Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

We're merely expressing an opinion on what FIRST should do about this "mistake" in the scoring. I can read the rule but FIRST still needs to address it and either explain why it's not being counted, or as you have stated, the Rule is simply stated and the scoring system should be adjusted. The opinions come in when you start discussing what to do in terms of it being fair to adjust a scoring system after five regional have already been completed.

This is a message board so I expect people to come with their own opinions.

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

I'll agree with the others that have stated that we need to read the rules and work off what we read there using good common sense. Declarations of "Well I haven't read the rules, but this is how it should be." Aren't particularly helpful, as they add zero additional data to the discussion. Presumably, the people who can declare opinions like that that actually matter are the members of the GDC. One would hope they have in fact read the rules.

Back on topic, The GDC has said that all robots are assumed to have CROSSED lane markers at the start of the match, and thus will still be penalized for anti-crossing them. So there's a little guidance out there saying that robots are already considered to have crossed lines at the start of a match. There isn't any guidance as to which other lines and in what order, but it could presumably give the GDC an out to simply state that a robot is considered to have already CROSSED its own finish line at the start of the match.

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

Still no response from GDC? I have been checking the Q&A, but haven't seen anything. Are they in a quandary?

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

Response

Team Update #15

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

It could be that they are busy.

Or it may be that this requires a rule change, but one which will not have any impact. In other words, they believed that the scoring program is correct (if indeed it doesn't score the first crossing if the robot hasn't left the home stretch in hybrid). If a rule change is necessary, to correct the rules to what has been happening in practice, it would come out in a Team Update. They have typically waited to issue the Q&A response until the Update appears.

Please note that the word "lap" is only used in the Game section of the rules in two contexts:
(1) In the first paragraph in a generalized description of the game
(2) In reference to the LAP INDICATOR
In all other instances, for example the scoring rules, "CROSS" (or some form of the word) is used.

I missed the Team Update 15 noted above before answering. My hunch was right, the scoring program was written in accordance with what the GDC intended the rule to be.

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

Nice, answered in an update.

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

Thanks to Joey Gannon (and Karthk) for identifying this and posting it to the Q&A. I'm glad to see it clarified!

Re: First CROSSING not being scored?
 

Apparently, I offended some people with the "tone" of my post. I apologize, that was not my intention. I was trying for levity, but apparently missed :o . In the end, the GDC admitted that the wording was misleading, but went with the intent of the rule.

I realize that it is extremely difficult to write a set of rules to meet an intent for a game that cannot be interpreted differently from that intent, and I applaud the efforts of the GDC to create a fair environment for all teams.