[sastoller]

Reading the rules, specifically the 2nd half of G38, it clearly states that running over a boulder inadvertently should not be called a foul. Unfortunately, the problem with this rule is that it is up to the referees to judge the intent of the driver. Anytime you ask a ref to judge intent, there are going to be issues. In cases like this, it is up to the FIRST to make sure that events are judged fairly and consistently. This is done by writing the rules well (and it seems like they tried to, with the use of examples to guide the refs), and by training Head Referees well.

I'm curious as well to see how this rule is judged at champs. Regardless of how it is judged by the Head Referees at champs, it is important that they be consistent across all 8 fields of play. Consistency of calls across regional events (as much as the inconsistency this year pains many of us) is much less important than the consistency of the calls made at Champs. FIRST must make sure that the head referees on each field, and on Einstein, are all making the same calls.

G38
Examples of interaction with BOULDERS that are not “control” include,
but are not limited to:
A. “bulldozing” (inadvertent contact with BOULDERS while in the path of
the ROBOT moving about the FIELD)