[EricH]

Originally Posted by AustinSchuh

I'd say that's a slippery slope. I don't have an answer, but we've been in matches where one of our alliance partners could barely drive, and leaving their trailer off the field might have made it a lot easier on the rest of the alliance.

I might...

Please note, this is for offseasons only! (Translation: Dave, don't get any ideas.)

Have one of the teams on that colored alliance in the next (or previous) match play as a surrogate for a team that physically did not show up with a robot.

Now, record/rankings: For the team that didn't show up, they get a tie if their alliance wins, and a loss if they lose. (For full credit in a win, drive the robot that's been volunteered themselves.) For the team that loaned their robot's time and battery power, it's a tie in case of a loss and a win in case of a win. Or it just doesn't count for either team, same as a total no-show in an official event.

Now, the beauty of this plan: When you're done with the match, pull the robot and trailer straight to your favorite alliance starting position, change the battery, and load up.

OK, you can haul me off to the crazy house now...