Michigan Regional System: Who is asking the hard questions around here?

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by keehun

Why doesn't FIRST hold like 4 regionals? In Minnesota where our local regional is, the number of local teams grew by four fold over the last two years. In 2007, we had like 20~30 teams. In 2008 (our rookie year) they had around 50 teams and this year we have over 100 teams. We are holding 2 regionals at the University of Minnesota. I would personally hate this district thing and I feel personally fortunate to be in Minnesota with two regionals. Now, we only get to compete in 1 of the 2 because they go on at the same time, but that is how it is in Minnesota.

(I am not up for a debate because I don't know enough about the "situation" and how the district system is actually working out)

Because, as someone already said - Michigan's economy can't support another regional event. There simply aren't enough big name sponsors in the state that has had the country's worst unemployment rate.

We're lucky in a way: the number of teams and how densely packed we are allowed this to happen. There are negatives to the system - don't get me wrong. Our regionals are one day "shorter". They're also cheaper to attend and cheaper to host, which are both pretty major positives.

So - as for defining success?

1. Do teams get to play more in this format than they used to?
2. Do teams get to play more cheaply in this format than they used to?
3. Do an equal or greater number of Michigan teams win berths in the worlds?

I think it's a checkmark for all the items - so far.

As for suggestions to improve, I have a huge one. I'm going to miss playing against all the cool teams from out of state - Beatty, Panteras, and others. I'd say after initial registration is completed for all Michigan teams, allow 5 more teams into each venue from out of state if they want, at 1/2 the price of what the Michigan teams pay (we pay $5k for two, let the out of state pay $2500 for 1).

Don't lock out the out-of-state teams. That's my biggest - and right now my only - complaint. I'm willing to bet good money that out of state teams would jump on the chance to pay dirt cheap prices to compete in the regionals.