[EricH]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

Is the Wild Card system the one FRC deserves, or just the one it needs right now?

I think it's the one it needs right now. Here's why:

Back in 2009, the wild card was implemented in Michigan's district system--but it wasn't called that. It was more of: "Michigan gets 18 slots at Championship. They will fill them with their state winners, RCA, EI, RAS, and enough other teams from the top of their state rankings to fill out 18 slots." In 2012, MAR got the same scenario: 12 slots to fill with their top teams.

As districts expand to more areas (and the rumblings are that there will be at least 2 if not more new district areas in 2014), this system will be going into place in more and more places. The Wild Card is going to prepare teams for this transition. Once FRC is entirely districted, the Wild Card will probably disappear.

The other thing it does is eliminate one of the "favorite" CD discussions that happens every few years about how multi-event teams aren't being fair because they go to multiple events and take slots away from teams in a region that should really go because... If it's a later-season event, then there is definitely a chance that the wild card will be in play, and a reasonable chance that it is used.