CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS

 

March 5, 1940

Pr, F. G, ALie
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

My dear Dr. Allen:

It has come to our attention that there is being
considered by the Basketball Coaches! Association
Research Committee, and by the Basketball Rules Committee,
a proposal to reduce the size of the present Official.
Basketball. :

Before any step of that nature is taken, we respect-
fully request that serious consideration be given to
the costs of such a change to all manufacturers of basket-
balls, both of the conventional sewn and the new molded
types. All manufacturers have heavy investments in
dies and other equipment necessary for the cutting of the
conventional type balls, and for the molded balls they
have extremely expensive equipment, so expensive in fact
that complete amortization cannot take place in a single
year, but must be spread over a period of many years, A
sudden and ill-timed change would, therefore, be very
unfortunate for manufacturers,

In addition to the loss on equipment which manufac-
turers would teke, if a change in the size of the ball were
made, would be the loss on finished stocks which would
promptly and automatically become obsolete. Dealers ail
over the country would also have to take losses,

It is, therefore, hoped that sympathetic consideration
will be given to the plight of the manufacturer in the
event that new specifications for Official Basketballs

are adopted. Many complicated manufacturing problems

would have to be solved in producing a smaller ball; hence
ample time should be allowed, Much money would be lost,

if the change were ill-timed,

Vice President 7