Regional Space Shortage

[lynca]

The Registration 2014 Thread is highlighting a major problem with Regionals this year.

We have too many teams who want to attend multiple events. The spots for those teams are limited

Anyone have any ideas on how to handle the problem?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by lynca

The Registration 2014 Thread is highlighting a major problem with Regionals this year.

We have too many teams who want to attend multiple events. The spots for those teams are limited

Anyone have any ideas on how to handle the problem?

Might free up a few spots by stopping district teams from playing in regionals. [puts on flame suit] Probably won't be enough, though--that tends to be on the order of 10-20/year. Ditto for teams going for >2 events, which is an even smaller number.

Larger-capacity regionals are an option, though not an attractive one due to higher costs to local committees (bigger venue being the biggest cost I can think of), and reduced plays for attendees.

That leaves one option--two, let's say. One is, obviously, more offseasons in the spring and summer--more plays, but they don't count towards official stuff. The other? MORE regionals (or, more likely, MORE DISTRICTS). Longer-term solution, mind you, and more volunteers would be needed for those more regionals, but that's about the best way I can think of opening up space.


The big problem is that the only one that will really work right now is larger capacity + restrictions on teams playing outside certain areas--and for the latter, it's probably too late anyway. Larger capacity... there aren't a lot of venues that could squeeze in extra teams, even by dropping the pit size to the minimum 8'x8'.

[AllenGregoryIV]

I like the idea of double fields, it makes it easy to add space without over crowding championship.

An 80 team event with two fields is doable, it also increases the pace of matches which is good for spectators. We do that at all of our VEX Events and it runs very smoothly. It's definitely harder in FRC and requires a lot more space but there are several venues that could easily do it.

If you have a double field event could you run a 2nd elimination bracket just for fun? Pick a standard 24 team bracket and play it on one field then get the next 8 teams in the ranking and draft again. Sort of like the NIT in college basketball. You would still alternate which field is playing a match but one of the fields decides the event winner while the other field just gives more teams playing time and something for the fans to watch between matches.

[mklinker]

More regionals

Completing placement of teams from the regional wait list before opening unlimited registration so those teams know to move to other available options.

Not allowing district teams to fill regionals slots....unless Regional teams can fill slots in a district.

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by EricH

Might free up a few spots by stopping district teams from playing in regionals. [puts on flame suit] Probably won't be enough, though--that tends to be on the order of 10-20/year. Ditto for teams going for >2 events, which is an even smaller number.

As stated...that won't be enough. Many events (ie Smoky Mountains) were full long before second event registration opened, so attending a second event was even difficult for some teams this year. (Can't blame district teams or 3+ regional teams here.)

Larger capacity seems to be an obvious answer where it is possible. I'd be glad to give up some pit space or some aisle space between pits to be more likely to get the second regional we'd like.

More events will help too - and it should be a mission to entice more mentors and graduates to volunteer (I plan to volunteer this year).

Finally Regional Directors need to do all they can to create complementary event schedules - so nearby regionals are not in back-to-back weeks (realizing that they are at the mercy of the venue schedules).

[EricDrost]

Originally Posted by EricH

Ditto for teams going for >2 events, which is an even smaller number.

If this was the rule in 2013, 1477 wouldn't be a world champion right now

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by EricDrost

If this was the rule in 2013, 1477 wouldn't be a world champion right now

hahaha 4 regionals

[Mark Sheridan]

Would more people volunteer if the event were shifted to be friday,saturday and sunday? Its hard for me to volunteer when I have responsibilities to my own team at regionals and no spare vacation time to go help another regional.

I feel there is abundant volunteer activities after church on a sunday. If I were inclined to volunteer more and had to choose volunteering at a FRC event thursday, friday, saturday once a year versus volunteering at a soup kitchen on a sunday afternoon; I would pick the soup kitchen. I don't volunteer there any more but I have put in way more time at soup kitchen than volunteering for an FRC event. I don't have plans to change that fact.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Mark Sheridan

Would more people volunteer if the event were shifted to be friday,saturday and sunday? Its hard for me to volunteer when I have responsibilities to my own team at regionals and no spare vacation time to go help another regional.

