Admit your ignorance - things you've only just realised/learned

[mistyoptic]

I just found out that World Championship snooker is played on thermostatted tables.

You wouldn’t want cold balls

 

[winjim]

You wouldn’t want cold balls

Makes 'em slidier apparently

 

[Electric_Andy]

I just found out that World Championship snooker is played on thermostatted tables.

I've been a snooker fan for years and never knew that

 

[Andy in Germany]

I just found out that World Championship snooker is played on thermostatted tables.

It makes sense: that way the balls will react the same way regardless of the room temperature. I wonder if any other sports have the same?

 

[figbat]

I've been a snooker fan for years and never knew that

It was only in the last year or so that I noticed the thermostat controllers on the end of the tables. No idea how long they have been doing this.

 

[Beebo]

Yep. The slate beds are warmed from below to keep them rolling evenly.

 

[Beebo]

It makes sense: that way the balls will react the same way regardless of the room temperature. I wonder if any other sports have the same?

Track cycling is an example.
The whole room is heated to make the bikes go faster.

 

[Beebo]

And tennis balls at Wimbledon are kept at 20c.

 

[Gunk]

Whilst teaching my son to drive earlier today, I’ve realised that cars with raised plastic letters on the numberplates are mostly driven by complete selfish idiots.

 

[ColinJ]

And tennis balls at Wimbledon are kept at 20c.

I bought 8 tennis balls to use on my turbo trainer 'rocker feet'. I was surprised to find that they are pressurised and sold in sealed containers!

I imagine that is what "new balls please" is about - temperature and pressure changes affecting how the balls respond after they have been used for a while.

 

[figbat]

And tennis balls at Wimbledon are kept at 20c.

This one isn’t! This was found this week by my dog, on a footpath right next to the tennis court of someone who played at Wimbledon (not in 2022 though).

 

[Pblakeney]

I bought 8 tennis balls to use on my turbo trainer 'rocker feet'. I was surprised to find that they are pressurised and sold in sealed containers!

I imagine that is what "new balls please" is about - temperature and pressure changes affecting how the balls respond after they have been used for a while.

I am surprised by your surprise. Anyone who plays tennis will know this.
I knew this purely from watching Wimbledon once a year.

 

[ColinJ]

I am surprised by your surprise. Anyone who plays tennis will know this.
I knew this purely from watching Wimbledon once a year.

Well, I don't play tennis and I have not watched Wimbledon for decades! (I do remember the balls being swapped but I never knew why at the time.)

 

[Pblakeney]

Well, I don't play tennis and I have not watched Wimbledon for decades! (I do remember the balls being swapped but I never knew why at the time.)

FYI - They've been in sealed tubes since the 1920s (according to Google). Fairly sure some commentators would have mentioned the why and wherefore in the meantime. Mostly because I am far from an aficionado and I knew.