FTC Leagues

[FTC0839]

Massachusetts implemented a Pilot of the League format last year. Due to my miscommunication as Coach, we were not signed up for any League, so we did not participate, although I attended as a guest (and Lead Robot Inspector ... oh my!!).
This coming season, we are going full-forward. I have several concerns:
- logistics: as a Judge Advisor for a 24-team FLL Qualifier, I know I personally spent dozens of hours before the event organizing and recruiting volunteers; to do this every month would be insane
- setup: we typically have an army of volunteers who spend a few hours setting up - it's not an hour job for a couple people
- matches: our "League" consists of a maximum of 5 teams - doesn't the random number generator for 4 teams get a little boring? And 5 matches for 4 teams is less than an hour with break time in between - not really worth travelling an hour and all the planning/setup?
- "vision": if we are trying to replicate the sports model by having more playing time, it would de-emphasize community service, and the use of technology for discovery's sake (CAD, 3-D printing, sensors, etc.)
- timing: we are a Junior High team, so we have pretty much a whole brand new team every year - trying to get results and still allow time for learning is difficult with a 6-week build season [I was in FRC for 12 years, so I know about a compact season with high school students.]
- money: we're lucky if we break even on the FLL Qualifier - how much would it cost the hosting team?
- spectators: cafeterias don't work - without stadium seating of bleachers, it's very spectator un-friendly; most schools don't allow metal stuff in gyms
- statistics: if only 1 or 2 "top" teams from each League proceed to the League Championship, how does that mean anything from an absolute ranking?

I'm big-time confused.

I'd appreciate any input from any team who has experienced this format already. I haven't registered the team yet due to these concerns, and also confusion over purchasing the phones through FIRST or retail.


Thank you.

Jay
Head Coach, FTC0839
[PS We are a community-based team, not a school team]