BattleCry SITREP 4, dtg 19 Jul 10/1200Z

“Truce Declared!…”

  1. The lunch break contest on day two saw all teams attempt the “Air Superiority” contest. In their selected alliances, human players competed in a 45-second version of “Breakaway”, scoring balls from all zones and even hanging on the bar for at least 10 seconds after the match had ended!  After a valiant effort by all, teams 20, 157, and 228 came out on top!

  2. After 2 days and 56 qualifying skirmishes, the challengers had settled into the following seeded order:

    1 78
    2 1058
    3 175
    4 230
    5 238
    6 1519
    7 3280
    8 58
    9 20
    10 1915
    11 2836
    12 3273
    13 271
    14 40
    15 2342
    16 126
    17 121
    18 131
    19 562
    20 2648
    21 181
    22 246
    23 228
    24 125
    25 1735
    26 1100
    27 839
    28 263
    29 467
    30 663
    31 2523
    32 134
    33 176
    34 195
    35 3126
    36 1721
    37 190
    38 811
    39 172
    40 1729
    41 3044
    42 529
    43 2713
    44 173
    45 61
    46 157
    47 2104
    48 166

     

  3. Check out the match results along with the final pairings.  All match videos will be posted on The Blue Alliance.
  4. With all Warriors in the finals, the room lights dimmed, the spot lights came on and the fun began! The finals saw the #1 alliance of 40, 121, and 172 face up against the #3 alliance of 1153, 190, 2168.  Chock full of regional winners, finalists, semi-finalists, and award winners, the final had the makings to be a spectacular one.  After two hard-fought matches, in a climatic moment punctuated by blasts from the BattleCry confetti cannons spewing some 10 pounds of custom BC11 confetti over the entire field, the final outcome was announced:

    VICTORS: Trinity Robotics – Checkmate (40), AIR Strike (78), Plan B (1729)
    RUNNERS-UP: Buzz Robotics (175), Gael Force (126), Colonel Robotics (2104)

    After all teams received their Campaign Medals, the following additional awards were distributed:

    AWESOME OFFENSE (people’s choice): 1519
    DOMINATING DEFENSE (people’s choice): 228
    AIR SUPERIORTY (Human Player): 20, 157, 228
    BEST BATTLECRY (emcee’s choice): 2648
    NONCOMBATANT SERVICE (judge’s award): 2648
    PURPLE HEART (judge’s award): 166
    MEDAL OF HONOR (judge’s award): 134
    GENERAL STAFF – (judge’s): 839
    GENERAL STAFF – (judge’s): 61
    GENERAL STAFF – (judge’s): 190
    ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE (judge’s award): 1058
    TOP GUN (#1 seed): 78

    Finally

    BATTLECRY STAR (Special Team Appreciation & Recognition):
    Awarded to Nick Galotti by members of Team 1735 for his outstanding contributions not only to the Green Reapers, but to the entire FIRST program and community.

  5. Well done all BattleCry Warriors! WPI, SolidWorks and BAE Systems thank you all for coming to BC11 and are anxious to get your feedback on how to make BC12 even better. Please take a moment to fill out this feedback form.  Teams who do will make themselves eligible to be considered for early bird registration next year! Please send in only one response per team!

 

BattleCry SITREP 3, dtg 4May10/1730Z
“Arrival Info, etc.”

  1. Upon arriving to campus, any vehicles with materials to drop off should proceed to Harrington Auditorium and to the unloading zone in front. Quickly unload your items and proceed as directed by BattleCry Staff. Please be aware of your surroundings and do not block through traffic.
  2. Free BattleCry Warrior parking is available on WPI property and some surrounding streets. Please consult our event map for details or ask a staff member to direct you to parking. Parking IS NOT allowed on the Quad on Friday as it is reserved for another group.
  3. One adult member from each team should enter the lobby of Harrington Auditorium to begin your registration process.
  4. Upon check-in, your team and robot may then proceed outside Harrington toward the athletic fields then to the right, down the ramp and through the doors to the pit area. To avoid congestion, please do not drive vehicles down this ramp.
  5. Upon Arrival:
    • Check your team in
    • Pay any remaining balance due (check preferred: “WPI/BattleCry”, credit card not accepted on-site)
    • Receive your information packet with pre-purchased event t-shirts and dinner tickets
    • Sign up for “Special Operations Contest” (optional)
    • Sign up for campus tours (optional)
    • Bring your robot to the Pit Admin table to update your WPA key before going on the field.
  6. Report to Pit Boss table in pit area for any needed pit assistance, directions to machine shop, and to sign up for your team’s practice time.
  7. Pay-as-you-go breakfast items are available Saturday in the snack bar (on gym level, by pit area).
  8. There will be a limited number of BattleCry 10 T-shirts for sale @ $10 at the registration table.
  9. There is a limited number of additional Battle Ration lunches (for Saturday) may be purchased in the snack bar area. NOTE: The campus Food Court will NOT be open on Saturday.

