17 matches per team @ AZ?

[sanddrag]

I agree with Don. In then end (long run), this will even out the number of teams at each regional because people will hear about the "little regionals that get lots of matches" and go there. I don't think there will be any intentional slowing of the match pacing.

[Uki]

Your really looking at 8 matches per team for the larger regionals, to about 12 for some of the smaller ones. I wouldn't plan on much more then that.

[Kevin Sevcik]

I'm fairly sure limiting to 12 or so matches per team is a mercy rule. As stated above, if you were running 17 per team, then teams would be turning around incredibly quickly. I realize that vets can mostly handle this, but rookies and 2nd year teams will be swamped and will have no time between matches for repair. Thus, I think it's more to keep from utterly demoralizing a team by forcing them to choose between fixing a robot or missing 2 matches.

[jpsaul7usa]

But with 17 matches, missing two isn't nearly as bad as when there's 8. I think if there's time for 17 matches a team, there should be 17. If there's an opportunity for teams to play more, I hope FIRST grants it.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Missing matches is still bad. Teams still won't want to do it.

Plus, it'll still put rookies at a disadvantage to vets with robust robots. Think about it. Most regionals will see 8-9 matches per team. You're asking teams to play two regionals worth of quals and almost definitely some elim matches in the timeframe of a single regional. Playing one regional is typically hard enough on a bot, and then you have time to do maintenance and fix things. By the time you're done with your first regional's worth of quals at AZ, it's a little after lunch on friday and you've got no time tighten those nuts and do the various other little things cause, hey, it's time for yet another match.

Again, I think 17 matches per team would just wear out teams and robots unnecessarily.