I have three problems with this new system.
1) How you did last year should have NO influence on whether or not you can attend the nationals. The game is completely new this year, and is never similar from one year to the next. So why should the winners of a different game get a definite yes on going to the nationals this year? How any of the regional or national winners did last year does not necessarily determine how good they will be this year.
2) Same as above, any of any team's standings or awards from last year should not effect this! The slate is wiped clean, and this competition is supposed to be the complete OPPOSITE of last years competition in the aspect of offense/defense.
3) The even over odd registration for the nationals, I just don't get how you can determine if a team is worthy of going to the nationals by team number.
I do however agree with setting aside spots in the nationals for teams who have done well
this year and having to register in a regional to register for the nationals.
I can see that by doing this FIRST has angered many teams and sponsors, and I can see no good coming from this system at all. I strongly urge FIRST to change their mind about what they are doing. Going back to the old system and just lowering the number of teams that can attend could solve all this.