FTC Magnet Balls?

[Greg Shaw]

Does anybody know where to get magnet balls for this year's FTC Bowled over game. I just received an order of balls form AndyMark and I was very disappointing to discover that none of the balls had magnets in them. This was the very reason I ordered from Andymark. I can buy magnets and place them in the balls, but I have no way of knowing if these magnets are similar to the magnets in the event balls.

I have noticed that youtube footage from early FTC events reveal that very few winning teams are attempting to identify magnet balls--despite the potential 25 point bonus for properly placed magnet balls. I am wondering if this is due to the inability to get magnet balls to practice with. As FTC rookies we are wondering if this is an anomaly or is it always this hard to get replica game pieces?

Any advice about getting or making magnet balls would be appreciated. We have magnet sensors, but right now we are leaning toward not tackling this part of the game due to lack of magnet balls.