2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

It's time to get psyched for the MAR Championship April 12-14th at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia! The event details are here.

The final M.A.R. rankings and qualifying teams can be found here. We'll start to see a list of the 54 teams populate in the next few days as teams prepare their payments and register.

I'm looking forward to a high energy event with some great competition. I know our team is also ready for some excitement in Philadelphia!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Has anyone had any luck getting through to an actual person at FIRST finances yet? We called twice and had to leave messages both times. We did state in the messages our preferred payment method, but we do not want to be cut out simply due to bad timing or a lack of communication on our part. We are also currently on spring break so the process is a bit hectic.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

One of our mentors was able to get a hold of someone in FIRST Finance about around 11:15am this morning after we surprisingly received an email saying we were qualified even though we weren't in the top 54. It sounds like things are quite hectic in general with respect to MAR Championship and we wanted to be sure that if the email we received was real that we'd be able to attend.

Just to be sure the FIRST finance number is: 1-800-871-8326 ext. 563

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Yes the same thing just happened with us. We were also very surprised to get an email.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

My theory is that the email accidentally went out to all MAR teams indicating that the team had qualified, but really should have been worded such that it was a deadline reminder email.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Yea, I'm thinking the same thing, especially since nothing is in our TIMS account about the event at all.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

The link for who is attending is broken. The last count I saw yesterday was 35 teams had accepted. Any update?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Use this link: http://frclinks.com/e/pa

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

41 teams now.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...1YVpMQURnY 0E

Green Teams are registered. Last I heard there were at least 4 teams who declined - team 1626 is the first team to register from the "waitlist".

Also moved the columns to show teams who are already registered/qualified for the FIRST Championship. 357 won DC last weekend but doesn't seem to be on the list (yet?). Feel free to edit if I made a mistake with those.

Teams not registered (in point order):

103
1302
834
224
2729
316
555
1811
2191
1228
1143
87
75

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Our team is excited for MAR Championships and ready to go! The kids are CADing up a new bridge arm as well that will hopefully end up on the competition robot in time.

See you all there!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

We're up to 44 now, but moving slowly. They're clearly moving down the list, as 303 registered yesterday from the #58 seed.

Anybody have knowledge about which teams declined so we can cross them off the list?

I added another sheet to the google doc to calculate standings during/after the MAR champs. Does anyone know if the 5 point based spots for world champs can be declined/backfill? In the MAR bylaws it says that the 7 award based slots can only be given to the winner of that award (3x champ, 2x CA, 1x EI, 1x RAS), but nothing about the 5 next highest teams by points. It does mention that if a district winner also wins an award they would add a 6th point based qualifier. Seeing as 5 of the top 9 teams by points are already attending nationals, it would be a shame if those spots couldn't slide down.

The biggest minus of this new setup is that travel costs are going to be insane for teams qualifying next week, if you can even find a flight for 20+ people. I'm hoping that FIRST/Steele Meetings hold some rooms for week 6/7 qualifying teams, but that's probably going to be rough as well.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Agreed. Even if the MAR rules don't do it automatically, if a team qualifies to St. Louis both through MAR due to ranking and outside of MAR, maybe they will voluntarily decline their MAR ranking spot, giving it to the next highest ranked team? ::rtm::

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Well, the declines could be any of the teams on this list posted above(as well as every team not on the list up until 303):

103
1302
224
2729
316
555
1811
2191
1228
1143
87
75
204
1672
1367

I removed 834 from the previously posted list; they're up on the list, as are 1626, who were the first on the "waiting list".

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Part of me says they don't; I don't remember where I read it though. It wasn't explicitly saying that though, IIRC it said something along the likes of, "The 5 point-based spots cannot be passed on to other teams".

EDIT: Nevermind, my thought of that was from reading the part of the MAR by-laws about the 7 award winners...MAR Supplement says nothing about the 5 spots..just that they go to non-award winners...hopefully they'd pass it down the line.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

222 is almost ready....we have a couple things we are working on....hopefully they will be done in time.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

1712 received a call this morning inviting us to the MAR Championship, which means they've either processed through earlier declines or 2 additional teams have declined since 303 accepted.

