Competition Orbit Balls

[JimWright949]

I was repairing the orbit balls at Portland. Out of all the balls that were used only about 20-25 broke all week-end long. We repaired the balls that only had one broken rib at the rib connector and put those back into play. Any compound fractures (two or more ribs by the time it was pulled from the field), or ribs that would leave sharp points sticking out we did not repair.

By the way, for the repair people in the following regionals the official repair guide is really tough on your hands. My change was to cut the fabric seam, expose the plastic rib for about 2 inches and then with a drill on a block of wood drill the two holes (1/4 inch drill bit) per rib side and then use the hole punch to line up the black splint to the four holes. Rivet the rib back and pull the fabric back over the rivets as best as you can.

-Jim

[ChuckDickerson]

Thanks for all the input on the real field balls. Sounds like the balls aren't breaking as bad as teams were worried about in the beginning and the few that are are being replaced quickly.

What about the practice fields? Are plenty of balls supplied for those or are teams having to share just a few? Are the broken real field casts off being taken to the practice fields or are the practice field balls in good shape?