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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: Can a ball's color be switched in the middle of a match, e.g., from white to orange?

- submitted by Iliodore Stroynick.

A: Players should bear in mind that TT Rules are written to be applied at tournaments. Before the tournament, the tournament director decides the brand and the color of the ball. That ball has to be used in every match, even if both players or pairs would agree to use a different ball.

In the situation you describe, the problem obviously concerns recreational play and not tournament play. Having said the above, I hope you understand that the rule does not cover such a situation. My general advice for recreational players is: Try to always play by the official rules. Regarding switching the ball during the match, my advice is not to switch.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire