Q: I know each collegiate team uses its own footballs when playing a game. When it rains, does each team keep a dry football ready for every snap? Do they have drying machines? Would a soggy football be more difficult to throw and catch? How many footballs are used in a game? And in a game when it rains?
—Kathy Piska, Marietta
A: The University of Georgia football equipment staff has 6-12 footballs prepared for every home game played in dry or sunny conditions, a member of the staff told Q&A on the News in an email. They'll have six footballs ready at the start of a game and "check the others in with the officials" at halftime, if needed.
The staff doubles the number of footballs for rainy games. “A wet (or waterlogged) ball is definitely heavier and more difficult to throw,” the staff member said. “So we would start with 12, and if needed, we would check in up to 12 more at halftime.”
The balls in use are kept dry by being placed under towels, and the balls are substituted after every play, if possible. They don’t use drying machines. “If it is a no-huddle situation or some other fast-paced action, sometimes the officials will use the same ball for consecutive plays. Once a ball is wet to a certain point, we put it away and replace it with a fresh one.”
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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