Re: What it takes to Host a Offseason
 

It's definately possible to run an event with a much more makeshift setup. My team went to an event recently that was a lot of fun, but wasn't in any way an IRI competitor.

It really depends on how seriously you want everyone to take it. If people aren't super-serious you can run with no FMS and let each team have their own router. Keeping all of the scores by hand also works just fine if people aren't clammoring to see the full standings after each match. A fancy sound system is nice but really not necessary.

Also, as far as a field, there are a lot of corners that can be cut without a big effect on gameplay:
1) You can make one of the sidewalls literally a wall. This was actually bad for my team because we have things up high that expand outside of our frame perimiter that don't like being hit, but it didn't end up being a problem.
2) You can use stuff like this:

for a sidewall, without issue.
3) The plexi and diamond plate in a field can be done away with and replaced with either plywood or chicken wire.
4) You're just as good with no live scoring as with innaccurate live scoring (hello, Galileo field)
5) A big video screen showing stuff in isn't needed when the worst seat in the grandstands is only 20 ft away from the field.

Also, there are seemingly random venues that work to run this game in. For example, being in a chicken barn at a county fairground meant that the rafters were only 12' up, and could be used for mounting nets. It was also large enough that it housed the fields and pits and was half-empty.

Doing all this will definetely give the event a different vibe from a regional, but that doesn't mean it won't be fun.

Re: What it takes to Host a Offseason
 

Before you get to the stuff that plugs in and lights up, you should be nailing down the following:

1. Determine the Mission of the Event
Putting on an event can be a lot of work. Why are you holding the event? To give a special opportunity to area teams? To have an event which attracts competitive teams from other areas? To fulfill grant obligations? To provide a combination of a teaching/learning experience for novice teams, as well as a competition? Will you also be featuring other robotics programs like FTC or FLL or VRC? Will you be tying into any charity or local community cause? Decide up front the reasons why you are holding the event and write this down.

Then move on to Steps 1 & 2 in the most excellent IRI guide.

Re: What it takes to Host a Offseason
 

I remember seeing several reference documents that claim that "it takes a team of X people Y hours to assemble the FRC playing field". I can't find these at the moment... can someone point me to where I might have seen this?