I saw the pits post in the Official Q&A, but thought I would bring up the same topic here.
For those new to Worlds, in years past, all teams from the same organization were kept together (naturally since it was mostly numeric). This worked great for organizations with multiple teams attending as they could create one large gathering area after removing the dividers. Some would go so far as to put full fields within their “mega-booths”.
Last year, it certainly made it convenient for me as I had two teams sharing parts, tools and chargers, and it allowed us to use space more efficiently. On the down side, it made one of the teams have a much longer walk.
While it was not a surprise since it was covered in the Q&A, it never really registered until checking out the venue map today.
Overall, I like the change (but I have 1 MS and 1 HS team so no negative impact on me). It helps all teams be closer to their competition fields, but is definitely a big change for the repeat, multi-team orgs. With 3 weeks to go, I hope those teams that have planned for their teams to be together have time to adapt.
Are you saying that clubs with multiple teams are now going to have pits separated and near their competition fields? I certainly hope not, that would be a mess.
To be clear, that is not clearly confirmed, and is the subject of the post in the Official Q&A. But it seems likely (the FAQ and the venue map showing numbers in pit areas for the first time are the only evidence).
I have 5 teams going to Worlds. It will certainly be a difficult challenge to be dispersed across 5 divisions. That’s parts, a field, and a bunch of other stuff that affects my logistics.
Given the relative sizes of the pit areas and the fact (if to scale) #6 would be incredibly small, I think it is just to help guide teams ans judges to specific team’s pits. For example, they could list teams 1-600 in area 5. That would make it a bit easier to find a particular team’s pit. Just my two cents. When we have sent multiple teams, we have been pitted side-by-side. To me, it just makes sense.
from FAQ
Q: How are teams assigned to the different Divisions?
A: Teams are randomly assigned to the Divisions. It should be noted that teams from
the same organization/school will be split across the Divisions. While teams will be
split into different Divisions randomly, we expect that most pit areas will be in
sequential order for each Division.
Look forward to seeing everyone at Worlds - should be fun as always!
For information, FAQ for last season had similar wording and pits were organized sequentially by team number:
Q: How are teams assigned to the different Divisions?
A: Teams are randomly assigned to the Divisions. It should be noted that teams from
the same organization/school will be split across the Divisions. While teams will be
split into different Divisions randomly, we expect that most pit areas will be in
sequential order for VRC High School Divisions, VRC Middle Schools Divisions, VEX
U, VEX IQ Middle School Division, and VEX IQ Elementary Division.
I personally believe that this pit area-per-division thing will be a really good decision. Finally, this was one of those changes I’ve waited and longed for. Yes, teams will be separated from their organization, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. By having the teams be closer to their own division, traffic is reduced a TON, as well as travel time to specific teams to their pits is cut down short.
When it comes to private fields and having a field to use for practice, VEX Worlds offers en enormous area with fields for teams to practice at. Even when said, after being at the CREATE U.S OPEN Robotics Championship, every team was perfectly fine with us building a field in their pit, as long as they are given permission to use it. I don’t think the field problem is as bad as it seems, so no worries
Ask in the Worlds Q&A to get a definitive answer. But. I think what’s happening is that the word “division” is being overworked. The Q&A response is (I believe) using the word “division” to mean “MS VRC,” “HS VRC,” and “VEX U.” You are all assuming the use of the term to mean Science, Technology (etc.) division of HS VRC. For a variety of reasons, the RECF has always placed teams in numerical order in the pits, with a few oddball exceptions – usually when a team no shows and replacements are lifted from the wait list at the last second. I don’t have fresh insider information, but I don’t think they would change that. YMMV.
You may be correct. I think whoever wrote the answer in the Q&A is to blame for the confusion because in the same answer it used the word “division” to mean Science, Technology (etc.) when it says they will be assigned to divisions randomly. They make no distinction that they are using the word differently.
This year has been a rough year for answers on the various Q&A channels.
Perhaps could use a word specific to type of VEX like EDR HS vs IQ MS vs VEX U would be called …systems?
and then divisions would be reserved for divides within those systems…like in MS EDR has in the past had Opportunity and Spirit Division…
