Getting To Know The Lacrosse Ball

Lacrosse, though yet to be an Olympic Sport, has earned its right to be one of the most popular ball and field games in the world particularly famous in North America, United States and in the United Kingdom. What makes this sport unique is the crosse or netted stick used by team players to score goals. What is even more interesting is the lacrosse ball, which is essential to any ball game there is. But just how “ball” is a lacrosse ball?

A lacrosse ball ‘s component was very interesting during the old times. One type of ball was made of a special wood and then burnt so that the charred area could be removed to make a fitting surface. Other lacrosse balls were even pierced to produce a whistling sound when it traveled on the air. Another variety of the ball was made out of a deerskin which was stuffed with hair, grass and sand. There was even a lacrosse ball that was composed of an enemy’s head, or clay or even stone. Today, a lacrosse ball is made of hard rubber.

The two major manufacturers of the modern lacrosse ball are Brine Corp. and Warrior Lacrosse. Brine is the exclusive supplier of lacrosse balls to the NCAA while Warrior is the official provider of lacrosse balls to the Major League Lacrosse. Brine produces balls in seven different colors – blue, neon green, orange, pink, purple, white and yellow. Warrior is famous for their phosphorescent or glow-in-dark lacrosse balls. Their balls are available in 12 colors. Other manufacturers of lacrosse balls are STX and Shamrock

Players usually prefer white as color of a lacrosse ball. Its circumference varies from 7.75 to 8 inches depending on use. Lacrosse has three versions men field (outdoor), box lacrosse (indoor) and women lacrosse. An average lacrosse ball weighs between 5 and 5.25 ounces.

Specifications of a lacrosse ball like color, weight and dimension vary depending on the rules of each lacrosse league. Even the rules governing as to who will provide the balls are independent of each league. In the Major League Lacrosse, players and coaches are big fans of the orange grippy ball supplied by Warrior Lacrosse. The ILF or International Lacrosse Federation chooses orange or white colored lacrosse balls and its circumference measures between 7.75 inches and 8 inches.

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse opts to use lacrosse balls with the colors white, yellow, orange or lime green. The ball must be between 7 ¾ and 8 inches in circumference and between 5 and 5 ¼ ounces heavy. Women’s Lacrosse sticks to the color yellow while the Girl’s Youth Lacrosse recommends the regulation ball or a “soft” lacrosse ball and a “no bounce” ball which is right for their rookie players.

The lacrosse ball may take in different forms in different fields, but one thing remains the same. That the ball will be the center of attraction as audience from their seats sway their heads following the lacrosse ball’s track like a real lacrosse star.