Ping pong balls are the white spheres used in table tennis to hit the ball back and forth across a table. While they may seem simple, ping pong balls come in different qualities, materials, sizes, and colors. This article will discuss what makes ping pong balls special and why some prefer one material. We’ll also detail how to tell when you need a new ping pong ball!
Ping pong balls are used for varying levels of play. Starters might prefer an elementary ping pong ball made from rubber or other cheap materials, while intermediate will use a little more expensive and durable balls. Professional players will use ping pong balls made from plastic, which is the best material for a table tennis ball as it’s lightweight and provides excellent bounce, spin, and control.
The size of ping pong balls should be chosen based on your level of play. If you are starting, then a larger ball will be easier to control than a smaller ball. A large ping pong ball will also be easier to hit as it can generate more spin and speed, which is necessary for lower-level players. As you start playing ping pong, you’ll need to use a smaller ball if your aim is a little better. The 40mm size will be the standard for professional players who like more control and precision on their shots, so you’ll want to gear towards what the professionals use.
Professionals use the best ping pong balls or table tennis balls for a tournament, as they are the most consistent size and bounce. The size of the ball is also the same for all players. 40mm is the standard size for a ping pong ball. At the same time, other balls are 40+ mm. It is essential to constantly look at what the ITTF recommends for tournaments. The ITTF is the International Table Tennis Federation. Their role is to develop, promote, and organize the sport of table tennis. Table Tennis ball bounce is not a random chance event. The ITTF has created standards for ping pong balls to be of good quality and constant size.
You may have noticed that ping pong balls come in different colors and materials. The one you use is a personal preference but should be based on your level of play. A professional will most likely want to purchase a higher-quality table with balls made out of suitable material.
Celluloid and ABS materials have become popular with ping pong balls. Within those materials, different grades are graded by the coefficient of restitution. A ball with a high rate will bounce higher, for example. Each ball is categorized by the number of stars written on it. One star, two stars, and three-star balls are the most common. There are significant differences between each grade during a game or tournament, of which professionals will only use a 3-star quality.
Celluloid balls are produced with cellulose nitrate and camphor. They were the most popular material for table tennis until it was banned in 1977 due to its toxicity. Celluloid ping pong balls have a lower coefficient of restitution than ABS, but they return more energy when impacted with another ball, which enhances spin control. It may be possible to purchase a celluloid balls, but it is hard to find since most factories don’t make them anymore due to its explosive capabilities.
ABS ping pong balls are a material called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. These are a type of plastic which become increasingly common to use. It has a higher coefficient of restitution than celluloid, and its hardness is comparable. ABS ping pong balls are the most common type used in professional table tennis today.
When is it time to replace your table tennis ball?
After playing with it for an extended period, the ping pong ball will start to lose its bounciness. If you notice that your ping pong ball bounces lower than usual or starts skipping on the table, then it is time to change out the ball. Since these balls are mass-produced, you will find that some balls will last longer than others. Either way, they will wear out over time. Therefore, having plenty on hand for your next game is a wise idea.
Ping pong balls are essential for any game and can be used by anyone, regardless of their skill level. There is no ‘best’ ping pong ball to use as all professional players have different preferences!Â
Did you ever wonder about the history of the ping pong ball?
The table tennis ball has been a significant part of competitive ping pong since its creation in the late 1800s. Ping pong was invented by two people named Mr. F. J. Thomas and James Gibb as an indoor game that could substitute tennis during the winter months when it was too cold to play outside on grass courts, where traditional outdoor ping pong was played at the time.
Celluloid ping pong balls are the oldest type of Ping Pong Ball. They were first produced in 1896 by John Jaques & Son Ltd. of England. At that time, it was a newly invented and expensive material derived from cotton or nitrocellulose.
The first to invent the ABS ping pong balls were by the D.R.T in the 1950s. It all started when the DRT company was assigned to provide materials for ping pong balls in a contract with John Jaques & Son Ltd., and they came up with ABS as an alternative material that could be used instead of celluloid. These were initially called “Synthetic Balls.” Not that long after, the name “ABS Balls” became more prevalent.
In 1965 John Jaques & Son Ltd. stopped production of celluloid balls and switched to ABS, but for some time, they produced both types in parallel since there was a transitional period before the old celluloid stock ran out.
So those that like the celluloid balls know that ABS is just as good and can provide an equally competitive game.
Also Read:Â How to choose the correct ping pong paddle
