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Needle, pump, gauge?
Rather than hijack the "What's In the Bag" thread....
I had not been in the habit of carrying a needle and pump for basketball. (We do so for soccer.) I just do the "drop test," and use whatever pump is at the gym. On Friday, after my JV game, I gave the game ball to a varsity official (and fellow soccer ref), who thought the ball was overinflated. When I mentioned I didn't carry the pump/needle for basketball, he shot me a "how crazy ARE you?" grin. I honestly didn't notice "needle" on the pre-game checklist in our manual. That's on me. Still, a needle is pretty worthless without a pump, and the electronic pumps and needles are attached at the game sites. Does anyone else always bring a needle, hand pump, and gauge? |
Never have and probably never will.
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Meet You Half-Way
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Don't carry pump, but do carry needle. That way, it's 50/50 that I'll look prepared for improper ball inflatage. Never had to require a ball be pumped up, but my needle-less partner used mine just this past Thursday to take some out. First time in about five years. |
With Apologies To Lauren Bacall ...
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I only carry a needle. Usually the ball are so over-inflated that you have to take some air out of the ball. And I certainly do not want long rebounds and high dribbles. I just take a little air out of most basketballs and cannot think of a reason to inflate them. If they need inflating, we can get another ball.
Peace |
I use the needle most at scholastic games, but, my pump comes in handy at Rec, Mens, and Church League games when there is not a "rack full" of balls to choose from.
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Peace |
I worked 58 HS varsity games and above last season and had exactly two basketballs (in the 30 or so games I was the referee) that weren't over-inflated.
I carry a needle in my jacket pocket and spares in my bag. I see no need for a pump. If the ball is under-inflated, we get a new ball. |
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Not if you need to let air OUT of the ball. I don't find flat balls, I find them over inflated. A quick release of air during the introductions and we're all set. A hot ball makes for a rough game. |
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With Apologies To Jerry Seinfeld ...
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Didn't Think It Was Me
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odd...
I must be the only one who is handed balls that barely bounce.....:confused:
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And the pin fits ever so snuggly in my spare fox 40, making it very easy to locate.
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I have never carried a needle to any "school" game...they have lots of basketballs to choose from. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Don't Needle Me ...
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All Bow Down To The "Game Ball" ...
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Does anyone give Coaches enough credit to believe that they deliberatly inflate/deflate the game ball to gain a small advantage for their team?
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No, I don't.
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Peace |
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Peace |
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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.
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Peace |
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. |
I just know nothing in this thread has convinced me to do anything differently than I'm doing now. ;)
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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. |
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. :o |
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Peace |
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And others of us think that having an attitude about simply asking for another ball is silly. So what? |
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Peace |
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In the meantime, my method involves about 15 seconds of removing air, at most. |
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Only happened a few times. Not a big problem. |
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Again, do it your way. I have no problem with that. Just stop with the attitude that those who don't do it that way are in some way doing it wrong. |
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Peace |
I started carrying a needle this year. Used it twice already.
Before I'd go find one with less air. A needle is a time-saver. |
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Yes. |
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Only Basketball Officials ???
Fifty-eight posts on needles? Can you believe it? Man, are we a sorry bunch, or what?
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I can't say I've put this much thought into it. I've only had a few games where the ball was obviously out of spec. At 5'10", hold the ball a few inches above my head and drop it. If it bounces up lower than my chest, we're good as far as I'm concerned.
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I have all three in my bag. I carry a needle in my jacket and the pump and gauge are in my bag in the locker room. Not much good there unless they give us the game ball in the locker room, which does happen on occasion. I would have to dust off the pump and gauge though, as I can't remember the last time I used them in Basketball.
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Interesting
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influence
Why does our preference or desire for a certain ball type matter? Simply because I like a "flatter" or "bouncy" ball is irrelevant.
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