[Jeremy Roberts]

Originally posted by Joe Johnson
Jeremy,

I am excited about Atlanta but I know that many many folks are worried about the ramp issue and to a lesser degree, the distance to the pits.

Getting inside the dome building is one thing, getting to the field you have to play on is another.

How sure are you about this (especially the flat walk)?

Is the playing field on ground level? Many of the fields I am familar with have the field in a hole, below grade.

How long do you estimate it will take to get from one corner of the football field surface to the opposite corner?

I am not complaining, I am just asking.

Finally, I don't think it is spilling the beans or stealing FIRST's thunder to put our minds at rest on these issues, but you will have to decide what Gracious Professsionalism requires in this instance (especially if FIRST more or less made you swear on a stack of bibles not to devulge any such details).

Thanks.

Joe J.

In answer to your question I am 99.99% sure about the flat walk. I already mentioned the two short loading dock style ramps but those are not even worth caring about. The playing field is on same level as the pits (ground level). As far as the walk across the stadium, I am not quite sure how long it takes to walk. Its about 1.5 the size of a football field on the floor.

I was at Houston and believe me when I say this is a lot better for moving back and forth with the robot.

Lastly, I do not think that the Peachtree Regional will be held in the Dome. As for it being the week before the Nats. we will just have to wait and see when FIRST releases the dates.

I would never say anything I did not believe FIRST would mind me sharing. Even if I tried I'd probably disappear before I could talk.

<edit> Contrary to one of my previous posts I think the walk from pits to field is about 2-3 min (nearer 3). I guess I just walk really fast </edit>