 

BattleCry SITREP 2, dtg 26Apr10/1500Z

“Deals, Meals, Games, etc.”

  1. Territory Reconnaissance

    For your advance scouts to get the “lay of the land”, campus tours will be available during BC11.  Check for posted times at the Registration Desk.

  2. Friday Evening R&R (Rest and Relaxation)

    The Friday night campaign ends and the pits close at 2100, but then the teams can enjoy the evening from 2100-2300 by jumping into any of the following FREE activities centered in and around the Campus Center (CC)–participants in the asterisked items can compete for raffle tickets and win prizes to be given out on Saturday.  Participants who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a separate raffle drawing for a special prize.

    • Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Make your own ice cream creations and take them around to any of the other activities.
    • Bowling*: The WPI bowling lanes (all 6 lanes!) will be open exclusively for BC Challengers. Shoes and bowling balls are provided and we can accommodate 30 players at a time on a first-come/first-serve basis.
    • CRUD*: Play Team 190’s post-battle favorite on 3 CRUD tables in the CC’s 1st floor Game Rm. Rules and training will be provided to teams who want to learn to play.
    • Minute to Win It*: You have one minute to win a prize.
    • Guerrilla Improv* (Tentative): WPI’s own improvisational comedy troupe, watch and participate in the Odeum after the Ice Cream Sundae Bar.
    • DDR*: Dance the night away in the Class of 1946 Lounge.
    • Karaoke*: Show your “Gracious Amateurism” in front of the mic on the Forkey Commons Stage.
    • Wii Bowling*: Bowling for those who prefer (slightly!) less exercise.
    • Guitar Hero*: Outplay everyone else while showing off your rock star moves.
    • Mario Kart Wii*: Find out who really is the best driver on your team.
    • Twister*: Test your agility with all of your friends to see who can not fall over.
    • Ring Toss*: Toss rings in a favorite game from your childhood
    • Bean Bag Toss*: Pretend the bean bags are floppies and you can be the human player in the 1999 game.
    • Ladder Ball*: Another tossing game where you can test your aim
    • Red Sox Game: Watch the end of the Red Sox game vs. the New York Yankees
    • Foosball: One table in the Game Rm.
    • Pinball: Machines: In the Game Rm…ok, you do have to bring quarters here if you want to play.
    • Scavenger Hunt: Complete a list of tasks to be entered into a separate raffle drawing.

    Field Rations.

    As part of your entry fee you get:

    • 10 Free Friday night BBQ dinner and Ice Cream Sundae Bar
    • 10 Free Saturday team lunches
    • Teams may order additional lunches or dinners by logging into their accounts and changing the order. The cutoff time for meal changes is 0700 Friday 30 Apr. Then the order must go to our caterer. There will also be a concession stand operating from 0700-1600 on Saturday on the main floor of the gym offering light snacks and beverages.

    • The Field Ration Kit

      • BBQ Dinner (Friday)
        • You get a choice of two hamburgers, veggi-burgers, or hot dogs. In addition there are rolls, potato chips, watermelon, salad with dressing, and your choice of drinks.
        • BBQ meals will be available from 1800-1930 with 10 free meals for each participating team. Additional dinners (with later ice cream sundae bar) are $13.00; to guarantee their availability you need to preorder them. We cannot guarantee that there will be unreserved dinners available for purchase.
      • Ice Cream Sundae Bar (Friday)
        • Ice cream and assorted toppings will be served starting at 2100 during the evening R&R activities. The cost of the sundaes is included with the dinners so anyone getting a BBQ dinner will also be entitled to ice cream.
      • Lunch (Saturday)
        • You get a choice of ham, turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian sandwich on a fresh-baked bulky roll, a bag potato chips, fresh whole fruit, two fresh-baked cookies and your choice of beverage. The first 10 lunches for each team are free! There will also be a limited supply of these selections (quantity/selections cannot be guaranteed) available on Saturday in the snack bar in Harrington. Pre-ordered meals will be delivered to each pit table at 1130 on Saturday.

