches was their solo performance or does that include their alliance partner contributions? Great performance either way though:)
That's from the standings page, so it was their full alliance. However, a majority of those points did come from 341 themselves. On Friday they were frequently hitting three balls in the top basket in hybrid, and very rarely fewer than two. On Saturday they tended to opt for scoring their starting two balls, then simply loading three balls from the coopertition bridge and waiting for tele-op to fire.

[Siri]

What a great event! Many thanks to 341 and 1218 for selecting us as their second pick. We worked splendidly together. Also congratulations to 2016, 357 and 708 as finalists, and 2016 on their very well-deserved Quality Award. Amazing robots and one heck of a match up!

Specific thanks to 341's fantastic strategy and scouting team, specifically Jared the drive coach. I'd prepared our drivers for a different style of play in elims versus quals, but our work truly exemplifies the importance of such great scouting.


Are turnaround times between matches at Districts REALLY that quick? 1640 were in the first match of the day (Match 51) and are already back up again (Match 54). Less than 20 minutes, I believe, between each match.Matches were crazy tight--worse in quals than elims. You end up getting off the field, circling the venue (traffic patterns) and getting back on the field. We switch the battery while moving for that turnaround. Glad nothing had broken!

Wait a minute, what happened in that 103-0 match? I just saw that score, were there a lot of fouls, a triple balance or what?Blue red-carded for touching our bridge during the act of balancing (though 341 and 1218 stayed up--way to go, guys!) It didn't seem malicious, but this is the way G25 is working.

They had 5 balls in and one of volunteers tried unclogging it with the net pole and another volunteer made her stop. Not sure why?Having been next to them, it was pretty clear that it wasn't going to get unclogged anytime soon. There was definitely a lot of volunteer communication on the floor before the reset as well. They wanted to make sure they were making the correct call. (Personally, I do believe they did, and it's certainly easier to explain--especially to the crowd of non-FIRSTers.) And it was a fantastic auton!

[ezygmont708]

To all the teams hat came to the Hatboro-Horsham Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Competition:

Team 708 and the Hatboro-Horsham Community cannot convey in words how much we appreciate your attendance, competition, and understanding. Going into the first MAR District Event was a new experience for many of us. The MAR event board and committees should be commended for all of the ground work that has been laid prior to, and following this first event.

We would also like to thank teams for their understanding and support with the logisical issues that we experienced on Friday. We understand that the parking, food service, and lack of standings were problematic, but together we all worked through those problems, and came out of the event with a vast quantity of information about the layout and scheduling of a district event.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers, judges, and even staff for the patience and understanding. From working late hours with little sleep, to dealing with issues as they arose, without you this event would no have been possible.

Congrats to all the teams! Good luck as you continue with Rebound Rumble!

[coldfusion1279]

Actually, it was a conscious decision not to unclog the balls from the basket. One volunteer started poking at it daintily, and another volunteer told him to stop.

The reason, from what I observed, was probably so that the incorrect score did not get recorded. Can you imagine if 5 balls rolled through the goal right at the end of autonomous period? Which ones got the 3 point bonus and which didn't? Or maybe some fall out of the basket into the field, or maybe into the 2-point basket. Not only counting points would be difficult, but one alliance couldn't shoot on the basket, and there were few balls on the field.

Anyway, you get the point. Restarting without letting the match finish was the only fair thing to do.

[Jared Russell]

Thanks to all teams and volunteers for ensuring that the very first MAR competition far exceeded my expectations!

Thanks to 1218 and 1640 for being fantastic partners throughout eliminations.

1218, as usual, you have a beast of a robot. It was great to finally get to team up when it counts! Watching you guys win your first Chairman's Award was an extremely rewarding experience as well - but know that now that you know the sound of two medals clanging together, you'll never be able to settle for less ever again :)

1640 - I was extremely happy when I saw that you were still sitting there when our second pick came up. Your drive train (and drive team!) are top notch and you guys played the game plan to perfection.

Congrats to the finalists - 2016, 357, and 708 - on a great run and on that fantastic, net-busting auto mode! I am glad they halted that match so it could be replayed.

[mryeagle]

Thanks to all teams and volunteers for ensuring that the very first MAR competition far exceeded my expectations!
.


agreed!

special thanks to the robot inspector that pointed out that the globe motor we were using was illegal this year, and special thanks to Eric Zygmont for helping us find a suitable replacement!

[Ryan Dognaux]

1640 - I was extremely happy when I saw that you were still sitting there when our second pick came up. Your drive train (and drive team!) are top notch and you guys played the game plan to perfection.


It wasn't obvious to me at the time during the heat of the matches, but after watching the match videos, 1640 did an amazing job of playing defense on the inbounder's return slot. It's a great strategy that I'm sure we'll see more of next week at Chestnut Hill.

[Peter Randall]

What a spectacular kick off for MAR. Frank, Pete, Don, Eric..... Let's do it all again next weekend.

Team 341 and Alan were instrumental in getting Team 1218 off the ground 10 years ago and HH was the first time we have ever been partnered in an FRC event. What a wait and what a reward. Add Team 1640 to the mix with their innovative defense strategy and it was an unbeatable alliance. We couldn't be happier. What an experience. Thank you all so very much.

PGR

[Lil' Lavery]

It wasn't obvious to me at the time during the heat of the matches, but after watching the match videos, 1640 did an amazing job of playing defense on the inbounder's return slot. It's a great strategy that I'm sure we'll see more of next week at Chestnut Hill.

Where those match videos captured by 357? Or has video already been posted online somewhere?

[Jared Russell]

Here is some video of Finals Match 2(b):

http://youtu.be/jldACuLN5i8?t=47m34s

I think the other Finals match (plus the false start) are in there too.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Finals matches -

1) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jldACuLN5i8#t=37m30s
2) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jldACuLN5i8#t=43m00s (ball jam match)
3) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jldACuLN5i8#t=47m35s

[ks_mumupsi]

I am really hoping there is a good video showing how the balls jammed, because I missed it live, was paying too much attention to the opponents scoring.

good matches.

In my last post I forgot to congratulate 1640 on the winning alliance, also 1218 congrats on the chairman's.

We will be looking forward to playing this group in Philly at the champs.

[JB]

I know that I read somewhere that MAR events will not be participating in the net cutting activities. Can anyone who was at Horsham confirm this.

[Jared Russell]

Yes, unfortunately MAR does not have enough nets to spare to allow net cutting at district events. Given the low cost of the nets, I had hoped that MAR would be able to purchase an extra ~20 to allow teams to do this.

EDIT: I have been notified that MAR district winners will be able to cut down nets at future MAR events :)

[ezygmont708]

There will be videos of the matches uploaded to the blue alliance, as soon as we can get through them. With one or two exceptions the entire event was recorded (tape lapses). As soon as we break through the videos they will be uploaded.

Thanks,

Eric

[Ryan Dognaux]

We just captured the video tonight for the 5 ball jam autonomous that occurred last weekend. Check out how it happened here - http://youtu.be/m4Q0DMoOiVc

[spydan]

This year, as well as last year will be broadcasted on HHTV's live stream, follow the link above to get to the webpage.