I feel there is abundant volunteer activities after church on a sunday. If I were inclined to volunteer more and had to choose volunteering at a FRC event thursday, friday, saturday once a year versus volunteering at a soup kitchen on a sunday afternoon; I would pick the soup kitchen. I don't volunteer there any more but I have put in way more time at soup kitchen than volunteering for an FRC event. I don't have plans to change that fact.

In the case of an argument against switching to district systems, people cite unavailable volunteers. If I could volunteer Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun and not a cumbersome Thu/Fri/Sat schedule in my area, I would probably be volunteering at at least 3 events. I know this is a bit anecdotal, but I don't think it's that far off-base.

[Jscout11]

I understand the logic behind the "no district teams in regionals" and vice versa but from a practical standpoint it makes little difference. I can't speak for other districts, but there are only 3 MAR teams currently signed up (not waitlisted) for a regional (2016, 3314, 2237). And almost all of the districts have already reached capacity.

[Gregor]

A Friday-Saturday would be my favourite event. Only one day missed of work/school, yet you still get Sunday as a sleep recovery/homework/travel home day.

I'm not looking forward to GTR W being Fri-Sunday. That Monday morning is going to be brutal, and there's no time to catch up on missed work.

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by lynca

Anyone have any ideas on how to handle the problem?

Travel to an event that has space... http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on/event/10899/teams

Jason

[Coach Norm]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I like the idea of double fields, it makes it easy to add space without over crowding championship.

An 80 team event with two fields is doable, it also increases the pace of matches which is good for spectators. We do that at all of our VEX Events and it runs very smoothly. It's definitely harder in FRC and requires a lot more space but there are several venues that could easily do it.

An 80 field tournament gives teams at smaller tournaments a great chance to win awards ie, Chairman's, Engineering Inspiration, Rookie All Star.

Dallas had a double tournament under one roof two years ago. This provided more teams a tournament while still allowing 2 sets of winners for all of the awards. It also provided the teams with the ability to see more teams at one location. I do realize this does mean additional cost due to two fields, larger venue, etc.

I think District teams have a distinct advantage in the current system (not a popular stance, but true I think). They know they will get two district tournaments but they are allowed to register for Regional tournaments outside of their districts. This essentially means they get to register for their third tournament on the same date that non district teams get to register for a second tournament.

or Do I misunderstand how registration occurs for district teams (if I am wrong, please let me know)?

Can a district team register for a district event on the first registration date as well as register for a regional event? If so, that is even more of an advantage.

Scheduling of close regional events in back to back weeks or even on the same weekend. I can only speak for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana region here. (I am sure others can speak for other regions). For example, Bayou and Lone Star are on the same weekend (although one day difference) thus making teams who have traditionally attended both of these to chose one or the other.
Other same weeks include: Arkansas and Hub City - second weekend
Back to Back - Alamo and Hub City - 1st and 2nd weekends

[Jscout11]

Originally Posted by Coach Norm

Can a district team register for a district event on the first registration date as well as register for a regional event? If so, that is even more of an advantage.

No, district teams could not sign up for a regional at all until unrestricted registration in early November. In other words, district teams sign up for their third event at the same time as everyone else.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by Jscout11

I can't speak for other districts, but there are only 3 MAR teams currently signed up (not waitlisted) for a regional (2016, 3314, 2237). And almost all of the districts have already reached capacity.

This is due in large part to the new registration process. The process changed this year so that District teams cannot register for Regionals until Open Registration. Previously it was one stage earlier, during "2nd Event Registration". This, combined with the overall scarcity of spots at Regionals in general, makes me believe that there is a significant number of District teams on waiting lists that will cleared over the coming weeks.