Is FRC giving high CG robots a free pass on defense?

[s_forbes]

This part of the game will always be controversial, I don't think there's a way to write the rules so that tipping incidents are handled in a clear-cut way. When you have thousands of teams with engineering minded members trying to maximize their winning potential, it's inevitable. The tipper will always be redcarded? OK, here I come with my high CG offensive design to draw some penalties! Incidental tipping should be expected as part of gameplay and not punished by the rules? OK, my defensive robot has a short wheel base and happens to kick up a lot when pushing other robots, but it's not intentional!

I like that it's up to the head ref to make decisions based on how individual matches play out, since added lawyering in the rulebook just makes life more difficult. I don't like the red card = 0 points ruling in eliminations though, it's always frustrating to see it determine matches.

Which ever team is tipped on Einstein this year should lead to some fun discussion.