Returning the ball to an official

Last weekend of games showed up that without a close fence surrounding the field like we previously had that officials had to go and retrieve balls from well outside the field of play. It is not the job of the official to have to go and retrieve the ball in the game that you play, nor should it be the job of a ball person to retrieve a ball when you have been the closest player to it. If you think it is then it is your responsibility as a team to ensure the ball person is following along on the play, this rarely happens so it is the job of the player closest to retrieve the ball and return it to an official or to the ball person.

Page 123 of 2009-10 NCAA Rules state:
After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot. This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.

So if you are a player who runs out of bounds carrying the ball it would be best to hand the ball to the official who is calling for it and is holding your spot. If your play ends in bounds an official will be coming to the dead ball spot so hand it to him or if you can't see them then leave the ball at that spot, but to drop it well out of the way of the official can delay getting the ball ready for play and/or may require the official to move from his spot and lose the place where you got up to. To drop it out of bounds and tell the official to get it or the ball person is unsportsmanlike, esp if those people have called for it 3 or 4 times.