Bills Blog - Champs info

[Mr. Van]

Originally Posted by LightWaves1636

... what's the team social going to be like?

From what I can tell, there has been NO INFORMATION about the "social" or "finale" from [i]FRIST[i] or Steele Meetings other than "we will have one" and all details are "TBA".

Anyone have any other information?

Will there be one? Will food be available? Anyone know?

-Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox

[DCA Fan]

What happened to KISS? This is just asking for trouble. If the venue could not accommodate 4 fields, they should've picked a different venue.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Bob Steele

Intimate normally means small and crowded

I wonder if there will even be bleachers or seating in these "intimate" pit fields.
Or will they just be glorified practice fields...

I guess they need more room to put FTC and LEGO LEAGUE in front of everyone in the DOME. Or more room for VIPS or something...

This is, indeed, very disappointing...a logistics nightmare.

I don't get it... but don't expect anyone to tell you why...especially BILL

Aw man! I hope they aren't kicking two FRC fields to the pits so FLL and FTC can be showcased in the dome. You can't even see the action from the stands!
ARGH!

[LightWaves1636]

Originally Posted by Bob Steele

Intimate normally means small and crowded

I wonder if there will even be bleachers or seating in these "intimate" pit fields.
Or will they just be glorified practice fields...

I guess they need more room to put FTC and LEGO LEAGUE in front of everyone in the DOME. Or more room for VIPS or something...

This is, indeed, very disappointing...a logistics nightmare.

I don't get it... but don't expect anyone to tell you why...especially BILL

Oh man, if the stage is bigger for the "entertainment" side of FIRST........I just don't know....

or maybe they kicked out two FRC fields cause they couldn't fit a 4th and make it the "black sheep" field.....I wish he posted on why the fields are the pits, it'll give a little more ease of mind even if it's still a logistics nightmare.

[Koko Ed]

Is anyone missing Atlanta already?

[Nemo]

Is the location of the pits known?

Spectators' ability to see the pit fields seems like an obvious concern. It was pretty easy for everyone to see when each field had its own corner of the Georgia Dome. Hopefully that has been one of the team's considerations as they make their arrangements.

This is a puzzling move. I wonder if they're trying to set things up so it's easier for more people to watch Einstein at the end. That has been an issue in the two years I was there.

[TJ92]

Who wants to pay 5K to play in the pits?

I've never been to the Championship Event, but I think I miss Atlanta despite that fact. My team has a outsiders shot at making in in through the MSC points system, but honestly if we play in the pits there is nothing special about the event. On a side note: If the switch is made at noon on Friday than doesn't that give some teams more time on the main field 6 hours Thursday and 3.5 Friday. The others will get 5 hours Friday and roughly 3.5 at the most Saturday. That means one group gets an extra hour on the good fields. For 5K teams deserve to play on a better spot than "in the pits."

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by TJ92

Who wants to pay 5K to play in the pits?

Only for half the event.
So you're actually paying $2500 to play in the pits.

[LightWaves1636]

Originally Posted by Nemo

Is the location of the pits known?

Spectators' ability to see the pit fields seems like an obvious concern. It was pretty easy for everyone to see when each field had its own corner of the Georgia Dome. Hopefully that has been one of the team's considerations as they make their arrangements.

This is a puzzling move. I wonder if they're trying to set things up so it's easier for more people to watch Einstein at the end. That has been an issue in the two years I was there.

Now I'm afraid they're going to say one of the fields IS EINSTEIN.........I hope not....
I just remembered the whole will.i.am stuff, what if they do have bigger stage for entertainment stuff????

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by LightWaves1636

Now I'm afraid they're going to say one of the fields IS EINSTEIN.........I hope not....
I just remembered the whole will.i.am stuff, what if they do have bigger stage for entertainment stuff????

Nah. They wouldn't do that.
That would do more damage to FIRST's reputation than anything they have ever done in the past.
I can't see then doing it.

[jblay]

The prospect of having to organize scouting around this is driving me out of my mind but the more important point is what are they gonna be doing for the elimination matches? Are 2 of the divisions going to be playing elimination matches in the pit?

Are you gonna even be able to watch your team play if you manage to make the eliminations? The pits will be too crowded to be able to see the field.

[Mike Starke]

I just keep shaking my head. I can't believe this. Championship suddenly just lost it's allure. Feels like we'll be competing at another Regional, rather than at the World Championships...

They didn't mention where teams would be for practice matches. How is it fair that teams could possibly spend all day Thursday, and half of Friday in the Dome, while the rest of the teams have to suffer sitting on bleachers in the pits, and only get a half a day in the dome on Friday? No mention of qualification matches on Saturday. Will two divisions be sharing a field in the dome for Eliminations? Something that stuck out when I read the blog is the use of the word "Qualification" fields.

I just don't know why they would release only part of the information. Leaves us with so many questions.

And as Justin said, tune in to our show tomorrow night, as we will definitely be talking about this! http://www.livestream.com/MikeandJustinITM (and don't forget to vote at http://www.FRCTop25.com)

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by TJ92

Who wants to pay 5K to play in the pits?

I'm fine with it. I have no problem playing in the pits.

My concern is the switch halfway through Friday. This is an unnecessary logistical headache for teams. We've had to tweak our automodes at every regional we attend because the distance between the tower and the scoring pegs has been different. Also, as Jon Jack mentioned, any field switching is a nightmare for teams using line trackers or the camera. Going to a brand new field in the middle of the day is an unnecessary challenge for the teams. I hope FIRST reconsiders this decision and leaves the divisions stationary. I'd much rather stay in the pit for all division play, then be bouncing around. If they do decide to do thee bouncing, at least don't make it a midday switch, which has the additional hassle of moving all team members from one location to another.

I'm sure logistical headaches have forced FIRST to go with divisions in the pits. I get that. I just hope they won't add logistical headaches for the teams by making us move around.

[GaryVoshol]

Even the low-cost District events don't have to play matches in the pits.

If I was going, this would distress me greatly. As it is, it distresses me anyway.

[TJ92]

Have preregistered teams already paid, or do they still have the opportunity to back out?