Friday, January 2, 2009

The Ball


or as noted in the rule book (Section 1, Article 1), it's a prolate spheroid.

The rule goes on to describe, in minute detail, the number of panels, laces, color, and number of panels. Since all footballs manufactured for use in the game meet the standards, the real issue is the inflated pressure. Rule 1-3-1g specifies all approved game balls must be inflated to a pressure between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch. The funny part of pregame duties is the side bet we have within our crew as to how many will be out of spec and what the lowest air pressure will be. So far, the record is 4 lbs! It was so far under inflated you could almost fold it in half. The coach was "shocked" and said it much have a leak.....yeah right. His team hardly ever passes the ball so what better way to make sure his ball carriers have something to hold onto and not fumble. Such are the mind games coaches play and that's OK; it keeps us on our toes.

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