Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

If FIRST can try something new all season long, so can we!


The CRC is a series of off-season events along the east coast for teams participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition. These independently-run events are played with the 2014 robots, field, and rules to give teams practice, a second chance at competition, or just more fun!

With the rise of events from Maine to Florida, it’s time to find out who’s the strongest even when the pressure of regional and district events is off! Teams will earn points based off their performance at the first two participating off-season events they attend, using a lightly-modified version of the FIRST district points structure.

CRC Events for the 2014 season currently include:

• Monty Madness (May 17, Skillman NJ, MontyMadness.com)
• WVROX (August 1-2, Morgantown WV, marsfirst.org)
• Rumble in the Roads (October 11?, Newport News VA)
• IROC (Haymarket VA, http://www.irocoffseason.org)
• SCRIW (October 11, Chapin SC, SCRIW.org)
• THOR (November 1, Reidsville NC, ncthor.org)

(Many more events have expressed interest in the idea, but I'm waiting for final confirmation that they're in for this scoring and the reporting element we need to compute points. Running an event and want in? PM or email me.)

Points
Teams will earn points at the first two (and only two) participating off-season events they participate in. Pre-rookie and "B" entries may earn points, but we underscore the need for teams fielding these robots to bring their Gracious Professionalism. Points will be awarded as follows:

Qualification Rounds Win-Loss-Tie: Points will vary based on the number of regularly scheduled qualification matches at the event, but an undefeated run in qualifying will equal 24 points.

Teams do not earn points for matches played as a surrogate or when a red card is received.

Alliance Selection Results: Alliance captains earn 17 points minus the alliance captain number. (Alliance Captain 3 earns 14 points.) Teams that accept an alliance invitation receive 17 points minus the number in the order they accepted. (For example, the 5th to accept an alliance invitation receives 12 points.)

In the event an event uses four-team alliances as seen at Championship, the third selection will receive equal points to the second selection.

Elimination Round Performance: 5 points for every match won, only for the Alliance that wins the series. If an alliance receives a bye due to an uneven number of teams, they are awarded 10 points. If quarterfinal rounds are not played, no points are awarded for quarterfinals wins. Rounds below the quarterfinals are not scored.

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We know teams attend off-seasons for a variety of reasons, and we know teams host them for just as many reasons. Our goal is to make these events a little bit louder as a group, and hopefully grow their adoption along the entire east coast. We hope to see you at a couple of these events this year!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

This form of competition sounds like its really going to be good! I'd love to see some down here in Florida so that my teams can get the drive practice (drivers graduated 2014) in a highly competitive arena.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The Panther Prowl had voiced interest, so I'm sure you're going to get your chance.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Love the idea. I hope the Ruckus joins! How are the points managed if a team only goes to one event and other teams go to multiple?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

In order to qualify for the Championship you must attend 2 events. We understand that this is difficult for some teams, especially further south where the events are more spread out, but the goal is to encourage teams to attend at least 2 events.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

MidKnight Mayhem would be willing to go in for this! Let me know how.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

One of the motivating forces behind this idea is encouraging teams to attend multiple off season events. The THOR committee is still hashing out details, but we are considering offering a "second event" registration discount to make it easier on the budget for teams attending more than one.

As a "shameless plug" for our event I will say that Reidsville is typically beautiful at this time of year - and our community offers many affordable options for meals and rooms. Plus we've got some other tricks up our sleeves to make this event a special occasion. Look for details soon!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Billfred:
Ramp Riot is considering joining CRC. However we do have two questions.

1- Will the 24 point basis be extended to competitions that hold (5) matches?
Ramp Riot has always been 5 matches and I don't see that changing.

2- We have been conducting (4) Team alliances in eliminations for the past (5) years. (similar to 2014 champs) We plan to keep this format.
Will you consider modifying the point system to allow for the 4th partner of an alliance?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Yep, we will.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Will events have to play under consistent rules? I know some offseason events make changes to FRC rules on occasion...

