Lacrosse - Ball

Along with the lacrosse stick, lacrosse balls are used in the sport of Lacrosse. The balls are available in various colours and are made from rubber. The outer surface of the balls sometimes has slight textures on the rubber. They usually have 65% rubber content with a weight of 140 to 147 grams and a diameter ranging from 62.7 mm to 64.7 mm. Some of the popular manufacturers of lacrosse balls include Warrior Sports, STX and Brine. The winning team can collect the balls used at the end of the game. There are usually six balls (minimum) and a maximum of 10 balls present at each end line and sideline. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) maintains the official rules and regulations of the equipment. 

The balls are either white, yellow, lime green or orange with a solid shape. The balls have a circumference ranging from 7.75 to 8 inches. They usually are light in weight, as in, 5 to 5.25 ounces. The manufacturing of the ball should be precise enough for smooth gameplay as they are subjected to carrying, throwing, kicking, rolling and batting with a crosse. Since 2016, the lacrosse balls are manufactured according to the NOCSAE standards. Official lacrosse ball colours depending on the players and teams are as follow -

 

 

The balls are composed of rubber or latex from the Hevea brasiliensis (rubber trees) along with sulphur. The sulphur to manufacture balls is usually collected from the undergrounds of regions of Gulf Coast, United States, Poland and Sicily. The vulcanized rubber is required to put inside moulds and cooled down to take up the proper shape. Sulphur particles maintain the rigidity of the lacrosse balls.