Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

Apparently this is where this reply should have gone, I'll just copy/paste:

Well I can't say I'm super happy with this idea.

I feel like FTC always seems to take a backseat because everyone just sees it as "FRC lite". Moving it to a whole other building, and out of the dome, will really take something away from the experience I think. And as much as I love FTC, I feel it already leaves something to be desired in the "inspiration" category.

It kind of feels like the other programs have been "downgraded".

Though maybe that's a little hasty of me.

If the new venue makes space for more FTC divisions and teams, that's good. But I still feel like FTC doesn't get quite the recognition it deserves.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

I certainly feel the same way about how FTC is undervalued/not recognized like FRC is.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

I was on FTC in the fall too (7641 M-SET Betta Fish) and I do believe that the FTC teams would appreciate the increase in size at championships. Only a very, very small fraction of teams get to compete.

Props to FIRST for organizing an event of that size next year.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

People have noticed issues with the venue getting cramped. FRC brings the eye candy and gets a higher percentage of slots. FTC and FLL invited to CMP/teams registered is so painfully, criminally low. You give fewer opportunities for teams to attend an event like worlds and they can't be postiviely affected by the event. I'm exited to try something new.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

We had thought it would be awesome to see 8 divisions of 75 teams. 75 teams x 12 matches per team = 900 team/matches divided by 6 teams per match = an even 150 matches per field. No more unwieldy extra matches for some teams or a couple teams not getting the same as most other teams.

150 matches per field can be done over Thursday and Friday.
The winning alliances from all 8 fields move on Saturday for an Elite Eight type setup.

Field names?
1. Archimedes
2. Curie
3. Newton
4. Galileo
5. proposed - Pythagoras
6. proposed - Hubble
7. proposed - Euclid
8. proposed - Kepler

Any other suggestions?

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

(Note: at this time I have not taken the time to read this entire thread... I shall do that later. Her are my thoughts anyway.)

My first thought is that I don't particularly like the idea of splitting up the programs. Being in the same venue makes it very easy to go over to the other programs and check them out. In different venues, I expect to see a lot less mingling of programs. I don't like that thought.

However, I cannot agree more with the thoughts about quantity of teams in the non-FRC programs. Being in other venues will allow those programs to grow their Championship presence.

I'm not sure what will happen with FRC in regards to size. Surely there appears to be reason for more teams to go, but will it be six divisions? Eight? Will there be fewer teams in each division? I am uncertain.

Whatever the outcome, this is exciting.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

In terms of "mingling," what if all three events had their final take place on Einstien? FLL already does, they set up FLL fields on a bare FRC field Thursday and friday. Do qualifications/judging at the hotel, then come to the Dome Friday afternoon for the finals. FTC, same thing, quickly set up two fields on Einstien Friday night, bring all FTC teams into the dome Saturday morning, hold the eliminations and award ceremony. Spectators from FLL and FTC would come to the dome for the finals, and have plenty of time to do all the "mingling" they can, and hopefully stick around for the FRC elimination tournament. Meanwhile, the best teams from FLL and FTC would be brought onto the world's biggest robot stage.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

Yep. I think they're going 8.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

Booking hotels now for 2015</sarcasm>

But really, where are 600 teams supposed to stay? We're in Collinsville, IL right now, a good 20 minutes from the venue, and the manager told me hotels out here are completely booked with robotics teams. They don't have anywhere to put their business travelers.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

This actually worries me most of all, and it's not just the 200 more FRC teams. Everyone in this thread seems to agree that the FLL and FTC championships are going to see some significant growth.

With 200 FRC + 200-300 (?) more FLL/FTC teams...?

- Sunny G.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

Ouch! I'm sure there are many teams out there that feel they deserve to be here this year and didn't make the cut for whatever reason. We plan to attend every year, whether we compete or not. This year we had a good robot and made it to the elim rounds at two regionals and didn't get to compete in St. Louis. We came down with 28 students and four mentors anyway to volunteer and support teams. In my humble opinion, this experience is rewarding on so many levels both on and off the field. Why would we want to limit the number of teams and, far more important, students who are impacted so positively by this event?

It seems we sometime lose focus of the "I" in FIRST. I am all about inspiring my students and helping them to find their passions. You don't accomplish that by limiting their opportunities. I'm excited to hear that FIRST is expanding the number of teams and students impacted by the championship!

Way to go FIRST!!

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

That *is* an interesting logistical problem. CMP is now growing to the point where not only is there only a handful of venues capable of hosting, but only a handful of cities that can even support the influx of visitors that CMP brings.

Long-term? I still think a move back to Orlando (and the OCCC) is the only real option. Orlando would certainly have the hotel density to support us.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

The airport is also worth some concern. Flights were much more expensive and harder to come by this year. Large increase in the amount of people coming in to town? Yikes! Lambert is not very big.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

Everybody's talking about a lot more divisions (eight even!), but I don't see it.

I mean, moving the other programs out only frees up space for one more field (where the FTC fields are). So where are the other three new divisions going to go?

The new division, plus more practice fields will probably fill up the newly freed pit space.

Re: New Championship Layout 2015
 

one option could be two fields per division, side by side. some volunteers move back and forth between the fields, others are set to one of them - that way you don't need 2x the volunteers - maybe 1.5x. More matches, faster cycle times, faster pace for the crowd. almost no down time.