Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Load in details and a diagram of the pits including the fields.

Looks like the College FIRST Pilot is in the pits as well.

FRCTeams: You're going to want to look closely at the diagram. http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2011...acked-yet.html http://fb.me/LjrVxfjV

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

So, the Galileo pits are split into two parts? Interesting.

Some Newton teams are going to have very easy commutes.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

The bleachers they have shown are about the same size as 2/3rds of the bleachers brought in for the CT Regional. That event has 60 teams, and those bleachers were jam packed. Fitting 28 more teams in less space is not going to be pleasant.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

What I notice:

There are only two inspection stations. Maybe two divisions share a station.
Galileo got stiffed with the pit layout.
I'm sorry for any HOF teams in Newton/Curie.
Transit to the dome seems a good amount shorter than Atlanta.
Scholarship/College Row is no where to be seen.

Can someone comment on how people will get between the stands and pits?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I wonder why it says each divisoin says it has 86 teams in it when Bill says each will have 88?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Between FTC and FRC

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Yay for Archimedes we have such a long commute! :P

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Assuming a sitting person occupies a 3' x 3' space (which is fairly conservative), those bleachers will hold 400 people a piece. That's 800 people, with 88 teams in attendance. That's 9 people per team, and goodness knows it's not going to be anywhere near actually fitting that amount.

We have a team of 30+ students. Including parents, it's going to be over 50. There will be room for perhaps 6 of our team members, assuming no one gets there early and takes more than their 'fair share'.

We will have to come up with some fairly creative means of scouting and making sure all our kids get what they paid for. I feel VERY sorry for the fields that play their elims there who won't get to cheer for their team.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I see scholarship row on the border between the FTC pits and Archimedes, although it's labelled in a small blue font. Does anybody see where the FIRST Conference rooms are?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

<edit>Just ignore if you already read the Tom Line post above. He beat me to it, although we use different numbers. Mine came from ehow </edit>

Doing some rough estimates on bleacher size

16 rows x 115 ft x 12 ft/in / 24 in/person = 920 people/bleacher x 2 bleachers
1840 people / 88 teams = 20.9 people per team at max capacity.

some assumptions
2 ft per row, could be fewer rows
24 in/person space, std space is 16 in, some bleachers use the 24 in space
100% capacity probably ain't happening, so using the larger in/person size should compensate.

So, 20 people per team in the bleachers seems reasonable, especially considering some teams will not have as many people as they would at a local regional.

Certainly not the ideal that having all the fields in the dome would bring, but certainly workable.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I believe the conference rooms will be on the second floor.

Anyone see the FRC interview rooms?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

They still have yet to mention the Wrap-Up/Finale/whatever you call it party...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

After seeing the size of those bleachers, there better be a REALLY, REALLY good reason why all four divisions aren't in the dome.

Otherwise this will likely join the Houston ramps for ideas that shall forever reside in infamy.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Is it just me or is this blog update very underwhelming?

They didn't even release the Dome layout. At this point why keep it a secret (although there might be contract binding issues)? We all know that half the dome is going to be taken up with a stage for a performance by a certain someone that we all may or may not agree should be performing.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Didn't Bill tell us he'd say today why the 2 fields were moved out of the dome? I see no mention...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Is a concert that a significant amount of teams will skip for scouting meetings a good enough reason for teams to be squeezed into bleachers or unable to watch their own matches?

I'm concerned why they haven't released more information about Friday night. We're almost a week away and still no information other than "some preformance". Either they are keeping it a suprise (making it difficult for teams to plan) or don't have all the information set (which is scary considering we're a week away).

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Hey now - I bet even Houston didn't have this much speculation. It certainly has had its share of criticism but the speculation aspect of this event at this day and time is phenomenal, just phenomenal.

I think the greeters at the airport, hotels, and venue are awesome. Love that! St. Louis has really been promoting this event ever since winning the bid. I think they are very excited to be hosting the teams from all over the world. That's way cool.

