Swapping out balls

[CenTexTM]

I can't seem to find anything authoritative on this topic and have heard quite different things from officials and coaches.  Under what circumstances, if any, are coaches allowed to request that a new ball be used?  There are restrictions on marking balls for a particular game situation, and an AR stating that a team attempting to swap a ball on 4th down would not be allowed.  Beyond that, how should we respond to a request to replace a ball?

Specifically:

1.  After a try, can the kicking team request that their "kicking ball" be used for the subsequent kickoff?  My understanding is that they should use the same ball for the try that was used on the play that scored a touchdown, but I can't seem to find chapter and verse on that one.

2.  Assuming the play didn't end where a new ball should be obtained from the sideline to avoid slowing down the game, can teams send in a new ball whenever they choose?  When weather conditions or field conditions lead them to believe the ball should be replaced? 

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[JasonTX]

The ball they want to use to kick with must not be one they only want to kick with.  It needs to meet the same requirements of the ball they play with and should have been one that the officials approved before the game.  If they send in one that has low air pressure and no grip, send it out and get a good ball. 

As for swapping them out during the game.  The umpire will be the one to determine when a new ball needs to be traded out.  If there is nothing wrong with the one in the game, there is no reason to swap it out.  Coaches will try to trade it out to burn time off the clock even if nothing is wrong with it.  If it's wet, get it out and get a new one in at the end of a play before it is ready for play.  Better yet, get the umpire a towel so he can dry it off himself without swapping it out.

[James]

Our LM/LJ will send in a new ball if the one from the last play in inaccceable (a long incomplete pass with no-one around). The U will request a new ball if the current one is too wet/muddy. Otherwise, we don't do requests.

[El Macman]

Under what circumstances, if any, are coaches allowed to request that a new ball be used?

Reference 1-3-2.
Once game balls are accepted by the Referee for use in a game (and this must be prior to the start of the game), the ONLY two people on the planet that can authorize the change of a game ball are the Referee and Umpire. Requests for changes by coaches or other team personnel should be answered with something like, "Coach, if our Referee or Umpire thinks the ball is unfit for play, we'll change it. Otherwise, we're playing with the ball that is in the game right now." Or, the R / U might say, "Coach, there is nothing wrong with the ball that's in the game right now; there is no need to change it."
And this applies even for approved game balls. If there is nothing wrong with the ball that is in the game, it stays, even if the ball they would like to have it replaced with is one of the approved game balls.
The bottom line is that the coaches/teams have no 'right' to change game balls. Period. 

[CenTexTM]

Reference 1-3-2.
Once game balls are accepted by the Referee for use in a game (and this must be prior to the start of the game), the ONLY two people on the planet that can authorize the change of a game ball are the Referee and Umpire. Requests for changes by coaches or other team personnel should be answered with something like, "Coach, if our Referee or Umpire thinks the ball is unfit for play, we'll change it. Otherwise, we're playing with the ball that is in the game right now." Or, the R / U might say, "Coach, there is nothing wrong with the ball that's in the game right now; there is no need to change it."
And this applies even for approved game balls. If there is nothing wrong with the ball that is in the game, it stays, even if the ball they would like to have it replaced with is one of the approved game balls.
The bottom line is that the coaches/teams have no 'right' to change game balls. Period.

That's the answer I've given, and it has not been well-received.  Also, it seems I'm in the minority on that and I wanted to make sure I wasn't way off base.  Thanks for the references... those were all I could find as well.

[TXMike]

Of course it has not been well-received because those coaches/teams are used to doing it their way (incorrectly) and now you are upsetting the apple cart.  Another reason why we need to be consistent in game administration matters, chapter to chapter and within chapters.  If we are, then the bass ackwards system that has them picking game officials will not even matter.

[Welpe]

Of course it has not been well-received because those coaches/teams are used to doing it their way (incorrectly) and now you are upsetting the apple cart.  Another reason why we need to be consistent in game administration matters, chapter to chapter and within chapters.  If we are, then the bass ackwards system that has them picking game officials will not even matter.

Mike, wake up, I fear you're posting on RefStripes while dreaming.