How should a skills run be scored/referee'd if a robot interacts with a mobile goal that is on a balanced platform and causes it or any other elevated mobile goal to fall over such that its stem extends over the field perimeter and touches the ground outside of the field but the base remains on the platform? We are under the assumption that once a stem touches the ground outside the arena then that mobile goal is considered to have left the field but this may be erroneous on our part.
Appendix B States: "Please note that all rules from “The Game” section of the manual apply to the Robot Skills Challenge, unless otherwise specified.
SG9 Keep Scoring Objects in the field. Teams may not intentionally remove Scoring Objects from the field. While Scoring Objects may accidentally leave the field, doing so intentionally or repeatedly would be a violation of this rule. Scoring Objects that leave the field during Match play, intentionally or unintentionally, will be returned to the field at the location nearest the point at which they exited. Referees will return the Scoring Object to the field when it is deemed safe to do so, at the leisure of the referee. Minor violations of this rule that do not affect the Match will result in a warning. Match Affecting offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the Head Referee’s discretion. If a Mobile Goal leaves the field, any Rings that were Scored in the Mobile Goal Base, or on Mobile Goal Branches, will be returned to the field in a non-Scored state, on the field tile closest to where they exited.** Note: During the last 30 seconds of the Match: • Any Scoring Object that leaves the field will not be returned. • If a Scoring Object is leaving the Field (as determined by the Head Referee), but is deflected back into the field by a Drive Team Member, field monitor, ceiling / wall, or other external factor, it should still be considered “out of the field” and removed by a scorekeeper or Head Referee. If the redirection occurred due to contact with a Drive Team Member, it will be at the Head Referee’s discretion whether or should apply.
-Is that neutral mobile goal officially considered out of play once any part of it touches the ground outside of the arena and should be removed and replaced on the nearest field tile, but not within the last 30 seconds of the skills run? OR -Should it remain in place, thus deeming the platform to be unbalanced and disallowing any elevated points to additional goals on the platform? OR -Other?
Thank you for your time and effort to clarify as we prepare to host an event. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.