[Wayne TenBrink]

We are using a piece of pool noodle over a rotating spindle, which is a 3/4" dia aluminum tube. The noodle slips on the spindle when it has a ball in possession, but that seems to be OK. The ball does not have active backspin while in possession. The front of the noodle is even with the bumper perimeter and the height is such that the ball hits the noodle about 1/2" or so before it hits the 3" backstop - that defines the "pinch". We are currently spinning it about 500 rpm (no load). It holds the ball during turns, allows us to pick it up at nearly full speed, and we can hold during reverse at about 1/4 speed. We found that the inside of the noodle gets shredded over time, so it needs to be replaced occasionally.

If you don't have time to do a spinning ball collector, we found that a stationary piece of foam rubber in the same location does an adequate job of keeping the ball from bouncing away when you come up on it. It doesn't help for backing up, and provides a bit of help during turning.