FRC Blog - 2014 Championship Pros & Cons

[cgmv123]

http://www3.usfirst.org/roboticsprog...-Pros-and-Cons

I hope everyone who attended the FIRST Championship is recovered from all the activity!

As I did last year, I wanted to list initial impressions on what went well at the FIRST Championship from an FRC perspective, and what could use some work. Just like the lists last year, these aren’t intended to be exhaustive. Also, note that these pros and cons are for the Championship itself only, not about the game or any other aspect of FRC or FIRST this season.

Pros

• 10 scheduled qualification matches for every FRC team – Thanks to some very hard work by our volunteers and staff!
• Safe, smooth team entry in the mornings – No reported issues, and everyone was calm and mostly smiling*
• Closing Ceremonies – Good fun, no technical issues, no scoring problems, exciting matches, and 2 hours 10 minutes long from start to finish. Last year’s length? 3 hours 20 minutes
• Team match viewing area – Seemed well received
• More awards at the Division level – Also seemed well received!
• 4 Team Alliances for eliminations – This extended involvement in the tournament for 32 additional teams compared to last year. While no 4th robots (3rd picks) played on Einstein, within the Divisions, approximately 50% of all 4th robots got to play at least one match
• Hall of Fame – An enhanced Hall of Fame area gave these teams the additional recognition they deserve and made the Hall of Fame area more of a destination for teams aspiring one day to join them

Cons

• Drivers’ Meeting – Confusion over who should be allowed to pass security, and some seating sections were closed that should not have been
  Wednesday afternoon schedule was very hectic – At the end of practice matches, about 30 or more teams from each Division had not yet had a chance to connect to the field
• Einstein feed on NASA TV cut out before the last match – NASA TV broadcasts are automated, and there was no practical way for us to ask for a few more minutes because we were running late, but we’ll see what we can do next year
• Signage – With the complicated logistics operation we have at Championship, we need more signage to help direct people to the right place
  Tight timing between the end of Division play and the start of Closing Ceremonies – While things on Einstein ran exceptionally smoothly, we were a little late getting started with Closing Ceremonies, and we didn’t get in as much testing as we would have liked. Also, teams felt the need to leave their Divisions early to get good seats for Einstein. I understand one team even missed being named as Engineering Inspiration Award winner for their Division. As the top award at the Division level, this is a real shame
• No live feed of matches in the pits – Having a live feed would add to the excitement and maybe help keep teams on schedule
• Paper airplanes – I was on the fence about listing this one, because it could be considered minor, but decided to. We saw a significant increase in the number of paper airplanes being thrown during closing. They are beautiful in flight, but once they touch the ground, they turn to trash – an eyesore that someone needs to pick up. I recognize that throwing paper airplanes is fun, and that folks in the stands don’t have much to do while waiting for ceremonies to start, but as a community I think we are not leaving a positive impression with this.

As I say above, these lists are not intended to be exhaustive. We will be working on the cons listed above, along with others, for next year.

GameSense

I’ll be on GameSense tonight starting at 8PM ET/5PM PT , talking with the fine folks there about all things FRC. Hope you can tune in here, or watch the recording on YouTube later.

We had some fun last night just prepping for the show, I think it’s going to be a good one!

Frank

*Guess what time Team 148, the Robowranglers, showed up to be first in line for entry Thursday morning? You’re going to have to guess, because when I asked them while they were standing there, they wouldn’t tell me.

Cut it out with the paper airplanes! Frank hath spoken!


(^Not Frank Merrick^)

[techtiger1]

As usual Frank and FRC hit the nail on the head yet again with this list. Please stop with the paper airplanes, think about the poor soul who has to sit there and pick all of those up, and most of the time they end up hitting some unprepared individual.

[Matt_Boehm_329]

As for the paper airplanes I see his concern however, they are almost tradition when waiting for Einstein matches. Last year landing in the pyramid goal received more cheering and applause than many matches as does the first plane to hit the back curtain and any caught or presented triumphantly by field reset or other FIRST members on the floor. While I do recognize the quantity issue the crowd seems to know when to launch and when to stop.

