[Elgin Clock]

You rcosts actually won't be anywhere near the $4800 mark for registration purposes at least.
A lot of these off-seasons are on the same weekend. if a team went to 10 a year, that would be unbelievable!

I think this could work in theory.

if a team wants every experience associated with FIRST without breaking the bank, then they could do it this way:

If someone wants to break down the costs here at some time to run a comparison, go ahead.

"Normal Season"

Registration
Kickoff
The 6 week experience
1 Regional Event
(additional regional event)
The Championship Event
2 Off-Seasons (just for arguments sake for an average number)


"Modified season"
Registration
Kickoff
The 6 weeks experience
1 Regional Event (may as well)
NO CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
8 off seasons (again for arguments sake / half of your estimated 16 number)

The cost difference will obviously be how many regional events you attend, & the lack of a Championship Event for the modified season.

The factor that could actually push the "modified season" well over the cost of a "normal season" would be lodging & travel expenses for off-seasons (which are usually low, but if you want to make that your big travel expenditures, it could add up fast.)

What could also effect this, is something I heard briefly but don't know the details of yet.
if teams are allowed to carry over their conrol systems from year to year, & they interface with the software that run the field the same every year, then you could theoretically invest money in that type of system next year, & then ONLY do off-season events (providing it was ok with the organizers of the off-season) A lot of times Off-seasons have a banner rule that as long as the robot competed in an "official event" then they are good to go for the off-season.

This may change that sometimes unspoken rule, & require off-seasons to have an inspection process.

No new way of thinking is ever perfect the first time it is presented, but that doesn't mean it's not possible.

This could actually have potential for some teams in the future, with a large expense of a brand new kit (re: official registration) investment once every comple of years if that.
Hopefully if a team ever decided to do this, they wouldn't be seen as "playing the system" & still get the recognition from the general FIRST community for their work.

Let's take it even a step futher, & have a flashback here.
If teams independently from FIRST or seperate organizations such as the (still alive in some form -kinda) N.E.R.D. organization or M.A.V.E.R.I.C.K. organization wanted to, they could actually recognize these teams overall in a "modified season".
I once heard talk about a cup system (like is known in Auto Racing) completely seperate from the Regional & Championship level of official FRC practices, where a team could attend multiple Off-Seasons who were part of the "cup race", & the teams who only wanted to participate in these off seasons, and not the normal season, could sign up & get points for this & win a big trophy at the end.

This is a meshing of a million ideas, but it could happen in the future given the way this program is growing.