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The plan is to keep all of the events as close as possible in rule sets, but minor changes may be implemented in some events.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Where would the Championship event be held at?

Don't forget we have the "Battle of Baltimore" folks in Maryland
and "Iroc" in Northern Virginia which team 1885 holds....those two
might be interested in joining this.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

There wouldn't be a championship event, just a crowning of a winner based on the 2 events the participants competed at.

Also, we have absolutely not forgotten the Battle O' Baltimore or the IROC, we're just waiting on final confirmation from their event organizers on their participation.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Any word from Duel on the Delaware?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The Duel organizers are aware of this initiative, as are most of the 23 offseason tournaments on the east coast, in every state from Maine to Florida. I suggest that if you plan to compete at one of these events this year and you want your team's results to be counted as part of the championship series, contact the event organizers and tell them that you'd like to participate!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Is there any reason an off season event has to opt-in to count for points? If they're all about the same can't you just score any team that goes to any conventional off season?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Minimum/maximum matches played, number of teams at an event, how that number of teams affects alliance selections and elimination play, and the most bovious are scoring changes. I'm sure there is an acceptable range of variation allowed, they just need to make sure that range is intact.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

We left it up for event organizers to decide. Some events decided that they did not want to add the extra competitive goal to their event and wanted to keep a completely fun atmosphere. We want to respect that decision. Some off season events like to modify the rules a bit more than others also, we don't want them to change the way that they run their events.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

I was beaten to the punch here, but here are *my* reasons:

• Data collection. Events are responsible for tracking and sharing their results so that points can be awarded correctly. I suppose this could also be handled by teams if necessary.
• Goal compatibility. The off-season offers unique opportunities to teams and regions *because* of its special relaxed atmosphere. Some events have no interest in adding more competitiveness to the off-season, and we respect that.
• Cost sharing. Each participating event is chipping in for a trophy for the champion.
• Resource sharing. Events that are participating in this tournament series have set their sights on big-picture improvements to FRC, even if that means helping to grow FIRST *outside* their immediate region. They're sharing lessons learned about successes and failures and they're working together to share resources like field elements and key volunteers.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Frankly, this just doesn't make any sense. All 3rd round selection teams should obviously recieve less points than the final 2nd round selection team. As it stands, there are teams selected in the 3rd round that will earn more alliance selection points than teams selected before them. Not to mention that certain events (like Ramp Riot) randomize the back-up/4th partners.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Just a small correction on this statement.
We have never randomized the 4th partner at Ramp Riot.

Last year, for the first time, we had direct "on-field" selections for the 4th partner. In previous year's we automatically assigned the top 8 unselected teams in their order of ranking. Last year, we switched to on-field selections to give the alliance captains more freedom in the formation of their alliance.
No worries, just wanted to clarify.
Sorry to take the thread off topic.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

I would say it's odd because you want to keep a philosophy of having an undefeated, zero tie record at an event in qualifications equal 24 points, AND a full run through eliminations gives you 30 points. Why not keep picking the same value but give no value to third picks? Shouldn't there be at least a solution where every event is giving out the same amount of points for this third aspect of scoring (I am assuming any awards at any event wouldn't go for points).

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The organizers of the championship series acknowledge the issue and are discussing it.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

On question 1: Yes, it extends in both directions. I just listed what I thought would be the most common amounts. Win in a 5-match event, it's 4.8 points. If WVROX runs 24 qualification matches, it'll be 1.0 points per win.

On question 2: Still working on the fourth robot matter. Chris has valid points, and we're trying to figure out the best way to handle the various scenarios (Championship-style or backup-style) uniformly.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Are all events going to allow in-picking within the top 8 seeds? I know Monty Madness has traditionally not allowed alliance captains to pick each other, not sure if that's changing this year.

If that continues, it makes the alliance selection points a bit distorted, especially with fewer matches at offseason events.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Just FYI, Monty Madness DID NOT allow in-picking again this year.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Any chance Roboticon will be in on this? With that event in Tampa, and Panther Prowl many Florida teams would be able to compete in this.

