So on Saturday after losing two close matches against the #1 seated alliance we had to wait around until everyone got their trophies. Nobody went to get any seats because everybody was watching the finals. Unfortunatly, by the time we had lost, all the seats were filled by teams who had gotten out previously and we were stuck on the top to the very right hand side where we could barily hear or see anything.
I was wondering if anyone thought that roping off some seats (even on the upper balcony) for the finalists of each division. It seems that after all their hard work they deserve to be able to watch the Einstein matches and actully hear Dean’s speaches.
l would agree that I would rather be a division finalist and not be able to see Einstein instead of vice versa. I am not complaining, I am simply offering a solution to remedy the poor seating the finalists usually get.
Yeah, we couldn’t see very well, but at least there were screens. Personally, I was very appreciative of how well we performed and how lucky we were at competitions this year. To make it to the finals in our division, and to even receive medals at the Championship event was well worth having not-so-great seats for the Einstein matches.
Just imagine as this program grows!! Perhaps someday the whole arena will be filled up and people will have to watch from across the stadium.
Just imagine not making it to the Championship event at all and watching the finals/awards ceremony on your computer screen!!
I’m grateful that we were there in person, much less have a place to put our bottoms.
As part of the pit crew for a division finalist, we were allowed to stand right next to Einstein and watch it all, up close and personal. As for the rest of the team, I have no idea where they went, but I can imagine that if we weren’t on Curie (or Galileo I suppose), we would not have found seats.
Wow, it would have been really nice to have been able to see! I had even done Dean’s homework and had guests with me that had never heard of robotics! They were a little disappointed that we really couldn’t see the finals.
One solution to the seating would be to push Einstein a little further away from the stands. That would let more of us see the field instead of the backs of the drive teams. Those of you really good in math can figure out the best distance so we all view from the perfect angle!
3.16 BLEACHER RULES
Sitting together in a group during competition matches makes the game more exciting and fun. It’s where you can show support for your team. Since very often there is not enough seating to accommodate everyone, there has to be a policy regarding seating.
With this in mind, it is not permitted to hang banners or ribbons to designate such an area. We will remove and discard any banners, roping, etc… Please take turns sitting in the bleachers. Share the fun. When you see there is a crowding problem, leave after your team’s match and return later for another few matches.
Teams are not allowed to save seating space.
I think BJC is referring to the reserved seating at the Championship Event; the winners of each division get 50 wrist bands for seats right in front of Einstein reserved by FIRST.
Fortunately for my team, we were able to receive some of the served seats after they had been filled with the division winners and the two team representatives. I realize that my team was lucky, and was unsure if this was because we were finalists, or if the house crew was just trying to fill the empty seats. However, we were seated near some 148 members (division finalists along with 33 and ourselves) which made me realize that it may be because of the finalist situation.
I do agree that finalists should have a section of seats roped off for them. I recognize that there are many teams that are deceiving of those seats, but like those who were division winners, the finalists teams have a chance to make it to Einstein due to the backup robot situation, and how upsetting would it be if your team was called up and you couldn’t even see your robot play?
I do agree that finalists should have a section of seats roped off for them. I recognize that there are many teams that are deceiving of those seats, but like those who were division winners, the finalists teams have a chance to make it to Einstein due to the backup robot situation, and how upsetting would it be if your team was called up and you couldn’t even see your robot play?
That was actually very close to happening for the Newton side! They called for all the backups to get ready for the Newton side just before the final match!
The first paragraph is a quote from Alex…not sure why on my end it’s not in the quote box!
In the hotel and in the airport I heard the same thing from people coming to the Robotics for the first time. There were teams that were saving seats in the stands. These people just wanted to see a match or two or watch their grandkids or friends compete.
I know that NO FIRST students were doing this, but next year make sure you tell your parents and friends “saving seats”. We want to invite people to sit down, not send them away.
Unfortunately this will always be a problem and should get it’s own thread. This year my drive team went to see the drivers meeting. Teams had already been reserving seats for the competition. When they tried to sit down in a section a student came up to them and told them the seats were reserved for their team then an adult came up and told them the same thing and made them move. They wouldn’t even let them sit there for the drivers meeting! I only wish I would have been there and not in the pits. We would have had a quick discussion about the rules, GP, and plain old common courtesy.
I’ll bite and say plenty of FIRST students and entire FIRST teams were saving seats at Championship. One instance of this (towels with team number on them for every seat) was so blatant I didn’t know what to think.
Yeah I know what you mean. We were sitting right next to those stands and we saw it all :P. Although Frog Force did indeed notice you guys up there and tried to wave :D!
Anyway, don’t worry about it. You guys are always welcome to come sit with us. We are pratically the same team since we share signs and all ; ) .
