Lacrosse ball

A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used to play lacrosse. It is typically white, but can be many other colors. It is usually between 7.75 and 8 inches (19-20 cm) in circumference (about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter) and weighs between 5 and 5.25 ounces (140-150 g).

History

When the indigenous peoples of North America first played lacrosse they used a ball made of hair-stuffed deerskin or knotted leather strips. This type of ball was also used by the early European players of the 19th century. Its usage ceased in 1867 when George W. Beers codified the rules of lacrosse and replaced the old style ball with the solid hard rubber ball that is used today. [cite web
url = http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm
title = Lacrosse History
accessdate = 2006-11-04
publisher = STX jo]

Manufacturers

Thes two main manufacturers of lacrosse balls are Warrior Lacrosse and Brine, Corp. Warrior is the exclusive supplier of lacrosse balls to Major League Lacrosse with their orange "grippy" ball, while Brine is the official supplier of lacrosse balls to the NCAA.

=Rules=

International Lacrosse Federation

RULE 14 THE BALL:14.1 The ball shall be white or orange rubber and between 7.75 inches (19.69 centimetres) and 8 inches (20.32 centimetres) in circumference.:It shall be between 5 and 5.25 ounces in weight, and, when dropped onto a hard wooden floor from a height of 72 inches (1.83 m), shall bounce to a height of between 45 inches (114.3 centimetres) and 49 inches (124.46 centimetres).

:14.2 Balls shall be supplied by the home team and the ball in use at the end of the game shall become the property of the winning team.

:14.3 The home team shall provide ball persons with extra balls at each side and each corner of the field.:14.4 The ball persons shall wear helmets, gloves and, where appropriate, boxes/cups.:14.5 The ball persons shall be a minimum of 10 years of age.

:::– [http://intlaxfed.org/pdf/rules-2005.pdf International Lacrosse Federation: The Rules of Men's Field Lacrosse] (Section 2 Equipment)

Major League Lacrosse

In the MLL, the orange Warrior "grippy" ball is used "to help sports fans follow the game and to enhance the telecasts by making a great game even more fan-friendly, viewer-friendly and player-friendly". It was introduced at the 2002 All-Star Game. [cite web
url = http://majorleaguelacrosse.com/aboutmll/overview
title = Overview
accessdate = 2006-12-03
publisher = Major League Lacrosse]

Ball: The ball is colored fluorescent orange and is textured, making it less weather sensitive and gives players a better feel for the ball in the stick pocket. The orange ball helps fans follow the game and enhances televised games by making them more viewer friendly.

:::– [http://www.sanfranciscodragons.com/info/lax/ Major League Lacrosse rules]

National Lacrosse League

Rule 15: THE BALL:Only balls that have been approved by the NLL are permitted to be used. Balls shall be supplied by the home team and given to the Game Officials one (1) hour prior to game time.

:::– [http://www.nll.com/uploads/2007rulebook.pdf National Lacrosse League Official Rules: 2007 Season] (Section III- Equipment)

NCAA men's lacrosse

The Ball:SECTION 16. The ball shall be white, yellow, orange or lime green smooth solid rubber—between 7¾ and 8 inches in circumference, between 5 and 5¼ ounces in weight and, when dropped from a height of 72 inches upon a concrete floor, shall bounce 43 to 51 inches at a temperature of 65° to 70° Fahrenheit.

:Balls shall be supplied by the home team. The ball in use at the end of the game shall become the property of the winning team. The home team should provide a ball retriever at each end line.

:Ball retrievers (1) must be at least 10 years old, (2) must be available from the beginning of the contest until its completion, (3) shall be dressed so that their "uniform" colors do not blend with those of participating institutions and (4) are not permitted to stand directly behind the goal. In addition, the host institution is required to train, protect and provide for the safety of the ball retrievers.

:If the home team does not provide any ball retrievers, that team must supply an adequate number of balls. A minimum of four balls should be spaced equidistant from each other along the end line at the beginning of each period.

::A.R. 8. Team A supplies orange, lime green or yellow balls that meet specifications for game. Team B coach wants white balls to be used. RULING: A white ball shall be used, unless both coaches agree to use a different color ball.

::A.R. 9. At any time during the game, both coaches agree to change a different-colored ball. RULING: Legal.

:::– [http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_m_lacrosse_rules.pdf Official 2006 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rulebook] (Rule 1—The Game, Field and Equipment: Equipment)

Women's lacrosse

The Ball:::The ball must be yellow and made of solid rubber. The ball must be 7.75 - 8 inches in circumference and weigh 5 - 5.25 ounces.

:::– [http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/womens_rules.phtml Women's Condensed Lacrosse Rules] (Women's Lacrosse Equipment)

Girls' youth lacrosse

:::– [http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/girls_rules.phtml Official Rules for Girls' Youth Lacrosse] (Equipment)

References

External links

* [http://www.brine.com Brine Official Website]
* [http://www.warriorlacrosse.com Warrior Lacrosse Official Website]
* [http://www.laxforums.co.uk Lax Forums Official Web Site]