Otis Otterson's "Balloons"

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Hello, I am Otis Otterson. Please join me again on our journey of discovery, exploring the stories that other outlets don't discuss, because they don't matter.

 

Balloons: round, elastic, rubbery and buoyant. We often think of them in times of celebration, but they are also widely used in meteorology. One place they don't see much use? Professional hockey scouting departments.

 

One scout wants to change that. Jeremiah Jameson is a scouting intern with the Miami Marauders.

 

"Well, I was reviewing some tape, and I realized that we really struggle to get direct overhead shots of things like faceoffs. So, I ordered one of those weather balloons and I rigged a camera up on it," Jameson explains.

 

At first, the results were disappointing. The view of the faceoff would often be obscured, either by the linesman's body, or by the centers' helmets.

 

But then, something changed.

 

"My balloon was floating there, all balloon-like, when, suddenly, a piece fell off and hit a player," recalls Jameson.

 

The player, who has asked to remain unnamed, suffered a concussion and required three stitches. But, that wasn't the only damage. The Marauders' commitment to player safety was called into question.

 

Jameson was sacked. But he is not giving up on scouting by balloon. He has approached three other hockey teams, trying to sell his idea. So far, none have been interested, but Jameson isn't ready to give up.