I have a question on FED rule 3.2.2 - (in part) ....number must be of solid color contrasting with the color of shirt. ....numbers may have a contrasting color border, which shall not exceed 1/4 inch. Okay, so at a varsity tournament in Michigan, one team had white numbers with a black drop-shadow effect (black did not go all the way around), and the black part was easily 3/4 inch wide. Another team had numbers that were sort of a striped effect... three side-by-side 1/4" white stripes that alternated with 1/4" stripes of the dark underlying uniform's color. Both of these uniforms were very typical softball uniform styles that the schools obviously paid well for.
My question: what is the point of the rule? I can understand the legibility factor, but the above stated examples would not cause anybody any trouble in that respect. According to the rule, a team could probably use Roman numerals, or multi-digit numbers in a really skinny font that would fit across the back of the shirt. Now that would be confusing! (and the kids would look like inmates
) Even the penalty for such infractions doesn't really seem like a penalty...(refer the infraction to the state association)...unless you figure the cost to replace the uniforms.