[Rick]

I dont understand why every one is getting so upset. I'd like to see more people who are content with the rules, like me and Ogre, to reply with some positive reinforcement. FIRST got it right with the changing of the human player triangle from 36" a side to 48". This was a major problem at the UTC scrimage with scores that were in the 30's originally drop to below ten, or even zero.

Here is what I think FIRST means by the rule of loading zones. Get as close as you can to the loading zone safely, without knocking over the loader, without hitting a field attendant or referee. Then safely take the tetra off the loader while staying there. When you have it you can go score it. Also the reason to get close to the loader is to prevent a defensive robot from attacking you if you were say 10 feet off the triangle taking a tetra. If you get up in there and go through the motions of getting a tetra, that defensive robot will stay away.

The first set of regionals are are important for many reasons. We the players get a chance to see how the game is played and what it takes to win. FIRST gets to see how the matches flow (6 teams this year), how strict to be with penalties, and any other potential problems with RUNNING the event. We get to play, but FIRST has to run it.

I'm sure there aren't a bunch of rule makers sitting in a board room discussing "What rule can we change now to mess with the teams' heads?".

Lets all just sit back and enjoy the regionals!