Saved Seats for Finalists
 

So on Saturday after losing two close matches against the #1 seated alliance we had to wait around until everyone got their trophies. Nobody went to get any seats because everybody was watching the finals. Unfortunatly, by the time we had lost, all the seats were filled by teams who had gotten out previously and we were stuck on the top to the very right hand side where we could barily hear or see anything.

I was wondering if anyone thought that roping off some seats (even on the upper balcony) for the finalists of each division. It seems that after all their hard work they deserve to be able to watch the Einstein matches and actully hear Dean's speaches.

Just an idea for consideration...

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

yes, finding seats was the single most frustrating thing all week, They should at least open up the top set of seats.

Last year we couldn't find any so our whole team was scattered around the arena trying to watch. Finding each other was a nightmare.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I bet there are over three hundred other teams who would have gladly had the problem you had.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

l would agree that I would rather be a division finalist and not be able to see Einstein instead of vice versa. I am not complaining, I am simply offering a solution to remedy the poor seating the finalists usually get.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Yeah, we couldn't see very well, but at least there were screens. Personally, I was very appreciative of how well we performed and how lucky we were at competitions this year. To make it to the finals in our division, and to even receive medals at the Championship event was well worth having not-so-great seats for the Einstein matches.

Just imagine as this program grows!! Perhaps someday the whole arena will be filled up and people will have to watch from across the stadium.

Just imagine not making it to the Championship event at all and watching the finals/awards ceremony on your computer screen!!

I'm grateful that we were there in person, much less have a place to put our bottoms.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

There's merit to this suggestion. The finalists did work hard and do deserve to see the competition on Einstein.

Jane

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

As part of the pit crew for a division finalist, we were allowed to stand right next to Einstein and watch it all, up close and personal. As for the rest of the team, I have no idea where they went, but I can imagine that if we weren't on Curie (or Galileo I suppose), we would not have found seats.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I get and understand the problem but all the teams work hard and there are just not enough good seats.

Try being the first alternate and waiting around all through divisional finals and being in the same boat without the fun of playing.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Scott, the discussion holds merit as does the suggestion.

Jane

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Wow, it would have been really nice to have been able to see! I had even done Dean's homework and had guests with me that had never heard of robotics! They were a little disappointed that we really couldn't see the finals.

One solution to the seating would be to push Einstein a little further away from the stands. That would let more of us see the field instead of the backs of the drive teams. Those of you really good in math can figure out the best distance so we all view from the perfect angle! ;)

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

There is your answer

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I think BJC is referring to the reserved seating at the Championship Event; the winners of each division get 50 wrist bands for seats right in front of Einstein reserved by FIRST.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Fortunately for my team, we were able to receive some of the served seats after they had been filled with the division winners and the two team representatives. I realize that my team was lucky, and was unsure if this was because we were finalists, or if the house crew was just trying to fill the empty seats. However, we were seated near some 148 members (division finalists along with 33 and ourselves) which made me realize that it may be because of the finalist situation.

I do agree that finalists should have a section of seats roped off for them. I recognize that there are many teams that are deceiving of those seats, but like those who were division winners, the finalists teams have a chance to make it to Einstein due to the backup robot situation, and how upsetting would it be if your team was called up and you couldn't even see your robot play?

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

The odd thing is in that position (on the field at that) I got a good balcony seat last year.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I do agree that finalists should have a section of seats roped off for them. I recognize that there are many teams that are deceiving of those seats, but like those who were division winners, the finalists teams have a chance to make it to Einstein due to the backup robot situation, and how upsetting would it be if your team was called up and you couldn't even see your robot play?[/quote]

That was actually very close to happening for the Newton side! They called for all the backups to get ready for the Newton side just before the final match!

The first paragraph is a quote from Alex...not sure why on my end it's not in the quote box!

Saved Seats
 

In the hotel and in the airport I heard the same thing from people coming to the Robotics for the first time. There were teams that were saving seats in the stands. These people just wanted to see a match or two or watch their grandkids or friends compete.

I know that NO FIRST students were doing this, but next year make sure you tell your parents and friends "saving seats". We want to invite people to sit down, not send them away.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

That's why I'm discussing it :)

Re: Saved Seats
 

Unfortunately this will always be a problem and should get it's own thread. This year my drive team went to see the drivers meeting. Teams had already been reserving seats for the competition. When they tried to sit down in a section a student came up to them and told them the seats were reserved for their team then an adult came up and told them the same thing and made them move. They wouldn't even let them sit there for the drivers meeting! I only wish I would have been there and not in the pits. We would have had a quick discussion about the rules, GP, and plain old common courtesy.

