maybe they are!!! or maybe the game will involve some intricate tuning and they need more time for working on the bot…no i dont think thats it…with nationals being smaller i dont see why they would add an extra day. We will know soon though!
If 210 is the open capacity, that could be the number of slots allowed for teams who will qualify by performance during the season, or during last season, as well as any extra slots. Teams that automatically qualify might not be counted in that figure.
Cory
Andrew, about the NASA thing I went here
http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany
and only one had the new of NASA under Event… unless that is the only one that will be held on a NASA location
*Originally posted by SarahB *
**trying not to act too excitedWow, this is awesome. I’m so excited to hear that we’re going to be in the Sovereign Bank Arena for J&J. First the RAC, now this… we’re really moving up!
. **
The committee was very happy to get the Arena and maybe it will encourage some of the local schools down there to participate. It is going to be a tremendous event.
WC
For those wondering how the competition worked back in the day when every competition had two fields here you go:
One match would be on one field while the other field was setting up. As soon as one competition ended Woodie would run across to the other field and start the competition while the other was being scored and set up again. This way of doing things cut back on the down time and let everyone view all the competitions.
I don’t know if this is how they are going to do it in Canada but it would make sense. It would allow twice the number of matches to be played in the same amount of time.
Guys, just a reminder that this isn’t “official” yet.
There is no link to this list from off the FIRST main page.
Until we see that, we should assume that this information is subject to changes, and may contain certain errors.
Within a week or 2, we should see a more “official” version.
Just try not to make any plans/assumptions based on data that may, or may not be correct.
*Originally posted by dk5sm5luigi *
**
I don’t know if this is how they are going to do it in Canada but it would make sense. It would allow twice the number of matches to be played in the same amount of time. **
Each match in the FIRST competition have a 5 mins cycle. Due to last year’s autonomous mode, which will probably happen again, the match length is about 2 mins 18 seconds. The rest of the 5 mins is used for clearing the field and setting up the robots.
So, I suppose they can alternate the matches in each cycle, so you start match 1 in cycle 1 for the first 2 mins 18 seconds while match 2 in cycle 1 is being prepared, then as soon as match 1 cycle 1 ends you start match 2 cycle 1, and you let the first field get cleared off and setup for match 1 cycle 2.
That will make sure matches doesn’t happen at the same time for the audiences. I am interested in finding out how they are going to make the scoring software works for 2 fields. Maybe they will program one field to do odd number matches and the other field do even number matches.
I hope to see more 2 fields regionals in the coming year. That’s one way to enlarge capacity of regionals while keeping the cost low. I like it :-).
*Originally posted by Andrew *
**
I didn’t notice earlier that April 14 is a Wednesday. Are they going to implement the threatened extra day of competition this year? **
Looks like they’re not. It has now been changed back to the originally announced April 15-17.
*Originally posted by JVN *
**Guys, just a reminder that this isn’t “official” yet.
There is no link to this list from off the FIRST main page.
Until we see that, we should assume that this information is subject to changes, and may contain certain errors.Within a week or 2, we should see a more “official” version.
Just try not to make any plans/assumptions based on data that may, or may not be correct. **
It is offical now! As i check the main page now its in the FIRST Robotics news section, i guess they came through with their promise and gave us regional dates in August. Now just we have to wait and see about some other minor things.
~Mike
OK, I have a bit of an update:
It has been clarified to me that “Open Capacity” does not necessarily mean facility capacity. If a regional has an open capacity of 40 teams, their facility capacity may be more, depending on how many spots the regional coordination committee are being saved for rookie teams (who often register late) Grant teams, local teams and sponsor teams.
Also… from my observation and experience, it looks like FIRST has done a very good job with scheduling. I am suprised to see people complaining about having certain regionals on “back to back” weekends. You guys should know that there are many variables involved with scheduling these facilities (spring break, athletic events, corporate events, vendor availability, regional load balancing, FIRST staff availability, regional planning member timing conflicts, etc.). Think about this stuff before you complain that two regionals which are 150 miles apart are scheduled on back to back dates.
There are 26 regionals here. During the past three years, FIRST has presented us with more conflicting schedules than they did this year, that is for sure.