We're working with FIRST to get everything finalized now, but 1712 is excited to be attending and is looking forward to a great competition.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Well 103 made the decision since January that we would not be going to state championship, so since we were 11th, that left a spot for one team.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Like 103, I speculate that 555 and 1143 (both registered for Worlds) may forgo MAR CMP on their way to CMP.

As for the issue of backfilling, I would recommend reading the 2012 EVENT ELIGIBILITY, REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT over the MAR Supplemental rules over the since they are more up to date (Feb 28 vs Jan 6).

I don't think it is out of the question that MAR could extend the exception to backfill (next team based on pts) for the winning alliance is "already registered or qualify for a spot another way". This could be very important since I can see many plausible winning alliance combinations with 3 teams already registered for Worlds. I don't expect any backfilling for CA and/or EI if already registered teams 2590 or 3142 win them.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Looks like 75, 316, and 1672 were just added, bringing the total to 47 right now, meaning 7 more teams left.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Can anyone get any official response to our 'backfilling' wonders: If a team that is ranked in the top 5 is already qualified for Champs from outside of MAR (HOF, Winner/Chairmans/EI/RAC at a regional, early registration), would the next highest ranked team get to go, and if not automatically, could the already qualified team gracious decline their spot through MAR? ::rtm::

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Up to 50 teams listed now (not counting 1712).

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

You can count us now... up to 51!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

MAR just posted an updated event agenda on its website and on the FIRST event page - see link http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles..._PA_Agenda.pdf

Note that two rounds of qualifying matches will be held on Thursday at 4PM - be ready!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I've been doing some more investigating:

(emphasis mine)
and, So if St. Louis is expecting to accommodate the maximum number of teams, and since FiM skips over those teams (for ranking spots) that are already going to St. Louis, why wouldn't MAR do the same, and also pass over teams ranked in the top 5 that are already eligible? Does anyone have an official answer if they are going to or not? The MAR rules do not seem to have a definite answer, and only states:

It says nothing about teams that qualify for St. Louis through means outside of MAR.

(Just for reference, 5 teams in the top 9 are already going to St. Louis, three of which are in the top 5)

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I was thinking of doing something that could be fun and wanted to gauge people's interest.

What would people think of using #MARChamps to interact with people at the event and the volunteers that are on twitter? I think it would be a neat idea, that way the people also watching at home on the webcast can interact with us at the event.

What does everyone think?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Does anyone see/know of any benefit to the Wednesday evening load-in versus waiting until Thursday morning?

Also, any idea why the 45 minutes Thursday morning are still reserved like that? It used to be for uncrating, but now that everyone's just opening a bag it seems that time could theoretically be given back to the teams.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

If I had to guess this is mainly for logistics purposes. The more you can split teams up trying to load in, the less congestion and confusion there should be both on the loading dock and the pits. I would imagine there will be a split with the teams closer to the Philadelphia area electing to load in Wednesday night and teams traveling a larger distance loading in Thursday morning. There is probably a volunteer benefit as well with needing less people there Wednesday night.

As for the dedicated 45 minutes, in addition to the logistics benefits of keeping the pits as clear as possible, this doesn't give a team that unloaded Wednesday night 45 minutes of extra time Thursday morning (although not that much in the FIRST world) that a team loading in Thursday would not have.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

That all makes sense, thanks. So most of the teams that live over, say, an hour away will be checking in and unloading during the 45 minutes before the pits open on Thursday? Yikes. We may want to do it Wednesday after all...

Sounds good to me.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Would you want #MARChamps or #FRCMARCh? Since I'm mostly a techno-Luddite, I won't be twittererererering, but I think it's a neat idea, too. Anything to get the messaage of FIRST spread further.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

FIRST team 433 is excited to be attending MAR Champs and would like to officially invite all MAR teams (attending champs or not) to our annual Firebirds Fiesta. The fiesta is on Friday, April 13th from 7-10 at our school, which is about 30 minutes away from the event (Mount Saint Joseph Academy- 120 W. Wissahickon Avenue Flourtown, PA 19031). It's free and we'll have lots of food and a DJ (and a place for mentors to relax and socialize), so we hope to see you all there! Can't wait to see you all at the competition!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

The official FIRST Hashtag for MAR Championships is #FRCPA. It is used by the FMS system to report the score and by various aggregators used around the community. The point of hashtags is to organize conversations about the same subject (and track trending) so it is important unite around a single one. The PA regional code is a legacy that doesn't make much sense in its new role, similar to the GL code for FiM Championship. No slight is meant to my friends in NJ and DE, the code is just there for continuity.