Jane

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Go out the pit entrance.
Go to the second level. (First level might work, too, if they have the stairs down to the floor--yeah, right. Also noting FLL is going that way, you probably won't be able to get through.)
Go in the general direction of the Dome--there's a nice, windowed walking/lounging area.
Once you're on the concourse, find your field, sit down, and enjoy the matches.

I'll also figure that FRC interview rooms are 2nd floor--the America's Ballroom (above the FLL interview rooms at the far left) isn't the only thing up there. There's a similar layout to the FTC interview rooms right above them, and another 4 or so rooms above the entry lobby on the second floor.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Seating won't be an issue on Thursday and Firday. Qualification matches are rather bleh for the most part. Seats will be an issue during the elims. What IS going to be a problem is crowd control with people crowding the field and surrounding the field area and cluttering the pathways to and from the pits.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I'm quietly hoping that if it's really bad, it's bad enough to surpass and overshadow the Houston ramps. Cause I'm really kinda tired of hearing about them at this point...

As to why there's only 2 divisions in the Dome.... Check the Team Guide A-Z under "FIRST Sponsored Team Events". Note Friday's "staged entertainment performance". I think that explains everything right there.

If we are subjected to a concert, I know most or all of my team will be heading out before it even starts. 8:30 is laaaaate. Pits close at 7, and there's dinner to eat and strategizing and scouting to be done. And then bed so we have a chance of being in our pit by 7 the next morning. I'm... not optimistic about the attendance for this "staged entertainment performance". Though I suppose an empty house would be a pretty strong argument against it next year.

Finally, I'm really looking forward to the traffic jam in the Curie pits on Friday. Between Archie teams queuing 5 matches deep on the pit field and Curie traffic to/from the Dome through Galileo..... Yeah, that sounds like loads of fun. Here's hoping they don't flip coins and decide Archie should actually play on Newton's field.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Saying that no one would care to see a Black Eyed Peas concert is like saying teams would pass on going to Disney when the competition was finished. While we on CD are hardcore about FIRST most kids involved with FIRST come off as not as intense about it as we tend to get. Alot of kids are just out for a good time at the events and going to a free concert that would probably cost them $100 sounds like a pretty good deal to be honest. I expect alot of people to be there actually.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I don't think the Galileo pit are in two physical locations. It seems like they're just divided by the Pit Admin booth. If I remember correctly, weren't the Archimedes pits divided in a similar fashion last year?

I think it'll be interesting to see how crammed the Newton and Curie pits get Friday when teams on Archimedes and Galileo are trying to get to and from their "pit field".

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Actually, the latter apparently wasn't so far from the truth at Vex Worlds. I heard that event staff anticipated teams would go to Disney after their elimination from the tournament, but apparently the stadium remained packed all the way through.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

There are some differences between how that event was set up and how FIRST events at Walt Disney World were arranged. Many, many people spent a lot of time in the theme parks; some even before their teams were eliminated.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I'm hoping it's Iron Maiden and not the Black Eyed Peas...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Oh, oh, I want to play! I vote Van Halen with Sammy Hagar. Only the 1985-1996 version, not the 2003-2005 version.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Is it just me or are we going to be packed into this place?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Looks like it!

Hmm... this map may help me find some eggs.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Yes. We will be packed... Especially on Saturday... It may be standing room only in Curie and Newton.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

To all on Curie and Newton, please sit during your matches so everyone can see. Stand and cheer like crazy when your team is announced. Wave your flags, signs, and other spirit gear when your team is announced and when the score is announced after the match. Bleachers are crowded and the height difference between tall and short people is accentuated when we all stand.(In addition, it would be super if we could all make sure that our spirit items did not occupy seats in the stands. Seats will be precious.)

In Atlanta they reserved space for teams on Einstein to sit and cheer near the field. Will they have to do the same thing for Curie and Newton and give priority seating to the 24 teams selected for eliminations, the 8 alternates, and invite everyone else to go get a good seat in the Dome for the big show? When the pits are cleared for the elimination rounds I do not see how we will all fit.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I like the idea a lot. I do not know how hard this would be to implement though... But I think that it's a good start to helping solve the seating issue.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Any idea on the pit size?
What were they in Atlanta?
Is it safe to say there going to be the standarded 10 by 10.
Just tring to figure pit layout, its hard to tell from the map Bill put up.

