[CTHP]

Thanks Cory - and I agree completely. Pre-Match rule G7 should have been 'properly' applied here. From the official 2015 FIRST Game Manual:

G7 Violation "If fix is a quick remedy, the MATCH won't start until all requirements are met. If it is not a quick remedy the OFFENDING ROBOT will be disabled and at the discretion of the Head REFEREE must be re-inspected".

All reports from the team suggest that the extended component (maybe a fraction of an inch over) could be mechanically retracted by the push of a button. Had the judges/referees properly applied Rule G7, they should have approached the team in order to gauge how quick the fix would be and then rule appropriately. 987 could have lowered the extension in a second and then a fair and spirited match could resume. If the other alliance failed the height test during the match, and 'if' they were allowed to fix it, I don't think either side would have been upset, after all the rule would have been properly applied.

On top of that, to summarily disable the robot without notice was unwarranted and sealed the fate for the Blue Alliance in spite of Team 148’s valiant efforts.

This same sort of thing happened to 987 last year in San Diego with the overboard 50 point foul rule in the last game-deciding match just like here in Dallas. I think dialog in forums like this might have helped sway the rule makers to back away from such things like the 50 point foul which always changed the outcome. In this case the rules were appropriate, but the ones applying the rule were at fault.