small ball ristrictions

[aero528]

does anybody know what the small ball size restrictions are??

[SarahB]

Originally Posted by aero528

does anybody know what the small ball size restrictions are??

From page 3 of the latest team update(#12):
"balls will be inflated at each site to their stated 13" dimension measured at their Equator(the manufacturing seam of the ball). Since misshapen balls are expected, they are considered to be part of the game challenge."

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by SarahB

From page 3 of the latest team update(#12):
"balls will be inflated at each site to their stated 13" dimension measured at their Equator(the manufacturing seam of the ball). Since misshapen balls are expected, they are considered to be part of the game challenge."

I was really happy to see this move to a lower dimensional measurement of the balls.

In the past, FIRST has tried to define the ball in 3D -- this is a very difficult field measurement to make. The equator definition is good but it still assumes a round cross section at the equator and requires a template.

To be perfectly happy, I would only love to see this rule regarding ball size in future rules:

FIRST makes no assurances concerning the balls. Balls are not perfect spheres. They vary in size and shape and texture. If your team as adversely affected by a ball that is out of round or oversize or undersize or slippery, we are sorry, but that is how the ball bounces...

...concerning size of roundish balls, FIRST will have a target circumferance of the balls measured around the equator (the seam of the ball left from the molding process) of (13*pi) = 40.8 inches. We expect, but do not guarrantee this measurement will vary between (12*pi) = 37.7" and (14*pi) = 44". FIRST will us a string marked with the appropriate lengths as a measurement gauge.

The advantage of such a rule is that it makes clear that FIRST is not going to be the "ball police" making sure every ball is EXACTLY as spec'ed and the gauge fits in your pocket.

Joe J.