**FIRST EMAIL**/2008 FRC Connecticut "Double Regional"

[Wayne C.]

Actually two separate registrations seem the most fair in my opinion. Why not be able to register for either A or B?

WC

[Doug G]

Hopefully the two fields would be close to each other so one could watch both events from the same seats. Just stagger the match times, while teams are setting up on one field, other teams would be playing on the second. I do think it would need to have super championship round with the two winning alliances squaring off, even if just for fun

[Andy Grady]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

Actually two separate registrations seem the most fair in my opinion. Why not be able to register for either A or B?

WC

There are many reasons I am sure, but most of all it is a fun twist! Seriously, think long and hard about a randomly drawn event. The posibilities of how to go about that are endless! For just the show alone, that would be worth the price of admission.

This promises to be an amazing event this year. I highly encourage teams from inside and especially outside of New England to get involved. There are sure to be lots of suprises in store. Not to mention this would be the first time a two field regional would take place in the US.

Also, dont forget, if you can't bring your team and be a part that way, you can volunteer! With two regionals side by side, that means we need twice the manpower to make the magic happen. This could be your oportunity to really see what goes on behind the scenes at a major FIRST event.

Either way, you do not want to miss history in the making! Whether you are from New England, the Midwest, the South, California, or beyond...come be a part of this amazing event!

[Guy Davidson]

Sounds incredible. Good luck to all teams who compete. We would consider coming, however our "home regional" is during the same weekend, and we can't miss it.

[synth3tk]

I'm not sure the team can make it this year, we're talking about going to more than one regional, but I don't know if we're starting that yet. If any other team is going from Ohio though, I'd love to volunteer at the event.

[Heretic121]

random!?! why do i have a feeling that say teams 121+126 were both there that they wouldnt be in the same "regional" same as 236+237...

1-a
2-b
3-a
4-b

thats all i can think of right now which would be very very dissapointing...

also you have to think that means its only going to be a regional of 35 teams... thats a really small regional compared to most... why would you want to do that!?!

[BushTA]

random!?! why do i have a feeling that say teams 121+126 were both there that they wouldnt be in the same "regional" same as 236+237...

1-a
2-b
3-a
4-b

thats all i can think of right now which would be very very dissapointing...

also you have to think that means its only going to be a regional of 35 teams... thats a really small regional compared to most... why would you want to do that!?!

I expect that FIRST is going to continue their Qualifying Match team selection process from last year (1st third; middle third; last third; by team number) for each regional. I hope FIRST at least will make the field assignments randomly within each of the "thirds". That would provide relatively equal competition, and the opportunity to compete with old friends.

As for there being only 70 posted openings, FIRST routinely reserves spots at Regionals for rookie teams. There may be up to 20 reserved spots, which could go to waitlisted veteran teams if rookie teams don't sign-up.

Speaking of Rookies at Regionals, if your Rookie team thinks they can swing the cost of travel to Championships, Connecticut is the place to come to qualify. There are no 2008 Rookie teams signed up yet, and there will be 2 Rookie all-star "Golden Tickets" to Atlanta up for grabs. Not to mention the terrific opportunity to participate in a historic event, with some historically great competition.

By the way, RAGE 173 will be definitely there.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

Not to mention this would be the first time a two field regional would take place in the US.

The 1999 Johnson & Johnson Regional had two fields.

[KathieK]

For any teams thinking about coming to the East Coast for this event, consider coming a few days early and do a college tour while you are here. There are something like 50 colleges and universities within easy driving distance of Hartford, some of whom offer FIRST scholarships to FRC and FTC members!

[Rosiebotboss]

Can anyone think of the REAL reason FIRST is doing a double regional in CT?

I know............it's to give teams other than Techno Ticks attending the CT Regional a shot at Chairmans!! They have won it, what, 17 years straight??

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by BushTA

I expect that FIRST is going to continue their Qualifying Match team selection process from last year (1st third; middle third; last third; by team number) for each regional.

I suspect they will NOT. Please search for the threads about match scheduling algorithms.

[Andy Grady]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

The 1999 Johnson & Johnson Regional had two fields.

::sigh:: goofy technicalities...

Pre 2000, all regionals were double field regionals

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

::sigh:: goofy technicalities...

Pre 2000, all regionals were double field regionals

But not all Championships.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

::sigh:: goofy technicalities...

Pre 2000, all regionals were double field regionals

Heh. It's interesting that FIRST abandoned that model, only to return to it eight years later.

[Michael Sperber]

We are very excited about the opportunity to host a Double Regional at the 2008 Connecticut Regional.

I would like to take the opportunity to address some of the comments and concerns that have been posted here over the past few days.

For starters, we are going to do everything we can to make this an exciting event for all teams (and hopefully, your team will be there, after all we have 70+ pit spaces to fill!). This is a big learning experience for everyone, so we would appreciate your understanding as we all try to learn as much as we can with this new "Double Regional" model. FIRST has experience with a Double Field event as has occurred in Toronto in the past. However, this is the first time that FIRST has tried to run two Regionals independently and simultaneously under the same roof. We all feel confident that this new model will be successful, and will help FIRST better understand how to support the ever increasing number of FRC teams. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the events are run with the high quality and professionalism that teams, sponsors and the public have come to expect from the Connecticut Regional and of all Regionals throughout FIRST.

Now, to the comments and concerns:

1) This is not a "Super Regional," as some have come to describe the double field Toronto event, rather a "Double Regional." This means that there will be two events operating simultaneously and independently that just happen to be next to each other. Picture everything that it takes for one regional and just copy and paste it!

2) What about awards? Each field/regional will have their own set of judges and awards.

3) What about noise between the two fields? We are working with the production and event management companies to reduce the sound leakage between the fields. Of course, if you all are really really loud (which I hope you will be), it will make our job even more challenging.

4) What if one field finishes before the other? Yes, this can happen. However, for the past few years we have been working very hard to ensure that the matches run as close to the published match time schedule as possible (+/- 5-10 minutes). We will continue with this challenge. Afterall, we dont want any team to miss their match because we are running really really early.

5) Will the Regional Champions on each field be able to play each other? We sure hope so. The Regional Planning Committee is looking at the possibility of having a Match of the Champions, of sorts... There are some details that need to get worked out, but we are trying to find a way to make this happen! Will it mean anything in terms of official FIRST awards? No, just really good bragging rights!

6) After the Regional is over, then what? Well, we clean up, and start looking at what worked and what didn't work, and whether or not this is a good model for Regionals to support the growth of the FRC program. As we have in the past, we will ask all teams participating in the Connecticut Regional to submit their comments and suggestions. We will use all the team submittals, along with notes from the event management team, production team, Regional Planning Committee members, key and other volunteers, to develop lessons learned and an action and improvement plan for future events.

I hope this addresses your questions. If I missed any, please let me know and I will do my best to answer them. However, keep in mind that I do not and cannot speak for FIRST HQ and the FRC Program. I can only speak for myself and for the Connecticut Regional Planning Committee.

I truly hope that you and your team will be able to come to Connecticut to compete at the 2008 Connecticut Regional.

2008 Connecticut Regional: Double the Regional...Double the Fun!
-mike