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Post by groundchuck on Jun 2, 2012 15:04:27 GMT -6
Is the expensive GST necessary? $69 for a ball seems outrageous to me. We used the TDS Composite ball last year but it seems a little slick and kids didn't like them.
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Post by dsqa on Jun 2, 2012 15:12:23 GMT -6
Small additional price to pay to allow your kids the chance to feel Ownership of something...besides, they have to play...what's a few extra bucks to get them a ball they feel will help them? Captains call...it's a little statement of the value you believe matters to put in them
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Post by JVD on Jun 2, 2012 15:37:24 GMT -6
-1 on the TDS. We got a few new ones last year and they stayed in the bag....our QB and running backs hated them. They used a 3 year old ball. Had better grip.
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Post by fballcoachg on Jun 2, 2012 15:52:18 GMT -6
I agree, splurge on the balls especially if the kids like them. They do have more tack to them and whether it is real or mental, they will be more comfortable with the ball they "like." Also, and as a side note about the 3 year old ball, the GST's seem to have a cycle to them where they are really good when you break them in, then after a decent amount of wear get a little slick, then they have some sort of rebirth where they have more grip then ever. Our skills always choose 1 of those balls as the gameball rotation...and I stop my droning about football lives
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Post by blb on Jun 2, 2012 15:55:34 GMT -6
Have used Rawlings ST5s for 12 years (Composites for JV-Frosh) and been satisfied with them.
Tested others with our QBs, they preferred ST5s.
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Post by pvogel on Jun 2, 2012 16:14:57 GMT -6
I love the GST. I think theyre the best on the market.
Unfortunately, the powers that be in our section decided that everyone must use the spalding j5v in the playoffs. So naturally, most people just use those all season so that theyre used to them. Theyve been alright for us.
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Post by emptybackfield on Jun 2, 2012 16:45:53 GMT -6
I'm with Coach Slack on this one. We allowed our starting QB to choose the football for this coming year. It's amazing how much ownership they take in that small purchase. He chose the GST's. We had these TDS balls last year. Our equipment rep told me, "the GST is a lot easier to throw and catch than the TDS" Our QB now knows, we better not hear him blame the ball for any missed throws or fumbles.
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Post by texasstyle on Jun 2, 2012 16:46:01 GMT -6
My kids prefer the GST over anything else and I think they're the best as well. But I do hate buying 10 new ones every year. I love it when I have a QB tell me be prefers the $25 GST composite ball to the leather ones. But I still get a few leather ones because I've never seen a composite ball worth anything in wet weather. Thx for the tip on the rebirth of the balls. I will hold onto them a bit longer.
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Post by powerfootball71 on Jun 2, 2012 17:33:18 GMT -6
In wa the state mandated the use of boden balls after the quater finals so that's what we use. At my old school the qb loved the gst but not going to practice with a ball they can't use
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Post by fballcoachg on Jun 2, 2012 18:31:36 GMT -6
My kids prefer the GST over anything else and I think they're the best as well. But I do hate buying 10 new ones every year. I love it when I have a QB tell me be prefers the $25 GST composite ball to the leather ones. But I still get a few leather ones because I've never seen a composite ball worth anything in wet weather. Thx for the tip on the rebirth of the balls. I will hold onto them a bit longer. Ha, hopefully it's not just a freak occurence, plus we let our JV's and Frosh use some of the older balls as well as the kicker so they are always around, so no harm no foul!
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Post by fballcoachg on Jun 2, 2012 18:33:31 GMT -6
I love the GST. I think theyre the best on the market. Unfortunately, the powers that be in our section decided that everyone must use the spalding j5v in the playoffs. So naturally, most people just use those all season so that theyre used to them. Theyve been alright for us. Is this common, for leagues or sections to decide on the ball you have to use?
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Post by wingtol on Jun 2, 2012 19:08:21 GMT -6
I love the GST. I think theyre the best on the market. Unfortunately, the powers that be in our section decided that everyone must use the spalding j5v in the playoffs. So naturally, most people just use those all season so that theyre used to them. Theyve been alright for us. Is this common, for leagues or sections to decide on the ball you have to use? We have no rule as far as district/region for what ball we use. But once the playoffs start it's the Wilson GST for all games. You even get 2 new balls after every game you win from our state association with a nice state championship playoff logo on it. So ya everyone just use the GST with out being told.