[Cynette]

Can we think outside the box? I enjoy the thrill of seeing the successful paper airplane soar from the heights, down, down, down... (not so much when the smack me in the back of the head on the way down) If the residue is the issue, why don't we all commit to taking a plastic grocery bag in with us, or a trash bag, and spending two minutes at the end of the event to pick up in and around our seats. Seriously, we aren't going anywhere, anyway, because of the crowds. Teams with floor access can gather the few airplanes that make it to that level.

This leaves the custodial staff with a lot less work in the seats and more time to clean up the confetti!

And another thing! I disagree with the belief that the Hall of Fame display was adequate to showcase those amazing role model teams! Has anyone started a discussion of recommendations to make that area more respectful for the teams earning that honor and more valuable to the rest of us?

[Matt_Boehm_329]

Originally Posted by Cynette

If the residue is the issue, why don't we all commit to taking a plastic grocery bag in with us, or a trash bag, and spending two minutes at the end of the event to pick up in and around our seats.

This, I agree with this as a much better alternative than stopping this tradition all together

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Cynette

And another thing! I disagree with the belief that the Hall of Fame display was adequate to showcase those amazing role model teams! Has anyone started a discussion of recommendations to make that area more respectful for the teams earning that honor and more valuable to the rest of us?

Team 254 intends to suggest that all HOF teams receive double wide (20'x10') pits to both house the robot and any display of the team's choice. We think this would allow teams to much more effectively showcase their accomplishments. This seemed to be well received amongst other HOF teams, but who knows if it is logistically possible.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Cory

Team 254 intends to suggest that all HOF teams receive double wide (20'x10') pits to both house the robot and any display of the team's choice. We think this would allow teams to much more effectively showcase their accomplishments.

I'm not sure going around through all of the divisions hunting for all the Hall of Fame teams is something the average Championship attendee is going to do.

This seemed to be well received amongst other HOF teams, but who knows if it is logistically possible.

Pit space is doubling next year. There will be more teams, but there should be room to give HOF teams bigger pits if that's what FIRST wants.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Matt_Boehm_329

As for the paper airplanes I see his concern however, they are almost tradition when waiting for Einstein matches. Last year landing in the pyramid goal received more cheering and applause than many matches as does the first plane to hit the back curtain and any caught or presented triumphantly by field reset or other FIRST members on the floor. While I do recognize the quantity issue the crowd seems to know when to launch and when to stop.

And what about the one that landed behind Dean during ceremonies? I think most people know when to stop but it's pretty clear that there are some that don't.

I got into a conversation about this with other mentors on Saturday night after CMP and no one has a good solution but all of us know it is a problem.

No one wants to see FIRST send out laser armed drones to obliterate paper airplane throwing dissidents (well, maybe I do) but there does need to be a clear stopping point in the proceedings for teams to knock it off.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Matt_Boehm_329

As for the paper airplanes I see his concern however, they are almost tradition when waiting for Einstein matches. Last year landing in the pyramid goal received more cheering and applause than many matches as does the first plane to hit the back curtain and any caught or presented triumphantly by field reset or other FIRST members on the floor. While I do recognize the quantity issue the crowd seems to know when to launch and when to stop.

Except it's NOT a tradition. The first time I remember it was in St. Louis, maybe 2011. Three years out of twenty-three seasons of FRC, is not a tradition. The crowd clearly doesn't know when to stop - because they never should have started at all.

If you've been around CD for a while, you already know my feelings on the airplanes. It's disrespectful, and I'm happy that Frank finally spoke out about them. It's time for the airplanes to end.

Originally Posted by Cynette

If the residue is the issue, why don't we all commit to taking a plastic grocery bag in with us, or a trash bag, and spending two minutes at the end of the event to pick up in and around our seats. Seriously, we aren't going anywhere, anyway, because of the crowds. Teams with floor access can gather the few airplanes that make it to that level.

I appreciate your optimism, but there are still teams out there who can barely handle Gracious Profesisonalism in the stands, let alone cleaning up after themselves/others. Also, there are no more teams with floor access, except for the FLL Champions, FTC Inspire, and FRC Chairmans award winners for the year. I have photos on my phone of the floor down by Einstein, from BEFORE the rain of paper really began. (I'll see if I can post one here.) Not something that our new Hall of Famers could really do on their own, nor should we ask them to. Frank said stop, so it's time to stop.

