It's a shame that Stern added those rubber plugs for this reason yet they are so small they slip off of the rails. From the pic it looks like they have slipped off by a good bit. I wouldn't think the head would have that much side to side wiggle room.

If they are going to have to make the rubber pads that wide they might as well do what capguntrooper did and make something for the entire front section.

I believe the pics on the original post is of one of Trent's (Tilt Amusements) show games. He takes them from show to show and tourney to tourney. As long as they are playing nice I don't believe much care is given on a scratch here or there. I believe after a game has been on tour for a bit he sells them at a healthy discount.

I would guess that KISS has traveled more miles since it has been pulled out of the box than I have in the past few years.

Seeing scratches there might bother Trent personally though. I heard it was his suggestion to Stern to get those pads added in that area in the first place.