Just a note: the FiM rules still prevent them from backfilling for already registered winners of the Region CA, EI and RAS awards. They can only backfill the Champion Alliance.

Also, I have heard nothing new to answer the Worlds qualified outside of MAR question, sorry.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

The only downside to using #frcpa is that you'll be pulling down the hundred+ FMS results that would drown out the actual tweets. The Connecticut regional piggybacked on the #omgrobots hashtag and used #omgct (or ctr, can't remember), which would be a nice way to have a standardized format for every regional while not having to sift through FMS results (omg + regional code). Still very cryptic given the somewhat random codes given to many of the regional/district event.

Rutgers got the "nj" suffix, and they already used "phl" for the chestnut hill competition, which is in greater philadelphia I suppose.

Still at 51 teams, don't know if FIRST works on the weekends, but hopefully we'll have a finalized list soon.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I have to agree with scottandme. The #FRCPA hashtag would be bad to use for non-scoring purposes. The only thing the scoring system hashtags should be used for, especially on a competition weekend, is scoring system notifications, if for no other reason than to prevent FRCSpyder and other apps from having to filter out all of the spam to get the scores.

Can you imagine what the Liacouras Center would be like if Spyder crashed? :ahh:

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Perhaps, we should promote a hashtag for all of MAR (not just this event) to use in the future. It could become well known around FIRST and used for all MAR events. My suggestion is #MARobots (#MARobo, #MARFIRST, or#omgmar could be good, too). In order, to promote the new tag (whatever that is) to a larger audience, #omgrobots should be included in most tweets (the 2 championships are the only events next week anyway). #FRC(+ Regional Code) and #omgrobots are probably the only well known tags (internationally) in FIRST.

Maybe LibbyK can help originate a new tag for MAR. She is coming to MAR champ and didn't she originate #omgrobots?

Since Rutgers was the site of the NJ regional before 2004, I think that is why it got the NJ legacy tag. The standard format for new regional codes seems to be 2 letter postal code for state (or province) + first letter of town: (not that eveyone follows it)
NJF - New Jersey Flanders
OHC - OHio Cincinnati

Many of the FiM codes are based off of Michigan counties or their 3 legacy regionals (GL MI DT). Gull Lake district (MIGL) is the only 4 letter code. It is in Kalamazoo County so I guess they passed on KZOO :D

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

The funny thing about OHC tag is that it could either apply to OHio Cleveland or OHio Cincinnati. For that matter, it could also apply to OHio Columbus!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Even more confusing:
The 3 Washington events (all "S" towns) and the DC regional:
wa Seattle Olympic
wa2 Seattle Cascade
was Spokane (Cheney, WA)
dc Washington DC

Also, numbers are used differentiate events in the same general area. Most places use '2' for the second one but Oakland County Michigan uses '1' (prob better way for engineer/programmer to count 0,1...) :
oc Troy FiM
oc1 Waterford FiM

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

@Brian Lucas - did you receive and email regarding the change to judging for Rookie All Star? (assuming you are one of the contacts for 4342)

Our team was extremely disappointed in the change presented to us.

I feel that this is extremely unfair to the students who, at district events, put in countless hours preparing materials for the judges to take into consideration only to have none of the same materials taken into consideration at the MAR Championship. It creates, in my opinion, a different judging criteria than it did for our district event. What do other people feel about this?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Dan (4342 leader) hasn't forwarded it yet, so it is news to me.

In my opinion, the no pit interviews is an attempt to even the playing field for the EI & RAS teams that did not qualify for MAR Championship. Only 3 of MAR 10 rookies qualified for Championship, 4342, 3926 and 3974 (Double Rookie Inspiration winner). I always thought the robot was a part of the judging for the RAS at most events but I guess not.

The prepared material restriction is a little bit confusing to me, especially for EI. Are the students expected to give a speech or just answer questions? If it is a speech, it is customary to prepare for it. Also, all rookies are encouraged to create a Chairman's style essay.

I was never directly involved in the MOE's Chairman's Award Judging process, but I tried to give 4342 the best second hand advice I could. I guess writing their story will just have to be a good experience, rather than a handout.

