2015 Battle O' Baltimore (BoB) - Sept. 26

[RoboMom]

Planning Committee made some rule changes this week. Look for them next week on the website.
3 slots left.

[ScandallB225]

We are pretty excited for this year's BoB. Last year was great. We missed by a whisker of winning, hopefully this year we will find the right synergy for a winning alliance.
Hoping to see updates for rule changes soon on the website.

I only count 27 teams out of a possible 32.
Hope to see a full contingent at BoB this year.

[bearbot]

Rule Changes are now on the Battle O' Baltimore website
http://www.battleobaltimore.com/info.php
Rule Changes


•No inspection, honor system on legality. Gross / obvious violations of robot rules will be identified by field staff or referees and must be corrected before the robot continues.
•Minor protrusions outside the transport configuration are permitted during transport, subject to the discretion of the head referee and lead safety advisor.
•No G24 foul for obviously accidental incidents while attempting to score coopertition points.
•G33 is modified so litter may be introduced over the alliance station wall for the duration of teleop, including the last 20 seconds.
•Alliances may place staging area recycle bins and yellow totes themselves, but field staff reserve the right to adjust the placement of incorrectly placed game pieces.
•Yellow totes can be used to make regular stacks during playoffs.
•The top eight teams may not pick each other in alliance selection.

[RoboMom]

The PODS have arrived (thanks MAR!), we've got 70+ volunteers, we are running a visitor program with student ambassadors (and have lots interest through Baltimore Innovation Week http://2015.baltimoreinnovationweek....cs_competition and have 29-30 teams playing. TV is coming and we have workshops. There will be FLL, FTC and Jr.FLL. See you there!

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

The PODS have arrived (thanks MAR!), we've got 70+ volunteers, we are running a visitor program with student ambassadors (and have lots interest through Baltimore Innovation Week http://2015.baltimoreinnovationweek....cs_competition and have 29-30 teams playing. TV is coming and we have workshops. There will be FLL, FTC and Jr.FLL. See you there!

Have a great weekend, from your friends down at the Rumble in the Roads!

[howdosheeplamp]

Originally Posted by bearbot

Rule Changes are now on the Battle O' Baltimore website
http://www.battleobaltimore.com/info.php
•The top eight teams may not pick each other in alliance selection.

Doesn't this mean that teams near the top of the pack (but not at the top, for seeds #5-8 or so) will compete to get out of the top 8? Seems like a rule that lowers the ceiling instead of lifting the floor.
Regardless, I just recently arrived in Baltimore for college and am hype to check out some teams!

[Ben Martin]

Originally Posted by howdosheeplamp

Doesn't this mean that teams near the top of the pack (but not at the top, for seeds #5-8 or so) will compete to get out of the top 8? Seems like a rule that lowers the ceiling instead of lifting the floor.
Regardless, I just recently arrived in Baltimore for college and am hype to check out some teams!

There are quite a few off-seasons in this general region that do this--Monty Madness (at least 2 years ago), Duel on the Delaware and Ramp Riot are three other such events. I've never been a fan of it, since even if teams won't outright throw matches, it can incentivize 'not playing at your best' if you're on the bubble.

Does anyone know the history of this practice? Being a MAR transplant from IN, I've never really had a full answer.

[bearbot]

Ready for the Battle O' Baltimore event tomorrow . So excited to meet old friends and make some new friends. Cant wait to volunteer at BOB and root on my team URSA MAJOR

[RoboMom]

Mentor award was Edgard Bertaut, Team 449 (judged by submissions from teams)
Gracious Professionalism was Team 686 Bovine Intervention
Safety Award was Team 2377, C Company
Volunteer award, Robert Mohr (votes from other volunteers)
First Place Alliance

Tech Fire / 225

Space Raiders / 2537

The Umbrella Corporation / 1719

Second Place Alliance

Tin Mints / 4575

Absolute Zero Electricity /3941

RoboDoves / 2528

WBAL TV did a nice piece on last night and this morning's news shows.
Thanks to the 80 volunteers and student ambassadors, and to Marco for the great photos. Lots of new drivers & new team members & visitors. 50 guided tours given to the public. It was a good day!