Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJohnston
Sure, the extended time would help the struggling team to get that "cross a defense, shoot that boulder" routine down. It would also give them some practice time. However, the "elite" team would be working on something that would score two or three boulders and practicing full scrimmages with multiple robots. The deadlines are tough on lesser experienced teams, but they also keep "elite" teams in check. Yes, every team would have a better-functioning robot. However, it would not overcome the design flaws inherent to any team without professional engineers and lots of FRC experience.
If we want to truly create better parity:Look to help poorly financed teams learn how to raise money. Help them to find mentors. Take them under your wing and teach them what you know. Etc. In a nutshell, help them to become better engineers and teach them to find resources. Isn't that what our focus should be anyhow?
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I can tell you that with out B&T we wouldn't build 2 robots, there saves 6-10K right there each year, because i no longer have to make 4+ of everything. Know what I can do with that extra money?
I can build a decent practice field and maybe get a permanent facility to house a practice field which i can then invite other teams in the area who didn't have a practice bot before who now do because B&T is gone and help them practice and get better.
B&T keeps the floor and ceiling low for low resource teams, I would know i mentored and ran one during college. Removing it will only raise that floor and ceiling for all teams, which is a great thing. A fully functioning and tested robot is way more inspirational than a robot that you built in 6 weeks but doesn't move in 90% of the matches in your 1 and only competition, because you didn't get any true time to test it.
Another thing i can do with that extra money is increase the amount of outreach my team does because now we have a legitimate budget for it.