[Kit Gerhart]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

First off I want to say how bad I feel for 233, 624 and 1902. They beat us straight up and 100% deserved to move on from our match. We were packing up after quarter 2 and someone from another team came to the pit and told us to stop because they were going to replay the matches due to the extra batteries. We weren't aware of the situation but naturally at that point we were excited to get another chance and not thinking really about the ramifications. In eliminations there's a lot of pressure to keep things moving fast. So we stopped packing and went to see what had happened. A number of people and alliance partners said the ref's needed an alliance captain to challenge this to get a rematch. I approved of this and sent our alliance captain student to present the question. As we stood there and waited on deliberation I realized this could have been a misunderstanding on 1902's part. I seriously doubt they willfully would try to sneak something past the inspection. I'm sure they were too rushed to get the arm off to even think about the inspection. Batteries are the first logical choice to replace the weight. Old rules said you can't do that but I'm hearing after that its not a clear current requirement. I think I heard their alliance checked for the rule as well and felt confident in their decision. I also think the inspection process is more about weight and in their case a major change on the robot could have meant an extensive re-inspection that probably didn't happen in the big rush to get on the field.
That said after we challenged I started to get a sinking feeling that this was going to go bad for that alliance and I don't think it should have. We were excited about having the chance for a rematch just out of a selfish wish to compete again, I really didn't think it would happen but as a team coach you have to leave no stones un-turned, you have to be thorough and consider the what ifs. But when we were told this decision was not negotiable and the 233 alliance would be eliminated my heart fell and I can't describe how bad I felt for pushing the issue. I regret the outcome and sincerely apologize to your teams. I didn't expect it would come to that and looking back would have pulled the plug on our challenge from the start. I saw some kids really hurt by this and didn't want to continue. But when its go time, you go, and we did. But know that we weren't happy about this and hope you guys understand these were truly unintended consequences.

Thanks for your informative post, Dan.

In my 19 years of involvement in FIRST, until yesterday, I don't remember an alliance, or team being retroactively DQ'd from matches, or DQ'd from elimination rounds as a result of what appears to have been a misunderstanding between a team and the inspectors. I am very sure that Bacon were acting in good faith with the changes, and were under 120 pounds with the non-connected batteries.

We have no problem with your team's submitting the challenge. We may well have done the same thing if in the same position, probably expecting nothing, or maybe a rematch for one of the matches.

Anyway, it was great seeing everyone at the event, and best of luck to 1592, 180, and 4901 at St. Louis. We will have another chance to qualify at Chesapeake, and hope to join you.