Thanks,

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Robot coming through
Excuse me robot coming through
OMG ROBOT COMING THRU!!1!!!

So much for quieter pits.

I'm secretly hoping all of our anxieties are overblown...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

i feel like, there really is not a need to panic right now. there is so much "guesstimation" about how the whole thing will come together with not 100$ of the info. with FIRST there are always some kind of things to leave you guessing. so i think i may just sit back until 1 week from now so when i see it, my eyes will fall out from taking it all in at once

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Duct tape could help with that.::safety:: (joke)

Jane

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

This isn't counting FLL and FTC participants who may wish to view the FRC festivities, as well as people who come to the event that aren't affiliated with a particular team. This situation would be further exacerbated by non-affiliated spectators who may or may not be joined by his pregnant wife, toddler, and perhaps a stroller (which I realize would be this hypothetical spectator's cross to bear, but consideration would be appreciated).

Of course, this event will be populated and attended by thousands of bright, clever, courteous individuals who can overcome obstacles and make this event successful on all levels.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Looking at this map again reminds me of how small and crammed the pits were in Philly when it was at Drexel.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

At least Drexel had enough seating for all of the teams....

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I wonder if the secrecy about the concert on Friday with the un-named but we all know who they probably are group is due to the problem of keeping the general population from overwhelming the event. I'm sure they want to keep the concert pretty much limited to FIRST participants and friends, but how will they limit it? If they had announced several weeks ago that the un-named but we all know who they probably are group is going to be in town, word would have spread and fans would be camped out now to try and get seats.

I agree with several of the previous posters that we all need to stop the ever increasing speculating, whining, complaining, guessing, kvetching, griping, fussing, moaning, and start enjoying the experience. FIRST isn't there to try and ruin your trip, but is working very hard with a limited staff and a new venue to put on a very large and complicated event. Go and spread the joy and enthusiasm that we all should have to everyone on your team.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Maybe they will surprise us with a viewing area in the dome for the pit fields. That would be nice, then there would be room for all the students and spectators for the 176 teams that will have their divison's eliminations in the pits.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

CT was such a great regional when i went (2008) i wish we could go again, we were the only Canadian team at the regional.... and the stands were jam packed that year too!

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I went to philly one year, it wasn't THAT bad. St. Louis will be far worse.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

There have been some good points made in this thread, so far.

Firstly, teams watching from the bleachers. Please be respectful of those around you. More so now than in the past. It will be very close quarters and tempers might get a bit frayed. Please feel free to stand and cheer your team during introductions but then sit down and let everyone enjoy how magnificent your robot is.

Secondly, traffic is going to be tight around the pit fields. Please be patient, cautious and courteous.

Now for my two cents.

It is what it is. Griping won't help. Plan ahead, go with the flow, and enjoy as much of the experience as you can. You can offer constructive feedback afterwards.

Finally, remember that none of this is the fault of any of the volunteers that are going to be asking you to do some things that you might not want to do. Be nice to them. They are trying hard to keep things running smoothly.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

This is oddly familiar with the setup at the Boilermaker Regional, which is held in the Purdue Armory. It is a smaller venue than most with bleacher seating on both sides. The seats fill up quickly and finding a spot is difficult. The concern is that the field of teams at Purdue is 40.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

That was my first thought when I started considering how cramped intimate the non-Dome field experience might be. But notice how much larger the St. Louis setup is, and especially how much more room there is between the field and the bleachers.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

There was room on Thursday, some room on Friday, and no room on Saturday.

I agree with you.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I guess my question is what is going to happen to all those students/mentors/parents/etc that don't fit into the bleachers. It is just going to crowd up the pits... which will be overtaxed the way they normally are.

