George,
While I appreciate your perspective to run regionals in the same manner 
as worlds, I respectfully ask that you reconsider your decision (we're 
not at worlds). Our team has 10 members and our goal is always to give 
every team member a chance to work the table each round. This year's new 
ruling that the kids "on-deck" cannot hold strategic pieces has forced 
us to use a bin that we were hoping to place on a small rolling cart 
next to the table. This year's challenge has numerous small pieces that 
must be picked and delivered all over the table and the team has devised 
missions that involve bringing them to base and then sending them out 
later. With 10 kids, various attachments, and numerous scoring pieces, 
there is a lot to maintain on the table, especially when the levee 
tester is prone to being triggered by accidental touching during work at 
the base.

If the "no cart" decision remains, will you allow scoring pieces to be 
stored in the bin during the round?

Sincerely,
John

George E. Gonzalez wrote:
>
> Hello Sean,
>
> I am one of the two head referees for the NOVA/Sterling tournament. 
> The question you raised regarding the use of a table or rolling cart 
> at the robot performance table is asked every year, and answered 
> differently depending on level of the competition, i.e., Regional, 
> State, or World tournament. The primary considerations are available 
> space at and around the tournament tables, and the logistics for teams 
> to bring, setup, and remove their cart from the competition area. In 
> our venue there appears to be available space; however, once you 
> factor in teams anxiously waiting their turn, spectators, and 
> referees, space becomes limited. Even more important is the timely and 
> orderly flow of teams to and from the competition tables in order to 
> maintain a deterministic process that keeps to the published schedule. 
> Schedule slips significantly complicate the judging schedule for all 
> teams and can adversely affect a team’s performance. It is for these 
> reasons that tables and carts are not permitted at the World Festival 
> tournament in Atlanta. Given that the World tournament is the “Super 
> Bowl” of FLL, teams should practice in Regional and State tournaments 
> using the same guidelines.
>
> Accordingly, tables and carts are not permitted in the competition 
> area at the Sterling tournament.
>
> Teams can, however, utilize a storage bin that can be held by a team 
> member(s) behind the cheering line (2 feet) or placed beneath the 
> competition table for storage of attachments utilized during 
> competition. The storage bin should be relatively small (less than 
> 18”x16”x12”) and portable to facilitate its use.
>
> Best of luck at the tournament!
>
> Best regards,
>
> George Gonzalez
>
> Team Tiki – FTC #2859
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Sean M. Paus" <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:01:46
> To: <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>
> Subject: Re: FLL Sterling 1 Welcome letter & Program Brochure
>
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Look in the "what to bring" section. There will be practice tables in
> > the pit area.
> >
> > I hope it answers your question.
>
> Actually, what I meant was a small folding table the boys could use for
> housekeeping while they are at the Robot performance.
>
> Sean
>
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