I am sure FIRST gives open bids to the Championships to assure that the event gets filled each season. After the initial registration for all the prequalified teams the "12-noon free for all" for the remaining slots in the model not designated for those earned in competition is supposed to fill the rest.
This year it didn't really work too well and all the slots were filled in minutes only to have a number be vacated weeks later when the money was due.
At first our team missed the slot (by seconds apparently) when the open registration began. Our team regrouped and decided then to hold our money towards the Hawaiian regional next year if we didn't win a slot for the Championships. When the wait list opened up later in the fall we were invited and turned it down. Fate had it that we did indeed win a slot at NJ and we registered then. So we now have a daunting fund raising year ahead of us if we plan to still make the trip to HI.
Overall this year has changed our/my view of the Championships and open enrollment. Every team deserves a chance to experience the event- that much is certain. Like Olympic teams, very few will win the big event but all benefit from the experience and the pride of representing their school on the big stage.
The move I see to make FIRST more like regional and divisional HS sports is unfortunate because it will most likely reduce the opportunities for the less successful teams to participate in non-local events. Overall I prefer the "local tournament" model similar to that of travel soccer where teams can sign up for any event they want to register for and it doesn't require weeks for local competitions to determine who the travelers are. As for the Championships, maybe I can see winning a spot as the ONLY way to qualify. That way it is a TRUE championship. But if it is just a "celebration of robotics" then open enrollment lends for a much more diverse celebration
WC
