Policy on Ball Damage -- Follow Up

[FRC1346]

Your answer to the question "Policy on Ball Damage", originally posted by FRC1540 is confusing in that it states:

"If a device being tested is damaging the balls, then that device should not be used."

and also:

"Teams should not expect that all scoring objects will remain in an "as new" condition for the entire event."

This appears to be a contradiction. After all, if the robots are doing no damage to the balls, then the balls should remain in "as new" condition, should they not?

Based on our experience with a single wheel shooter design the coloured skin on the outside of the balls comes off very easily... but the ball retains its size, weight, etc. and is still playable if not as aesthetically pleasing.

Could you please provide more clarification on this statement? Is there a difference between devices that cause "cosmetic damage" (ie skin damage) and "functional damage" (ie chunks of foam coming off)?

Thanks,

Jason

[GDC]

Teams should expect that the balls will be scuffed, scraped and have minor imperfections in the outer skin of the ball, however, if your shooting mechanism tears off large chunks of the skin or clearly abrades the skin, it will not be allowed. Balls will be inadvertently damaged as a result of robot interaction other than shooting.