New Ball to be Introduced after London Olympics

Originally posted by Speedplay Regarding the tolerance, I found this on OOAK, from a reply made by Adham; "The only change, which has nothing to do with the new balls, but is a modification to the current rules (regardless of the type of ball) is that the size tolerance will be implemented only upwards. " Which to me reads out as the new tolerance will apply for both the new plastic balls and celluloid balls.

If your quote is correct, then it's content is a complete BS, because the new tolerance will not apply to celluloid balls. Here is the full text of the decision passed (proposition 22 on the page 9):

"Proposed by the Equipment Committee
 
To modify Technical Leaflet T3, The Ball (B.3 Size conformity); only
applying to balls not made of celluloid
 
The minimum diameter of every ball must be  at least  39.50mm 40.00mm and  its maximum diameter must not exceed  40.50mm 40.60mm. The sample mean average diameter, i.e. the mean of the average of the maximum and minimum diameters for each ball, must be in the range  39.60-40.40mm  40.00-40.50mm.   Values below 39.25mm 39.70mm or above 40.75mm are considered in our calculations as outliers."

Please, pay close attention to the words "only applying to balls not made of celluloid".

http://www.ittf.com/world_events/wttc_2011/Propositions_to_AGM_BoD_2011_Results_updated.pdf

Sure, sure, the new size specifications 40--40.5mm is only mandatory for plastic balls to come afterwards, not for celluloid balls now in use.
Truth to say, the bigger balls of celluloid material would come somewhat a disaster on the manufacturers, as a greater diameter will mean a thinner ball's shell and a poor quality.

Earlier in the years 1998-2005, there was a number of production experiments to create celluloid specimens exactly of 40mm and yet of good quality. No luck at all.
ALL the specimens would come out with a thin, brittle shell, short of lifespan and were deemed unmarketable.
So. manfrs have had no other choice but to restrict the ball diameter to the lower size end.
Now you can understand why balls of celluloid, other than <40mm, can not be found on market nowdays.

NB.This info by courtesy of a fellow umpire of mines who has a great passion of tt-collectibles and is well-read about how the pingpong industry works.



Edited by igorponger - 09/24/2011 at 2:12am

So will all ITTF tournaments start using these 40mm balls? I'm kind of lost...

For instance TT Newby

Originally posted by Mastermind Originally posted by igorponger Earlier in the years 1998-2005, there was a number of production experiments to create celluloid specimens exactly of 40mm and yet of good quality. No luck at all. ALL the specimens would come out with a thin, brittle shell, short of lifespan and were deemed unmarketable. So. manfrs have had no other choice but to restrict the ball diameter to the lower size end. Yeah, but it is just your guess. Anyway, even if it is true (unlike your information about plastic balls already in use at the ITTF tournaments), the problem could be solved by increasing the weight of the ball (requires a rule change) and not by changing the material (requires lying about "celluloid ban", hazards, being not allowed on planes etc.). Sucking money out the players still remains the likeliest motivation behind the whole thing, imho.

a new plot by the bearded for slowing down the playing again

Not yet, as soon as I see some I'm buying them so I can get used to it early but I haven't seen any yet

Originally posted by bluebucket Not yet, as soon as I see some I'm buying them so I can get used to it early but I haven't seen any yet

====================================================

They're 40mm? I thought it was going to be a tad bigger.

Originally posted by ttEDGE - William Here is a preview of the new plastic balls that Wang Liqin gave me in Dortmund last week. NewPlasticBallsVideo

Thanks! It gives me a basic idea...and one surprize...that the ball broke that quickly!

William....thanks for that little video update on the new ball.  What you found out with that experience is pretty much what I felt the new plastic ball would be like, except for the spin test for roundness. WOW  that was pretty surprising to see it was wobbling and not more perfect than the average high quality 3 star ball.  To me, that seems like the biggest downfall right there.  I wonder what the result would be if you got a box of 100 or so to spin test.

After you and a few others got to hit with the new ball and tested different serves, returns, spins, and such.....were you left with thinking something like.... " I will need firmer sponge with more tack or grip on the top sheet, and also a faster blade" ?

After all this time and getting this in depth report......seems like the change will either be longer off then we thought......or many are going to be more upset with this change than the other big changes in the sport.

 

Thanks William

How did you get the balls from Wang Liqin? Does he know some english?

Dont make the weight more, reduce the size to what it used to be.

Originally posted by ttEDGE - William The change is set for July 1, 2014 and I have a feeling it will be stuck to whatever happens. I am hopeful that this will be a good change, despite the track record of other recent changes.

Originally posted by benfb Great video and much appreciated by everyone, I'm sure.  I was quite happy when they pushed it back to 2014 but I'm not convinced that that date is fixed either.  Unlike the unenforcable rule regarding boosters, the change to plastic balls won't work if the technology isn't there.  The fact that ITTF has already postponed the change twice suggests that they understand this.   By the way, I heard that when the last tested plastic balls (late 70s to early 80s), the problem wasn't just cracks in the ball but also dents.  It seemed that if you hit the sharp edge of your paddle those balls didn't return to proper shape. Do you experience this at all?

Don't get me started on boosters or I don't know where I will end up... The Athletes Commission very strongly recommended that the new ball be pushed back as it would have been a joke to bring the balls in after the 2012 Olympics. How much weight this carried is hard to say.

I'd say the new date will be final but I don't know for sure. These new balls feel good however the durability question is still hanging and I don't know how much change will be needed to fix it.

It's funny you mention the old old balls! I had another go with the plastic balls this morning (we noticed a huge difference in serves today - much less spin) and Ferenc Karsai (Austrian national coach) whipped out some 38mm plastic balls from the beginning of time. Barna balls that were made in England. The old old plastic ball played better than the new plastic balls and there was less of a difference in spin. Ferenc said that they were very hard and that they were prone to breaking if you happened to hit the ball with the top edge of your racket. He didn't mention dents.

I was born in '82 so a little before my time