Is it fair to hold Slots for Rookie teams.

[Madison]

First, let me begin by saying I voted 'yes.' I think it falls directly inline with FIRST's goals to make sure rookie teams have a chance to compete.

Originally posted by Mike Norton
I do not want a rookie team to get in just because it is a rookie team.

I don't want a veteran team to take my spot as a rookie team just because they've been around longer. The purpose of FIRST, after all, is enlighten students to the possibilities of a career in science and technology. Apparently, as a veteran team, you've already been somewhat enlightened. . . what gives you the right to prevent another student from gaining this experience?

In fact, I'm in favor of quite the opposite of what you've said. I'd completely understand if FIRST chose to limit regional attendance as well, so as to allow for the phenomenal growth of the program.

Originally posted by Mike Norton
If they wanted to play this game they should of started last year. They should learn what this is all about and when they should sign up. Just like a team that has been around.
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While the FIRST community may exist year-round, perhaps you've forgotten that schools close during the summer? Often, it takes some time to work with a school to arrange to compete in the competition. Christina and I have been lucky as our school partner has been very well prepared, but we've seen schools who didn't know what the program was until just a few weeks ago. Now, they've become interested, and they're on a waiting list to get into a regional competition. They've paid their $5000, and so they'd better have a chance to play the game.

Perhaps you've become so engrossed in winning you've lost sight of why this competition exists. I do it for fun, honestly, but there's a nice bonus in getting kids excited about this stuff. Perhaps you need to really look introvertedly and figure out why you're here, and if it's for the right reasons. Winning and coming out on top is ultimately worthless, in my mind, because it doesn't have any relevance to the real fun parts of this competition - designing, building, and playing with a really big, expensive toy