[FRC Blog] The Palmetto Regional

[MechEng83]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

I think this might be a little confusing for people - so many teams and regions that hold week 0 events have websites and templates all set up for it, and they would all need to be changed - some would change them, some wouldn't, and it would just get confusing for everyone.

How about calling this event "Preview Week"? Week 0 is practice, everyone gets the kinks out... then Preview Week we all get to see how the game is actually going to be played for weeks 1-7!

Week 1: The Prequel

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Gregor

2014 week 1 had horrendous FMS problems, and no lexan on the bars in the goals so the balls would frequently bounce out.

As the leader of a brand new team at the 2014 Palmetto Regional (which was Week 1) that was completely and royally screwed by abysmal partner luck, I'm acutely aware. (My teams over the years are 0 for 7 attempts at Highest Rookie Seed.)

Even with this spot on the schedule, FIRST will have seen the scrimmages. The game will be no worse than Week 1, in my eyes--FMS is just gonna be what it's gonna be. The difference will be that, not unlike Championship or IRI, we will have the undivided attention of the community.

We've got an Einstein-working head ref, several experienced refs under him, the FRC Chief Referee is a couple hours up the highway, and FIRST already sends two FTAs (often including HQ staff) to Week 1 events. The regional committee is long-serving, many back to the old days at the Colonial Center. This will be the fourth time Palmetto is held in Myrtle Beach. The greenest part of "the show" may well be me.

This isn't to say I love Week 1, but Week 0 For Real doesn't scare me any further.

[Gregor]

I can't imagine what it would be like for me to forgo my 3 days of post bag and tag sleep that I schedule for myself.

For those competing, good luck, it won't be easy on your bodies!

[lovelj]

Palmetto always has a class week 1 event. A real week 0 event will be even better. As for out-of-state teams, 3824 is pumped for it. The team was practicing for IRI last night and this was a hot topic of conversation. Bag-tag-load then play all in the same week!

[SoccerTaco]

So I guess our schedule will be:

Tue Midnight: Bag and Tag
Wed: Travel to SC / Load in
Thu-Sat: Palmetto Regional
Sat night: Travel home
Sun: Collapse!!!

This sounds kinda fun!

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Week ½, anyone?

[D.Allred]

Originally Posted by Billfred

This isn't to say I love Week 1, but Week 0 For Real doesn't scare me any further.

Agreed. We'll have undivided attention from FRC staff to handle any issues.

Originally Posted by SoccerTaco

So I guess our schedule will be:

Tue Midnight: Bag and Tag
Wed: Travel to SC / Load in
Thu-Sat: Palmetto Regional
Sat night: Travel home
Sun: Collapse!!!

It will be worth it if you pull off the Palmetto three-peat! I don't think that has ever happened.

David

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by D.Allred

Agreed. We'll have undivided attention from FRC staff to handle any issues.

Laser-focused will likely be a better way to describe it. Aside from Championships, there are rarely any single-official-event weekends. I would be surprised if you didn't have FIRST staff AT your event (no pressure, of course!).

-Danny

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by D.Allred

Agreed. We'll have undivided attention from FRC staff to handle any issues.



It will be worth it if you pull off the Palmetto three-peat! I don't think that has ever happened.

David

Nope! Only two teams have won Palmetto back-to-back: 2815 (2011-2012) and 3824 (2014-2015). Only one team has won it three times (11 in 2004, 2006, and 2013).

Originally Posted by Danny Diaz

Laser-focused will likely be a better way to describe it. Aside from Championships, there are rarely any single-official-event weekends. I would be surprised if you didn't have FIRST staff AT your event (no pressure, of course!).

-Danny

We've had FIRST staff attend Palmetto in the past; I distinctly remember Kate Pilotte was our FTA in 2013. We had a difficulty with our inspector over recommended vs. required (probably the main breaker labeling), I'd emailed Team Support Thursday night, and she caught me by the field the next day. We also had then-president Paul Gudonis attend in 2010, and Woodie came in 2014. I'm sure there have been others too.

[GaryVoshol]

"The Week Before the Week Known As Week 1" (TWBTWKAW1)

[SoccerTaco]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

"The Week Before the Week Known As Week 1" (TWBTWKAW1)

Considering how fresh this will be after build season, we might as well just go with:

"Our brains are too fried to know what week this is."

[pmangels17]

*Monty Python King Arthur Voice*

The week until recently known as Week 1

[GeeTwo]

Perhaps this year the event should be nicknamed the Pal-meso (or Palmezzo) Regional because it's on "the week between weeks".

[Nate Laverdure]

Week NaN

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

Week NaN

I like it.