Chief Delphi went to three regionals?

[FIRSTfan]

I don't believe there's any need to get angry over my question, and I thank you for your explanation, Mr. Aubry. I am rather disappointed in you for questioning my love of the FIRST program, however, especially when I am advocating an equal and fair opportunity for all FIRST teams. There is no need to become antagonistic over an innocent question.

As for being "embarrassed" about my posting, I am most definitely not ashamed of the manner in which I posed the question to you and other Chief Delphi readers, and I don't feel I should have to "back off", as you so politely requested. I was simply looking for an explanation for FIRST's inconsistency in treatment between the teams like Chief Delphi that were allowed entry into a third regional and those who were denied entry, even though these teams completed the same 3 regional registration process at the beginning of the year, and even though there were also openings in the additional regionals they wished to attend. And while I understand the reasoning behind allowing teams like 47 to enter into a third event, one must question the fairness of permitting a limited number of teams a third chance at real competition experience before nationals, when other equally-deserving teams were shut out of such an opportunity. At the beginning of the season, FIRST failed to provide an adequate supply of regional slots to all teams, and they made the decision to limit participation to a maximum of three events per team. While many teams planning on attending four events were initially disappointed with this decision, I believe most eventually agreed with it because it was a fair and just way of handling the situation. Now that FIRST had yet again changed directions regarding an early-season ruling and allowed certain teams to participate in an additional event, they have again alienated and hurt many of the FIRST family who did not deserve such treatment. Those who scrapped plans for a tether device at the beginning of the season based upon FIRST's rulings only to have most every tether under the sun allowed at regionals have experienced a similar feeling. I believe certain members of Chief Delphi were vocal in their disappointment over the tether ruling; how is this new ruling regarding event participation any different in how it affects teams?

To my knowledge, there are many representatives of FIRST who read the Chief Delphi forums, so I know of no better place to question the way they have executed certain aspects of this year's competition. Public discussion of these issues drives change, which improves the quality of the competition and experience for all teams. This is something I'm certain every member of Chief Delphi would approve of.

All I ask of FIRST is to be as consistent and fair with their rulings as possible. If they cannot deliver on this request, then the entire program suffers as a result. I am not seeing much consistency this season, and I fear this inconsistency threatens the integrity of the game.

FIRSTfan