Needle, pump, gauge?

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

I must be the only one who [has] handed balls that barely bounce.....

You're not. I have to inflate basketballs more often than not.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bainsey

You're not. I have to inflate basketballs more often than not.

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

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Rich

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

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

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Rich

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

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.

[BLydic]

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bainsey

You're not. I have to inflate basketballs more often than not.

Must be that Canadian 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

[Rich]

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.

Really?

What do you think looks more awkward from the perspective of game management and takes longer, to boot?

(1) Asking for a series of basketballs and finding that one that meets the specifications OR

(2) Taking about 10-15 seconds and removing a few pounds of air from a basketball that's sitting on the scorer's table?

I work NCAA football and we are given balls before the game starts, usually in the locker room. One of our duties is to ensure the balls have the proper amount of air. We do that by measuring the balls and adding or removing air from them. Wouldn't think of doing otherwise.

I don't think this is a huge deal, but having an attitude about removing a bit of air from a basketball strikes me as being a bit silly.

[just another ref]

I was waiting for somebody to mention worst case scenario, but nobody did.

Ball is overinflated. "No problem, I have a needle right here."

And then you let out too much.

I'm sure it's happened.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I was waiting for somebody to mention worst case scenario, but nobody did.

Ball is overinflated. "No problem, I have a needle right here."

And then you let out too much.

I'm sure it's happened.

Seriously, never happen to me. You do not sit there and just let air out constantly. You let a little out, then stop. Then you test the ball. Let a little out again if needed and usually you are ready to go.

Peace

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Seriously, never happen to me. You do not sit there and just let air out constantly. You let a little out, then stop. Then you test the ball. Let a little out again if needed and usually you are ready to go.

Peace

+1

Only happened a few times. Not a big problem.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Rich

Really?

I don't think this is a huge deal, but having an attitude about removing a bit of air from a basketball strikes me as being a bit silly.

Ok.

And others of us think that having an attitude about simply asking for another ball is silly.

So what?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Ok.

And others of us think that having an attitude about simply asking for another ball is silly.

So what?

Again, it is not about just asking for another ball, it is about what it takes to get another ball. To get another ball I might have to go through 2 or 3 people just to find another ball. It takes seconds to let air out. Again this might be an area issue as we often figure out in these discussions, but it would take several minutes to get another ball as they do not always use the basketballs in the rack. The game ball is a specific ball used.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Again, it is not about just asking for another ball, it is about what it takes to get another ball. To get another ball I might have to go through 2 or 3 people just to find another ball. It takes seconds to let air out. Again this might be an area issue as we often figure out in these discussions, but it would take several minutes to get another ball as they do not always use the basketballs in the rack. The game ball is a specific ball used.

Peace

That's exactly it. Then they have to find a game quality ball. That might be one of the balls being used during warmups or maybe it's a ball in another location. Or they may wish to argue that the ball's perfectly fine, what's wrong with it? And then I have to wait for the ball so I can test it. And when *it*'s over-inflated, then what?

In the meantime, my method involves about 15 seconds of removing air, at most.