[Jared Russell]

Does anyone think that - pragmatically speaking - the registration fee is a blessing in disguise for FIRST?

We all know that FIRST is growing by leaps and bounds each year, and that is WITH a $6000 registration fee. As it is, you sometimes get the feeling that the organization is being stretched too thin.

If the registration fee was less, how many more teams would there be? How would FIRST deal with the need for more infrastructure?

FIRST loves to grow - no doubt about it - and I'd even say that in my opinion they are growing a little too fast.

But the high cost of FIRST is, realistically, the only thing letting the organization mature at a somewhat reasonable rate.