Basketballs were first manufactured around 1894 by Albert G Spalding. The basketball as we know it came about in 1934, with the official size 7, or 30”, being decided as the standard basketball size for men. The smaller women’s size was officially recognized much later.
Basketballs have three parts, the outer shell, the inner core, and the innermost bladder. The outer shell maybe made of leather, composite leather, synthetic leather, or rubber. The core is made of rubber or sponge, or a mix of both. The bladder is generally made of butyl rubber. Apart from these materials, basketballs for recreational games or children’s matches are made of materials as varied as plastic and foam.
Leather basketballs are suitable only for indoor play. If used outdoors, they tend to crack easily. Composite leather basketballs, on the other hand, are good for both indoor and outdoors play. But for playing outdoors on rough surfaces, rubber basketballs are the best.
There are other factors to be kept in mind while selecting a basketball. Does it afford a good grip? The Wilson Evolution series, for example, have a Dura fiber cover which helps the fingers grip the ball tightly.
Also, the bounce of the basketball must be smooth. This is ensured by even pebbling and wide channels on the surface of the ball. The third most important factor is durability- does the basketball retain it’s bounce after regular use or goes flat after a few weeks play?
Size and weight are also important factors while choosing a basketball. Almost all basketball retailers offer the NBA prescribed size chart that you can consult before purchasing a basketball.
Then there is the question of price- it is important to remember that expensive brands may not always give value for money. If you choose expensive basketballs with snazzy designs, they may not be able to last the rigors of outdoor play.
It is important to remember that one brand cannot fulfill all the above criteria and one has to choose from the many varieties available in the market. Each type of basketball has its own advantages and disadvantages.
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Wilson Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsAfter Spalding, Wilson is perhaps the most trusted name when it comes to basketballs. Wilson basketballs are endorsed by the NCAA and the Women’s NCAA. The main Wilson basketball series are the official NCAA, Evolution, Solution, and Collegiate. Wilson basketballs are usually made of composite...
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Spalding Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsSpalding is perhaps the most respected and popular brand when it comes to basketballs. Spalding, a brainchild of Albert Goodwill Spalding, was created in 1876, and was the first firm to manufacture balls specifically for the game of basketball. According to the survey website epinions.com,...
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Nike Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsNike, unlike Wilson or Spalding, does not create equipment exclusively for basketball. For this reason, Nike basketballs are not quite as popular among basketball pros and aficionados as the Wilson or Spalding. Basketball professionals may not quite swear by Nike balls, but they still have...
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Imprinted Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsImprinted basketballs are a great idea for promos, fund raising, and corporate events. They are popular as souvenirs and mementos, and even customized gifts. Imprinted basketballs are retailed by many websites. Imprinted basketballs are almost always available in bulk, since corporate and promotional companies order...
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Plastic Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsPlastic basketballs are mainly used for advertising during basketball games, showing support for a particular team, as fun invitation to parties and get together, or as souvenirs. Plastic basketballs are very inexpensive, usually costing around $1-$3. Many websites and stores retailing plastic basketballs also customize...
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Wholesale Basketballs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsPurchasing basketballs wholesale is a good option for basketball leagues, training centers, schools and institutions promoting basketball. Buying basketballs in bulk is a good way to get a large number of basketballs without spending much money. The reason non-individual users prefer buying basketballs wholesale is...
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Basketball Sizes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsThe NBA has specified basketball sizes not just for official men’s, women’s, and junior league games, but also unofficial games for children and youth. These size specifications help you choose the right ball for yourself or your children, and it is recommended that they be...
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Softball Equipment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsThrough the passing of time, the game as well as the equipment of the game of softball have developed to a great extent. Among the various components of the game of softball, the most important ones are the ball itself, gloves, the bat, the jersey,...
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Golf Balls
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsThe golf ball roots are harbored on the Eastern Coast in Scotland, where golf balls were first made of hardwood like Beech and Boxroot. In 1618, the next type of golf ball, the featherie ball, came into existence. This golf ball was manufactured using wet...
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Bowling Balls
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsBowling balls are of different kinds and different materials. They are of different sizes as well. However, all balls have one essential feature: they have holes in them in which a player can stick the fingers and thumb for a grip. The bowling ball is...
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