We’ve covered the process of choosing the perfect pickleball balls, but what about the manufacturing process? What is a pickleball made of?
Today, Pickle Goddesses is diving into the fascinating world of pickleball manufacturing. This blog post will be a mix of pickleball history and material science, so prepare for a fascinating journey!
The Basics of Pickleball Balls
We all know the shape of a pickleball. It’s a hollow plastic sphere with multiple holes.
Outdoor balls have 26 larger holes; indoor balls have 40 smaller holes.
Most competition-ready pickleball balls are colored tennis green. It’s that distinct neon color that’s about halfway between yellow and green. Think of it as a holdover from its sister sport, tennis. Originally, this color was chosen for its vivid contrast against the firebrick red clay of most tennis courts. However, the distinctive hue has since become more of a stylistic choice on modern multicolored pickleball courts.
The Differences Between a Pickleball Ball and a Wiffle Ball
Thanks to this distinct design, many casual onlookers often confuse pickleballs with wiffle balls.
Obviously, there are some key differences.
A genuine Wiffle® ball bears its namesake branding. It will be a white ball — about the size of a baseball — with eight oblong holes spread across half its plastic surface. They’re lightweight and flexible, providing plenty of give when impacted by a baseball bat. While Wiffle® balls were originally part of the sport, players have since switched to purpose-built pickleball balls.
And — unlike the Wiffle® ball — these perforated plastic balls have a thicker wall and less flexibility. Balls following official rules must be 2.87–2.97 inches (73–75 millimeters) in diameter, well below the 9-inch (229-millimeter) standard for Wiffle® balls. Moreover, pickleballs have either 26 or 40 round holes covering their surface.
The Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleballs
Another critical difference between a pickleball and a Wiffle® ball is its specificity.
There are two types of pickleballs.
Indoor balls are made from softer plastic. Their surface is covered with 26 holes (usually 10 millimeters wide), as wind resistance shouldn’t be a factor indoors! Most weigh less than outdoor balls. These factors make for gentle balls that bounce well on smooth indoor surfaces (like laminate, tile, and wood) without damaging them.
Conversely, outdoor balls are made from a denser, more durable plastic. 40 smaller holes dot its surface to give it plenty of wind resistance. They often weigh more and are tough on softer materials, making them inappropriate choices for indoor courts. However, an outdoor ball can withstand wind and wear better than an equivalent indoor ball.
In both cases, pickleball balls must have a smooth surface without bumps or embellishments. Most are cast from plastic in a single, uniform color. Cheaper pickleball balls are often made in two halves and then melted together to form a sphere. High-end balls are made of a single plastic cast within a rotating mold.
Common Official USA Pickleball-Approved Pickleball Materials
With that in mind, it’s time to answer the question we posed in the title of this blog post.
We already know that pickleballs are made of plastic, but there are many types of plastic.
Technically, the rules do not specify the materials required for either indoor or outdoor balls. Rather, USA Pickleball rules simply call for a “durable” material. This means that any hard material can be used in pickleball production. However, most pickleball balls are made of hard plastic.
(There are also two major nonstandard materials used for casual pickleball players. Foam is used in pickleball balls produced for quiet play, although newer, high-end quiet pickleball balls are now in development. Foam is not considered an official material. Many players also complain that foam balls dramatically alter the game. The second nonstandard material, resin, is often used to bind materials in eco-friendly recycled pickleballs.)
This often leads to the question of recyclability.
Are pickleball balls recyclable? Sometimes. Unfortunately, most balls are made with proprietary material blends. Few balls are truly recyclable, and it’s often safer to throw away broken or damaged pickleballs.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE or HDPE-2)
More commonly used in outdoor balls, HDPE bears a resin identification number of two.
As you probably guessed from its name, HDPE is a dense material. It creates hard, heavy balls that are best kept on an outdoor court surface. Their strength ensures the ball’s flight is true and strong, although that same perk may result in eventual cracking or splitting.
Beyond the pickleball court, you’ll find HDPE in milk jugs, playground equipment, and plastic crates.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE or LDPE-4)
This flexible, durable plastic is commonly found in snap-on lids, plastic bags, and playground slides. It’s hard enough to resist abuse without cracking yet soft enough to bounce well on indoor and outdoor surfaces. LDPE also offers a fair amount of weather resistance, although it tends to degrade faster when exposed to direct sunlight.
LDPE pickleball balls are not recyclable. Their low melting point often ruins batches of recycled plastic, resulting in discarded batches of plastic waste. Many players opt to repurpose worn balls instead, giving them new life as garden décor.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Yes, this is the same material used in your house’s pipes!
PVC is a flexible yet durable material for both indoor and outdoor pickleballs. It generally produces lighter balls. Its properties make for a splendidly smooth molded material with consistent bounce. However, it is not recyclable. In fact, most manufacturers using PVC add additional chemicals and various synthetic materials to produce more consistent performance results.
Does the Material Matter?
Generally, the construction of a pickleball ball doesn’t have a massive impact on a player’s performance. The only exception is foam, which drastically changes the feel and pace of a pickleball game. Otherwise, your playing style will be more dependent on your pickleball paddles. After all, these are your main tools!
However, choosing the wrong ball for a pickleball game can ruin the experience.
Despite being a relatively new sport, pickleball’s rapid growth has led to massive advancements in the sport’s scientific achievements. You’ll quickly find that choosing an indoor ball for outdoor games is just as bad as using outdoor balls on an indoor court.
Indoor Balls Are for Indoor Play
We’ve already mentioned it, but we must stress the importance of using indoor balls on indoor courts. Aside from better flight and consistent play, indoor balls reduce wear and tear on the softer materials used to surface indoor courts.
The heavier ball used in outdoor play will, conversely, leave dents and tears in the playing surface. It may seem trivial, but that damage adds up! Eventually, you’ll be faced with worn-down and unplayable indoor courts.
Outdoor Balls Are for Outdoor Play
Now, you won’t see any material damage from using an indoor ball outdoors, but you will see a drop in performance.
Balls meant for outdoor use feature fewer holes and heavier materials. This means they resist wind and weather conditions better than an indoor ball. More importantly, they stand up to the stresses of cold, heat, and rain. Exposing indoor pickleball balls to the same conditions may degrade the product, resulting in early splitting and cracking.
That’s not to say you can do as you please with your outdoor pickleball balls. Those, too, will eventually break. Every ball is subject to wear and tear. If you’re an avid pickleball player, you’ll likely be replacing your pickleballs from time to time. Moreover, thanks to the increased stresses of outdoor play, outdoor balls are more prone to breaking.
Learn More and Play Better
And that’s that!
We didn’t list every possible material. However, we covered three common plastics used to craft high-quality pickleball balls.
Are you still ready to learn more?
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