[Taylor]

Someone please remind me what the acronym FIRST stands for. I don't believe the R stands for Robots. (I know, I know, FRC does, but tbtp.)
If we are to Recognize and be Inspired by Science and Technology, then absolutely the RCA, EI, and RAS teams should be included; I'd go a step further and say the RCAs and EIs should get prominent pit locations. Let's celebrate what we intend to celebrate - display the RCAs and EIs as the center of attention.
RAS - absolutely should be included. Having worked with a RAS team in 2010, the CMP experience absolutely lit a fire underneath that team that will smolder for years.

Having said that,

I also agree with what Nawaid said. The idea of a play-in bracket is one worth pursuing - it worked well for VCU BB in March, didn't it? The EIs and RASs are there the same duration as the other teams; they have a play-in bracket on, say, the dormant Einstein field, on Thursday. (I know FLL is there, we can be creative with that) The four winning alliances are plugged in as 8-seeds on Newton, Archimedes, Curie, and Galileo. These teams can get the recognition they deserve; their pit location can be fluid, and it will take some of the pressure off the very crowded A/C/G/N pits and fields.


*This is for RAS, EI, and RCA recipients that did not win their events