RULES MASTER
Ask the
Rules Master
SUBMITTED BY DENNIS DACEY / USAPA RULES
Dear Rules Master,
As a referee, I noticed the ball appeared
to bounce erratically during the rally and I
suspected it might be cracked. Neither team
noticed, but at the end of the rally I checked
the ball and saw that it was indeed cracked.
Should the point have been replayed? Also,
can a person call a let during the point if he/
she believes something is wrong with the ball?
- All Cracked Up
Dear All Cracked Up,
USAPA Rule 12.D. states that play with a
cracked ball will continue to the end of the
rally; and only if, in your judgment, a cracked
ball affected the outcome of a rally would you
call for a replay. Since neither team noticed
or complained about the ball being cracked
the rally would stand and the game would
continue with a replaced ball. If, during a
point, you think the ball is acting funny,
finish the point. If it is found that the ball was
cracked and in your opinion as a referee you
believe it affected the outcome of the rally, the
point should be replayed.
Dear Rules Master,
I recently played against a guy holding his
paddle with one hand on the handle and the
other hand on top of the paddle when he
hit the ball. Is this a legal shot? In addition,
during one point, there was a flurry of volleys
exchanged and the ball struck his finger, still
on the paddle, while volleying a backhand.
Were we right in taking the point?
- Double-Handed Business
Dear Double-Handed Business,
First of all, Rule 2.B. states that two-handed
shots are legal. The rule does not define where
the hand must be placed on the paddle while
making the shot.
Regarding the ball that struck his finger,
Rule 7F writes it is a loss of point if: “The ball
in play strikes a player or anything the player
is wearing or carrying. There is one exception
to this rule: if the ball strikes the player’s
paddle hand (or both hands if on the paddle)
below the wrist, the ball is still in play.”
Therefore, since the ball struck the finger of
your opponent, it was still in play.
38
This last year we had several rule
modifications and additions. Below is the list
of these changes and a brief explanation for
the change.
Rule Revisions: November 1, 2015
2.E.2. Surface: The paddle hitting surface
shall not contain holes, indentations, rough
texturing, tape, or any objects or features that
allow a player to impart additional spin on the
ball. Paddle roughness is determined using
a Starrett SR 100 Surface Roughness Tester.
The allowable limits for roughness shall be no
greater than 30 micrometers (µm) on the Rz
reading (average maximum height, peak to
valley), and no greater than 40 micrometers
on the Rt reading (maximum height, peak to
valley). All readings will be taken in 4 different
directions. The paddle hitting surface shall
not be adversely reflective, such that it has the
potential to obscure the vision of opposing
player(s).
Reason for change: In the past we always had
a rule not allowing the surface of the paddle to
be such that it would allow the player to impart
additional spin on the ball. We however had no
specification of how to test for this. We added the
test method for determining surface roughness
and this is tested on each paddle submitted to us
for acceptance on our list of paddles that can be
used for sanctioned tournament play.
Ball Specification.
2.D.1. Construction. The ball shall be
made of durable material molded with a
smooth surface and free of texturing. The
ball can only be one single, uniform color,
except for identification markings. The ball
may have a slight ridge at the seam as long as
it does not significantly affect straight flight
characteristics.
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 724.942.0940 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM
2.D.2. Size. The ball shall be 2.874
inches (73mm) to 2.972 inches (75.5mm)
in diameter. The maximum out-of-round
diameter variance shall not be greater than
+/-0.020 inch (0.50mm).
2.D.3. Weight. The ball shall weigh
between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces (22 and 26.5
grams).
2.D.4. Bounce. The ball shall have a bounce
of 30 to 34 inches (76.2 to 86.4 cm) when
dropped from a height of 78 inches to the top
of the ball onto a granite surface plate that is
a minimum of 12” x 12” x 4”. The test is to be
performed at an ambient temperature of 75 to
80 degrees F (24 to 27 degrees C).
2.D.5. Hardness. The ball shall have a
hardness of 40 to 50 on a Durometer D scale
at a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees F (24 to
27 degrees C).
2.D.6. Design. The ball shall have a
minimum of 26 to a maximum of 40 circular
holes, with spacing of holes and overall
design of the ball con f