[GaryVoshol]

In leagues that have the promotion/relegation model, the teams play only in their own division all year long. Then at the end of the season, usually following some kind of playoffs, the promotion/relegation happens. And I don't know that I've ever seen a 50% change - usually it's 10%, maybe 20%.

So are you proposing that we have a split season all the way through? That teams in Champion only play against other Champion division teams?

If not, you don't have a fair way of moving teams to either of the championships. Teams could do wonderfully well in the season, beating other teams that are in the "top" division, but still be sent to the "second" championship.

Come to think of it, there's kind of a precedence for that in FIRST - it's called FLL. Teams could win the Champion award (equivalent to Chairman's) at their state championship, but not get invited to the World Festival. The only difference is that there isn't a "second" championship for them to be invited to, just some Opens. It would be like FRC saying, "OK, you're great, but because you weren't great before you can't go to champs. Maybe you should apply to IRI."