A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used, with a lacrosse stick, to play the sport of lacrosse. It is typically white for men's lacrosse (however the PLL uses optic yellow balls for better TV visibility[1][2]), or yellow for women's lacrosse; but the balls are produced in a wide variety of colours.[3][4]
The current World Lacrosse, NCAA, and NFHS approved specifications are:[3][5][6]
- Color
- Can be white, yellow or orange
- Circumference
- Between 7+3⁄4 and 8 inches (19.69 cm and 20.32 cm)
- Weight
- Between 5 and 5+1⁄2 ounces (141.75 and 155.92 grams)
- Material
- Solid rubber
- Bounce
- The ball, when dropped from a height of 72 inches (1.83 meters) must bounce between 43 and 51 inches (1.09 and 1.30 meters).
Beginning with the 2014 season, all three governing bodies for lacrosse in the United States (US Lacrosse, NFHS, NCAA) have mandated that only balls meeting the NOCSAE ball standard may be used for competition. Balls must be emblazoned with the words "Meets NOCSAE Standard" in order to be deemed legal for play by game officials.
Starting by June 2016, all lacrosse balls have had to meet the new NOCSAE Standard[7] for use in official NCAA and NFHS play. Canadian official games require CLA approvals.
Greasers
editA new lacrosse ball will have a textured feel, and feel a little squishy; over time this ball will become "greasy" and harden. A "greasy" lacrosse ball (often referred to as a "greaser") is a ball that has lost its grip and has hardened; this causes players to throw inaccurately as it no longer grips the mesh in the way a typical, new lacrosse ball would. This occurs naturally in lacrosse balls as the oils come to the surface of the ball.[8]
History
editPre-1860
editThe original lacrosse balls were made from wood and egg-shaped, but they would develop to become more round. They were later made from buckskins filled with fur.[9][10] These were made naturally and was meant to keep the game connected with nature.[11] In Seneca folklore it is said that human heads were used as lacrosse balls.[9]
1860-Present
editIn 1860, Dr. William George Beers codified the rules of lacrosse which included requiring the ball to be made with rubber.
Most modern lacrosse balls are made of vulcanized rubber entirely. At some points some lacrosse balls may have had cement in the middle, but today they are entirely rubber.[11]
Innovations
editGreaseless lacrosse ball
editIn December of 2015, Guardian Innovations released a "greaseless" lacrosse ball known as Pearl X. The Pearl ball is made from a "cross-linked polyurethane formula" which does not contain the oils found in a typical lacrosse ball.[12][13]
Other greaseless lacrosse balls have been created by brands such as East Coast Dyes, which released the ECD Mint.[14]
On July 27, 2016, US Lacrosse named The Pearl by Guardian the official ball of US Lacrosse and stated it would be used at all US Lacrosse events. This partnership was renewed for the second time in 2021. It is also the official ball, the U.S. National Teams, the MCLA, and the IMCLA.[15][16]
Textured lacrosse ball
editIn March of 2019, Guardian Innovations released the first textured lacrosse ball approved for play, the "Pearl LT." The textured ball offers better feel in the pocket of the stick, which increases control and consistency. Unlike Guardian Innovations Pearl X, the Pearl LT is made of rubber, and like other rubber balls, will grease. However, the textured surface of the ball will remain.[17][15]
Smart lacrosse ball
editOn January 14, 2022 at the US Lacrosse Convention, REPS Lacrosse revealed the first "Smart" Lacrosse Ball dubbed the "R1 by REPS".[18] The ball comes equipped with a patented embedded suite of sensors which tie into the REPS Lacrosse App.
Manufacturers
editWolf Athletics is the official ball supplier of the Premier Lacrosse League.[citation needed]
As of August 2023, the following ball brands meet NOCSAE standards and are SEI certified:[19]
- BSN Sports
- Champion Sports
- Champro
- CrankShooter
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Gait
- Gladiator Lacrosse
- Lacrosse Unlimited
- Martin Sports
- Mint by East Coast Dyes
- Pearl LT and Pearl X
- Signature Lacrosse
- STX
- Union
- Velocity
- Wolf Athletics
References
edit- ^ "Should Lacrosse Switch To Tennis Balls? POLL - Go Vote". stringerssociety.com. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ 2022 PLL Rulebook (PDF). Premier Lacrosse League. 2022. p. 6.
- ^ a b "Guide To Lacrosse Ball Sizes, Weights & More | Net World Sports". www.networldsports.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ "The Complete Guide to Lacrosse Balls". Dick's Sporting Goods. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Lacrosse Ball Size, Weight, and Diameter". Signature Lacrosse. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ Gear, Victorem. "Lacrosse Ball Weight: What You Need to Know". Victorem Gear. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ "Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Lacrosse Balls NOCSAE DOC (ND) 049-15m16" (PDF). National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ Sports, Get Hyped. "How Do Lacrosse Balls Become Greasers?". Get Hyped Sports. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ a b Becker, Marshall (1985). "Political Organization in North America as Reflected in Athletic Competition". Penn Museum. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "History of Lacrosse - Profound origins". Gone Laxing. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ a b "What Is A Lacrosse Ball Made Of?". Signature Lacrosse. 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Caitlin (2022-04-14). "Greasers: Exposed | POWLAX on Greasers // Guardian Sports". Guardian Sports. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Guardian Pearl Lacrosse Ball Review". Lacrosse Playground. 2016-01-08. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Greasers Becoming a Thing of the Past". Universal Lacrosse. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ a b Caitlin (2021-04-07). "PEARL Named Official Ball of US Lacrosse". Guardian Sports. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Caitlin (2016-07-27). "The Pearl By Guardian Named Official Ball of US Lacrosse". Guardian Sports. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "From the Mag: Textured Ball Hits Market". www.usalaxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "REPS Lacrosse App | R1 Smart Lacrosse Ball | #1 Lacrosse Training App". 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "Certified Products | Safety Equipment Institute". www.seinet.org. Retrieved 2023-08-08.