In the early weeks, I feel that bots unable to hurdle will have a larger role, particularly (as just mentioned), as nuisances. Keeping balls away from the effective herders will be ever bit as important (if not more so) than them doing laps.
Later on, as drive teams get more skilled and educated, and as robots come together more, we'll see more coordination. More "relays" and "passing" will come into play, and teams will learn what it takes to maintain control of the ball (which, especially with shooters, makes it important to have three teams at least capable of manipulating the track balls well).
Hybrid is where the "speed-demons" can be dangerous, as we've already seen two teams capable of running nearly three full laps in hybrid alone (148 and 1519)...on an open field. The question is, how much further can they make it than a 217 (or other speedy hurdler)?
The only real advantage to not having the ability to hurdle is the ability to make a tiny robot (ala 148 and 1519), but we have yet to see how much of an advantage that really is. Especially given that neither of them have mechanisms designed to maneuver the trackball, and that their small size hurts their ability to control trackballs and the traffic on the track.
Ultimately, a vast majority of the major "factors" (good bots) will at least have the ability to hurdle. Not all of them will use it all the time, but everything a lap-bot can do, so can a fast hurdler if it wants to. And most alliances will likely want and need the flexibility of the third hurdler to help enhance their offense.
Then again, I am a fan of the spread offense (football), the torpedo (hockey), the Phoenix Suns style offense (basketball), the 296/217/522 alliance of 2006, and the 1595/116/93 alliance of 2007. So my strategic perceptions may be a bit biased...
