Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

I thought that--given the circumstances with trying to figure out field problems--the competition went very well. Even though things got off to a rough (understatement!) start, everyone came together and had a great time nonetheless. I wasn't at last year's event, so I can't really compare the two.

Improvements are also hard to determine, as this year's Cage Match was a special one due to the circumstances.

I must say a big thank you to AndyMark, however. I think they deserve much respect and admiration for the way they handled the weekend. You guys truly are good people, and serve as role models for the rest of us. You didn't need to do any reimbursements for the event, but did so anyways. I applaud your professionalism!

All in all, I think it was a great time. Where else will we ever see alliance captains/pickings quite like that?! It's a story we'll all take away, that's for sure. It was great seeing you all!

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

Other then stating the obvious stuff about the field controls (test the field more the night before). I also think that the field crew, refs, scoring table and other people associated with the event should stay a bit more impartial while the event is taking place. I noticed a few things that I have never seen at an event that disturbed me. Before the final score was announced, half the scoring table was showing emotion about the score, and other field crew were revealing the score to the teams on the field. I've always liked the built up suspense of "nobody knowing" until the MC announces the results. I just find it very unprofressional how people around field side acted. This could be handled by just having everyone working the event know that they have to act professional, and as impartial as possible while they are down there.

Just my $0.02

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

that is a great point Kyle. I can honestly say I am quite guilty of the "showing emotion" you speak of. That is definitely something we should bear in mind.

Thanks for the input Kyle :D

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

The official FIRST field was a good thing.
Moving the food closer was a good thing.

Next year, how about foregoing the historically futile attempt to use the full-blown field controls and just skip right to Plan C? Decide from the beginning to use FMS Lite and a single router with a common SSID for all robots to connect to.

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

Can someone elaborate? Sounds like everyone had a good time.:)

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

well i think after everything got going that it was great and if it was working from the very beginning then i bet everyone would be on here saying that it was a Blast. also as kyle said they were people showing emotions after the tally but hey, you should have been looking :p

i can't thank enough andy,mark,samir,brett and every one that helped to get things going.

all in all i had a blast MC'ing and thanks Mike for letting me do it and hopefully i get the chance to do it again soon.

Re: CAGE Match 2009
 

Results from the 2009 CAGE Match:
Winning Alliance: 829, 1501, 1555
Runner-Up: 461, 1646, 1529

Friendliest Team: 393 Full Metal Jackets
Gracious Professionalism: 1747 Harrison Boiler Robotics
Best Robot Feature: 1501 Team THRUST
Most Unusual Design: 461 Westside Boiler Invasion
Safety: 1720 PhyXTGears
Best Pit: 292 PantherTech
Team Spirit: 234 Cyber Blue
Best Elevator Speech: 45 TechnoKats
Most Blood Donated: 1529 CyberCards
Most Ronald McDonald House Donations: 1741 Red Alert
Best Carved Pumpkin: 1741 Red Alert

Thanks to the contributions from the Silent Auction and Carved Pumpkin Contest, we were able to give $225 and three luggage carts full of supplies to the Ronald McDonald House.

The Indianapolis Star has a photo gallery from the event: http://photos.indystar.com/galleries...mplate=default

Thanks to all the wonderful Indiana and Kentucky teams who attended - while I believe the 2009 version of CAGE Match was an improvement from last year, we've got plenty to work on for next year.