Regional Space Shortage

[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.

[Coach Norm]

Originally Posted by Jscout11

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.

Thanks for the clarification. I had just made the assumption but am glad to know for sure.

Norman

[The_ShamWOW88]

I feel like this will fast forward the conversion of most/all of the remaining regions into districts and district championships. Part of the issue is the teams from districts (and I'm on one) that have the resources to hit one or more Regionals as well as their 2-3 districts are taking spots away from teams that don't have districts. Don't flame me because I don't believe that district teams should be limited to only their district events.

Obviously, the quick answer is more Regionals, more room but that adds more cost to more communities to host them. I think with the plan to move completely over to districts may limit how many more Regional competitions will be created.

I hope they figure out an innovative fix, which I have full confidence that FIRST will, for this problem.

[Nemo]

I'm just spitballing here. What if an event tried hosting two consecutive regionals in the same venue with the first one taking place Thursday through Saturday and the second one running Sunday through Tuesday. You'd still need about twice as many volunteer hours, but maybe there would be some significant cost savings associated with only occupying the venue for one weekend, and it might be logistically easier than planning new regionals in new venues.

Meh. Let's grow the volunteer base and sprout a whole bunch of new district events in gyms.

[Nemo]

How about Dean & Co start a campaign to get sponsors to donate employee work days as an innovative way of sponsoring FIRST? Send an employee to an event for two days to volunteer and don't charge them any vacation days.

[Michael Corsetto]

Glad someone posted on this.

1678 is waitlisted for Inland Empire and SVR. We will continue to do everything we can to get into these events, namely talking to our RD and begging to be let in. IE is a high probability, and SVR is most likely not going to happen. (PS. Anyone know what LVR waitlist is like? Might consider hopping over there)

California has always been hard to get the events you want. It's getting even harder now that more rookies are coming on board than expected (not bad, just makes it harder for teams like us)

My question: Canada, what are you doing right? 1114 is already registered for 3 events in Canada! They obviously have the space for their teams, while California does not.

I love CA FIRST, but I think when it comes to Regional Events, the teams here get hosed, especially in 2014. 6 events for 230+ teams is rough.

-Mike

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

My question: Canada, what are you doing right? 1114 is already registered for 3 events in Canada! They obviously have the space for their teams, while California does not.

I love CA FIRST, but I think when it comes to Regional Events, the teams here get hosed, especially in 2014. 6 events for 230+ teams is rough.

Having 5 events in Ontario for 115 teams makes it a lot easier for Ontario teams to get into multiple events. 1241 was able to get into 4 Ontario regionals this year!

[ErvinI]

Originally Posted by Karthik

Having 5 events in Ontario for 115 teams makes it a lot easier for Ontario teams to get into multiple events. 1241 was able to get into 4 Ontario regionals this year!

On top of that, they also have started a new veteran team, 1285, going to the same regionals as 1241, sans GTRW.

I guess they'll be very busy this season.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Coach Norm

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.

Two regionals at one time also means you need twice the queuing crew, twice the judges, twice the awards. A double field event (single regional) could be added today for Lone Star 2014 and not really change anything. You would need more volunteers but not double the volunteers. It does decrease teams chances of winning awards but that seems like an okay price to pay while we are working through this problem. I would prefer a double regional but that also means we would have to figure out how to divide teams that are already registered for the event.

The long term answer to this problem is the expansion of the district system but that's not something we can do for the 2014 system.

Also moving events doesn't really help the capacity problem just the choice problem. I was disappointed that Bayou and Lone Star is the same weekend but I also know that there is nearly nothing that the RDs can do, most of the time they struggle to even get the weekend they can get. When we move to the district system it should be much easier to get High School Gym dates than it is to get convention center dates.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

The long term answer to this problem is the expansion of the district system but that's not something we can do for the 2014 system.

Also moving events doesn't really help the capacity problem just the choice problem. I was disappointed that Bayou and Lone Star is the same weekend but I also know that there is nearly nothing that the RDs can do, most of the time they struggle to even get the weekend they can get. When we move to the district system it should be much easier to get High School Gym dates than it is to get convention center dates.

It' be nice to see Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas combine for a district system.

[Coach Norm]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

Two regionals at one time also means you need twice the queuing crew, twice the judges, twice the awards.

This is true and should be planned for well in advance.

QUOTE=AllenGregoryIV;1304386]A double field event (single regional) could be added today for Lone Star 2014 and not really change anything. You would need more volunteers but not double the volunteers.[/quote]

The additional expense of having two fields at a site would have to be factored in. I know that Lone Star has the room but not all venues do.

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

It does decrease teams chances of winning awards but that seems like an okay price to pay while we are working through this problem.

I do agree with you here especially if it gets teams more matches at a tournament.

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

Also moving events doesn't really help the capacity problem just the choice problem. I was disappointed that Bayou and Lone Star is the same weekend but I also know that there is nearly nothing that the RDs can do, most of the time they struggle to even get the weekend they can get.

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

When we move to the district system it should be much easier to get High School Gym dates than it is to get convention center dates.

Getting smaller venues and high schools will open more possibilities for locations for sure.

Good conversation here that is very thought provoking.