I say this: good job FIRST.
Andy B.
*Originally posted by Andy Baker *
**OK, I have a bit of an update:It has been clarified to me that “Open Capacity” does not necessarily mean facility capacity. If a regional has an open capacity of 40 teams, their facility capacity may be more, depending on how many spots the regional coordination committee are being saved for rookie teams (who often register late) Grant teams, local teams and sponsor teams.
Andy B. **
yeah, I didn’t want to mention about the reserved spots at some regionals for rookies, locals, last year winners and sponsor teams.
Since you mention it first, they can’t blame me for talking too much!
PS- I wish I can go to Canadian Regional!!!
*Originally posted by Andy Baker *
**Also… from my observation and experience, it looks like FIRST has done a very good job with scheduling.…
There are 26 regionals here. During the past three years, FIRST has presented us with more conflicting schedules than they did this year, that is for sure.
I say this: good job FIRST.
Andy B. **
I agree completely, Andy. They’ve done an outstanding job with the regional scheduling this year. The geographic distribution of events during any particular week is about as good as it gets. The competitions are scattered all over the map.
I for one can’t wait for everyone on Team 48 to go back to Canada for a third time. With 70 teams and 2 fields, that event is going to be beyond exciting. Our Canadian hosts do a wonderful job staging this competition every year, and it would be nice if a larger number of American teams could come up and participate in 2004 - I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
**It has been clarified to me that “Open Capacity” does not necessarily mean facility capacity. If a regional has an open capacity of 40 teams, their facility capacity may be more, depending on how many spots the regional coordination committee are being saved for rookie teams (who often register late) Grant teams, local teams and sponsor teams.
**
I wonder how many spots are not being included in the 70 “open capacity” slots listed for Canada? It’s mind-boggling to consider how immense this regional might become if there are a significant number of reserved spots we don’t know about yet. I’m getting dizzy even thinking about it.
*Originally posted by Andy Baker *
**
Also… from my observation and experience, it looks like FIRST has done a very good job with scheduling. I am suprised to see people complaining about having certain regionals on “back to back” weekends. You guys should know that there are many variables involved with scheduling these facilities (spring break, athletic events, corporate events, vendor availability, regional load balancing, FIRST staff availability, regional planning member timing conflicts, etc.). Think about this stuff before you complain that two regionals which are 150 miles apart are scheduled on back to back dates.There are 26 regionals here. During the past three years, FIRST has presented us with more conflicting schedules than they did this year, that is for sure.
I say this: good job FIRST.
Andy B. **
I agree. This is the best schedule we’ve had on the West Coast since before there was an LA regional. Finally we can compete in two regionals without a 400mile drive to one of them. On top of having them on back to back weekends. Of course we still have a 400 mile drive to one of them, but that’s what we get for living in Paradise. That weekend in between makes all the difference.
Sheesh you East Coast people complaining about back to back regionals in cities a couple of hours apart. Get a clue. I know people who commute that far each way daily. Surely you could handle it for a few days. 
Out here, we’ve been living with worse for years and have just been glad to have another regional to attend. This schedule looks like somebody at FIRST finally took into account the realities of life in the West.
Thanks Jason! I know you worked hard at this.
I am SO happy with the dates for Sacramento and San Jose…I thought I would have to miss one of the two because of a band trip to Hawaii, but now I’ll get to go to all three!
Looks like we have a new regional - Detroit, Michigan! Alright! 
Midwest Represent.
I was thinking the same! Now, I get to go HOME and sleep in MY OWN BED. (But who sleeps during a FIRST Competition?)
This is a good thing for Detroit. It raises the awareness of FIRST. I ask a lot of people about FIRST, and they don’t know, or mention a thing.
Woo…now I can start making travel plans…
Week 1 - VCU
Week 2 - Florida or Pittsburg
Week 3 - Anni
Week 4 - So Cal
Week 5 - San Jose
Week 6 - Nats
Look for this Sunday’s edition of Zits for the real story behind my trip.
Wetzel
hey jeff, i never knew you drove a VW Bus…LOL! Well jeff, if you go, you will need a navigator, ill do that with pay(to you) as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts…
~Mike
LOL