Needle, pump, gauge?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

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.

Funny you should mention this. Up until this season, I've used the same IAABO jacket for the past twenty-five plus years. And I had the same needle in my pocket for twenty-five plus years. Never lost it. It was tarnished after all this time. This year, our local board switched to a "local board" jacket. The pockets aren't anywhere as deep as the pockets on my old IAABO jacket. I've only been officiating for about three weeks and I've already lost three needles, the original tarnished one, and two additional ones. I actually had to go down to our local discount store and buy a pack of needles a few days ago. There's no way that I'm going to lose another one, so I've used a piece of duct tape to tape the needle to the inside of my jacket. Stupid jacket.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Adam

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.

Some things just shouldn't surprise us anymore, you know...

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Rich

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.

I think I said it wasn't a big deal, too...I honestly have never had a problem getting a different ball when needed.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I honestly have never had a problem getting a different ball when needed.

We've got a few schools in our area that have "game balls". These are balls that are not used in practice, are not used during warmups, and never come into contact with the other "unwashed" basketballs. The "game ball" is stored in the athletic director's office, under lock, and key, until the game is about to begin, and then it comes out of storage and is given to the officials. If it's over inflated, then it's real easy to stick it with a needle. If it's under inflated, which it seldom, if ever, is, then we just pick an "unwashed" ball from the rack.

[DRJ1960]

Does anyone give Coaches enough credit to believe that they deliberatly inflate/deflate the game ball to gain a small advantage for their team?

[Adam]

No, I don't.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Does anyone give Coaches enough credit to believe that they deliberatly inflate/deflate the game ball to gain a small advantage for their team?

I worked with a crew chief who said he did this when he was coaching.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

You just put your lips together and blow into the needle.

Originally Posted by Rich

I'm anal about the amount of air in the ball...

I think I prefer Billy's method.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Adam

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.

Not sure I agree with that take. I think people do different things. Officiating is like a lot of things in life, people do different things and that is OK.

Peace

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by twocentsworth

Never carried a needle.

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

Well I am far from that age and I know many younger than me that do the same.

Originally Posted by twocentsworth

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).

Not true in my experience, they are usually over-inflated. Kind of why many carry a needle in the first place.

Originally Posted by twocentsworth

NEVER thought to carry a pump.

I have not either. Like I said almost never need one.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well I am far from that age and I know many younger than me that do the same.



Not true in my experience, they are usually over-inflated. Kind of why many carry a needle in the first place.



I have not either. Like I said almost never need one.

Peace

I've never carried one, but at times have wished I had one. I'm getting one before my next game. Most of the local big dogs around here do. And I have seen exactly one ball that needed more air.

[amusedofficial]

I'm not real big on being the home team equipment manager. They need to provide a ball that meets the rules. I don't mark or sweep the courts, set up the clock, sell the hot dogs or take tickets either.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

I'm not real big on being the home team equipment manager. They need to provide a ball that meets the rules. I don't mark or sweep the courts, set up the clock, sell the hot dogs or take tickets either.

It would take you much longer to get another ball or have someone provide one than it takes to let air out of the ball. Probably does not take more than 5 seconds.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

A pissing contest over whether to adjust the air in the ball or get another ball?

"I'm not real big on being the home team equipment manager."

Good grief.

[Raymond]

I just know nothing in this thread has convinced me to do anything differently than I'm doing now.