[Racer26]

Personally, I LIKE the game pieces that MUST be obtained through FIRST channels (such as 2012's balls, 2011's tubes, 2008's trackballs (kind of), 2007's tubes, 2004's balls) because FIRST is pretty good about getting an appropriate number for the season, including build.

When they use some obscure manufacturer who sells through big chains, who isn't prepared for the volume, the game pieces immediately become unobtainium. (See: 2009's Orbit Balls, 2010's official soccer balls, 2003's Sterilite Bins, 2006's Poof balls)