Really? I've had exactly one underinflated ball in the 11 years I've officiated in my current location.

And the pin fits ever so snuggly in my spare fox 40, making it very easy to locate.

Agree....they're just not common. I carry a needle and use it a few times a year.

Why not just get a new ball if the game ball is over-inflated also?

I have never carried a needle to any "school" game...they have lots of basketballs to choose from.

Must be that Canadian air.

How many basketball are we going to test? Better yet, where are we going to choose the basketball from? The rack? Get a new ball out of the AD's office?

It is just easier to accept the ball that they give you and take a small sample of air out of the ball. I just do not like it when a basketball bounces over your head off a single bounce.

Peace

This is what I do.

Hmmm.... you're not alone here, either. Could be me.

Drop test that I've been doing: Drop the ball from eye level. On its way down, flex your arm. It the ball bounces high enough to touch your arm, it's inflated enough.

If the game ball is overinflated, quite a few of the rest probably are, too.

Actually, I like it this way because I don't have to get anyone else involved -- I have a basketball, I remove some air, we're ready to go.

You don't choose the game ball...it is sitting there at the table. If its not right, a simple "Coach, we are gonna need a different ball" takes care of it.

Not that, big of a deal either way, just don't feel a need to carry extra crap around with me that I don't need and will probably just lose anyway.

Well by rule you approve the game ball. Also if I do not like the ball, I can ask for another one. Very, very rare, that has happened. Sometimes the ball is not at the table and they ask to pull it out of a bunch of balls on a rack or bag. That happens a lot especially at the lower levels. And I do not go to the coach, I tell the table if I need another ball.

And honestly I do not care really if you or others feel you need a needle or not. It is your game and just like I could give a damn what kind of whistle you use also. The reason I use the needle is very personal to prevent the ball bouncing around at a fast rate and give a little. If that is not what you like, it is not my game to tell you what to do. Just like I do not even teach people or require folks to bring them when they are working and I am observing. But I have found those that do this tend to like to take air out of an over-inflated ball.

Again, not a big deal at all.

Peace

And here we are at the inevitable result:
You're wrong, but I don't really care that you're wrong. You should do it my way, though.

I'm required by one of my manuals to carry it. And I don't ignore that manual too often.

Never carried a needle.

The only people I've ever see carry a needle are over 60yrs old!

If the ball is flat or too hard, I simply get a new ball....it's not that difficult to accomplish. (btw 75% of the time it is too flat).

NEVER thought to carry a pump.

I've never lost a needle. Goes in the jacket pocket. Since I fold/store my jacket inside out and never wash it, it stays right in the pocket.

I'm anal about the amount of air in the ball, I guess. Ideally, I want it to be at the low end of the range and I make sure it's there for every game I'm the R.

If you don't do it, no big deal.