I would sadly have to say that I think it is going to be very crowded in the pits ... I am not sure what to tell parents who have flown 2000 miles to see the team play... sorry you can't be in the bleachers...there isn't enough room... etc etc..

This is really critical for eliminations... it is bad enough to have to play them in the pits let alone without seating for everyone...

It will be what it is... I just hope there is a really good reason...

B

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

The FLL has some team numbers are filled in but there are many duplications in the diagram. The FTC and FRC teams are obviously not called out in the drawing. This must be a preliminary diagram of some sort. I also noted that the path to the dome runs right through the FRC quiet area. How quiet will that area be?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Notice how the filename of the map Bill links to is FIRST%20CHAMPIONSHIP_Load_in.pdf. The link to the actual Pit Map (which in the past has shown the locations of teams' pits) on the Championship page on FIRST's website is not yet live. However, there is always the chance that the two will be the same...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

From today's Bills Blog.
Things are still a little up in the air I guess. Perhaps it's FIRST come, FIRST Served....... :o

Full text follows.....

Good Afternoon Teams,

If you’re keeping up with the website, you may have noticed the updates to the A-Z Team Guide (conveniently indicated in red) about the two FIRST Sponsored Team Events Friday and Saturday nights
and the new live link on the Championship page with information on the Saturday night FIRST CAFÉ: Food and Friends. If you’re interested in participating in the FIRSTies Talent Show, the deadline to apply is Monday, April 25th.

The official announcement from FIRST regarding dome layout is still on its way.
6 Days until Championship

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

anybody else notice that cut off shaded-in-blue box in the arena? i'm thought it might be something like a field or equipment, but everything else like that in the pits isn't shaded...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

In typical FIRST tradition, we must analyze the smallest slivers of information like a game hint! :D

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

There's a lot to do that doesn't involve sitting in the stands all day waiting for your team to play. Walk around and look at the displays in the FRC, FTC, FLL and JrFLL pits. Trade pins with the international FLL teams - they love to do that. Check out the LEGO, NI, PITSCO booths. Go to the robotic conferences and the Autodesk Theater. Go check out the FTC and FLL competition. Watch the Aerial Robotics challenge. Go to the HOF booths and talk to the teams there. Go to the FIRST store and browse the merchandise. Go to the Supplier's Showcase and Scholarship Row. If you have enough time between matches walk down to the Gateway Park and check out the Arch, riverboats, and museums there.

Most of all, don't go to St. Louis with the attitude that since they have changed things, it's going to be horrible and a waste of time and money. Embrace the opportunities there. Enjoy the experience.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I completely agree with what you've posted in this thread, including the above that I've reverse-truncated.
I don't believe there are a whole lot of people in FRC that are out looking for a bad time. I've personally never been to a robotics championship event (unless IRI counts) and am very much looking forward to the opportunity of being a spectator, not tied to a team or role, simply enjoying the experience with my family.
My concerns lie with the general public's experience. There will be parents, administrators, current and prospective sponsors for which this may be their first FRC experience. If what they take away is a crowded, chaotic, loud experience, then the perception of FIRST suffers. Those of us well-versed in robotic competitions wouldn't think twice of hearing "ROBOT!" in the pits - others may find this irritating and rude. If a team has a particularly exciting pit display, I'd like to be able to visit it and talk to team members without feeling like I'm imposing on other teams and individuals.
Especially with the performance of the act-that-is-not-to-be-named, there promises to be many, many FRC virgins that we all wish to have a positive experience.
If we want FIRST to be as popular as high school basketball on Friday nights, and I think we all do, we need the experience to be open, inviting, and comfortable.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Apparently there's some room/time for a dance floor?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Originally posted by Carol.....QUOTE/Most of all, don't go to St. Louis with the attitude that since they have changed things, it's going to be horrible and a waste of time and money. Embrace the opportunities there. Enjoy the experience.[/quote]

Carol,
First of all I am not sure you you get the above comment out of my original post.

I was speaking in regards to how to explain to a large group of parents why they won't be able to actually sit in the stands and see there students participating on the field.

