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I think we should not use balls again next year. Teams are getting used to handling/picking up balls. Ball collection systems will begin looking similar to previous years. Teams who manipulated balls will have advanced knowledge over rookies and 'non-ball' handling teams, giving them an unfair advantage. The mechanics of ball collection remain static despite their usage in the game. If balls are implemented, teams will simply look at robot designs in previous years. Yes, the designs will be better, but not by the teams own inginuity. Also, FIRST seems to like keeping teams on their toes. Using other devices would be most beneficial.
In regards to frisbees, FIRST can use a cetain brand of frisbees for uniformities sake. Plus, teams will given a frisbee or too in the kit. We need some kind of obscure, yet recognizable playing mechanism. Frisbees or footballs would both accomplish this. They can be handles an easy way (dumping them), or a harder way (launching them). Launching them would be a good FIRST challenge in itself because of the spin needed to keep them aloft and in a straight path. These mechanisms would be extaordinarily effective in a FIRST game.
~Hubicki~
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Shoot, I rambled again.
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