Anyone from FiM care to share their judging process for EI and RAS?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I like #omgMAR. It fits with the #omgrobots, #omgiri, #omgcmp, etc. tags.

Off-topic, but DC makes sense to me. No one from around here really calls it "Washington." Most just say "DC" or "the District," unless they actually work for the government (a lot of my friends are congressional interns), in which case they will say they intern "on the hill." For the greater Washington, DC metro area, everyone says "DMV" for DC-Maryland-Virginia.

And now back to robots with you all...

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Can someone post the link for where the event will be wecast? Ive looked and cant find it.

Sorry if I missed it. Im on my phone.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

In an e-mail sent out last Thursday, MAR was still looking for a team to volunteer to webcast the event. I'm not sure if anything has happened since then.

I'll be attending the event Friday and Saturday, so I hope there's a webcast so I can watch Thursday night's matches!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Team 869 would like to announce that we will be providing the webcast for the 2012 MAR Championship! We just talked with the even coordinator today and are in the process of setting up the link! I should be posting a link within the next two days. Good Luck to everyone and see you all at the competition!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Great job on the direct quote from the game animation

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I say that all the time to alliances after we work out a strategy. Unfortunately, most dont get it.

Amateurs...

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Looks like 3515 added, 2 left to go. They were the 63th ranked team so perhaps none of the teams above them will attend?
[EDIT] I guess they will. 1811 (38th) just added, 1 left [/EDIT]

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=The Lucas;1154582]Like 103, I speculate that 555 and 1143 (both registered for Worlds) may forgo MAR CMP on their way to CMP.

103 is not attending MAR State Champs simply because we don't need to qualify again for worlds, thus we thought let another team have a shot at getting there, why do we need to qualify again?

I'm just saying and maybe we will go next year, idk because we did not know what this district model was going to entail, but that's just the story for this year. Just thought I would share.

Cass

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

You flatter me. Jess Boucher originated #omgrobots.

#MARFIRST makes sense to me? Or #omgMAR ... .

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I'm thinking #marfirst would be a good one. All in favor?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I second #marfirst

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Sounds good to me. #MARFIRST for all MAR tweets. Maybe toss in #omgrobots for good measure.

So that was Jess, huh. That makes sense, too.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

#omgMidAtlanticRoboticsRegionalFRCChampionshipEven t2012ReboundRumbleGoDawgma

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Sounds perfect.... :p

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=Dancin103;1155981]I applaud this :D
I wonder why teams like 341 still register in spite of this. They already won the Boston regional.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=dellagd;1156054]Because it's their money and they want to use it to play more matches... I'm glad they are going since I'm staying with one of their mentors.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

change godawgma to gomoooooooose and i'll be happy. :-P

#marfirst is more "professional" than #omgmar

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Because 341 would be oh so far away if they weren't going? ;)

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Because any kids, including yours, that worked their tails off building a machine for 6 weeks in a high school wood shop, should have the right to compete against the best teams in MAR, if they have earned that right. We did not invent the MAR qualifying system, we are only living in it just like you.

Additionally, Several people proposed that all MAR CCA teams should not even be a part of the head-count for MAR qualifying teams, since 365, 103, and 341 qualify each year already. But that proposal was not accepted. That being said, all students in MAR have the right to play every match that they possibly can, including the MAR Championship.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Well, I probably wouldn't park the car that I sleep in so close to Temple if we weren't attending. ::safety::

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

The 2012 MAR Regional Championship will be on webcast at the following link:

http://www.powercord869.com/webcast/

If anyone has any questions please feel free to PM me. Everything should be up and running for the Thursday matches.

"Good Luck to everyone and see you all at the competition!"

(Now I'm knowingly quoting the game animation) haha :cool:

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

There are plenty of teams already registered for the Championship that are competing at the MAR CMP - 222, 341 (HOF), 365 (HOF), 714, 816 , 1403, 1647, 2590 (Winner MTL), 3142.

All of those teams have earned a spot at the MAR Championship and have a right to play should they chose to. It's not about a Championship spot for many teams but just continuing to see returns on a season's worth of hard work.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

357 is eligible as well.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I omitted them from my previous list since they are not currently registered for the Championship event even though they qualified at DC in week 4....

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Seriously? You're questioning why a team wants to play in their region's championship event? This is a competition you know.

