Re: Hardest Regional
 

A quick way of calculating that might be to parse the teams history from the FIRST web page. So for example, to find all blue banners won by 1114 since 2005 I could write:
Running that returns :
Count the number of lines in the output and I would say you have your automated way of finding blue banners.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

With them signed up for SD and Vegas, I doubt it.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

The BeachBots originally signed up for DC hoping to get a grant to attend. Then we found out we were not eligible for it. So we are going to Las Vegas instead.

If I figured out the BBQ and SAUCE for Las Vegas correctly, they come out to 1.92 and 1.11 respectively based on teams currently registered. It is also a deep field with no team having more than 20% of the SAUCE points. ALL of the powerhouse teams of the West Coast will be there. I am glad I'm not working this one. It will be one to watch. There should be at least two good robots in every match.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

If it helps any Billfred... in exchange for your post making me EXTREMELY hungry for roast meat...

I think I have properly calculated the BBQ and SAUCE for both the Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Regionals [based on the current attending teams list and awards listings from the FIRST site.]

Washington D.C.

• 58 teams registered
• 51 Total Banners
• 29 Banners since 2005
  
  BBQ=0.88
  SAUCE=0.50

Philadelphia

• 46 teams registered
• 58 Total Banners
• 31 Banners since 2005
  
  BBQ=1.26
  SAUCE=0.67

(I can send you my excel spreadsheet if needed)

Re: Hardest Regional
 

Gotta steal a corny line from a friend, but I loves me some BBQ SAUCE.

I'd say it's borderline unfair to say a west coast regional without 1717 has all of the powerhouse teams. After the machines they made in 07 and 08, I predict powerhouse status for 09.

Either way, Las Vegas is looking great. The kids on 973 have been pretty sheltered from some real tough competition (with the exception of Vegas last year, which is looking weak compared to this year) and it looks like this will open their eyes.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

Why are you using RCA wins as an indicator of regional robot competitiveness? Wouldn't a more accurate reading show only regional wins? Couldn't you take it a slice deeper and show Regional Champions and Regional Finalists?

Nothing against the RCA, but the fact that a team wins that award doesn't seem to be an indicator to me that they are tougher to beat on the field.

It would be fantastic if someone (with more time than me) would run the data for all the regionals checking for Regional Champions, & Regional Finalists. I bet this data would help someone create a more accurate picture.

-John

Re: Hardest Regional
 

Wouldn't change L.A. much...
The BBQ Silver rating and SAUCE Silver (Silver = Finalist included, no CAs) for L.A. are now at the following: 48 teams, 54 total winners and finalists, 37 2005 and later. BBQS of 1.12, SAUCES of 0.77. Same teams at or near the top of the list.

Still doesn't create a balanced picture, though--older teams tend to have a higher number of banners/medals than newer ones, though at L.A. there are some newer teams that have a nice high count. The two teams that share the top medal/banner counts are two of the oldest three or four teams in the area, and certainly the two oldest continuous ones that have stayed at the same schools. The next two or three are mid-range--they've been around a few years, but maybe only about half the time or less of the older ones.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

well the teams robot is not the only aspect of competition and i think it was a good decision to include that in there because they might have a solid robot but lost the regional for other reasons

Re: Hardest Regional
 

I disagree. Just because a team has won a chairmans award does not mean that they are a powerful team out on the field. JVN is correct on this one.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

I'd imagine Billfred included the Chairman's Award to get that sixth team for his every so punny acronym. PAUCE just doesn't roll off the tongue. :rolleyes:

That said, this BBQ/SAUCE is quite interesting.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

If we are looking at pure large no. of great teams at one regional, midwest and Florida comes to mind. Pure intimidation to say the least.
NJ has a lot of great teams too, led by who else, team 25. ;)
Finally, any regional that the Poofs attend on the West Coast, especially SVR, with its veteran group of teams.
We all know who leads the Canadians.

Hawaii was very tough last year, but very different this year with the lack of veteran presence that signed up.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

Sorry I missed this post a while back, I am running a script right now to crunch the BBQ since 2005 numbers. Tonight I will work on expanding it to have this data instead. Id say Regional/Championship/ Division finalists and winners would count on this one.

I'll post my results and the scripts themselves here when they finish.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

I have attached a plain text file that contains SAUCE for every regional and a break down of what teams contributed. This data was pulled directly from the first website. I will re-run this once teams are finalized. Please note, it is organized by the codes FIRST refers to the regionals as, ex Arizona is AZ

Enjoy.

Re: Hardest Regional
 

now thats some great SAUCE! :D

but seriously, nice work

Re: Hardest Regional
 

And according to that file, Detroit wins for toughest SAUCE. Toughest open to all teams: Las Vegas (NV), with 48 banners, 39 teams. Biggest contributors are the "usual" West Coast "suspects" + team 1266.