Table Tennis Balls

Types of balls

Historically,, there have been 3 types of Ping Pong balls used: celluloid, plastic, and seamless plastic.

Celluloid Balls: Celluloid balls were the standard for many years in table tennis. They are made from celluloid material and have a consistent bounce and feel. However, due to environmental concerns and safety issues related to their manufacturing process, celluloid balls have been largely phased out in favor of plastic balls.
Plastic Balls: Plastic balls have become the standard in modern table tennis. They are made from plastic materials such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or polyethylene. Plastic balls offer greater durability and consistency compared to celluloid balls. They also have slightly different playing characteristics, such as a slightly higher bounce and less spin compared to celluloid balls.
Seamless Plastic Balls: Seamless plastic balls are a variation of plastic balls where the seam, which is present in traditional plastic balls, is eliminated. Seamless balls are designed to offer more consistent bounce and spin, as the absence of a seam reduces the likelihood of irregularities in flight and bounce. Seamless balls are often preferred by professional players and in high-level competitions for their superior performance.

Every ball has its own unique characteristics and advantages, and players may have personal preferences based on their playing style and preferences. Nevertheless, for official competitions, the type of ball used is typically regulated by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which sets standards for size, weight, and material composition to ensure fair and consistent play.

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