[archiver]

Posted by Steve Plunkett, Engineer on team #121, Rhode Warriors, from Middletown, RI and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Posted on 3/15/99 5:19 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: The Society for More Qualifying Rounds posted by Chris on 3/15/99 4:33 PM MST:



I just came back from Philly and from what I understand, there will
be 2 stages in Florida. It took all day Friday for 60 matches to be played
on 2 fields in Philly. The reamining 23 were played Sat. morning until noon.
I would love to have several seeding matches, however, it is a logistical
problem in Florida. With 220 teams playing, it will take 220 matches for
all the teams to get four seeding matches. Assuming 4 fields, then 2 matches
can go on at once. Therefore, you will need almost as twice as long to
complete the seeding matches as you did for 60 matches in a day at Philly.
Friday ran from 9:30 - 4:00 pm with a half hour break for lunch, a total of
6 hours of seeding matches (approx.). Double that and add a break for lunch,
it looks like will be going on into the night in Florida as it is with 4
matches.

The practice rounds will require 55 x 15 minute slots or 13.75 hours of time
for everybody to get one practice round (if there only 4 playing fields).
So this could roll over into Friday morning, then the seeding matches begin
and go into the night. The last seeding matches are completed Saturday
morning and the Quarters can start after noon.

I'm sure FIRST would like to have more seeding matches, but there is only
so much time in the 3 days that they have to play with. What I have said could
be subject to change, but I think they like the 2 stage format because
both stages could be located in a way where you use only one arena. I think
the stages will be somewhat facing each other (maybe at a some angle?) and
the stands are in between. This would allow matches on both stages without
getting up and changing their seats. Spectators could just turn towards the other
stage.

I could be wrong on the above statements, but I think it might go that way.
Let's wait to see what the format really is and go from there. If there are
more than 4 fields, that will move things along. But I really don't know
for sure other than the stage count.