Chief Delphi - FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

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Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger (Post 1287395)

Field can be installed starting at the closing bell, including laying down the floor protection sheets, and still be done by evening. Well, except for those durn electronics boxes. :) Did that for Mainely SPIRIT.

Speaking of which (in a very round-about way), do the District teams (specifically the NE district) get to go in the night before to unpack/get inspected? Or is first morning a mad house adventure? How are the existing districts schedules set up, and what can we look forward to?

Let's say a district is a Saturday Sunday. Friday afternoon, pit setup and loadin,as well us unbagging and inspection is allowed. The field is set up during the day on Friday. Also,depending on the progress of field setup,there could be filler line practice matches on Friday. Sometimes they do practice matches Saturday morning,but usually by 10 or 9:30 opening ceremonies and real matches will begin.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor (Post 1287383)

*some say anything south of I-80 is Southern Illinois

Not as bad as New York, where anything north of the city is considered "Upstate".

If it is held in Champaign, there's always the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Yum!

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1287298)

Good to see that out-of-normal-area teams can opt into the district system.

If this is the case in some regions but not others, I think that's absolutely outrageous. We're looking to spend more money and travel more in a year because FIRST said we couldn't join the district members of our area have competed in for over two decades, but there are different rules for PNW?

What I think is more likely, sadly, is that local organizers are pushing for this rule but haven't heard a rejection of the idea from FIRST yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by safiq10 (Post 1287301)

I say the most interesting event is going to be the FIRST TECH VALLEY its a mini CMP. You got the best from the Palmetto, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, and Hub city. its the battle of the cardinal directions

I'm definitely super excited for a strong small regional to develop not two blocks from my house. :D I've heard of interest from Palmetto and Pittsburgh teams, as well as a small number looking to come from MAR or FINE. I hope they all have a chance to come, but I'm curious - who's coming from Wisconsin? I'd be thrilled to see a Wisconsin team all the way out here, but it's quite the drive (easily 12 hours minimum) so I don't have great expectations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregor (Post 1287316)

Why would people want to make the treck to northern New York?;)

It's not really "northern" New York - it's kinda more like east central NY, but it is "upstate" in that it's not part of the NYC metropolitan area I guess.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by omsahmad (Post 1287264)

Definatly enough teams now. Teams from Idaho and Montana can also take part if they want.

Would teams from Alberta be able to opt in? Right now with PNW going to districts, it's quite the trek for an Alberta team to find a second regional. (Even the PNW events are pretty far.)

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Thanks DevenStonow. I figured there had to be some practice time. I guess we have to plan on being there the evening/night before, but at leave after school ends for the day to make the school happy. Which is okay; most of the locations are within an hour, and, except for Lewiston, within two hours. Doesn't make the choices any easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmusa

Not as bad as New York, where anything north of the city is considered "Upstate".

Yonkers is upstate! Come to think of it, so is the Bronx. ;)

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

same for Teams from Bangor and points Downeast in Maine.....

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

To clarify some earlier discussion in this thread - today's blog confirms that no teams located outside of a district will be able to "opt-in" to any district. Not unexpected, but this clears up some of the confusion with the PNW region.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris is me (Post 1287432)

While this isn't good news for teams like 2791/20, by any means, I'm glad that FIRST is at least keeping a standard to stick to. If one area's teams can't opt-in, another area's teams can't either.

I'm excited to see the first (I think it's the first) mention of inter-district play for 2015. That is something we are all looking forward to!

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris is me (Post 1287432)

I hope First will be open to revisiting this matter in the future. The intermountain teams now have very limited options for participating in regional competitions. As of this blog post, Utah is our closest regional venue at 340 miles, followed by Sacramento (554), Denver (813) and Calgary (956). Having previously competed in Portland (431), Seattle (504) and Spokane/Cheney (414) 2122 is not averse to traveling. If the district model is the future of First, with California likely to follow soon, I wonder where that will leave teams from Alberta, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah?

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmusa (Post 1287400)

If it is held in Champaign, there's always the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Yum!

I just had dinner there last night!

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence (Post 1287262)

Pacific Northwest district? Interesting. Seems like it's only Oregon + Washington, though I wouldn't think there is enough team density in those areas to get a district to themselves.

Washington and Oregon had 156 active teams in 2013 and is projecting growth to 185-200 teams in the 2014 season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sst.thad (Post 1287273)

Also even if I took away my bias from living in portland im glad the championship is here. Ive been to many of the venues that have held NW events over the years, and i've always felt the Coliseum was a better venue in terms of both seating and pit locations and mappings.

I may not be the farthest team from the Coliseum, but it's still a drive. Even so, I couldn't think of a better venue to host it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khanh111 (Post 1287295)

PNW will many more tough teams from now on. 1983 won't be alone in the top rankings at World!

After simulating the district rankings for this year, It certainly is apparent that there are many teams who would be strong competitors at champs. I'm really excited to see how PNW Champs play out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by omsahmad (Post 1287329)

But you're right, Idaho has some top notch teams too. Team Tators (2122) and Alpha+ (2130) for example always perform outstandingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karthik (Post 1287410)

Would teams from Alberta be able to opt in? Right now with PNW going to districts, it's quite the trek for an Alberta team to find a second regional. (Even the PNW events are pretty far.)

It is a bit of a bummer, I’m definitely going to miss 2122 and 2130. I also really enjoyed getting to meet 4334 in Seattle this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris is me (Post 1287402)

If this is the case in some regions but not others, I think that's absolutely outrageous. We're looking to spend more money and travel more in a year because FIRST said we couldn't join the district members of our area have competed in for over two decades, but there are different rules for PNW?
What I think is more likely, sadly, is that local organizers are pushing for this rule but haven't heard a rejection of the idea from FIRST yet.

So you would have wished that others couldn't have the opportunity, just because you weren't able to...?

I understand where FIRST is coming from, but I especially feel bad for our close friends in Idaho. I hope that FIRST is able to come up with a solution to district borders soon, seeing how restrictive it is becoming.

On a less discouraging note, I am super excited to see several new events pop up in close proximity to my house! It's astounding to think how fast Washington (and Oregon) have grown!

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navid Shafa (Post 1287454)

So you would have wished that others couldn't have the opportunity, just because you weren't able to...?

Not exactly - if one region allowed it I would be petitioning FIRST to make the rules consistent across all regions. I wouldn't want to actively deny anyone something they had just because my team doesn't have that opportunity. I also doubted that special permission for particular teams was going to happen at all based on statements from and about FIRST HQ's position on the matter.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris is me (Post 1287455)

I am all for the unification of district policy and play, I was just hoping that PNW FIRST might be able to make changes for the better, even if it was unlikely FIRST HQ would approve.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris is me (Post 1287455)

Then that reasoning could be used for every team not in a District System. Why do some teams get a district advantage and others don't?

This is a devil's advocate post not a literal gripe post.

Re: FRC Blogged-Something New--Early Release of Event Dates

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodar (Post 1287457)

Then that reasoning could be used for every team not in a District System. Why do some teams get a district advantage and others don't?

This is a devil's advocate post not a literal gripe post.

...because sometimes life's not fair. Frank blogged that they would have a solution to this for 2015. As irritating as it may be for some teams, this upcoming season will be the last time it's an issue. These last few transition years have been tricky in several ways with FIRST making gradual changes each year towards the district system. Thankfully, these changes will make FIRST far more stable and cost efficient as it continues to grow.