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Unread 16-03-2008, 03:12
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AKA: Andrew Su
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Re: Silicon Valley Regional 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Elevator View Post

I'd also like to add that when fixing the robot in between the matches, there was significant damage caused to our robot that had to have been intentional and in no way could have been accidental. For example, a steel 3/8 in drive axle was bent due to the overly aggressive actions of the opposing alliance. This threatened our chances of continuing on.
I don't mean this in a bad way, but I don't think any of their team would have tried to intentionally damaged YOUR robot specifically, seeing as how 100 and 254 were the clear top hurdlers. Obviously, I was getting annoyed both as a driver and a spectator when there were clearly aggressive actions going on.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rex114 View Post
The extent to which team 8 blocked the trackball was very sketchy, I apologize for not knowing all of the rules front to back, but sitting in a corner blocking one of the trackballs is not allowed if I remember correctly (please don't thrash me on not knowing the rules, but I distinctly remember team 8 blocking two trackballs, one of which was popped, for over 15 seconds in I believe match 2)
No "thrashing", but it is allowed as long as their is space to go around that robot on the track, which there was. Also, the popped ball couldn't be replaced yet because it was unsafe for the field personnel to do so. You can also legally herd their ball around the field to prevent them from ever picking it up and hurdling the ball.

Although the head ref was pretty reasonable, there were a TON of inconsistencies with the refs about many different things. We had referees trying to tell us that we had to have the entire robot on the slanted fence when only one point needed to be. This happened throughout both days, and even once in our last match. We needed to get another ref to prove that we were right each time. It also seemed like some refs were timid in calling penalties, unsure about whether to call an obvious penalty.

From my observations, it seemed like the refs were trying to cut back on calling penalties. For example, during one of the finals matches, 254 had a blue ball get into their gripper mechanism somehow. Immediately, our drive team turned to one another and said "that's possession" but it was never called. There were multiple instances throughout the day where the assistant refs didn't seem to know what was going on. Out of the 10 qualifying matches, I think I went to the challenge box at least 6 or 7 times, and even one more during eliminations.

I understand they are all volunteers, but even at the same regional, there were inconsitencies from one end of the field to the other. The passion that most of the students have are reflected in the fact that they know more rules than SOME of the refs.
But of course, we all know that at the end of the day, all that matters was we had fun(ish) and learned stuff (I hope).