357 is looking forward to playing with all of the great teams from the MAR district events, especially some of the NJ teams we haven't seen yet. We will not be attending the Championship event, so this is it for us this year. Good luck to all the teams competing!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Sorry to see you guys won't make it to Champs. You were a great team to play with, and ultimately compete against in DC. Best of luck at MAR!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I wouldn't call it much of a championship if all the pre-qualifying and pre-registered CMP teams were not in attendance. Everyone wants the glory of victory from playing with and against teams like 365 and 341.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I totally agree, going up against the best of the best is kind of the point of a championship. That makes a winning competition that much more of a success! Also, on the other side, its awesome to have the opportunity to work with such high caliber teams!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Even though 222 was already attending Championships in St. Louis we decided to attend the MAR Championship for several reasons.

#1 We earned the spot
#2 Extra experience for the team.
#3 The kids worked hard to get here.
#4 We we able to acquire the funding from various sources... :D
#5 We have a few tricks up our sleeves which need to be competition tested...

See you Thursday. Were leaving at 4am. :eek:

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Perhaps the MAR group should look towards giving a free registration to the MAR Championship to the winners of the Qualifier tournaments. That way there is little excuse for the best of the qualifiers not attending.

I may be wrong but in HS athletics the winners of the sectional tournaments don't need to come up with additional money to play in the state championship. If we really want to put FIRST in every school like an athletic team this additional need for money needs to be addressed

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=dellagd;1156054]Would you propose that teams already qualified for championships forgo all of their events except championships to give other teams a better chance of qualifying because IMO you are asking the same thing by suggesting teams qualified for championships not attend MAR championships.

Agreed and while these are all valid reasons for competing at MAR championships I think the reasons for teams already qualified for worlds competing go beyond the personal interests of the team. FIRST is about inspiring other people in and out of FIRST and recognizing and celebrating amazing robots and I think all teams do this especially successful teams like chairman’s award winners and perennial powerhouses. I also think that it is important to make MAR championships as competitive as possible with the hope of inspiring people to start more teams and bring a stronger culture of FIRST to our region. Look at Michigan, the most successful region in FIRST with the most competitive event aside from championships every year in MSC. Furthermore Michigan has had significant growth since going with a district system and some teams that don't even qualify for MSC are still involved with the championship event in some manner. If teams already qualified for championships did not go to MAR championships the quality of the competition would go down and the competition might not attract as much attention. (I'm guessing on these next statements) I think that having experienced and successful teams at competitions gives younger and less successful teams a benchmark to strive for and inspires them rather than suppress them and not having MAR's three CCA's at MAR championships would be a real detriment to the whole event. For these reasons I was personally disappointed when 103 decided not to attend MAR championships although I understand and respect their decision. I wish them the best of luck and hope to see them at championships because they have an amazing robot and I was looking forward to playing with and against them again.

Also I'm excited to see what improvements you have made to an already amazing robot, 222 will certainly be a force at MAR championships.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=JR.;1156315]Well put Carol, I never really thought of it that way. Now that we have seen the district model play out, almost fully, we will be assessing every aspect for next year! :)

Cassie

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Gogo broken quote chain!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

And I caught that as well. Who know's what happened. Lol I tried to fix it, but I only successfully change the name to Carol's. I've been missed quoted above.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

With the qualification matches on Thursday, my question is will judges be making official rounds/interviews at all on Thursday?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Qualification matches start on Thursday?!?! What time?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

http://www.midatlanticrobotics.com/2...p-team-agenda/

4:00 PM

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

4-6 PM. My guess about 2 matches per team. A nice little bonus if you ask me.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Oh sweet deal! I must have looked right over that!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

[quote=dellagd;1156054]Last time I checked, this event is called "Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship" not the "Mid-Atlantic Region Qualifying Event". This is about the best MAR teams competing for the first ever MAR championship. It is an honor to qualify and compete in this special event. Sure, the top performers will earn CMP qualification spots awarded, but that is far from the main purpose of the event.

