[jvriezen]

Having a common standard (horizontal numbers, black on white, minimum size) allows inspectors, refs, FTAs, judges and every one else to nearly instantly identify a robot's number. Previous years bumper rules attempted to do the same.

Not having to look around for whatever creative variant has been used makes things easier for everyone.

As an inspector, when I go looking for team's pit, I always look for the standard pit team number sign that have been used for years to quickly determine if it is the pit I'm looking for.

Runners in the Boston Marathon all have the EXACT SAME number style for the same types of reason - that's one of the premier marathons in the world, and runners I'm sure care a lot about their appearance, but they don't get to design their own number-- and I don't think they complain about it. And you don't see any wild variations in jersey player numbers for major sports either-- granted they get some design leeway, but I suspect they have to get their designs approved by the league prior to using it. That's not practical with FRC, since the first chance is during inspection.

If I were an LRI, I'd be sure to have resources on hand to allow me to print numbers on paper or card stock and hand it to any team in questionable compliance on the numbers.

In fact, it would actually make sense if drive teams were required to have 'bibs' or other required large team number markings, rather than just a button-- so drive team members could be identified instantaneously also. (or more importantly, people who aren't drive/media folks who shouldn't be on the field.)