Wow. Let's not let our imagination run away. Steam is hot, water is a conductor, coal is hot and dirty, drones may be unsafe, minibot would have to be hardwired as they would be controlled by the RoboRio.
Based on the safety inspections in the previous years, FRC would not ask us to play with fire, steam, coal or anything that could cause physical harm to anyone.
I like the idea of gathering enough fake coal in a boiler like target and when enough coal is gathered, the balloon takes flight.
Maybe the football shape is important. Throwing a spherical ball is somewhat easy. Throwing a football straight requires a spin on it's long axis that is perpendicular to the direction thrown. That would be a nice challenge...
