The Dear Sean Blog

Dear Sean, i would like to know if a 'phantom' hit is allowed? here is an example of what i mean. a ball is returned from square 1 to square 2 (my square). it bounces once and carries into square 4. i approach the ball and act as though i am going to hit it in a certain direction/part of square 4, and just as my hand is about to hit the ball, i stop. i allow the ball to continue in the direction that it was traveling while only slightly grazing the ball with my fingers. the ball, having hardly any of its momentum taken away from it, would continue to bounce in square 4 with the owner of that square out of position because of where i was feigning to hit the ball. Is this legal?

Dear Sean, I have bought 2 4 square balls in one month and they both popped. Are they not made like they use to be. I am disappointed in this. I have paid close to $20 for both. I purchased these at different stores and neither one made it. I am not going to keep purchasing them if this keeps happening. Please give me some advice. There is nothing around that would pop them.