[Al Skierkiewicz]

Jon et al,
If the design of the robot frame is such that bumpers cannot be attached at the ends but are still securely fastened to the frame of the robot, I believe that is the intent of the rule in the above case. On a short bumper section (~8 inches) two attachments may be needed depending on the design, to be "securely fastened" as the rule specifies.
Please keep this thought in mind...your bumpers reflect on your robot design and construction. If they are floppy and falling off, scouters might note that. If you want to play on Saturday afternoon you have to make everything look nice and work well, in addition to performing well. If you want to be recognized, team numbers cannot be ambiguous, split or hard to read. If your design requires a bumper that is only 8 inches long adjacent to an exterior vertex, then design the bumper to add the 5" vertical pool noodle that protects the corner to that bumper segment. Then do your best to make your numbers 4" high and fit into the 10.5 inch width you have. If you were to split your team number XXYY, I will bet some scouter will only write down XX.
It is my belief in the order of priority that the GDC wants 1) readable numbers at a distance, 2) at four locations, 3) 4" high, 4) in white or outlined in white, 5) not split, 6) 3/4" stroke. Unspoken in this rule is this test "readable by your grandmother sitting in the stands and wanting to cheer for your team but she needs to see your team number" and "you know that teams are watching you on the webcast because they are playing you next week and want to know which robot is which."