Sounds like a great idea!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

We don't have that event on our list of events that have been contacted. Do you have contact information for the event that you could pass our way?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Ohio isn't exactly "Colonial", but I do wonder if the Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge on 9/20 in eastern Ohio, about 10 miles away from the PA state line, would be a good fit for CRC?

I'd appreciate a PM from CRC planners to discuss further. I've informed our planning committee of this thread so we can discuss locally. Thanks!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

PM sent

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

As a native Pittsburgher now living in NC...I can always be bribed with Ohio-Valley Polish Food. Just putting that out there...

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

I second this. I'm not above bribes.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

We here at Roboticon Tampa Bay are interested. Looking forward to learning more...

Terri

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The Rumble in the Roads has been scheduled for October 4th in Newport News, VA. You can register on our website for the event.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

It would be pretty fantastic if one of these competitions could be converted to a championship event. Might have to move it to November, but a champs would really make this into more than just a group of events.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

The only issue with that is you are now requiring teams to attend 3 events instead of two. I don't know about you, but I don't think I could put in the time for an additional 3 events in the off season (although I know some teams do).

Also, with the events and teams being spread along the entire east coast, the cost for teams to get to the championship event would rival costs for the actual championship.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

OK, let's see if we can reboot this thing.

Currently two Colonial Robotics Conference events are reporting ranking data:

• Monty Madness, Skillman NJ, 17 May 2014
• Rumble in the Roads, Newport News VA, 4 Oct 2014

At press time, two additional events were gathering preexisting data for inclusion in the CRC ranking.

Following up on earlier conversations in this thread, here are some of the additional rules we have used in corner cases to determine the CRC ranking:

• 4th robots are counted as part of the alliance for elimination points
• 4th robots do not receive any points for their alliance selection order
• B robots do not accrue points for any team

With these items being understood, here is the current leaderboard for the Colonial Robotics Championship:

1. 384 [68 pts Rumble]
2. 900 [66 pts Rumble]
3. 484 [59 pts Monty]
4. 4969 [54 pts Rumble]
5. 1796 [53 pts Monty]
6. 1089 [47 pts Monty]
7. 102 [47 pts Monty]
8. 1086 [46 pts Rumble]
9. 2363 [45 pts Rumble]
10. 2028 [43 pts Rumble]

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

11 should have 63 points from Monty (5/6 Matches Won (20), #4 Alliance Captain (13), Event Winner (30))

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Oops, sorry. 11 was sitting just outside the range of my pivot table. Fixed now.


Currently three Colonial Robotics Conference events are reporting ranking data:

• Monty Madness, Skillman NJ, 17 May 2014
• IROC, Haymarket VA, 27 Sep 2014
• Rumble in the Roads, Newport News VA, 4 Oct 2014

Here is the updated leaderboard for the Colonial Robotics Championship:

1. 118 pts: 384 (50 IROC, 68 Rumble)
2. 98 pts: 339 (59 IROC, 39 Rumble)
3. 70 pts: 346 (37 IROC, 33 Rumble)
4. 66 pts: 900 (Rumble)
5. 63 pts: 11 (Monty)
6. 59 pts: 484 (Monty)
7. 54 pts: 4969 (Rumble)
8. 53 pts: 1796 (Monty)
9. 51 pts: 612 (IROC)
10. 47 pts: 102 (Monty), 1089 (Monty), 2537 (IROC)

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

I've attached the full list of points from SCRIW, along with how I arrived at the numbers. (SCRIW ran six four-team alliances, in case it isn't obvious.)