Re: Saved Seats
 

I'll bite and say plenty of FIRST students and entire FIRST teams were saving seats at Championship. One instance of this (towels with team number on them for every seat) was so blatant I didn't know what to think.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Yeah I know what you mean. We were sitting right next to those stands and we saw it all :P. Although Frog Force did indeed notice you guys up there and tried to wave :D!

Anyway, don't worry about it. You guys are always welcome to come sit with us. We are pratically the same team since we share signs and all ; ) .

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Thanks alot and We love you guys. However, this goes deeper then just my team. In future years I think division finalists should be given roped off seats in order to be able to see Einstein. Not to mention if your robot was fielded. Think about it, what if your robot was fielded on Einstein but you could bairly see it. To me this would be extreamly disapointing (the not being able to see part, not the being on Einstein part;) ) It just seems logical that the teams who just missed being on Einstein should be able to watch it play out.

I don't think any bad can come from implementing something like this and it adds a bonus on to being the finalist other then a metal.

As to the saving seats rule. I think that most teams do this without realizing it. Despite any rules that are/might be put in place we will always see some of this. In the mornings I see many teams guilty of this including my own. I think most teams have come to accept this as just the way things are. So to sumerize, leaving things in the stands overnight such as roped off areas to save spots is unacceptable. However, I don't find anything wrong with putting sweatshirts and such over chairs in the beginning of the day as long as you're willing to share with other teams that might want to use some of those seats for scouting, viewing, ect.

my 2 cents

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

A fellow mentor and myself watched some matches as a spectator this year and for the most part almost every seat in front of a field had some type of reserved sign on it, BUT when I asked if it we could sit with them and help them root their team on, no one objected. So, while seat saving will always be something we struggle with (and have been for the 10 years I've been in FIRST), let's make a committment to never turn folks away if they ask to sit down by you. Also let's continue to work with our parents on this. I know my team has been guilty of this in the past and it is often the case of parents just not knowing the rules.

I had to stand for most of the Awards/Einstein ceremony at the second level, even though there were empty seats that ADULTS were saving for the entire ceremony. Even after asking several times, they wouldn't budge, and I wasn't about to sit next to a JACK@$# for an hour. It turned out that standing gave me a pretty good view.

Opening up the third deck would have been great.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I do see a lot of teams putting towels out and other team paraphanalia on the seats at events....as we do with sweatshirts. But I'm with you: I don't see a problem with this. We need to get enough seats together at the beginning, otherwise our team wouldn't be able to sit together!

That said, we strive to be gracious and if anyone wants to sit where we have place sweatshirts, my key line is, "Absolutely you can sit here, but just know that when our match comes up, you're going to be surrounded by yellow, buzzing teenagers." (as opposed to "buzzed" teenagers ;) ) Usually they laugh and either move when students come back for matches, or cheer along with us.

I do not like when teams use caution tape or duct tape to mark off seats. It blocks the rows completely and is a clear indication that no one is welcome there.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

An interesting tale I forgot to mention:

At a Vex competition a few years ago, a man was trying to find a place to sit, and it looked like two or three teams told him that their seats were reserved. He came by my section and I offered him my seat. That person turned out to be a representative from a local technical company looking to sponsor a team, and after seeing the team qualify, he gave the team $500 to cover the Championship registration fee.

FIRST is about changing the culture, so I'll give up having a perfectly uniform cluster of seats in order to accommodate the public any day of the week.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

The division Finalists are the First Alternates for that Einstein alliances. In fact, one was very closely called into play in the final match. It would have been a shame if their students couldn't see them on Einstein as they were late getting over from the award ceremony.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

i was lucky enough to know someone who had access to the press box... but i know how everyone feels... i saw security guards shooing people away because there wasn't enough seats... lets just hope St. Louis will accommodate the seating issue next year

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I would like to see a section of seats saved for division finalists the way it is for the division champions. Both alliances are on their division field for the same amount of time, and both are deserving of being able to see the Championship field. I don't recall if this has been done before, but it would be nice to start.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I know that, I am talking about a division alternate. These teams have the same problems as the finalist but without any of the fun.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

I don't realy agree with you. You could send some of your team to get seats. I was sitting with 2 friends for several hours to save seats for our team. Somtimes people have to make sacrafices for the benifit of others

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Agreed, especially for visitors.

Re: Saved Seats for Finalists
 

Yeah, I see what you mean. Although even if there was a rule in place I doubt it would stop people from taking seats unless it was carried out correctly. You guys did deserve to get better seats then you did and it was a shame that you dident...I don't know.... It may be possible to open the seats up where the two reps from each team sit for more reserved seating. They could tell all reps to just stay close to the stage and then there would be an open place for teams who want to see their bot..

Just some ideas :P

-"Whos HOT? RED HOT! How HOT? We're HOT!" :D