BattleCry@WPI 15 - Reg opening soon!

[ColleenShaver]

BattleCry@WPI 15 with take place over TWO full days on 24-25 May 2014 in Worcester, MA.

We are still finalizing the exact numbers and details, but expect more teams than last year (so 54+), more fun, along with the usual stuff like t-shirts, meals, and an amazing social for the same low registration fee of $350!

Tell your friends, tell your rivals, tell your neighboring rookie teams... we welcome and encourage everyone who is interested to sign up! However.. last year, registration filled within seconds of opening!

Those who do not make the initial team list will be placed on the Ready Reserves. EVERY YEAR we end up calling almost every team on the Ready Reserves looking for folks to play, especially for last minute drop-outs, so don't hesitate to register even if the slots are full and expect that you will be called up.

Since we are changing the schedule this year, our BC Planning Committee will be getting together ASAP to sort out the important details like final number of teams, registration opening date, schedules, etc. We'll post updates as soon as we know them!

When it opens, to register, go to www.wpi.edu/+bc and click "Enter the Fray".

We are currently working on updating our website with the new schedule, elimination brackets, etc.

If you are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have your help as well! Sign up here http://tinyurl.com/bc15vols

See you at BC15!

PS: Yes, we know it's Memorial Day weekend and we know it's Sat-Sun rather than the typical Fri-Sat!

[AcesPease]

Like the two full days. Looking forward to doing battle.

[Jay O'Donnell]

More matches, more teams, more fun! Can't wait to be back at Battlecry!

[Abrakadabra]

Can't think of a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend! (Honestly!)

Has the committee ever considered giving autobids to the previous year's winners? (...he asks somewhat selfishly )

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Abrakadabra

Can't think of a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend! (Honestly!)

I couldn't agree more!

BattleCry is one of the BEST FRC events in the country and I'm very excited to see it move to two full days because anything less just isn't enough!

[Chi Meson]

Originally Posted by Abrakadabra

Can't think of a better way to spend Memorial Day weekend! (Honestly!)

Has the committee ever considered giving autobids to the previous year's winners? (...he asks somewhat selfishly )

I tried the same thing last year...

[ColleenShaver]

Hi everyone-

Glad to hear teams are excited for another BattleCry@WPI! We're psyched to celebrate our 15th year running this event with some great new features and the classics.

Here are some general updates from our planning committee meeting earlier this week:

• The BC15 theme is going to be awesome... You're going to love it! Once you register, don't be surprised if we stop by your team's pit at the NE DCMP or the FRC CMP to film you for the opening!
• We are upping the capacity to 60 teams and testing another new pit layout for it. Looking at 9'x9' pits still we hope.
• We will continue to move all 60 teams forward to the elims! That means 20 alliances of 3 teams.
• We are guaranteeing each team 10 matches.
• Expect to see some special 15-year swag just like we did at 10 years... and teams who have been to all 15 BCs (yes, there are several) will get some cool stuff too because, let's be honest, that's a pretty awesome feat!

And other important confirmations:

• Registration fee stays at $350. Give props to our sponsors for their continued support!
• You get 10 free t-shirts
• You get 10 free lunches on Sunday
• You get 10 free BBQ Dinners on Saturday
• You get 10 free Ice Creams on Saturday
• You are guaranteed to have a great time! If you're not, tell us so we can make sure you do!

We are reseting the BC registration site and expect to announce the registration opening date as soon as it is ready to roll. Typically it's around 1-Apr so keep an eye out. We try to set registration at a time that accommodates most area teams (so a Mon-Wed around noon) who might be attending events or have to work.

Here's our initial proposed agenda for the two days. Moving the Team Social a little earlier and making it longer will allow us to add some fun new activities that can take place outdoors and let people get home a little earlier if they wish.

Saturday - May 24
0800: Pits Open, Load-in
0830: Practice Matches Begin
0930: Practice Matches End
0930: Driver’s Meeting
1000: Opening Ceremony
1015: Matches Begin
1230: Lunch Break
1330: Matches Resume
1800: BBQ Begins
1900: Matches End, Pits Close
1900: Team Social Begins
2000: BBQ Ends
2200: Team Social Ends

Sunday - May 25
0800: Pits Open
0845: Opening Ceremony
0900: Matches Begin
1150: Matches End
1200: Alliance Selection
1215: Lunch Break
1300: Elimination Matches Begin
1700: Awards Ceremony Begins
1800: Event Ends

Let us know if you're coming on our Facebook event!

And whether or not your team is coming, sign up to be a volunteer! Off-seasons are a great place to try a new position you might like to have at an official FRC event!

P.S. Sorry... no auto-bids for previous Champions!

[DDSLoan96]

What day will registration be open?

[plnyyanks]

Originally Posted by DDSLoan96

What day will registration be open?

Their facebook page estimates this Thursday (tomorrow)

[ColleenShaver]

Registration will open Thursday April 3rd at noon.

Teams may register by going to this link or going to http://www.wpi.edu/+bc and clicking on "Enter the Fray".

The Enter the Fray page will automatically flip to the registration link sometime between 1200-1201 on Thursday.

The Challengers page will be updated with the team list typically 1-2 hours after registration opens. The first 60 registrants will be placed on the Challengers list and provided they submit timely payment will remain as active competitors. Any additional teams will be placed on the Ready Reserves and be called up as Challengers are unable to attend.

[esquared]

Originally Posted by ColleenShaver

• You get 10 free Ice Creams on Saturday
  
  
• You get 10 free Ice Creams on Saturday
  
  
• You get 10 free Ice Creams on Saturday

This is the REAL reason BC is so popular

[Mike Norton]

Colleen you had me at BBQ. Best value robotics competition. by the way Ice cream


Hope we get in

[Niezrecki]

"In past years, registration has filled as quickly as 10 seconds after opening, so register early!"

Bring it on...

[Nathan Streeter]

Originally Posted by ColleenShaver

...we know it's Sat-Sun rather than the typical Fri-Sat!

We on 1519 are very bummed to be missing out on BattleCry (most members' favorite event of the season!) due to it being schedule for Sat-Sun... :-/

That said, it sounds like it'll be a phenomenal event with more teams, more matches, more "extra activities," and just generally more! Best of luck to the teams out there with a quick trigger finger! ;-)

I'm sure plenty of us will be down on Saturday cheering teams on and enjoying the best off-season event in FIRST!

Being a huge FRC bracket guy I have to ask... if you get 20 alliances, will you give alliances 1-4 a bye through the eighth-finals (or something like that)?

[Niezrecki]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

We on 1519 are very bummed to be missing out on BattleCry (most members' favorite event of the season!) due to it being schedule for Sat-Sun... :-/

What? 1519 was such a treat to see last year at Battlecry in what I would like to call some of the best matches of Ultimate Ascent ever. Mechanical Mayhem's finals match strategy was amazing and incredible to watch. Some of my members were fangirling.

Anyways. That sucks to hear. I would have loved to have seen you guys again in what I am sure would have been incredible matches. Hopefully my team has a quick trigger finger.