Originally Posted by Cynette

And another thing! I disagree with the belief that the Hall of Fame display was adequate to showcase those amazing role model teams! Has anyone started a discussion of recommendations to make that area more respectful for the teams earning that honor and more valuable to the rest of us?

Agreed! I don't think it was big ENOUGH, but it was certainly a nice start to put them in the right place. Hopefully with more breathing room in the pit next year, the HoF can get a large lounge area twice the size (or more) of this year's. They certainly deserve it.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

I'm not sure going around through all of the divisions hunting for all the Hall of Fame teams is something the average Championship attendee is going to do?..

Not sure who noticed but the Hall of Fame teams had gold stars floating above their pits this year. Makes it real easy to find them, and looked kind of cool.

[Lil' Lavery]

I'm pretty sure I remember paper airplanes in the Atlanta days, as well. Arena security was more aggressive about stopping people from throwing them, though.

[Patrick Flynn]

Originally Posted by Cynette

Can we think outside the box? I enjoy the thrill of seeing the successful paper airplane soar from the heights, down, down, down... (not so much when the smack me in the back of the head on the way down) If the residue is the issue, why don't we all commit to taking a plastic grocery bag in with us, or a trash bag, and spending two minutes at the end of the event to pick up in and around our seats. Seriously, we aren't going anywhere, anyway, because of the crowds. Teams with floor access can gather the few airplanes that make it to that level.

Originally Posted by Libby K

Except it's NOT a tradition. The first time I remember it was in St. Louis, maybe 2011. Three years out of twenty-three seasons of FRC, is not a tradition. The crowd clearly doesn't know when to stop - because they never should have started at all.

If you've been around CD for a while, you already know my feelings on the airplanes. It's disrespectful, and I'm happy that Frank finally spoke out about them. It's time for the airplanes to end.

I couldn't agree with Libby more. They are an embarrassment to our program, and I think that anyone who throws an airplane should be removed from the dome, I mean I dare you to throw something on to the field at any professional sports event* and try to stay to watch the rest. You simply won't be able to you will be dragged out by security.

Now I think what my hit this home for some people is what if you hit the president of Google or Qualcomm and caused them serious harm. Like took their eye out? Sure maybe they should have safety glasses on, but most people in the VIP section don't. How would you feel after that? I would be embarrassed and ashamed.

Now lets say they make the decision to pull their funding from FIRST now how would you feel? These people pay millions of dollars into this program. Don't let your need to throw a paper airplane ruin it. Lets act mature here throwing airplanes is dangerous and unnecessary.

*Throwing hats at a hockey game due to a hat trick does not count here

[Red2486]

The Hall of Fame booths certainly have come far since Champs has been in St. Louis. I remember in 2011 when they were almost hidden away in the area with the FLL pits. There is definitely still room for improvement, but FIRST did a really good job making sure that the Hall of Fame teams get the recognition they deserve this year.

[JCharlton]

Paper airplanes have become as much of a tradition as YMCA, for better or worse.

Here's a thought, two minor competitions:

At a certain point during closing (and only at that point!) have a competition to be closest to a certain marker on the field. Each team given one special sheet in their package and they engineer their best design. Once that's done it's OVER (and a reminder to everyone that it's not GP to continue!) Get NASA or Boeing to sponsor it

Second competition is for the team who collects the most number of spent airplanes. That'll get them out of there.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Red2486

The Hall of Fame booths certainly have come far since Champs has been in St. Louis. I remember in 2011 when they were almost hidden away in the area with the FLL pits. There is definitely still room for improvement, but FIRST did a really good job making sure that the Hall of Fame teams get the recognition they deserve this year.

I'd say FIRST is doing a much better job, but it could be better still.

I really like Cory's suggestion of giving HoF teams some extra space right next to their normal 10x10 pit. HoF teams are not exhibitors or vendors, they are competitors. No need to divide their resources among multiple locations, when the folks who would be recognized and inspiring people at a HoF display are the very same ones who are doing that anyway, in the pits.