[MichaelH1902]

I feel compelled to clarify a few points regarding the disqualification of team 1902 Exploding Bacon and the alliance also consisting of teams 624 Cryptonite and 233 The Pink Team at the Orlando Regional. We are currently in talks with the Orlando regional, FIRST, and our alliance partners.

I will explain why we modified the robot for the finals and and a few details about what we did.

In the earlier matches we had struggled some with some intermittent technical issues with our shooter, but remained competitive due to the excellence of our drive team and the drive train. The Pink Team recognized this potential and wanted us in a defensive role, while they and Cryptonite put up the points. It was discussed that we would be more effective if we removed the arm to reduce our center of gravity. However, since that is a loss of over 40 pounds we would be too light for good traction and so ballast would need to be added.

At this point I suggested that we might be permitted to use unconnected batteries as ballast. Time was short and we would barely have time to make the changes, adding known weights would ensure that we would not be overweight when reweighed. Also, there few other choices since using bins of nuts and bolts seemed risky as they might spill their contents. Everyone agreed, that if permitted, it would be an ideal solution. Thus, before the final decision had been made to make the changes, I went to one of the inspectors, explained the situation and asked if we would be permitted to use batteries as ballast. It seemed prudent to get approval before embarking on such a course of action particularly since there is the well known rule prohibiting being powered by more than one battery. The inspector said that the batteries would have to be well secured and we must be weighed again and pass a re-inspection. All of that seemed reasonable and expected, so I reported back to the team.

The other teams arrived for consultation and we decided to go ahead with the changes. We removed the arm and attached a couple of aluminum extrusions for shot blocking and stiffening. Using heavy cable ties, the batteries were attached on top of the robot between the upright frames, but otherwise in plain sight complete with their unconnected cables visible.

With very little time remaining, four of our team members including two mentors took the robot to be inspected. The robot was weighed again (with the ballast batteries in place) and came in under the limit. Just to be clear, we did have the robot inspected after the modifications and with the ballast batteries in place. It went straight from the inspection to the field. I was later told by one of the other inspectors that we should have obtained a written re-inspection document of some kind. We did not receive one and it seems that we should have insisted we get one.

Exploding Bacon has a wonderful nine-year history and has won the Chairman's and Imagery awards. We all hold to the values and principles of FIRST with unswerving dedication. We are all ambassadors for these same values. On this point I know I can speak for the team: we would never willingly do anything to malign the reputation of this fine organization or our own good name. We would never risk the reputation of FIRST or our team in order to win. We acted openly and in good faith in every way.