Quote:
Originally posted by dlavery
For example, in basketball, ... the game is stopped when a goal is scored.
So here is the question: can anyone think of a sport or game or event that has a fixed amount of game time (i.e. there is a game clock) and a running score, where the game is NOT stopped after each score?
|
I still think that Basketball is the answer, or at least a derivative of it.
In Basketball, the game doesn't have to be stopped. In a regular game, many points can be scored if there are no fouls or rule violations (travelling, double-dribble, etc.) If FIRST can reasonably penalize fouls and rule violations quickly, fairly, and consistently while not stopping the clock, then basketball would be a great FIRST game.
I still think that Basketball would be a very successful FIRST game. Sure, it would have to be tweaked a bit to fit the FIRST format of playing many rounds, but those details can be worked out. The positives involved are SOOO big that they would outweigh some of the difficulties of the details. I'd like the bring up these positives again:
1. Field setup is easy. Every HS gym has a basketball goal or two... all they need is carpet. Sure, the competition sites may need a more protective layer under the carpet, but that can be done.
2. Media and fan friendly. Basketball is arguably the best sport to watch on television. Most people understand it, and it is easy to explain.
3. Design diversity and teamwork. Robots can still do different functions while playing basketball... they can play defense, shoot long shots, dunk, block, and pass. Would the ultimate robot do all of these things well, or just one extremely well? I don't know. Since it's not obvious, many robots would have different designs. Also, this game would make us work together in order to win. The passing robot would get the ball to the dunking robot, for example.
4. School and American culture acceptance would be easily attainable. Imagine a demonstration during a halftime show of a robot team versus a human team... it would be very entertaining. The audience would understand the game easily and start rooting for a side to win. If the robots are good enough to win, it would be downright scary.
5. Embrace the sporting world, don't twart it. Sure, heroes should not be sports figures and it's the entire professional sports business has gotten way out of hand. However, bashing and ridiculing athletics doesn't convert too many people over to the FIRST program. Accepting the fact that the American sports culture is not going away is what FIRST needs to do... they need to make an attempt at playing one of their games.
I really think that this could be huge. I really think that FIRST robots should play basketball.
Andy B.
ps... and I used to wrestle in high school... sheesh!