{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"db335222-2bba-447b-ab67-eec312a092b7","tenantuid":"45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903","projectuid":"4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919","title":"What Is a Pickleball? (the Ball Itself)","slug":"article/what-is-a-pickleball-the-ball-itself","html":"\u003Cp\u003EA pickleball is a hard, hollow polymer (rigid plastic) ball perforated with round holes, roughly the same size as a baseball but significantly lighter. The holes reduce air resistance and shape the ball\u0027s distinctive flight characteristics, which is a major part of what makes pickleball feel different from tennis, paddle tennis, or any other racquet sport.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022construction_and_materials\u0022\u003EConstruction and Materials\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPickleballs are typically made from a durable plastic polymer, most commonly a variation of polyethylene. The seamless one-piece construction is molded with evenly spaced circular holes around the entire surface. The exact number, size, and arrangement of holes differs between indoor and outdoor balls, which is the primary engineering distinction between the two types.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022specifications\u0022\u003ESpecifications\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDiameter:\u003C/b\u003E Approximately 2.87\u20132.97 inches, per USA Pickleball specifications.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWeight:\u003C/b\u003E Approximately 0.78\u20130.935 ounces.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EColor:\u003C/b\u003E Must be a single uniform color for sanctioned play, with no texturing on the surface.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBounce:\u003C/b\u003E Specific bounce height requirements apply for USA Pickleball-approved balls used in sanctioned competition.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ENote\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor sanctioned tournament play, the ball must appear on USA Pickleball\u0027s official approved ball list. For recreational and casual play, any quality ball from a major manufacturer that matches your playing surface (indoor or outdoor) will work fine \u2014 you don\u0027t need an approved ball for everyday games. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleballcentral.com/balls/\u0022\u003EPickleball Central\u003C/a\u003E carries approved balls from all major brands for both indoor and outdoor play.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022why_the_holes_matter\u0022\u003EWhy the Holes Matter\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe perforations aren\u0027t just for weight reduction \u2014 they fundamentally shape how the ball moves through the air. The holes create drag that slows the ball compared to a solid plastic ball of the same size, which is part of why pickleball rallies can be sustained at a controlled pace even at the net, unlike the much faster ball speeds in tennis. The number and placement of holes also affects spin response, which is why indoor and outdoor balls behave differently when players try to apply spin.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022frequently_asked_questions\u0022\u003EFrequently Asked Questions\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022whats_the_difference_between_an_indoor_and_outdoor_pickleball\u0022\u003EWhat\u0027s the difference between an indoor and outdoor pickleball?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndoor balls typically have 26 larger holes and are lighter and softer, designed for smooth gym floors. Outdoor balls have 40 smaller holes and are heavier and harder, built to handle wind and rougher surfaces like asphalt or concrete.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022can_a_pickleball_be_reused_after_it_cracks\u0022\u003ECan a pickleball be reused after it cracks?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo \u2014 once a pickleball develops a visible crack, it should be replaced. A cracked ball bounces inconsistently and can affect both play quality and, in some cases, present a minor safety concern if pieces begin to break off during play.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022related_articles\u0022\u003ERelated Articles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/pickleball-equipment-guide-balls-shoes-and-gear\u0022\u003EPickleball Equipment Guide: Balls, Shoes \u0026amp; Gear\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/how-long-does-a-pickleball-last\u0022\u003EHow Long Does a Pickleball Last?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuestions about pickleball equipment? Email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pickleball.com\u0022\u003Esupport@pickleball.com\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","author":{"authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","name":"Christy Cook","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/","photo_url":"https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/4fd2cf59-047a-4a00-8a6d-2d9c6c9f91fe.jpg?v=1114665229","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Learn about pickleball balls: construction, materials, differences between indoor/outdoor, specifications, flight characteristics, and care for optimal play.","keywords":"polymer ball;perforated holes;air resistance;flight characteristics;polyethylene;indoor vs outdoor;diameter;weight;bounce;spin response","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"sort_order":24,"total_views":90,"date_stale":"2026-08-31T00:00:00","date_published":"2026-06-30T10:14:10.82","date_updated":"2026-07-07T00:04:58.317","date_created":"2026-06-30T09:52:12.143"}}}