I just got a new Nike EPL match ball, but I have yet to pump it up. I have an adidas pump with the plastic conical needle/pin that I used for the life of an Umbro ball that no longet holds air very well. My fear is that the pump is responsible for the steady leak from the valve of the Umbro ball. Am I just paranoid or should I get a pump with a tradition metal needle? Also, are there particular things you should do to care for a top-level match ball?
If you happen to aquire the new Puma MLS ball or more than one, be sure to wash your balls frequently. Be gentle, but thorough. You want to feel every dimple in your balls, this will also help them age better.
Take it easy on the newbie- Though I admit, witha title like "ball care" it's temping to make cracks. My guess is that the valve on you unbro ball just went, it's probably not the fault of the needle. Just make sure to moisten the needle before you pump the ball up. How long did you have the umbro ball? I remeber I had an adidas ball that eventually developed a bad valve and wouldn't hold air. I had it for about a year. I sent it back to Adidas and they sent me a brand new ball. I haven't had any problems since.
Watch waht surfaces you play on... Most good match balls will voluntarily lose air, but you could simply deflate it yourself. It lose's air to reduce stress on seams....but ur a bit weary of pumping your ball anyways....
I've burried all my dead balls in my backyard. It's getting difficult to mow the lawn with all the tombstones though. [Here lies Adidas Questra. Time on this earth spent well in back of the net.]
If you are not going to use it for a while, you are supposed to deflate the ball a little. Like Becks7 said, most high level balls will lose air on their own very slowly as they use a slightly permiable bladder (usually latex).