Are the mandatory bumpers helping or hurting?

[Vikesrock]

I am definitely for the mandatory bumpers for many of the reasons stated by other posters above. There are a few changes I would like to see for next year:

1. Open up mounting restraints (just make teams show they're secure e.g. no zip-ties, no velcro, etc.
2. Open up joining rules. I see no reason that mitering the pool noodles so 2 bumpers meet at a 45* angle should be disallowed, pool noodles are still on the outside and wood is on the inside. Our bumpers for this year looked much better when they were constructed with an illegal miter than when constructed legally.
3. Eliminate 6" minimum. I see no reason for this and it limits ability to cover shapes with small sides.
4. Allow teams to make their own plywood to better facilitate curves.