[GaryVoshol]

Since this 2-year-old thread was revived, let's update with current information:

• Teams #1-#208 were rookies in or before 1998 (this is due to FIRST giving teams new numbers every year previously).
• Teams #209-#335 were rookies in 1999.
• Teams #336-#491 were rookies in 2000.
• Teams #492-#716 were rookies in 2001.
• Teams #717-#999 were rookies in 2002.
• Teams #1000-#1238 were rookies in 2003.
• Teams #1239-#1497 were rookies in 2004.
• Teams #1498-#1709 were rookies in 2005.
• Teams #1710-#1980 were rookies in 2006.
• Teams #1981-#2287 were rookies in 2007.
• Teams #2330-#2681 were rookies in 2008.
• Teams #2702-#3122 were rookies in 2009 (no even numbers between 2702 and 2826).
• Teams #3123-3423 were rookies in 2010.
• Teams #3450-3883 were rookies in 2011.

And no, I have no idea why so many even numbers were skipped in 2009. That's a large number of spots for non-rookie new teams compared to other years. For example, this year they saved numbers 3424-3449 for non-rookie teams created in future years that would have 2010 rookie status.