Those that are looking at MAR champs as simply a qualifier of CMP are underestimating what is in front of them. Every team at MAR champ has elimination experience, making the 12 qualifying matches more like a 3 day elimination tournament. Outside of FiM, teams have never seen anything like this (except for the few teams in the region that have make the pilgrimage to IRI). My most mind blowing observation when I started watching the Michigan State Championship, is that quality of play in the qualifications is clearly better than division qualifications (many "reasonably astute observers" would agree). Sure the division will produce a better elim field of 24, but during the quals those 24 are spread out among the a huge division (now more than 100 teams).

MAR is about half the size of FiM, but I still expect consistent quality from the teams and highly competitive qualification matches. The teams are familiar with each other, so strategies and counter-strategies will have more opportunity to develop. I also expect a stronger 24 team elim field than any of the regionals, many of which had more than 54 teams.

I wish 103, 555 1143 & all the other qualified teams could attend, but understand that they cannot. As great as this event will be, we will always know it would have been even better with them. I hope the scheduler gives my teams (365 & 4342) matches with/against all the teams we haven't had a match with this year (somehow at 37 team Chestnut Hill, 365 & 341 were never in the same match). This should be a fun new experience for all teams.

The messed up quote names are pretty funny. I made it a point to multi quote so I could see what names show up, but they were correct.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Thanks for providing the webcast for all us poor souls who won't be able to make it! :)

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Perhaps they are showing their unwavering support for MAR in its first year. Not everyone in the area fully supports MAR, and by attending they are sending a clear message that they do.
I know of at least one excellent team not attending Philly because of lack of funding, so this suggestion has real merit. I will be sure to bring this to the MAR Board; I urge others to do so as well - they'll all be in Philly.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

looking forward to the MAR championship. it's gonna be tough going up against other good teams. hopefully 365 and 341 get in a match together!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

There are grants available from MAR to help teams pay for the MAR Championships. Many teams have already taken advantage of this.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

If people need things this weekend at the MAR regional. my house is 10 minutes from the event and 3929's shop is 15 minutes away.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

So I guess this will be a 53 team competition, then?

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

53 teams doesn't work well with scheduling unless each team plays 12 matches and I don't believe that will be the case...106 qualification matches!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

At the local kickoffs, MAR teams were promised 12 qualification matches per event and I don't think that number is going to change for the state championship. The goal for Thursday is to get two complete rounds finished, leaving 10 matches per team to be played between Friday and Saturday, which is definitely feasible.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Similar to what I did in previous years, I ran through 200 simulated qualification match schedules (with 12 matches per team, using the FIRST match generator). I used each team's highest adjusted opr at any event for their contribution to a match, based on Ed Law's data. I calculated the results for each of the 200 simulated qualification schedules, and then looked at some statistics from the aggregate results.

Since the standings are much more complicated this year, I did not try to calculate the standings. This is only the contribution of w-l-t to the qualification score (eg 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, no points for a loss).

Everyone should attend Karthik's presentation where he covers "Why 'OPR' is a flawed indicator in Rebound Rumble".

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

You know it is a big event when Joe simulates it for you before the event :D
It is interesting as always, thanks Joe.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

I would settle for free parking...

http://www.midatlanticrobotics.com/u...e-2012-mar-rc/

$14 a day :mad:

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

That's cheap by NYC standards, a total of $42 for the weekend.
Now you know why I am taking the bus with the team. At 5 am. ugh.

But excitement is building rapidly. Can't wait much longer!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

There will also be cheaper, $6 parking available a couple blocks away: http://www.midatlanticrobotics.com/r...-parking-lots/

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

One of the few times I love SEPTA.

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Agreed... I'll be taking the R6 (Manayunk/Norristown) line in.

On that note.. just got back from load-in. Half or more of the teams are loaded in and ready to go tomorrow morning!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Haha, definitely agree with this.


I'll be there on Saturday since my boss won't let me off work :P We will be a down a few mentors but I think the kids will be on top of their game (hopefully) :rolleyes:

Good luck tomorrow everyone!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

This should be a very good competition. I'm excited to see all the improvements teams made and compete against them!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

222 departs in 5 hours!

See you all there!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Unfortunately I'll have to miss tomorrow, but I will be there for Friday and Saturday. Can't wait to see you all!

Re: 2012 Mid-Atlantic Robotics FRC Region Championship
 

Good luck to the MAR Championship teams this weekend. The focus of the FIRSTiverse will be focused on you and Michigan.

A special bout of good luck to team 11 and their bid at some MAR Chairman's hardware.

-Brando