  3. Human Player Contest (Air Superiority Award):

    During the Saturday lunch break, there will be a special on-field contest for human players. Teams will compete with their alliance partners to become the best human players of BattleCry@WPI. Each team must provide two human players to play a 45-second game of Breakaway. Modified rules will be as follows: A hanging ‘robot’ will only count if the entire ‘robot’ is above the platform for 10 seconds after the match. Standing on the platform will not count for points nor will suspending from another ‘robot’. Special rules for traversing the bumps will be explained at the beginning of the matches. The top four seeded alliances based on their coopertition score will go into a single elimination tournament to determine the winner.   All teams that wish to participate must sign up at check-in.

  4. Video Opportunities:

    There will be multiple video cameras running throughout BC11 that will be under the control of our mixing crew. The entire competition will be available on live streaming video and should be archived and available at this site, match-by-match for at least nine months after the event.

  5. NEMO Meeting:

    Non-Engineering Mentor Organization (NEMO) is hosting a free workshop on “Getting Parents Involved on Your Team” from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Mid-Century Room in the Campus Center. Join us as we share ideas for getting more parents involved on your FRC teams. If time allows, we will also discuss other non-technical topics. This workshop is open to all adult/college mentors.  Feel free to come and go as your schedule permits.

    For more information contact Kathie Kentfield, kathiek@firstnemo.org.

 

BattleCry SITREP 1, dtg 06Apr10/1200Z

  1. Registration

    Please confirm your plans as soon as possible. We have many teams on the ready reserves list and out of courtesy to them, would like to update their status ASAP. All payments are due by 20 Apr to hold your spot. If there are any teams that can’t accommodate this please contact the staff at battlecry@wpi.edu.

    All registered BC11 Challengers need to completely fill out their registration information ASAP. To help with this process you should log into your team account and fill in all the remaining information on all the pages.  Payment information can be found on the Invoice page of the registration web site.

    Note

    BC11 is a 2-day tournament. We encourage all teams to come both days and take advantage of the Friday barbeque, ice cream social, and team party, as well as the 2 or 3 qualifying matches on Friday. Unlike some previous years, we will NOT run a separate (and painfully-derived) tournament schedule for each day-the match schedule will assume that all teams will be here for both days.

  2. Housing

    Due to changes in the WPI academic schedule, on-campus housing is not available for BC11.  Please consider utilizing any of the large number of hotels within a short drive of campus.  Several discounted hotels have been secured but the rates are available for a limited time only!  Teams are also welcome to arrange their own stay at other hotels in and around Worcester.  Cities like Auburn and Shrewsbury are within a 10-minute drive of WPI and may open up a wider variety of options.

  3. Game Tweaks

    See Rules of Engagement

  4. Awards and Decorations

    By Battlestaff decry, the following have been established for BC11:

    • Campaign Medals – One per each team that arrives on scene
    • Medal of Honor – Judges’ award to team that does the “most with the least”
    • Purple Heart – Judges’ award to team that becomes most grievously injured through valiant campaign effort
    • Engineering Excellence – Judges’ award for best overall robot design in terms of quality, creativity, and control
    • Noncombatant Service – Judges’ award for most outstanding team spirit displayed during the finals by a team eliminated during the eighth- finals
    • General Staff – Judges’ special recognition awards (3), criteria TBD
    • Awesome Offense – People’s choice award to team with most scoring potential/performance
    • Dominating Defense – People’s choice award to team with best score-neutralizing or score-denial potential/performance
    • Best BattleCry – Emcee’s award for best spirit shown by a team during combat
    • Air Superiority – To the team that fields the top Payload Specialist in the Saturday contest
    • Top Gun – To the number one seed in qualifying
    • Runners-Up – To each team on the three-team alliance defeated in the final match
    • Victors – To each team on the three-team alliance that wins the tournament
    • BattleCry STAR – Special Team Appreciation & Recognition award, adult mentor award presented by team selected by STAR reviewers (see below)

  5. BattleCry STAR

    Student team members are encouraged to submit nominations for their outstanding adult mentor. These nominations are due by 30 April (electronic format preferred to stafford@wpi.edu, 500 words or less) and will be reviewed and judged by past STAR winners. Student members of the winning team will be notified by 4 May and offered the opportunity to publicly announce their champion during the awards ceremony.

  6. Robot Photos

    Please upload photos of your robot using the photo upload page at the registration site. The photos should clearly show your robot and be full resolution .jpg images from your camera.

