Tennis Ball

In order to play tennis, of course, one must have a tennis ball. Like other sports, tennis requires a specific type of ball that is made with material safe for the sport of tennis. Tennis balls are made similar to a baseball, only the color and weight are different. Though different materials have been used throughout its history, today a tennis ball is made of a core cork. Tennis ball specifications may vary, but the tennis ball diameter is about 2-1/2 inches, and the weight of a tennis ball is about two ounces. The inside of a tennis ball is hollow and includes cloth-covered rubber. The types of tennis balls may vary by manufacturer, although Penn tennis balls seem to be the most commonly used type.

The making of a tennis ball can also differ somewhat depending upon the company making the ball, but the specifications are only allow to vary slightly, especially as it pertains to the weight. Though tennis balls normally weight about two ounces, they may not weigh more than 2-1/16 ounces. These specifications have been determined based upon the needs of the tennis player and what they require the ball to do. It is also a safety measure in order to prevent injury in case of an out of control ball. If you view a tennis ball cross section, you can see it has been put together and thus better understand the facts of tennis ball construction.

In addition to its use in playing tennis, another use is of a tennis ball t-shirt for sleep apnea. This involves taking a tennis ball and sewing it into the back of a piece of clothing like a t-shirt in order a sleep apnea sufferer from sleeping on his or her back in cases where the condition is worsened by this sleeping position. Some experts do not have complete faith in the theory, but it is a method worth researching for potential benefits to those who suffer from this condition.

Tennis balls are also used to make a tennis ball bomb, but this is highly discouraged. It involves cutting a hole into the ball and inserting an igniter such as a match and then dropping the ball on the ground. Similar in concept to the "cherry bomb," it can be quite dangerous if anyone is close to the ball or if it should venture beyond the area where it is originally thrown.