Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

I would also think that all of the remaning teams from 92 would also have an automatic invite those teams being 45 126 190 191 and 250 i believe

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

(3 winners + 1 chairmans + 1 EI + 1 Rookie ) * about 30 Regionals + 5 original teams + 5 former chairmans (dont know the actual number) + 3 2004 champs = 193 teams based on the system of regional qualification FIRST will most likely use. So that leaves about 107 teams that will be qualified another way, most likely the tier system again.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

does anyone know what's going on with the odd team numbers and even team numbers? I heard that odds get to go next year and evens year after that, but I'm not sure.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

That was an old system. It was eliminated this year.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

To me it looked like they could put another field in the Georgia dome. For those that were there....
1. Did it really look like another field could be placed under the dome?
2. Is the pit are large enough to support another 60 teams?
3. Do you think the event can hold another 2,000 people?

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

1. yes, just reorganize the existing area it could be done
2. yes,they have moveable walls there, and they were storying the crates in a room about the same size right next to the pits. if they wanted more pit room it looks like the wall that is moveable would just have to open (i looked cause i wanted to know why we were all packed in like sardines)
3. most definitely. I am not a coordinator of this, but I believe it can...

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

points are gone.....in the past you used points from the previous years and even/odd to qualify but if you read the FIRST page points will no longer be used

they are doing the tier system and the only people who will qualify from the previous system are the national chairmans winners and the national champions all other proformance from this season does not matter

Tiered System modified from this year i am assuming that they will just push the dates back which is what i have done

Rookie Tier Rookie Year is 2005
Tier 1 Last attended Championship in 2004, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 2004
Tier 2 Last attended Championship in 2003, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 2003
Tier 3 Last attended Championship in 2002, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 2002
Tier 4 Last attended Championship in 2001, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 2001
Tier 5 Last attended Championship in 2000, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 2000
Tier 6 Last attended Championship in 1999 or earlier, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 1999 or earlier
Tier 7 Last attended Championship in 1998 or earlier, or
never attended Championship and Rookie Year is 1998 or earlier


this year tiers 2-6 all were quailified so i would assume that you would just just jump down a tier and for the next year qualify...what this does is make it every 2-3 years between when teams go to nationals which leaves room for FIRST to expand more


these are just assumptions baised on what first said this year and would be correct assuming they stick with the tier system which i like very much

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

Mike,
To me the issue is not that of space, it comes down to:
1. Having enough people and equipment to support a fifth division and
2. Devising a playoff/finals system that works in a timely and fair fashion. If anyone has ever arranged a large scale tournament you know the problems that exist.

With five division champions how do you hold finals? A round robin format would probably lengthen the day by at least an hour or more and any implimentation of double elimination or single elimination factoring in byes would do the same. Unless your divisions are a multiple of four, I see no fair way to treat all division winners equally and adding another four divisions does not seem practical from a field/equipment/people standpoint.

With all of that said, I'd love to find a way to include as many teams as possible, downsize the divisions to "regular regional" size, and have each team run more matches. Looking at the big picture, I think FIRST is already doing the best it can to accomodate all of those ideals.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

If the LEGO League pits were removed, I think another 3 fields could be added (one where the LEGO pits were and another on either end of the field). In addition, if Einstein were used as a regular division, there could be a total of 8 fields (which would be easy to run finals for). The only real question is if FIRST actually has 8 complete fields.

There was also plenty more room in the pits. I saw two halls adjacent to the pits of the same size which weren't being used (actually, one was being set up for a convention the following week, and one held crates).

In short, I don't see why there couldn't be 600 teams at Nats. Yes, it would be harder for FIRST in terms of manpower, it would mean Eistein would be used for more than 6-9 matches, and it would mean that it would be harder to see the finals, but it is possible. As FIRST grows, I think that the Championship needs to grow as well.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

That's looking less likely given the issue with team 20 this past year (whether or not team 20, which was a split off of 250, qualifies as an original team). I may be wrong but my guess is they'll solve the problem by removing the ability of those teams to attend (that and it wasn't particularly popular that they could attend).

Matt

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

From what I am seeing above, none of you have any definite information on this issue.

Based on this year's qualifying the only attendees will be those who win 2005 regionals or certain awards at them

In other words, except for the Cheesy Poofs' Chairmans Award, there are NO prequalified teams left from this season.

I am also under the impression that FIRST expected all those teams that never went to NATS prior to 2004 to take advantage of the opportunity this season and there is no guarantee that they will have the same offer next year.

Somewhere I remember a statement that the guidelines for this year were subject to change next year.

I Repeat- FIRST should make up their minds and issue a statement NOW as to how the qualification process for the 2005 season will work.


as for expanding the Nationals- FIRST has already made it clear that they don't WANT to consider the idea. The explanation is always that there is not enough labor or support for the extended fields. Whether you or I can see ways around that is irrelevant because the issue is not up for consideration.

If it were I would be right out in front looking for the funds or volunteer labor to purchase a new field and man it.


So, if my guys qualify at all in 2005, we look forward to hasty hotel arrangements, overpriced airfares and, for me, several weeks of pure hell making the trip arrangements.

But then again, most of you will be with me too...
WC

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

Does anyone here know when FIRST normally releases information pertaining to the new nationals selection system?

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

What is most interesting is that 71 almost did not get into the Championship this year because they did not pre-qualify or win a regional. They got in as a late addition due to open slots. What does that say about the merit of winning a regional as qualifications for the Championship?

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

Same with you guys last year, right? Except the even/odd thing was still in place.

Re: Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals
 

I believe Beatty did win EI at one of their regionals, which would have qualified them (they were already entered at that point, I think).