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Post by redandwhite on Jun 2, 2012 19:17:27 GMT -6
In Minnesota, State Tournament games must use a Wilson ball.
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bigcroz
Junior Member
Go STAGS!!
Posts: 356
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Post by bigcroz on Jun 2, 2012 22:39:41 GMT -6
In Michigan state Tournaments (all sports) a Rawlings ball must be used.
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Post by Chris Clement on Jun 2, 2012 23:03:38 GMT -6
Why would the state association mandate a specific ball just for the tournaments? Is there some sort of kickback going on?
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Post by blb on Jun 3, 2012 6:02:56 GMT -6
Why would the state association mandate a specific ball just for the tournaments? Is there some sort of kickback going on? Of course there is.
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Post by coachbuck on Jun 3, 2012 6:07:09 GMT -6
I love the GST. I think theyre the best on the market. Unfortunately, the powers that be in our section decided that everyone must use the spalding j5v in the playoffs. So naturally, most people just use those all season so that theyre used to them. Theyve been alright for us. gst is a nice ball. Its the one my son prefers. Pat, we are in the same boat as you but they use the gst anyways. Last year in the playoffs the starting qb was having a hard time with the spalding. They switched back to gst, now no matter what they have an away game first game of playoffs. The spalding is a good ball once broken in but it takes some time to get it there. Get the ball the qb wants!
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Post by blb on Jun 3, 2012 6:11:19 GMT -6
In Michigan state Tournaments (all sports) a Rawlings ball must be used. Not to nitpick but not all sports. Wilson softballs and tennis balls, Baden volleyballs, Brine soccer balls for example.
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Post by 19delta on Jun 3, 2012 6:20:51 GMT -6
Why would the state association mandate a specific ball just for the tournaments? Is there some sort of kickback going on? Yes.
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Post by Chris Clement on Jun 3, 2012 10:55:17 GMT -6
But why just the state tournaments, why not all games?
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Post by 19delta on Jun 3, 2012 11:06:43 GMT -6
But why just the state tournaments, why not all games? Because it is a sneaky way to get teams using the "official" ball. If the state associations were to say that member schools had to use the "official" ball for all games, there would be significant pushback. Schools would claim financial hardship and it would be tough to get such a rule passed. By saying that the "official" ball will only be used in the postseason, the state associations are taking away the "financial hardship" excuse...the response from the state association will be that schools can continue to use their current game balls until the playoffs. Of course, the state associations know precisely that schools will go out and purchase the new "official" ball because that is the ball that will be used in postseason games. That's exactly what happened in Illinois. Baden became the "official" football for the postseason. The state high school association told member schools that they could continue to use their old gameballs during the regular season. Few schools did. Most went out and bought the Baden gameballs because that's what they would be using in the playoffs.
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Post by wingtol on Jun 3, 2012 11:17:16 GMT -6
But why just the state tournaments, why not all games? Because it is a sneaky way to get teams using the "official" ball. If the state associations were to say that member schools had to use the "official: ball for all games, there would be significant pushback. Schools would claim financial hardship and it would be tough to get such a rule passed. By saying that the "official" ball will only be used in the postseason, the state associations are taking away the "financial hardship" excuse...the response from the state association will be that schools can continue to use their current game balls until the playoffs. Of course, the state associations know precisely that schools will go out and purchase the new "official" ball because that is the ball that will be used in postseason games. That's exactly what happened in Illinois. Baden became the "official" football for the postseason. The state high school association told member schools that they could continue to use their old gameballs during the regular season. Few schools did. Most went out and bought the Baden gameballs because that's what they would be using in the playoffs. Like I posted above our state association gives you 2 new balls after every game you win in the playoffs. That way you can't say well we can't afford those. They also get you because who wants to switch to a different ball after 10 weeks of using something different? I guess it's a win-win for the PIAA and Wilson. On a side note I like the GST. Also never had a kid complain about them. The raised strings and tacky stripe seem to make it easier to throw. As far as price I would shop around, we use a local sports store and get a good deal on them.
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Post by scoresomemore on Jun 3, 2012 15:09:46 GMT -6
yeah we get sued by title 9 freaks because of girls basketball/volleyball seasons in michigan, and now we have to use the rawlings ball because the MHSAA is broke. The GST is the best ball on the market, period. I find it hilarious that we have to use a rawlings, but our association will run advertising for GST's in our newsletters?!
