Disc Modification 802.01 (C)

I was discussing the rules with another player at a tournament last weekend regarding the modification of a disc. I believed it was legal to melt a very thin slit (1/2 inch long, 1/16 inch thick) on the edge of the disc with a cigarette lighter. I did not see this as modification of the original characteristics of the disc that would alter its flight characteristics, but simply bring it back to its original state. "Players may not make post-production modification of discs which alter their original flight characteristics."

Can anyone fill me in on a ruling? Thanks.

[jackinkc]

Melting would be altering, of course hitting a tree would be altering it as well..... I have used the lighter to repair tree hits, but never really melted a disc, and melting it back to its original state would be hard to do with a Bic, or a 'crack lighter"...

Dale,

Many people have heated a bic lighter and then used the hot metal to push the cut slice back into place, but technically it is a post production modification. The rule allows for wear and tear of play and only states that light sanding can be used to smooth a rough surface. It does not state that you can repair the disc beyond that. It does allow you to go to the TD and ask for a ruling, but if it was me I would have to say no if it was obvious.

Ahh, thanks. It was not a tree hit, but for some reason my z xtra got a clean slit on the edge. Its very small; looks like someone took a razorblade and cut it along the edge a quarter of an inch long. If my Z discs hit a tree, woe to the tree, but my Z's rarely suffer more than slight headache.