[Boltman]

Originally Posted by jman4747

Okay well excuse me for getting a wait list spot and diluting the competition with my crappy lite robot you selfish...

Any way, back to facts. #1 it won't be "20 percent" of teams as time goes on and there are more total teams competing. #2 FIRST has found a way to hold a 600 slot championship and I think it's fine for them to invite extra teams so they can make sure they know how to handle that many in the future as more qualifying events spring up. #3 having a larger field means a bigger event. I think the size and participation that newcomers see when they first visit a championship or regional is part of the sell.

Its not about you or your team and the numerous wait-list spots with the 50% expanded field of 2015 (FIRST created that with 20% or 600 going this year) ... its about sensible growth and geographical "fairness" that reflects the world and FIRST'S mission statement. Common sense is needed.

North/South was settled 150 years ago. FIRST has an obligation as a non-profit to make sensible moves that benefit its customers, not just grab more entry fees, bolster Andy Mark and hotel chains in two cities , with outrageous package pricing and weaken the competition level into two semi-events with no chance to see the best teams in one arena starting in 2017.

Thats in essence the root of the questioning going on here.. it does not add up to any good future move for newer teams like us nor long-standing established teams... it shakes the foundation of FIRST equally. Hence this thread. Hope someone decides to do a change that what was presented a day ago.