I have been to championships for 8 years now... I am aware that there are many things to do... most of things are very appealing to students and mentors... but parents come to see their student's team play on the field. I will certainly encourage them to enjoy everything but they are going to be asking me this question...
I don't have an answer for them...

It will not be a simple thing to just drop by scholarship row and take that in and also visit the other fields and STILL get into the crowded pit stands and find a seat to see one of the 10 or so matches that will be scheduled for the team.

My team will come and play and have a good time. We will partake in everything that is going on...we don't do anything any other way.
We don't spend $25,000 + of team money to come out to complain we come to compete and make new friends and everything else FIRST is about. Parents don't really understand much of this... sure we educate them the best we can... but they want to see the competition.


I feel this is a legitimate concern and I really want to know what to tell parents when it comes up. It has ALREADY come up with my team and its supporters when I have explained what is going be going on in regards to having to change fields. I have repeatedly been asked why and it puts me in a difficult position to have to say that I don't know why...I have to defend FIRST when I am not given any reasons ......



I am more than a little concerned when another teams mentor jumps on a comment and makes the assumption that we are expecting it to be horrible so somehow we are doing something wrong...

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

The biggest concern I have is not being able to enjoy and participate in all of the offerings of FRC championships.
It seems that there is much more to offer in such little time, that perhaps it should turn into 4 full days instead of just an unpack your robot/get inspected 1st day. I'd love to check out NEMO presentations and offer to do one, but the scheduling almost makes it impossible to do and compete.

After seeing the site map for the event, I am cringing on how crowded it will be in such a relatively small space.

I'm really optimistic about the event but a little concerned about safety and the opportunities to get the most out of the experience.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Bob, I agree with you wholeheartedly on this point. My son's team was a rookie team last year; we went to Atlanta not knowing what to expect. We had a great time and were SO IMPRESSED with the Championships and all that FIRST stands for. We sat in the stands and watched almost every division match, and loved every minute of it.

This year, almost all the parents from our students and lots of extended family members (including quite a few elderly grandparents) are headed to St Louis BECAUSE those of us that went last year talked it up….Now the situation will be difficult in the pit fields. My family and my elderly parents will not be able to camp out in the stands for the day. I encouraged them to come before we knew we would be on the pit field for 2 days. They have their hotel reservations and are excited but I suspect they will end up watching another division's eliminations in the dome. They are not able to stand or walk around all day. I REALLY HOPE and have suggested they set up a viewing area in the dome for the pit fields on Saturday.

We will support our team; we will have a good time; I have not and will not crab about this to any of the other parents on the team. I don't have a bad attitude; I just think it's a DARN SHAME that ALL the spectators and students for the 176 teams in the pit fields can't see their division eliminations.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

The most depressing thing about this speculation is the widespread pessimism about the the proceedings. I know that pessimists have more pleasant surprises, but optimists are generally happier for longer times before being disappointed.

For instance, here's a possibility for you spectators in the dome: the large center projected TV screen (over Einstein?) may have selected matches from the fields in the pits. See? Ain't optimism grand?

I'm sure you all can think of some other things that may actually be fun about the prospects of the announced setup without expending a whole lot of effort at it.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

...just to be sure this crazy optimism stuff doesn't get too out of hand -- I'd be pretty cranky if I'd flown all that way, spent all that money and *still* had to watch my team compete on TV.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

I'm not a pessimist. I'm a cynic. Pessimists hope for the worst. Cynics just expect the worst.

Optimistic cynicism FTW! You can never lose!

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

FYI, (from wiktionary)

Is it cynical of me to let everyone else make their own assessment of my temperament in the belief that they will probably get it wrong? Or is it merely pessimistic?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Neither. It's optimistic of you to assume that anyone cares about your temperament. :)

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Do you look at it as half of the spectators WON'T be able to watch thier team compete, or do you look at as half of the spectators WILL be able to watch their team play...that will determine if your a pessimist or optimist.:D

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

According to that logic, Engineers would say there will be twice as many spectators as needed, and we all know that's not the case!

