Definition of a rookie team

[martin417]

I seem to remember in years past, that FIRST published a definition of a rookie team. Specifically, a team that has existed in the past, but has not been around for a while. When can they be considered a rookie team? (for things like highest rookie seed etc.)

[maths222]

See http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...-team-criteria

[GeeTwo]

The only thing I saw in the Admin manual which defines rookie year is:

Originally Posted by 2015 Admin Manual, 7.4.1.5Team Age

Rookie year is calculated based on the year in which FIRST recognizes the Team as a Rookie.

Our team is the second FRC team at Slidell High School. The Tyborgs, team 2182, competed in 2007 and 2008 and disbanded. When Tiger Robotics formed in fall of 2011, we opted to form a new rookie team rather than revive the old number. That year, we only had one mentor (Head coach, who moved to SHS that year) and one student (his son) on our 2011 team who had ever participated in FRC. My understanding was that this was necessary to be considered a rookie team. Our main reason, as I hear, was that 2182 had also burned some bridges with sponsors and the school administration and we were trying to make a fresh start.

[nighterfighter]

Mr. Wilson-

The number of years of "inactivity" required to be a rookie team is 3 years, according to USFIRST.

A returning team that has not been in a competition for three years would be considered a Rookie; that is, going into the 2015 season, the team cannot have competed in seasons 2014, 2013 or 2012. Teams, whose last competition season was 2011 or earlier, can return during the 2015 season as a Rookie with a 2015 Rookie team number, OR, they can continue as a veteran with their original team number. Teams that choose to register as a veteran are not eligible for the above listed Rookie incentives and recognition.

However, there is this one tidbit listed:

It is important to remember that these are guidelines only and FIRST will review special situations on a case-by-case basis as they are brought to our attention. Teams that do not meet the guidelines and wish to submit a petition for Rookie Status may do so by writing to us at frcteams@usfirst.org with a full description of their situation.

I am not sure what is considered to be a special enough situation.