FTC Fields / Refs

[gillejr]

So who here actually thought the Refs were being professional at the Championships?

How many people were told every excuse in the book as to why their robot stopped working a minute into the match?

The refs refused to fix the problem with the Franklin Field, were many times during the two days, robots would just stop responding. Not only that they refused to admit there was a problem with the field, and blamed everything on the robots. I was listening to the ref in charge of the field telling my student that, the static electricity on their finger shorted out the memory, how the code wasn’t the right version, how the charge on the battery might have been low, countless amounts of techno babble, and I am surprised they didn't tell him that the stars weren't aligned, but it wasn't a problem with the equipment on the field.

When arguing with the refs about the problem with the field, the same thing happened, in the exact place it had happened three times in the row. But they refused to admit there was a problem with the field, and they refused to give teams a rematch they so rightly deserved. I am sorry but losing matches because its 2 on 1 because of a field problem just isn't right.

Also since the problem must have been with the robots, why did they feel the need to replace some of the equipment on the Franklin field right before the finals?

I know I wasn't the only one who was arguing with the refs, and I am sure I am not the only one who was disappointed by how unprofessional the refs were at the championship.