game ball inflation

[archiver]

Posted by Joe Balint.

Engineer on team #128, Cold Fusion, from Grandview Heights HS and The Ohio State University, American Electric Power.

Posted on 1/10/2000 11:07 PM MST



The rules state that :
'The 'Ball' is a textured rubber playground ball that is
approximately 13-inches in diameter.'
Balls will be inflated to size not pressure. (1.2.2 Basic Gameplay p1)
Our team has noticed that if the diameter is measured across the
seam when inflated, the ball ends up being somewhat eggshaped
and distinctly non-spherical with a long diameter of
about 14.5 inches measured perpendicular to the seam plane.
I would expect this after some use ( similar to the 1998 competition,)
however I would not expect this upon first inflation.
Are other teams experiencing this?
or
Are there some other inflating guidelines besides those I quoted above?
Any information or insight would be appreciated.