You can buy or make a diverter that makes the ball go onto the left habitrail after leaving the “path or the dead.” This eliminates the ball falling in to the shire and bouncing/breaking the plastics. I doubt very many people would even notice the change. I feel it actually speeds the game up as you are not waiting for the shire VUK all the time. I made mine. It installs in minutes. Here is a link to one you can purchase. http://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=464