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Pessimism is expecting any video feed to the dome being the typical broadcast from FRC competitions: lots of "artsy" zoom-in shots of robots sitting still instead of broader view of action on the field.

Or is that being a realist?? :rolleyes:

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Zoom lenses are the bane of televised events. Directors and/or camera operators apparently feel they have to show them off and often. I get the impression, for instance, that the directors of televised fireworks displays are frustrated by having to sit in the equipment truck so they inflict useless and ineffective zoom shots of the displays to us at home.

Pessimism has me believing that the pit map won't be published online until I'm on the way to the airport and cannot use my dandy printer and editing stuff at home to make a useful copy of it for my pockets in St. Louis. What ever can be the holdup for that thing?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Saw this link up on facebook, interpret it as you may, but it looks like half of the dome is being used for something.

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/uploa...me_PRINTED.pdf

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

FLL and FTC pit maps are now available. FLL route to the dome includes a look at the dome setup for Einstein and two FRC fields there. Yep, one end is laid out for something else.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Looks like we have 2 times as many spectators as needed... let's get those people into the pits learnin' how other teams build their bots.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Looks like a concert stage layout on half the dome to me - my guess is the semi-circle being a projection screen, beneath it the stage area has two load in areas left and right?

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Still no pit map for FRC. Pessimism seeming more and more justifiable.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

From the April 6th Bill's blog:

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

If I look at this picture (from Bill's Blog) I see at least a couple of teams will have an idea where our pits are.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

If you want real pessimism... load in tomorrow is going to be a nightmare.

St. Louis is forecast for rain tomorrow evening (for the moment...)

The map of the pits shows no 'prestaging' area for the Load-in "A" that teams can use between the outside world and the pits during load-in. This means that if you show up at 4:30 and it's raining ... you will probably not want to unload things at all at Load-in "A".

Load-in went so smoothly in Atlanta (in the 4 years I've gone) because we could get there early, pre-stage things into the main hallway at 3-4pm, and simply wait for the opening of doors to the pits. No rush, no pressure -- just get there, get in, and relax after a long trip.

So in a pessimists view, there will be a crowd at Load-in "B" (assuming they even let us pre-stage things inside) and long lines at Load-in "A".

Typically I like to execute according to a realistic view ... so two of us are flying in early (1pm) to figure out how things will roll. Yet regardless of how load-in pans out, I'm truly optimistic that the overall experience will be rewarding.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

This is REALLY disappointing!

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

So you're wearing overalls? :] :)

As to the pit map - making up for the lack of stadium usage for competition by having stadium "seating" for the pits. Oh well, I'll just make my list of contacts and opti-pessi-mistily wander around looking for them.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Looks like they could have squeezed two more FRC fields on the left side of the stadium. If they moved FRC 1 a little more to the right. They could then split the FTC fields/divisions , put one to the left of FRC 1 and leave the other next to FRC 2. Then two more FRC fields can be fit next to the FTC fields/divisions. Thus each side of the stadium would have two FRC fields sandwiching a FTC field/division.

My primary concern with the fields in the pits is how noisy it will be. I recall that despite the huge amount of teams, that the pits were surprising quite (well, relative to regionals) in Atlanta. Correct me if i am wrong, maybe I just don't consider the sounds drills, grinders and etc. to be noise.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

If FLL and FTC are playing on Einstein, why not keep THOSE fields in the pits and put 5 FRC fields out in the dome?

Everyone gets their time in the dome, the fields in the pits take up less space, and the same-sized bleachers fit more teams (considering FLL/FTC teams don't go outside of ~15, and I think the average FRC team is between 25-35).

Big robots take up a lot of space. Big teams take up a lot of space. Space is always lacking in the pits, with this year packing in more people than northern Virginia traffic.

Re: Bills Blog - You're going to want to look closely at the diagram
 

Has defending FIRST really gotten to the point where spectators not being able to see their teams is OK? Come on, now. There's optimism, and there's blind faith. Some people have taken a lot of time and effort to be able to see their teams play.