MAR has scheduled seven District events for the 2015 season. The minimum capacity for each event is 31 teams, which will provide space for 108 teams. Each event also has a reserve capacity to accommodate team growth. With 8 rookies and nearly 88% of 2014 teams already confirmed to return, we expect to utilize much of the reserved capacity while still providing room for additional plays by MAR and non-MAR teams.
MAR and the four other FRC District Model regions will work to balance team registration for 2015 across all of the events in each region. Experience has shown that when the attendance at two events differs by more than four teams, the competitive outcome of the events may be affected.
To achieve this balance in attendance, any team that attempts to register for a MAR event that has reached its initial capacity of 31 teams will be placed on the waitlist for that event. We will not begin admitting teams from waitlists until all events have filled to minimum capacity, and we reserve the right 1) to limit the number of waitlisted teams for any event, and 2) to achieve these limits, if necessary, by dropping teams from event waitlists (in reverse order of sign-up). These limits will be determined based on multiple factors including actual and projected net team growth, and may change up or down as registration progresses. The planned practice for 2015 represents a departure from registration practice in earlier seasons, but we believe it is consistent with lessons learned on enhancing the competition experience for all teams.
We strongly encourage all teams to avoid waitlist status for MAR District events by choosing their first and second events from among those events with open capacity. A waitlisted team can contact FIRST at any time to drop the waitlisted event and switch registration to an event with open capacity.
Regular registration for first and second MAR District events closes on November 24. MAR will strive to have every team registered for two District events as soon as possible after this date, and before registration opens for additional District events on December 11.
Questions on MAR team registration should be directed to Ed Petrillo, MAR Vice Chair, 609-651-6337 or [email protected].