battery re-do match at msf

[Paul Copioli]

They called it an unsafe condition on the field. The robot had the battery hanging from the side of the bumper. The battery was not dragging on the field, but still fully supported by the robot. the robot was in this condition for well over 30 seconds. The match was stopped with less than 15 seconds left.

In no other year have I seen a match stopped and called a replay for a robot induced condition that did not involve a field element. This is the first year I can remember that a match was replayed because a battery was being dragged. This also happened at Troy this year (twice). If it is truly unsafe then the robot should be disabled not the match replayed. FIRST needs to make a formal decision on this. Why? Here is one scenario:

A team makes a "battery ejector" and, knowing FIRST will call the match a replay, will use this ejector when getting beat really badly. Silly, I know, but c'mon a restart for a battery falling out? Who is in danger? The robots? The people behind the glass? Give me a break.

I will be formally asking FIRST what the official position will be moving forward.