why do basketballs have fake seams? is there a purpose or just for decoration?
484678
They are right the seams are historic of the old ways that a basketball was assembled... Although now the seams are used to help grip the ball, and also used in shooting by identifying spin.
852655
The biggest problem with scuff marks is that they make it difficult to see where the mark that the ball made is. This makes it difficult to call lines.\nAnother problem would be that black marks all over the court would be very distracting to someone who is trying to play.
507286
Buy an indoor/outdoor basketball made of premium-composite leather.  I suggest a Spalding or a Wilson.
993463
Seams are probably polished off.
1086218
Its this new basketball that absorbs water! It Its looks really cool. It should still show it. I went after 3 or 4 days and it was still there. my brother showed me it 2 days before it would open. Then after 2 days I saw what it was. I looked a lot for it then got the answer and when I saw your question I answered it. So there you go!!
334980
It's because the net drops the ball right in front of you so you don't have to chase it around. Try playing without a net and you'll see what I mean... :)
464623
All baseballs are mudded up before the game and are rubbed to be a similar color. Baseballs like all other products can have defects. Most balls that are rejected are because of a defect in the leather or consistency in the stitch. Pitchers like the ball to feel good in the hand. High seams are not bad or disliked by pitchers... they can do more with the ball. But a seam that is uneven, high and low can feel awkward in the hand. Sometimes a ball will be foul tipped into the dirt/gravel and get scuffed badly, umpires check the ball for a smooth surface before they put them back in thier bag. They will unspect every ball that hits the ground and either put it out of play or put it back in thier bag. Pitchers don't always agree that the ball is smooth enough to continue.  Hope this gives you a better understanding!
889425
For me, pump fake.  Second best is cross-over and fake pass to teammate and layup.
129120
There is a commercial with people wearing those.  I think it is just computer graphics--they don't really exist.
187692
The photograph in question can be viewed here:\n\nhttp://www.deadspin.com/sports/college-basketball/oh-if-only-they-wore-cups-in-basketball-158168.php\n\nTHAT is the reason why "everyone was talking" about it.\nThis was the result of a very unfortunate combination of lighting and physics.  The B/CS Eagle sent out a statement explaining the matter:\n\nhttp://www.theeagle.com/stories/030306/columnists_2006030304y.php\n\nJudge for yourself!
53910
Yes. In regards to the manufacturing/materials, there is especially a big difference between stiched balls and glued balls. The stiched ones give you a much feel for the ball, which is very important for more-competitive players.\n\nAny of the top brands, i.e. Addidas, Nike, Umbro, will perform well with proper treatment.\n\nIn most cases, the balls get deformed from misuses, such as bouncing it on the pavements, before they fall apart from wear and tear.
1079297
They did it to add some extra "umph" or "power" to the ball.  Kind of like what major league baseball did to the baseball a few years ago.  You can see this change on some of these shots.....it's like the ball is coming out of a canon.
1029951
It is to help with the offside calls.\n\nAs noted by at least one, usually a lot of fields use different designs for purely aesthetic reasons, including circles, diamonds, etc.   As you've noticed, there has been a marked lack of variety in the field designs for the World Cup.  Only the striped patterns are used.
377616
It's used for a jumpball. It's just like the one on the center of the court...
1155788
They sign contracts with a particular shoe company. Said company gives them shoes.They wear those shoes. There are many companies making basketball shoes.
1113777
Why is this under basketball????
173915
The "plastic" fence you are reffering to is known as a wind screen.  This helps the players with a more consistent bounce and not having one player having to hit harder shots into the wind. The other player would not be forced to hit more spin shots to keep the ball in because the wind is at his back.  Sometimes they have viewing holes in the screen for spectators and also to allow some wind to pass through so the screen does not whip against the fence and become a distraction.  Windscreens are usually sold by the square foot and can vary widely in price due to the quality.