[FRC Blog] 2015 FIRST Championship Updates

[alectronic]

Internet and Phone? Looks like an AV layout.

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

Is Eisntein on the opposite side of the dome now or am I really turned around?

Originally Posted by JohnFogarty

No, it's still on the same side. Has to be, they won't switch sides of the dome because the lounge for VIP guests is on the side of the dome they use now.

I don't see Einstein indicated on the map.
What I do see is a presentation stage between Archsla. (Tesimedes sounds like a bad disease. )

I am guessing the Division playoffs will occur on alternating fields.
Should allow for that 6-minute cool-down no?
Also, it will keep the action going. Nice!

Logistically, the seating is going to be troublesome with a 25% increase in teams.
I hope they have adequate screens so everyone in the audience can watch the action on each field.
There are usually some seats reserved for the competing teams in the lower arena. Don't want to have that duty.

Which one will be Einstein? It won't be fresh per usual, but the FMS should be game-tested and the carpet will be well-worn.

[Steven Smith]

From OP:

Following the conclusion of the sub-division playoffs, the Archimedes and Tesla fields will be transformed on Saturday afternoon to create two Einstein fields. This will provide the location where the winning alliances from each of the 8 sub-divisions will compete to determine the 4 team alliance that will be the 2015 FRC Champions.

Edit: Also, not sure what the plans are this year... but if you wanted to honor the "fresh Einstein" field history this year... I don't see carpet damage as being quite as bad as usual, and a fresh swap in of game elements and potentially scoring platforms or tote chutes would probably be sufficient to make it "like new" without the time invested in picking up a field and laying down a new one (clearly prohibitive).

[s_forbes]

I like that there are now 3 convenient doorways to get into the pits instead of 1 main doorway. Also cool that the vendor/HOF areas are right in the middle of the pits, but it looks like a bit less floorspace. Overall it looks like a better layout than previous years. Also cool that from the stands, you have a good view of at least two fields.

Championships is getting to be pretty big.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by JohnFogarty

I see what you're sayying now. That doesn't make sense why they would switch sides.

That VIP lounge on the west end eats up a lot of seating space. Putting Einstein on the east end gives many more seats for team members to use.

[JB987]

Is it reasonable to think that for Einstein seating fairness spectators will be removed from the Archi and Tesla fields before the finals and re seating will take place to include all 8 division winner's teams first?

[Chris is me]

Not to take away anything from the many good changes and updates here, but why is Einstein even on the end of the dome? We have raised the size of the Championship by 50%, but increased the seating maybe... 10% with the VIP section removed. It has always been quite cramped. Can't we go back to side seating like Atlanta?

Originally Posted by Hallry

That's a relatively small HoF exhibit. Took me a while to find it on the layout.

It's been this bad for years. HOF teams get a coffee table when they used to get a full pit.

[Connor Mulkey]

Originally Posted by JB987

Is it reasonable to think that for Einstein seating fairness spectators will be removed from the Archi and Tesla fields before the finals and re seating will take place to include all 8 division winner's teams first?

Those were my thoughts. Being part of the Archimedes or Tesla division shouldn't provide any big seating advantage because you'll be moved to make room for the teams that will be featured on Einstein.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by s_forbes

I like that there are now 3 convenient doorways to get into the pits instead of 1 main doorway.

Agreed. I think this might be my favorite change so far in this layout; you used to only be able to go out these doors, not in:

Originally Posted by Chris is me

It's been this bad for years. HOF teams get a coffee table when they used to get a full pit.

I know, and I would have hoped that the yearly frustration over this would have finally caused a change, but I guess not...

[Hallry]

Something else of interest is that according to the America's Center Pit Document, FLL is still stationed at the very end of the convention center next to the FRC Practice Fields, which was cut out of the image posted on the blog.

[MooreteP]

Originally Posted by Steven Smith

From OP:Edit: Also, not sure what the plans are this year... but if you wanted to honor the "fresh Einstein" field history this year... I don't see carpet damage as being quite as bad as usual, and a fresh swap in of game elements and potentially scoring platforms or tote chutes would probably be sufficient to make it "like new" without the time invested in picking up a field and laying down a new one (clearly prohibitive).

Steve, have you seen what mecanums do to noodles? Check out the carpet after your next event. Admittedly, with defense, last year was pretty rough, but those carpets will still be well worn for Einstein this year. Probably not a big issue.

[brandon.cottrell]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

Steve, have you seen what mecanums do to noodles? Check out the carpet after your next event. Admittedly, with defense, last year was pretty rough, but those carpets will still be well worn for Einstein this year. Probably not a big issue.

This was the field at Inland Empire right before Finals Match 2

[Alex2614]

Definitely not looking forward to being in America's Center this year. It was DANGEROUSLY crowded the past couple years, I can only imagine what it will be like now. This is why I wish we were back at the GWCC. There was more room there, albeit, a longer walk to the dome. And, we could keep FTC and FLL closer, like in the A and B buildings, and the Philips Arena, instead of kicking them into hotels.

So, awards are at the DIVISION level, but playoffs are at the SUBdivision level? I'm wondering how that will read on awards, trophies, banners, etc. Hopper-Newton Division ____ Award?

[Steven Smith]

I didn't get a chance to look at the Dallas field after competition this year, and was just thinking about wheel/carpet damage. That noodle damage is certainly worth considering, thanks for pointing it out

[jlmcmchl]

Originally Posted by brandon.cottrell

This was the field at Inland Empire right before Finals Match 2

Even during qualifications at the Kettering Competition it was pretty bad. A team had managed to create a 1/4-inch depression in the scoring platform's plastic by wearing it down with their wheels. We ended up vacuuming at the end of each day and still couldn't get the carpets as clean as we wanted to.

Speaking of which, these scoring platforms go through a lot of punishment. I wouldn't be surprised if the platforms at Championships aren't the same ones we started with at the beginning of the year.