Trackballs

[kE7JLM]

this might not be stander balls that you can get in the store. It was a blatter inside and a canvas skin on the outside.

[Alexa Stott]

They don't fit through standard doorways...

Great move on FIRST/GDC's part...

[chaineezee]

Anybody know how to inflate the ball?

[dbell]

Originally Posted by cziggy343

they are strikingly similar to the 2004 yellow balls... but i think that those were slightly smaller in diameter, but im not certain

These are a lot bigger than the "2x" balls in 2004. These trackballs are BIG.
6.3 GAME PIECES
The game pieces, known as “TRACKBALLS,” are large balls made of an inflatable plastic bladder
and an outer fabric covering. When inflated, each TRACKBALL is approximately 40 inches in
diameter, and weighs approximately 10 pounds. Two TRACKBALLS of each alliance color, red and
blue, are in the arena during the MATCH. One TRACKBALL of each color will be marked with a set
of six-inch diameter white dots so that it may be uniquely identified for tracking purposes during the
match.

[MachineMan]

The instructions for inflation are at the bottom of Section 10 Kit of Parts of the manual.

[AndyB]

Weighed ours in at 8lbs.

[tony.dalia.195]

Originally Posted by AndyB

Weighed ours in at 8lbs.

Ya the rules stated that the balls would weigh approximately 10 pounds so it really all just depends on how much you fill the ball obviously.

[rainy846]

haha!
We had to used a vacuum cleaner to pump it up. Then it didn't fit through the door way, so we had to let some air out and went to a room that has those huge glass doors to the back yard. Barely fit in mini vans.

Its 40 inches dia
and when we weighted it , it was about 7.14 pounds and 3.25 kg (inflated)

The covering is pretty slippery even for picking up with hands!

that's all I can about it for now.

[Eragon301]

Here is a site that will sell 40" gym balls, but its just the blatter, and i have yet to find a site to get the cloth cover.

[Ragnarokae]

Originally Posted by TomZ

If at the beggining of the match during the hybrid period, you knock down a ball of the opposing alliance, who recieves the points?

<G08> All TRACKBALL scores are awarded to the ALLIANCE associated with the scored TRACKBALL, independent of the ROBOT that may have caused the scoring action to occur.

[rainy846]

Originally Posted by Eragon301

Here is a site that will sell 40" gym balls, but its just the blatter, and i have yet to find a site to get the cloth cover.

the cloth cover shouldn't really "pop". you can always sew it back together or patch it up since airtightness isn't an issue

[jasper.s.jacobs]

the alliance who's ball was knocked off gets the points.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by tony.dalia.195

Ya the rules stated that the balls would weigh approximately 10 pounds so it really all just depends on how much you fill the ball obviously.

I'm guessing that the weight difference between inflated and not is pretty much negligible.

[tony.dalia.195]

Originally Posted by jgannon

I'm guessing that the weight difference between inflated and not is pretty much negligible.

Hey last time i checked...............ok...............ya air is kind of light, good point.

[Uberbots]

Originally Posted by tony.dalia.195

Hey last time i checked...............ok...............ya air is kind of light, good point.

according to my calculations, the mass of the air in the ball is about 1.5 pounds (at stp)... which is actually pretty significant.

either way... any progress on where to purchase the balls yet?