[Petey]

Nuttyman is right. While waterproofing a robot is indeed a formidable task, it is nothing next to constructing a giant underwater practice field.

Look, even if FIRST did supply us with, say, an inflatable swimming pool that measured the size of the field (throw in an air compressor for the sake of not being lightheaded), what teams are going to have the place to set that up? On my parquet floor? Bro, they won't allow a bottle of Aquafina in my gym, much less a swimming pool. And you think a school would spring for filling/emptying a swimming pool on a regular basis? Hello, water bill and imminent flooding.

Look, to get an underwater game, FIRST would have to do one of two things:

A) Find a way to provide every team with a magical swimming pool that filled itself, did no damage to gym floors, cost no more money than a normal field setup (in the hundreds of dollars lets say)

or

B) Allow only teams with incredible resources and/or sponsors with personal pools to have testing before the match.

Won't happen, man. Not even close. Think of the basic problems! It would be institutionally irresponsible of FIRST--and contrary to their basic messages of fairness, especially to new vs. established teams--to bring an underwater game to the fore.

That said...8 hours till kickoff.

--Petey