Apparel in the pits
 

My team is trying to figure out a look for the games. We wanted to know if you can wear shorts in the pits area?

our "look" that we were considering was our shirts, shorts, and then knee high socks with our team colors.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

I just flipped through section 3 of the manual and couldn't find anything prohibiting the wearing of shorts at the event or in the pits. I know teams have done a similar look to the one you're planning and I don't think they've been hassled about it.

IMO, if you're still worried about it, you can have your actual pit crew wear pants and then have the remainder of the team members that aren't in the pits wear shorts.

Here's a link to section 3 if you want to read into the pit rules some more: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...e%20Events.pdf

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Agreed. Its probably not a good idea for the people actually working on the robot to wear shorts, but everyone else, I don't see why not!

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

As long as it is not provocative and excessively revealing, in good taste. No bikinis, short shorts, etc

Which easily eliminates folks like me. haha. The nerdy old mans club with sunglasses, bermuda shorts, black socks with sock suspenders, and black wing tip shoes.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

I believe that shorts are fine, especially following Ed's guidance for tastefullness. There are several all-girl teams that compete in skirts (school uniform) and at some point I remember a team in kilts.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Shorts are always allowed in the pits As long as you are not wearing anything that would pose a safety hazard ( long necklaces, sleeves that hang over the hands, etc.) you should be fine. my team has kids wear shorts the entire weekend. Hopefully this helps

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

I think you may be remembering team 771 S.W.A.T. (St. Mildred's Women Advancing Technology) They're an all-girls school (St. Mildred's-Lightbourn Academy, IIRC). I seem to recall they compete in kilts cut just above the knee, team t-shirt, and black stockings.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

We've worn shorts in the pits before and it has not been a problem. There are deffinatly teams that have the same look that you are going for. Good luck and you idea sounds great. :)

Cass

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Maybe, but I really thought they were guys in kilts. Other than Karthik, that is. :o

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

I've seen one or two MOE (365) mentors wandering around the pits and field in kilts.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

There's always Team 573, where the guys from Brother Rice HS wear the Marian HS girls' skirts (nah, they aren't kilts :D ).

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

If you are considering shorts I think all you have to think about it safety.
I personally don't see anything wrong with it....others might..

But please do remember to wear good shoes.... no sandals or flipflops or open toed shoes....

So no high heels with your skirts....or shorts....

Remember if you think that the pit members should be wearing long pants because of safety reasons... the drive team should too... they will be in the pits alot more than they will be on the field...

I would recommend sturdy shoes for those carrying the robot... with safety toes if you can do it.... drop the robot once on your sneaker and you will agree with me...

good luck and we will see you at the competition...

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Now were outing teams?
What has Chiefdelphi come to?:rolleyes:

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

When Champs were held in Florida, almost everyone wore shorts. I can tell you from experience that soldering,drilling and saw use doesn't mix well with short attire. If you have to kneel in the pit, you are likely going to kneel on something that doesn't mix well with unprotected knees. If you are competing in the northern latitudes, like Chicago or further north, it might be a long cold walk to the car or bus. I hope you can stand it!

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

...really, I could have sworn those were kilts!? We were alliance partners for the 2008 Pittsburgh elims, and they let our drive team borrow a few for the matches. Never will I forget the image of that year's drive team in kilts and bandannas.


The only problem that I see with shorts is the potential safety hazard if they're baggy (may be an issue with guys), and just in general if you have sharp objects in the pit that may scrape the skin. I would mention something about sparks and he huge safety hazard they present to bare skin, but spark-generating machines aren't allowed in the pits anyways.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

I don't know about the rest of you, but my apparel has been in the pits since 1974.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

there's also the Firebirds from Philly who wear skirts

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Talking about Apparel in the pits, the last couple of years i noticed that a few teams were wearing nice shirts and ties. Props for having a good style, but wearing a tie in a robotics environment is not really ideal. I have seen some people with a tie clip, but unfortunately not everyone. This concerns me because we would not want anyone getting their tie's caught in something. Unfortunately i do not know the teams or people that wear ties, but hopefully some reader can forward this message :)

Stay safe guys!
-Rasmus Rossen
-Team 8

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Team 114 has, is, and will be rocking the lab coats. The best part of FIRST is all the awesome imagery at competitions!

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

The classic way to identify an engineer is that he's the one with his tie tucked into his shirt between the buttons. But very few engineers wear ties to work anymore!

I say he because females rarely wear ties

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Who knows, maybe the picture of Lavery in a kilt may make it's way onto CD? ;)


*hint hint*

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

In 2004 the MOE drive team wore kilts, to go along with the theme of the robot that year.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/18932

And we won the Imagery Award that year as well:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/18934

Upon losing a bet, Dave Lavery wore one of their kilts at the end of the competition:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/18271

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

That's why I remember it so well. We picked you (MOE) at the Championship that year to round out our underdog 8th seed Division Finalist alliance with Rush (27).

I must have some pictures of our drive team with them.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Hey Dave, nice legs...is that part of your Robot Horror Picture Show costume?

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

Kara, you should probably look around CD for the "best legs" bet between Mr. Lavery and another person (who shall remain nameless for now). It turned into a Krispy Kreme eating contest, back in 2005.

Do this only if a) you like laughing at videos and b) you have an hour or so to spare. The picture of Dave in a kilt made its way in there, as did some other funny pictures (like the Robot Horror Picture Show one). The video is the priceless one, though.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

This is kind of a sore subject for me. I was volunteering at the Florida Regional a couple of years ago, and I wore shorts since it was expected to be warm and I would be running around and working (plus I have the legs for it ;) ). I was informed by one of the UL Safety guys ( in the green shirts) that I could not wear shorts because it was a safety hazard. I asked Mike Walker who informed me that somewhere on the volunteer information it said we could not wear shorts, so out of respect for Mike I drove back to my mom's house and changed clothes. When I got back the safety guy told me that he didn't expect me to change clothes and we got into a friendly debate on whether or not shorts were safe (I worked in an OSHA controlled plant where plenty of workers wore shorts).
I haven't worn shorts to a competition since then.

Re: Apparel in the pits
 

i think for safe measure we will require the pit crew to wear jeans we dont want to get on anyones bad side