[Natchez]

Thanks for your input. Since there are mostly comments, let me wrap-up the pros & cons of having a Warm-up Event.

Pros
-Communities will have FIRST events that currently do not have FIRST events. This would help to expose FIRST.
-Helps equalize the amount of robot-time between one-regional and multi-regional teams.
-Allows teams to help other teams in a low-pressure atmosphere.
-Allows rookies to get a feel for the flow of a tournament before attending their, often only, regional.
-MAY make for a more satisfying season for rookie teams thereby helping the retention rate.
-Teams have a scrimmage before their only regional.
-Improves the chances for one-regional teams to qualify for the Championships.
-One-regional robots work better at their event.
-Teams get to compete more during the season.
-FIRST gets to train refs in a low-pressure environment.
-FIRST gets to see the game being played before the first regional.
-Teams get to see different strategies before the first event.
-Minimizes the pickup points for FedEx.
-Teams learn how to put together a small local event.
-School gyms across the country would have robotics events on the same day.

Cons
-Teams have to host an event.
-Possibly takes money away from FIRST because teams don't feel the need to attend two regionals.
-Takes time away from family.
-Multi-regional teams now have more competition.
-Multi-regional teams have to compete cold with teams that have been to a Warm-up event.
-Puts teams that are one-regional teams and cannot attend a Warm-up at more of a disadvantage than they are now. Maybe a hardship waiver to just keep the bot until Saturday afternoon might help to solve this.



After reviewing the pros and cons, I don't see an issue with proposing this to FIRST. As I study it, I like the idea more and more. A special thanks to everyone that helped develop it.