The official 2004 NCAA tournament basketball is made the conventional way, but with a new wrinkle. For the second year in a row the traditional leather cover has been replaced by a synthetic version that absorbs moisture.
1. A rubber bladder is created using a mold. The bladder is inflated, submerged in water to check for leaks, and measured to make sure it meets specifications.
2. The bladder is wound with almost two miles of nylon thread to maintain its shape and ensure proper bounce.
3. The wound bladder is covered with eight rubber panels, which are heated to form a single surface. Channels are laid between each panel.
4. The ball’s synthetic, outer-most layer is applied a panel at a time. The ball is tested again for size, weight, bounce and integrity.
OFFICIAL MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 29.5-30 inches
Weight: 20-22 ounces
Bounce: When dropped to the court from a height of six feet, measured from the bottom of the ball, the ball must bounce to a height of 49-54 inches as measured from the top of the ball.
Evolution of the basketball
Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith who used a soccer ball and peach basket. The ball has seen many changes since.
1894: The rules are changed to call for a basketball made of a rubber-covered bladder with a leather casing.
1909: The top-selling basketball is made of pebble-grained leather and has a duck lining and pure gum bladder.
1928: The concealed lace basketball is introduced.
1933: Rawlings introduces the molded basketball.
1949: The rules are changed to require a molded ball with a leather cover and panels that are cemented on rather than stitched.
1959: Orange basketballs are introduced.
Sources: Wilson Sporting Goods, Rawlings Sporting Goods, NCAA
Chicago Tribune/Adam Zoll and Keith Claxton