If I'm doing the math right, that means the top 10 stand at:

1. 118 pts: 384 (50 IROC, 68 Rumble)
2. 98 pts: 339 (59 IROC, 39 Rumble)
3. 70 pts: 346 (37 IROC, 33 Rumble)
4. 66 pts: 900 (Rumble)
5. 63 pts: 11 (Monty)
6. 59 pts: 484 (Monty)
7. 58 pts: 343 (SCRIW), 3490 (SCRIW)
8. 54 pts: 4969 (Rumble), 3701 (SCRIW)
9. 53 pts: 1796 (Monty)
10. 51 pts: 612 (IROC)

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Should be really interesting to see THOR's impact on the rankings in a few weeks. SIX teams attending THOR have already attended a CRC event, and two of them already appear in the top 10!

• Coming from SCRIW: 1225, 1553, 2059, 3701, 4935
• Coming from Rumble in the Roads: 900

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

:)

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

It's really scary though that, in order to win the CRC, we'd have to score at least 52 points at THOR. This might be tricky considering that at THOR I anticipate one of (if not our biggest) threats to be.... our own B team :ahh: . If we manage kick ourselves out of the running, I am not sure wether I'll be more frustrated or amused.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

If you're running a B team you become your own worst enemy.

Have fun!

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Happy to announce that six Colonial Robotics Conference events are now reporting ranking data:

• Monty Madness, Skillman NJ, 17 May 2014
• WVROX, Morgantown WV, 1-2 Aug 2014 [1]
• MVRC, Austintown OH, 20 Sep 2014
• IROC, Haymarket VA, 27 Sep 2014
• Rumble in the Roads, Newport News VA, 4 Oct 2014
• SCRIW, Chapin SC, 11 Oct 2014 [2]

Here is the updated leaderboard for the Colonial Robotics Championship:

1. 118 pts: 384 (50 IROC, 68 Rumble)
2. 98 pts: 339 (59 IROC, 39 Rumble)
3. 91 pts: 3193 (41 WVROX, 50 MVRC)
4. 71 pts: 4954 (8 Monty, 63 WVROX)
5. 70 pts: 346 (37 IROC, 33 Rumble)
6. 66 pts: 900 (Rumble), 1731 (21 WVROX, 45 IROC)
7. 63 pts: 11 (Monty)
8. 59 pts: 484 (Monty), 2641 (13 WVROX [1], 46 MVRC)
9. 58 pts: 1325 (WVROX)
10. 57 pts: 343 (SCRIW), 3490 (SCRIW)

Notes:
[1] Missing qualification results for some WVROX teams
[2] In Billfred's previous post, SCRIW alliance selection points were accidentally augmented by 1

EDIT: here's the entire dataset in a Google document for your perusal.

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

Anyone have the info for THOR to add to this?

Re: Introducing: Colonial Robotics Championship Series
 

I can now report that seven events are reporting ranking data for the Colonial Robotics Championship Series:

• Monty Madness, Skillman NJ, 17 May 2014
• WVROX, Morgantown WV, 1-2 Aug 2014 [1]
• MVRC, Austintown OH, 20 Sep 2014
• IROC, Haymarket VA, 27 Sep 2014
• Rumble in the Roads, Newport News VA, 4 Oct 2014
• SCRIW, Chapin SC, 11 Oct 2014 [2]
• Rah Cha Cha Ruckus, Rochester NY, 18 Oct 2014

Here is the updated leaderboard for the Colonial Robotics Championship:

1. 118 pts: 384 (50 IROC, 68 Rumble)
2. 98 pts: 339 (59 IROC, 39 Rumble)
3. 91 pts: 3193 (41 WVROX, 50 MVRC)
4. 75 pts: 340 (36 WVROX, 39 Ruckus)
5. 71 pts: 4954 (8 Monty, 63 WVROX)
6. 70 pts: 346 (37 IROC, 33 Rumble)
7. 66 pts: 900 (Rumble), 1731 (21 WVROX, 45 IROC)
8. 65 pts: 1241 (Ruckus)
9. 63 pts: 11 (Monty)
10. 61 pts: 610 (Ruckus)

Unless THOR can share their data in the next couple days, we're ready to declare a WINNER of the 2014 Colonial Robotics Championship Series.