Lacrosse ball

A lacrosse ball

A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used, with a lacrosse stick, to play the sport of lacrosse. It is typically white for men's lacrosse, or yellow for women's Lacrosse; but is also produced in a wide variety of colors.

The old NCAA specifications are:

Mass

140 g – 147 g

Diameter

62.7 mm – 64.7 mm

Rebound

From 1,800 height 1,092 – 1292 mm (70% rebound from falling point)

Rubber content

65%

According to the 2015 and 2016 Men's Lacrosse Rules and Interpretations: "The ball shall be white, yellow, orange or lime green smooth or slightly textured solid rubber. The ball must meet the current NOCSAE lacrosse ball standard." Later, in further defining the required specifications, the document states: "The measurements for the ball shall include the following: The ball shall be of white, yellow, or orange solid rubber. The ball may measure between 7 3/4 and 8 inches in circumference. The ball may weigh between 5 and 5 1/4 ounces in weight."

Beginning with the 2014 season, all three governing bodies for lacrosse in the United States (US Lacrosse, NFHS, NCAA) have mandated that only balls meeting the NOCSAE ball standard may be used for competition. Balls must be emblazoned with the words "Meets NOCSAE Standard" in order to be deemed legal for play by game officials.

Starting by June 2016, all lacrosse balls have had to meet the new NOCSAE Standard.

Manufacturers

The main manufacturers of lacrosse balls are, PEARL, Champion Sports, Champro Sports East Coast Dyes, Warrior, STX, and Brine.

On November 13, 2019 SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) and NOCSAE removed all Signature lacrosse balls from the approved balls for use in practice or play by US Lacrosse, NFHS and NCAA teams, leagues and programs. "At this time, there are currently no Signature Lacrosse balls that are listed on the SEI certified product list, which means that Signature Lacrosse balls are not considered legal for play."

In 2016, Guardian Innovations developed a new lacrosse ball-—made entirely of polyurethane. Being made of polyurethane rather than rubber, PEARL X will never become slick or harden over time like the other latex-rubber lacrosse balls. PEARL lacrosse balls are the official ball of U.S Lacrosse, which is the National Governing Board of Lacrosse, and Team USA. In 2019, PEARL lacrosse release the 1st SEI certified textured lacrosse ball, PEARL LT.

Brine is the exclusive supplier of lacrosse balls to Major League Lacrosse. In Canadian box lacrosse all balls must be Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) approved; the main brands used are Gait and Signature. Wolf Athletics is the official ball supplier of the Premier Lacrosse League.