[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Option 3 seems the best, but I'd really like to vote for a modification to it. Specifically, teams would be scheduled for n practices originally. Teams would be limited to n + x total practices, where x is determined based on regional team load etc. Once the team has reached n+x practices, the rest of their scheduled practices are mandatory byes.

The basic idea would be that teams fixing things etc would be missing matches early in the day, and at the end of the day everyone would be working, so there would be many many fewer missed practices. So the teams that were fixing things wouldn't really get much chance to make up for time they missed in the morning. By limiting the number of practices for teams that were getting extra practice in the morning, more spots would open up in the afternoon when the teams donating their morning spots would need them.

I see the reasoning behind this idea, Say teams are scheduled for 7 matches, but a max of 8 for the entire day is allowed. The team has their robot ready to go at the beginning of the day can fill early spots, a couple of their own, and theoretically be finished for the day by lunch time. After lunch, their scheduled matches become byes and teams that were not ready to go at the beginning of they day fill in the match from the filler line. This gives a better chance every team gets a near equal amount of practice without one team getting 10 matches, while another team only could make it to their last 2 scheduled matches.

However. I am in the belief that a team that has their robot best ready to go in the beginning of the morning made the best use of their six weeks. This time management skill should be rewarded by FIRST by receiving extra practice matches.

Pro to your suggestion: Option 2 could possibly be discrimination toward teams that are attending multiple regionals, say by their third regional they have all of the bugs worked out, while this same regional is another teams only regional.

I'm still in the catagory to give teams as many practices as possible. If they get out of a match and notice that the line is open for another team, they should be allowed to get back in line as many times as they wish. Great job for building a reliable robot...Only if Richard's suggestion is implemented and they have already passed inspection.