Proposal for the 2 Championship format

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by JB987

"As for the 'challenger' events not getting inspiration from the top teams, well, they wouldn't get that if they stayed at home, would they? This proposal maintains the status quo while adding an additional event for more teams. However, I think this is the strongest point against a two-tier system, but I'm not sure if it's worth destroying a unifying event."

Wouldn't the teams that would be relegated to the 'challenger' event actually be present at one of the two 'championships' in a mix found in the present model FIRST is pursuing and therefore not miss out on exposure to half of the top teams that will now be split between the the two events? They wouldn't have to 'stay home'. The total teams served would stand at 800...unless I am missing something?

I think the question is whether a team is MORE inspired by seeing half of the really top teams at a single event than seeing top teams at a challenger event that are nearly just as good (and often has just as deep a history)? In addition, the teams at the challenger event are much more likely to be competitive than at a split event. In fact the split is more likely to make the championship LESS competitive because the top tier teams will see fewer competitors. That can be LESS inspirational if the weaker teams are thumped more easily.

FIRST hasn't shown that its explored this issue. It's acting solely on unsubstantiated conjecture. It needs to have a dialogue with the community about which approach is more satisfactory for the teams that are now in the bottom half of Champs or just on the margin of getting in.

Along these lines I think we should consider the difference between AYSO soccer and Little League baseball and their impact on kids' lives. (My family has experience with both.) AYSO focuses on participation and only holds local championships. Individual excellence is rarely rewarded (and even deflected at times.) Little League requires universal performance (with further recent rule changes moving further that way). It has an international championship in which individual performances are celebrated.

I can't claim a universal experience, but I haven't ever met anyone who lists AYSO as a seminal life-changing experience (my wife is the person with the closest experience of this type). What happens is that the best soccer players move to select teams where they continue their careers. For AYSO players its just another childhood activity that isn't really revolutionary.

On the other hand many Little League players look back at their competitive careers. Even among those who didn't play baseball after age 12 recall their team experience. The higher competitive intensity makes it a more memorable activity. It has a real impact.

FIRST's current proposal looks like AYSO and likely will blunt the momentum that FRC is generating for cultural change. Let's make it look more like Little League. FIRST has another program that look like AYSO--that's FTC. FIRST can use the geographic split for the FTC teams.