New Ball

[Brian Watson]

This is from the "you work long enough, you see it all" file.

Last night, about midway through the 1st quarter the home coach tells me the wrong ball got into the game. He says it is brand new and too slick and needs to be changed out since his players cannot hold onto it.

My partner was R, so on the next TO, I ask him if he checked the ball. He did, and I asked if this was the ball he checked, it was. We went into the half and discussed it and decided we would finish the game with the ball we started with. There is no real rule either way, any thoughts? I know you have to change it out if it gets lost or damaged, but what if one team just doesn't like it?