Bumper Update

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by EricH

You'd have about 5" of gap available if you opted to use it, which could also make it possible for a full-height bumper to let the ball go under. (Haven't measured a ball to check.)

see the video link in my post above. you don't need a gap to get a ball under the bumper, if the bumper is at the top of the BUMPER ZONE. that's one of the very first things I wanted to test when I saw the game...

[gpetilli]

Originally Posted by Blizzard3197

Hm.. I'd have to talk with the lead CADer...

It was 21" x 35".

Which, for the front to have the necessary width, we'd have to add 5 inches. 26 x 35 would = 122 (greater than 120), so if we take 2 inches from the back, we'd have 26 x 33 = 118 (which would fit).

And it'd be square...

However, trying to fit a 10" ball into a 10" hole would be practically impossible, so bump the hole up to 12", take 2 away from length, which would be 31 x 28 = 118. However, add 6 inches of bumper, and it wouldn't fit into the batter near the tower, making the low goal/climbing practically impossible.

And that's why we aren't going in that direction. Sorry for the miscommunication.

Yes, your math is correct (what did you mean by "square"). We are planning a 31 long x 28 wide (plus an 1/8 for sheathing for 118.5" perimeter). The longer wheel base has a shallower tilt angle as it goes over the defenses (less tippy) and as you noted has a better chance of getting on the batter.

Why do you think the 28" + 6" side wont fit against the tower on the batter? Is your 28" the width or length?

[Blizzard3197]

Originally Posted by gpetilli

Yes, your math is correct (what did you mean by "square"). We are planning a 31 long x 28 wide (plus an 1/8 for sheathing for 118.5" perimeter). The longer wheel base has a shallower tilt angle as it goes over the defenses (less tippy) and as you noted has a better chance of getting on the batter.

Why do you think the 28" + 6" side wont fit against the tower on the batter? Is your 28" the width or length?

By square I mean rectangular.

31 wide 28 long, though we're working now with more of a trapezoid shape, with angled sides. I'm not entirely sure why this design wouldn't fit onto the batter. Maybe it'd get stuck on the large, angled surface?

[Thad House]

The 8 inches on each side rule has been the same rule since 2012 (not including 2015). It was not a surprise that the rule was included. The bumper rules are very similar to what we had in 2012-2014 too, other then the bumper zone, which isn't a huge change.