 

Unless noted below, BC will be played by all appropriate FIRST Breakaway rules. While we will not hold formal inspections, we expect all robots to comply with all FIRST criteria for construction and configuration. While we realize that some teams may have modified their ‘bots for other post season operations, every attempt should be made to restore the robots to inspection condition for BC. Judges and referees will have the final say on all alleged infractions.

If you are new to the game, you may want to check out this year’s game animation courtesy of FIRST and NASA.

Changes for BC11

  1. <G30>Modification (only section C of this rule changed): ROBOT Volume – During a MATCH, no part of the ROBOT shall extend outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER, except as follows:
    • c. TOWER Contact ROBOT Volume – During a MATCH, ROBOTS in contact with their ALLIANCE TOWER or completely inside the taped area around their ALLIANCE TOWER may extend beyond their NORMAL CONFIGURATION volume but may not exceed the FINALE CONFIGURATION maximum volume.
    • Violation: PENALTY and potential YELLOW CARD.
  2. Bonus Circle (“BC”) Autonomous & End Game Opportunity: Before a match, each alliance will be given two 12-inch circles marked as BCs which they may choose to put on the field in place of any of their alliance soccer balls.  If an alliance chooses to place them, they must go on one of the designated ball marks on the carpet. Any ball replaced by a BC will be returned by a field crew member to the middle zone at the end of autonomous mode. 
    • BCs do not have a designated color and, once placed on the field, are available for any robot to utilize as a scoring opportunity.  Robot coverage of a BC is defined by any portion of the outer “belt line” of the robot (including its bumpers) overlapping a portion or all of the BC.
    • IN AUTONOMOUS: Robots will be awarded 1 point for covering any part of a BC at the end of autonomous mode.
    • AT THE END OF THE MATCH: Robots will be award 1 point for completely covering a BC.  The end of the match is 10 seconds after the match clock goes to zero.
  3. Placebo Robot: The placebo robot will be, at a minimum, a driving 2010 FRC compliant robot (i.e. a kit bot).  The staff will be responsible for maintenance during the event although no guarantees on the reliability or functionality will be provided.  In some cases, the team who calls the placebo robot into action will be required to provide a driver and human player for the placebo robot.   The staff will provide a placebo robot to play for teams who:
      • Are not able to be in attendance on Friday.  While teams are expected to attend both days of the competition, we wish to be as fair as possible to alliances who may be partnered with a team unable to attend.  If a robot is missing from both alliances, the match will be played 2 v 2.  Any teams not in attendance Friday will receive the score of their alliance for that match. 
      • Become broken beyond repair or cannot be repaired within a reasonable time during the elimination matches on Saturday.  An alliance may petition the designated event coordinator to use the placebo in place of a broken robot.  The event coordinator will review the condition of the robot and make a determination. 
  4. Elimination Alliance Selection:  At the conclusion of the Skirmishes, the top 16 seeded challengers will pick their alliance partners for the Final Challenge rounds. Normal 2010 FRC selection rules will apply for their first picks, the second pick will be via a random draw from the remaining challengers.
  5. Elimination Rounds: The 48-team elimination matches will be structured in the following way:
    • Eighth-Finals – All teams will participate in the eighth finals.  These matches will be a ‘Best-of-2’ format, to be played in the following order:
      • E1: Seed #1 v Seed #16
      • E2: Seed #2 v Seed #15
      • E3: Seed #3 v Seed #14
      • E4: Seed #4 v Seed #13
      • E5: Seed #5 v Seed #12
      • E6: Seed #6 v Seed #11
      • E7: Seed #7 v Seed #10
      • E8: Seed #8 v Seed #9
    • Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals – The winners of the eighth finals will move on to participate in a ‘Best-of-3’ match format for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with the eighth finals feeding into the quarterfinals as following:
      • Q1: Winner of E1 v Winner of E8
      • Q2: Winner of E4 v Winner of E5
      • Q3: Winner of E2 v Winner of E7
      • Q4: Winner of E3 v Winner of E6
    • Tiebreakers – If there is no obvious winner at the end of the match set (Best-of-2 or Best-of-3) during the eliminations , the following tiebreakers will occur:
      • The alliance scores of all matches of that set will be added together, with the highest score moving forward.  For example:
        • Red wins E1-1 by a score of 7 to 4.  Blue wins E1-2 by a score of 10 to 8.  Red moves on (15 points total versus 14 points total)
      • If there is still no winner, teams will continue to play at the discretion of the event manager until a match is won.  The team that wins that match will move forward.