Remote Kickoffs...

[Dan 550]

A little while ago it was hinted at that there would be actual fields at the remote kickoffs. Does anybody know if that's true?

Also, are there any remotes in the NJ/NY/PA area? I'm tryin to see if I can actually get to one...

[Bill Gold]

There's a remote kickoff in Philly, Pa. Check http://www.usfirst.org/2002comp/FRCKickoff.html#Remote for details.

I'm not sure what to think about the possibility of fields at remote kickoffs. The facility at SJSU that the remote kickoff will be held in isn't big enough for a field. So I doubt there will be one there. If there are fields at other remote kickoffs, and not the one my team attends then that seems a little unfair. The only possible fair solutions I see to this problem are....

A.) No fields at all at remote kickoffs.
B.) Only important parts of the field (goals, bridge, ramp, scoring objects, etc) at each remote kickoff.

-Bill

[Andy Baker]

The Kokomo, Indiana kickoff is doing this:

We are having a playing field. All of the on-field components will be built per FIRST's specs, but by a third party who is not a FIRST team. This third party will build these components without divulging any information to any FIRST teams in the Kokomo area. This third party will deliver these field components to the Technokats team shop on the day of the kickoff in Kokomo, right after we are finished viewing the satellite broadcast.

Not all remote kickoffs are necessarily going to be the same. Each remote kickoff has different facilities and capabilities with different people running the show. We are receiving direction from FIRST, but none of us are getting any money for our efforts. So, if there are differences between remote kickoffs, that is just the way it is going to be.

The advantage here is obvious... many teams will save money by not having to travel out to NH for the kickoff. Also, more people on your teams will be able to see the fields or field components if their respective remote kickoff will have them. Keep in mind that FIRST is still allowing teams to send 2 representatives to NH, so each team still has good opportunity to see the field.

Andy B.

[Greg Ross]

Originally posted by Andy Baker
This third party will deliver these field components to the Technokats team shop on the day of the kickoff in Kokomo, right after we are finished viewing the satellite broadcast.

If the field belongs to FIRST, and is returned to FIRST after the kickoff, I won't begrudge you having the field at your kickoff. But if, say, the Technokats paid for the field and they get to keep it, then that gives the Technokats the equivalent of several days head start on the rest of us! Say it ain't so, Andy!

[Andy Baker]

Yep... we get to keep these field components. They are ours, although we won't know what they are until the day of kickoff. This third party is essentially going to bill us for their effort.

As for this giving us several days head start... I don't think so. I'll explain:

1. From what I've heard from FIRST, we will all know what the field BOM is before the kickoff. I don't know when FIRST will divulge this, but it's coming fairly soon. Teams will probably have time to buy these parts and have them ready to fabricate and assemble right after kickoff.

2. We don't know what these field components are. Sure, ours will be built and done at the time of kickoff, and other teams will have to go back and build theirs. The advantage is that we have our components, but all teams will know what they are.

3. These field componets that we will have will be available for all local teams to use in our facility. Teams are always welcome to come into the TechnoKats shop and use our stuff, as they have for years.

Since we will have these field components built before other teams... it is a bit of an advantage, but not "several days head start". This slight advantage is outweighed, in my opinion, by the many advantages mentioned in my previous post.

Regards,
Andy B.

[Joe Johnson]

I agree that the few days that the TechnoKats will gain is way overbalanced by the advantage to the teams of having the field available to all teams that attend the regional kickoff.

To be honest, it is very likely that we will ALL be MANY days ahead if FIRST is forced to make a print that a builder is able to follow without guessing and scratching their heads.

Think of these remote kickoffs as working out the bugs we all would be forced to live with had the remote kickoffs not forced FIRST's hand.

Just my opinion. Your's my vary...

Joe J.

[Mike Soukup]

I'll actually be bolder than Andy & Joe. Even if having their own playing field already built on the day of kickoff is a big advantage (still debatable if it is or not), I don't mind. The Technokats are doing most, if not all, the work for the remote kickoff; they're funding it, they're staffing it, and probably much more than that. They're providing a great service to the local FIRST community, so I don't mind if they get a field on the day of kickoff and the rest of us have to go back home & build our own over the next few days.

The advantage of us being able to play around on the field during the kickoff will outweigh the advantage the Technokats get by having a pre-built field.

Mike

[mnkysp6353]

Andy in your message are you saying that all teams will get a BOM for the field or just the ones building one for kickoff?

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by mnkysp6353
Andy in your message are you saying that all teams will get a BOM for the field or just the ones building one for kickoff?

Every teams should get a Bill of material, blue print of the playing field, along with the kits of parts and competition manual at each remote kickoff... That is if you register on the website to send your kits to a specific remote kick off.

And you really should register to send the kits to a remote kick off, because no airline will allow you to take the kits from New Hampshire back to your head quarter.

[Andy Baker]

Originally posted by mnkysp6353
Andy in your message are you saying that all teams will get a BOM for the field or just the ones building one for kickoff?

From what FIRST has told me, they want to divulge the playing field BOM in mid-December to all FIRST teams, so all teams have a chance to buy stuff for the field components before kickoff.

BUT... this has NOT been confirmed by FIRST.

My guess is that FIRST is just now finalizing the design for the playing field, and this BOM is not done.

I am not sure that FIRST will be able to do this for all teams... I hope so.

Andy B.