Posted by michael bastoni of team #23, PNTA, from Plymouth North High School sponsored by Boston Edison Co.
Posted on 4/1/99 3:42 PM MST
To Dr. J et al,
Please forgive my absence…I have been reading these words of wisdom
on a regular basis…and I am humbled to think that my abscence would ever
be noted…
I have been taking selfish pleasures of late…freed for a time from
the intense pressures of FIRST regionals, I have been enjoying the
relaxed company of my wonderful students…and my family…
The Plymouth North High kids are very involved in planning to host their
friends at this years RUMBLE …and I’ve got to tell you,
all of us on team #23 take great joy in planning to be your hosts for this event.
Again…thanks for the heads up…I enjoy the party on these pages very much,
and more importantly…this is a democratic continuum…shared ideas via the
WWW and the net will prove to be one of the most important shapers of the next
century…This dialog has already begun reshaping FIRST for the better,
and it will continue to do so for as long as this ‘journey’ continues.
…I pray you all lighten up just a little bit on this best team
thing…
I support the perspective that there are some mighty competetive men and
women out there, (as well there should be, it is very American) and that if
there is even a perception that the thrill of victory is being the least bit
watered down, those very competetive folk will be reluctant to extend the time
and energy to play at such high levels…
but…
This game is maturing…perhaps too slowly even for my tastes,
but it is maturing…many things need to happen before we can
claim we have a ROBOT SPORT GAME that favors the ‘BEST’
designed, produced and driven machines…
Baseball produces the best hitters…after 100yrs. of evolution.
Formula 1 racing identifies the best symbiosis of car/driver and designers after 80yrs of evolution.
And the list goes on…but all these games remain similar year to year…it takes
years to identify the best…not one regional…not one national…those
always allow for a cinderella scenario…the game is presently designed FOR THAT REASON…
Woodie believed in equal opportunity to win…This cinderella aspect is conciously
designed into the game by the grandfather, the Capo de Tuti Capo of Sport Robotics…
Dr. Woodie Flowers himself,he said so.
So let’s not get our blood pressure too high on the issue of best…
let’s salute those among us who volunteer their time, who make a difference in
a kids life…who share the wealth of their love and their ideas with good
kids who want desperately to believe the world they grow into will be alright…
That their (metaphorically speaking) robots will be able to compete with only the
hope of winning…not necessarily the EXPECTATION. This is pretty important stuff your all doing,
don’t loose sight of that…
And to all those who have won regionals and nationals…We at team #23
salute you…yes we envy you your richly deserved rewards…and we
are so very happy for your students…yeah.
Regarding the trashing we recieved from #68 GM Trucks (and I own two of them)
all we want is for folks to notice we did not complain,we did not
cry foul…we understand that the FIRST Sport Robot Games need
that kind of visceral excitement to become nationally popular…
Please let’s promote that rugged (not viscious) but robust style of play…
it will serve us all…the crowd loves and understands it. It is the right
way to play these games…
And the video tapes I have show clearly that we won 2 out of 3 of those final
matches with #68 and then went to the finals in Philly…hmmmmm good design,maybe…
luck…I don’t think so…And a prayer and a salute
to the folks on team #314…Teamwork…without a doubt.
Mr. B