Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

This may have been what happened to us in Oregon yesterday. we had been making hybrid baskets very consistently all through saturday up until the finals. In match 1 of the finals, nothing was different and our alliance scored 30 points in hybrid. Then suddenly in match 2 our hybrid shots flew clear over the backboard, and in match 3 it was the same. we lost finals matches 2 and 3 each by 9 points.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

At what level of wear have the refs been replacing the balls? We had problems powdering them when a jam occurs, how much wear is acceptable?

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

In WPI's case, the balls were not replaced until the elimination matches(long enough for our robot to struggle enough to fall out of the top 8). Once the balls were replaced we started scoring well again.

PS I do not want this to come off as a rant. I enjoyed my time at WPI tremendously and would recommend it to anyone, im just providing seemingly relevant info

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

I was told to replace balls with chunks missing from them. I believe that we also replaced a few that had evidently been through significant wear (lots of black streaks on the outside was a pretty good indicator). I'm sure that ball replacement standards will be different for every event, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

At Chesapeake we replaced balls that had chunks taken out of them, but were hesitant to replace ones that only had scuff marks. We replaced all of the balls (regardless of level of wear and tear) for the elimination matches though. I would assume replacing the balls then is standard procedure, but I would love for someone else to back me up on that.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

There are some very different density balls out there! We have one at the build site we call the Wonderball because the first time 216 shot it, we almost took out a row of lights, 3 ceiling tiles and the rack of parts at the far end of our full length field!!!:ahh: The next one we fired only went to the other end, hardly scraping the far bumper. We marked it and hid it where it will NEVER be shot indoors again.... It really messes with a lot of shooters.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

That is both hilarious and clever. *Pictures seeing 6 people on the field doing that routine* :D

Edit: its actually really neat to look at the wear and tear on the field at the end of the regional... We should have a "most beat up bridge" competition (not purposely beat up the bridge, but see which one has the most visible wear on it)

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

How long does it take to...average a ball to your liking?

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

I do not believe this metric was ever scientifically determined. :cool:

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

All 18 balls were replaced before the elims started and before the first finals match they swapped out any broken balls from the rest of the elims. Before the first match only the red alliance took the time to 'condition' the balls, the blue teams got the hint and took the time to do this for final 2.

Not all of them took it to this extreme but there was a lot of single knee pounding and 'cpr' done on the once fresh balls.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

Although I too sometimes get angry at balls that refuse to go in hoops, I would recommend that gentle persuasion and soft massages often are more persuasive than systematic crushing.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

He made up with the ball - didn't you see? He gently caressed it as he loaded it into the robot. Ball was happy.

Re: Different Types of Balls?
 

We noticed the coating on the balls on the field were different than the (brand new) balls we brought with us. The field balls were glossier and consistently shot over the backboard when our (brand new) original ball made shots on the practice field. Never got a look at whether they were yellow or orange though.

It's unfortunate that this switcharoo affected functionality. I would recommend that FIRST give a few field balls to the practice field for teams to re-calibrate.