Rawlings footballs are crap. Wish we could use the GST.
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Post by blb on Jun 3, 2012 15:12:16 GMT -6
yeah we get sued by title 9 freaks because of girls basketball/volleyball seasons in michigan, and now we have to use the rawlings ball because the MHSAA is broke. The GST is the best ball on the market, period. I find it hilarious that we have to use a rawlings, but our association will run advertising for GST's in our newsletters?! Rawlings footballs are crap. Wish we could use the GST. The MHSAA is non-profit organization. And what do you mean "we" got sued? Did you personally have to front any money for legal defense, or lose any along the way? School districts did not have to contribute to MHSAA legal defense. Use the GST all regular season if you want. You seriously think you're going to lose a game because of the ball you use?
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Post by scoresomemore on Jun 3, 2012 15:29:23 GMT -6
the point was the rawlings football is not as good as the GST, not even close. I found it interesting that the state mandated ball was instituted around the same time the MHSAA was sued.
It just silly that our association is hypocritical about things. We cant use GST's, but they'll take wilson's money to advertise. We get position papers about how recruiting services are a rip-off (I agree) but yet they take their money and I get soliciting emails all the time about the offering of these recruiting services. I assume they get a kickback for allowing all these services to send us emails for things they discourage.
weird
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Post by blb on Jun 3, 2012 15:37:20 GMT -6
the point was the rawlings football is not as good as the GST, not even close. I found it interesting that the state mandated ball was instituted around the same time the MHSAA was sued. It just silly that our association is hypocritical about things. We cant use GST's, but they'll take wilson's money to advertise. We get position papers about how recruiting services are a rip-off (I agree) but yet they take their money and I get soliciting emails all the time about the offering of these recruiting services. I assume they get a kickback for allowing all these services to send us emails for things they discourage. weird You do realize there's a difference between MHSFCA (football coaches' association) and MHSAA, right? And why do you think "rawlings football is not (even close) to GST"? Notice you were singular about Rawlings. Does that mean you have experience with only one? If so, which?
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Post by scoresomemore on Jun 3, 2012 15:55:53 GMT -6
yes, I understand this. I really do not want to hi-jack someones thread with a rant that strays somewhat off topic; which was not my intention, yet our conversation led that way which I take responsibility for.
GST's are the best football around!
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Post by blb on Jun 3, 2012 16:00:08 GMT -6
GST's are the best football around! Again, other than you say so - Why?
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Post by outlawjoseywales on Jun 3, 2012 16:43:28 GMT -6
In Florida, the FHSAA mandated that the Spalding J5V Advance would be the only ball allowed to be used in the state tournament. So that means that everybody buys this football, even if the QB's don't like it. I've never heard the reason why that everyone "needed" to have a specific football though. Independent schools can use any football they want, since they do not go to the official state tourney.
When given a choice though, I've never had a QB's who didn't like the GST better than any other ball.
When I started coaching, we used the old J5V's, those things would get really slick and hard outside. Then when you'd put air in them, they would get really round, slick and hard-perfect JV footballs ;D
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Post by scoresomemore on Jun 3, 2012 21:24:12 GMT -6
"Use the GST all regular season if you want.....You seriously think you're going to lose a game because of the ball you use?"
I don't think I am going to lose a game based on what football I use, but I'm surely not stupid enough to use a GST 9 games only to change footballs for week 10......That makes a lot of sense, nice advice though?!
The topic was "are GST's worth $69.00?" I say yes and its stupid we cannot play with one.
And why do you think "rawlings football is not (even close) to GST"? Notice you were singular about Rawlings. Does that mean you have experience with only one?"
I have used a Wilson GST and I have used a Rawlings football (ST5 PRO SB). The quality is the difference. GST's have a better grip, they have a more natural feel (my QB's agree), they hold up in weather, and they have better ball flight as they stay true to form. The Rawlings footballs mis-shape over time, they balloon up from one year previous and do not transition into a very good practice ball. They become so smooth after one years use they are nearly impossible to grip. Good idea if I am selling footballs (company), but bad idea if I have to budget to replace them (coaches).
Thats why I made the post to begin with BLB, because it was my opinion (say so).
The rawlings are terribly made. I challenge anyone to try the two and tell me which is better NOW and 1 year from now. I already know the answer.
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