pic: Basketball vs 2006 Poof Ball

[MrForbes]

The have five fewer now....

[Racer26]

Welcome teams! To the 2012 season of "FRC Game piece becomes Unobtainium for 8 weeks starting in January". We seriously need a game built around tennis balls. I can't see any other game piece (that isnt something like the 2005 tetras) that won't suffer this problem.

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

Welcome teams! To the 2012 season of "FRC Game piece becomes Unobtainium for 8 weeks starting in January". We seriously need a game built around tennis balls. I can't see any other game piece (that isnt something like the 2005 tetras) that won't suffer this problem.

2008? you got a trackball in the kit... and it wasn't like you could wrangle more than 1...

[Racer26]

They were ridiculously expensive, as teams that popped theirs found out.

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

They were ridiculously expensive, as teams that popped theirs found out.

patch kits?

[Racer26]

That didnt help if you wanted to build a full practice field.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

That didnt help if you wanted to build a full practice field.

Getting a full practice field in the kit is asking for a bit much? They have enough for a full robot for free. Surely the practice field can wait?

[Racer26]

I'm not saying in the kit, I'm saying that FRC Game Pieces for years (except 2005, and arguably 2007/8/11) have become all but impossible to obtain during build season.

In 2003, the sterilite bins were a) expensive, and b) sold out everywhere
In 2004, the balls became difficult to find
In 2005, the tetras were built by the teams from easily obtained materials
In 2006, the poof balls became unavailable
In 2007, the tubes were only available from Logoloc, and IIRC were sold out for much of build season
In 2008, the trackballs were extremely expensive
In 2009, the orbit balls were out of manufacture during build, and FRC teams bought out all of Wal-Mart's stock. It was a serious enough situation that some enterprising teams went to the trouble of building some balls of a similar construction and sold them to other teams.
In 2010, the soccer balls were sold out, worldwide.
In 2011, we had custom-made game pieces only available thru AM (IIRC), though I think they were in stock throughout build.

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I just bought 2 direct from the manufacturer's website. $18.96with a flat rate of $5 shipping included in that. Hoping they are the same ones, just without the FIRST & Foot Locker Foundation Logo.


Edit: Just realized the manual actually specifies the ball type.
http://www.gophersport.com/products/...5_f0107_205 6

Currently in stock!

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Interesting. I ordered about 30 minutes after the kickoff broadcast and it said something like "In Stock Soon" I wouldn't have expected it to change over the weekend. I wonder how many they really have.

Originally Posted by squirrel

The have five fewer now....

I placed an order with Gopher Sport around 12:30 PM Saturday when the balls were in stock and got this e-mail from them this afternoon (3 days later):

Originally Posted by Discontinued Product on Gopher Order

Thank you for choosing Gopher!
We deeply apologize but the item(s) below is no longer available.

Item Description Price
71-502 Deluscious Foam Basketball Size 4 Compact, Orange 6.98

We are truly sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused. Providing you with an outstanding experience is our first priority.

Has anyone else who ordered from Gopher Sport get the same reply? Looks like we're back to another game piece only available through AndyMark.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by nukemknight

I placed an order with Gopher Sport around 12:30 PM Saturday when the balls were in stock and got this e-mail from them this afternoon (3 days later):



Has anyone else who ordered from Gopher Sport get the same reply? Looks like we're back to another game piece only available through AndyMark.

Not yet... And if I do I'll be very disappointed.
Not a good way to run a business if you say you have stock, then take that statement back 3 days later.

How many did you try to order?

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Not yet... And if I do I'll be very disappointed.
Not a good way to run a business if you say you have stock, then take that statement back 3 days later.

How many did you try to order?

We ordered 6 balls @6.98 + shipping for $49.00.

[MrForbes]

I got an invoice that states 5 items shipped, 0 items back ordered.

I guess I'll see if they show up in the mail.

[Elgin Clock]

I haven't gotten an invoice yet, just that order confirmation from Sunday so far... No tracking number saying they shipped my 2 yet either though.

[rees2001]

Originally Posted by nukemknight

I placed an order with Gopher Sport around 12:30 PM Saturday when the balls were in stock and got this e-mail from them this afternoon (3 days later):



Has anyone else who ordered from Gopher Sport get the same reply? Looks like we're back to another game piece only available through AndyMark.

For anyone else out there waiting to hear from Gopher, don't bother, they are out of stock and not getting any more. I called this morning after not hearing from them all week. I also placed my order around 12:30 on Saturday when it was listed as in stock. They got so many orders that they haven't been able to contact people that have placed orders with them to tell them that they will not be getting their supplies. My new favorite phrase is TGAM - Thank God for AndyMark!

[Ninja_Bait]

It's time to start looking for bootlegs!