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With INFUSION3, players can now add air twice as fast as before, so that the perfectly inflated ball is only moments away. Spalding's third generation Micro Pump has a modified chamber that allows more air per stroke, and as always, like every INFUSION, the new INFUSION3 meets all the stringent performance standards set by the NBA. "The basketball category has grown dramatically due largely to consumer interest in INFUSION and now their appetite for advancing this technology has led us to INFUSION3," stated Dan Touhey vice president of marketing Spalding. "Because our Spalding brand is synonymous with innovation, INFUSION3 was a natural evolution of this popular product and we believe the ingenuity and fresh ideas will keep us top-of-mind with consumers and sports enthusiasts because of our commitment to quality and value." Through ongoing consumer research, Spalding found that players were generally pleased with the INFUSION technology but sometimes felt it took a few too many strokes (pumps) to add the appropriate air. With INFUSION3's modified Micro Pump chamber, consumers can add about 1 lb of air pressure to the ball in half the time -- 30 seconds. To add air, simply unlock the INFUSION3 Dual Action MICRO PUMP and pump air into the ball. To release air, simply depress the pump stem until proper air pressure is achieved. When completed, the Dual Action MICRO PUMP is locked into position, and the ball is ready for play. The INFUSION3 utilizes Spalding's exclusive Zi/O composite leather cover material for unsurpassed indoor/outdoor play. Available this spring, the INFUSION3 has a suggested retail price is $45.00. According to Ron Laliberty, director of product development for Spalding, a team of engineers went through an eight-month testing period to perfect ball durability, rebound performance and overall playability of the INFUSION3 while also complying with the NBA's stringent product performance specifications. "Our experienced research and development team is always looking to advance product development and by improving our exclusive Micro Pump technology we're once again providing an added benefit to consumers," stated Laliberty. "The new INFUSION3's slightly larger pump configuration allows consumers to add air twice as fast while also providing the ability to release air from the ball. The success of INFUSION in 2001, led to incorporating the MICRO PUMP into all of Spalding's inflated product categories. Its proven performance within the basketball segment has resulted in INFUSION-based technology to be utilized within the WNBA, NBDL (the NBA Development League) and EBC (the NBA's Entertainers Basketball Classic) game balls. ABOUT SPALDING Springfield, MA-based Spalding is a leading producer and marketer of basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls under the Spalding brand name and softballs under the Dudley brand. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official volleyball of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Volleyball Association (AVA), the official soccer ball of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the official football of the American Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. Spalding was acquired by Russell Corporation in May 2003. Spalding and Russell's other business units, American Athletic (AAI) and Huffy Sports brands, collectively combined, are now part of the largest basketball equipment provider in the country. AAI is the leading seller of gymnastics equipment in the country as well as institutional basketball backboards, and Huffy Sports, is a leader in basketball backboard systems. |
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