The Annual Multi-Regional "Look"

[Natchez]

Below is the annual "how many regionals are there in a final four team" overview. The number of regionals are in (). Thanks Karthik ... your database made this very easy.

330(2)
67(3)
503(2)

64(3)
56(3)
254(2)

245(3)
217(2)
766(2)

175(2)
33(3)
108(2)

It looks as if you want an opportunity to play on Einstein, you might want to consider attending more than one regional or starting an FLL team.

Okay, UNCLE, I GIVE! I have FAILED at convincing everyone that teams should only be attending one regional and should be sponsoring more EARLY, FLL, BEST, & Botball teams. I've admitted it ... I'm a failure ... I'm finished with step #1 of my 12 step program. Step #2 ... why did I fail ... because I'm crazy ... okay, finished with that one! Step #3 ... join the other side. Okay, I'm joining the other side BUT I'm not giving up on "leveling the playing field" so here is my new proposal.

Warning: You have entered an it's-so-crazy-that-it-might-just-work zone.

Since the prevailing arguments against only one regional are that FIRST would never be willing to take the financial hit and the teams will never give up their second regional, I propose that ALL teams should receive two regional plays with their registration instead of just one. This would make all of the "I want to play on Einstein" teams happy and would make the finance department at FIRST very, very happy. For example, let's say 1,000 teams pay $9,000 each to register ... that's $9 million; if those same 1,000 teams pay for 1,300 regional plays, which is based on this year's stats ... that's $7.2 million ... 1,000x$6K + 300x$4K. A windfall of $1.8 million for FIRST and a savings of $1,000 per team that plays on Einstein. Oh, I almost forgot, charge the teams that play in 3 regionals $5K each and FIRST raises another $75 to $100K.

As far as downfalls, there are very few. Teams only have a 50% increase in registration and get twice the fun AND have an opportunity to play on Einstein. Concerning regional events, with a few more regionals, capacity will not be an issue. AND FOR THE HUGE BONUS: This plan instantly makes regionals in distant lands, such as the Magnolia Regional, instantly viable because all of the teams will be looking to attend a second regional.

There is more but I've got to go back to my padded condominium now and I'm sure you are anxious to call me crazy at this point,
Lucien