Testing plastic ball

Edited by bogeyhunter - 06/28/2013 at 11:28pm

Rich215 wrote: Bogey...not sure how much time you got to use the plastic ball there besides what these vids show.....Im guessing you got a hold of the Palio seamless ones? YES. Just out of curiosity, what is your impression of the best equipment need for the new plastic ball? Less spin ...still some. Harder to counter loop. Better to take at highest and BLAST it.  Would a fairly stiff or much faster blade then one would normally use.... along with some tacky rubber seem like the go? Don't know...Just played with it for 30 mins. Need to play more. Will various types of any pips not be of much use with the new plastic balls? Can't say much from 30 mins. I still think my level won't drop. The biggest issue is the wacky bounce. See at 4:42 set 1 with Peter?  Thanks for showing those vids....gives a good perspective of what is to be expected with you hitting against Peter.....besides the nasty glass/tin cracking sound the plastic balls have that we have already know about for some time.  (maybe seamed ones will not be as bad sounding?)

I'm hoping that the seamed polyballs perform a lot better, than the seamless ball that you were playing with in the video.

A few years ago; the local school where I get involved in coaching, got a load of cheap balls off the internet and they were obviously factory rejects. All of them had a defect of some kind and like your seamless polyball; the majority of them weren't round either.

The walls looked thinner than a normal 3 star ball and some of the seams weren't perfectly aligned either; which meant they bounced differently off the table or bat; depending on whether the ball contact was on the seam or on the sides of the ball.

As a result; they were the worst balls I've ever played with; due to the inconsistency of their bounce and they also broke a lot easier than a 3 star ball too.

Your comment about it being harder to counter loop with the seamless polyball makes sense, as an inconsistent bounce does make it harder to judge how a ball might kick off the table and the contact point of the ball on your bat; will also affect your shot too.

Bearing in mind a lot of prototype balls will have been made; it makes me wonder how many of those have been released onto the market and are factory ejects too.

It's possible the three seamless polyballs you obtained were factory rejects too. Lets hope so because it doesn't sound like the kind of ball a lot of us would be happy playing with; if that were the norm.

Peter C wrote: I'm hoping that the seamed polyballs perform a lot better, than the seamless ball that you were playing with in the video. A few years ago; the local school where I get involved in coaching, got a load of cheap balls off the internet and they were obviously factory rejects. All of them had a defect of some kind and like your seamless polyball; the majority of them weren't round either. The walls looked thinner than a normal 3 star ball and some of the seams weren't perfectly aligned either; which meant they bounced differently off the table or bat; depending on whether the ball contact was on the seam or on the sides of the ball. As a result; they were the worst balls I've ever played with; due to the inconsistency of their bounce and they also broke a lot easier than a 3 star ball too. Your comment about it being harder to counter loop with the seamless polyball makes sense, as an inconsistent bounce does make it harder to judge how a ball might kick off the table and the contact point of the ball on your bat; will also affect your shot too. Bearing in mind a lot of prototype balls will have been made; it makes me wonder how many of those have been released onto the market and are factory ejects too. It's possible the three seamless polyballs you obtained were factory rejects too. Lets hope so because it doesn't sound like the kind of ball a lot of us would be happy playing with; if that were the norm.

I also got 3 balls - all 3 at different times.
I suspect 2 of them is consider your "factory" rejects. One of given to me by a Chinese Taipei junior team coach though.... another one I bought at a reputable shop.

I also think seem poly ball will be better and chance of less egg shape more.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Please bear in mind
-- Altogether, there are now 42 factories all over China engaged in producing plastic balls of every size and coloration. None is fit well for serious play.
Do not confuse child's amusement ball/ beer-pong ball with those specifically designed for professional sporting activities.

Before you come out here with some "nowelty" plastic ball, see if it is marked with "40+". It is a sure index of a sporting ball from a sport goods supplier.

Ever Yours,
igorponger


Cassandra's prophetic utterance.
It makes every point upon the plastic balls.

Edited by igorponger - 07/18/2013 at 9:21pm

my ones were in bits dents every where

The sound is surely the worst part.

Even worse... you are sandwiched between two tight tables where on each side the J-pen crowd is plugging away with the new plastic ball ping-crack-BAM while CHOing away at each shot. Simply time to call a break for a meal and order a few 500 CC of draft beer to forget about it all.

Edited by BH-Man - 08/24/2013 at 12:50am

seguso wrote: cole_ely wrote: The sound is surely the worst part. But do you get used to it, or...

Seems like we will.  Either that or just quit playing. 

As a hardbat player, it doesn't bother me quite as much.  Probably because my bat already makes more noise than most.

I am surprised nobody already bought a gross to sell some on the forum as testing gear; I would buy a few if somebody volunteers; maybe a good soul will kindly accept to be of assistance ? (wink-wink)

have just discovered the best celluloid balls to meet all my needs perfectly well. Excellent quality along with dirty cheap price. I love those so much.
I shall never give up those lovely balls.

HEREBY,
I would take the opportunity to declare in public a sheer boycott to all the plastics.Yes.

Long live with natural celluloise balls !!!

fatt wrote: I am surprised nobody already bought a gross to sell some on the forum as testing gear; I would buy a few if somebody volunteers; maybe a good soul will kindly accept to be of assistance ? (wink-wink)

Since none are ITTF approved yet, I'm sure most dealers would not carry them.

Variations between the different plastic balls so far seem huge... so if they're all going to be approved, it means you'll need to practice with the right balls used at the different tournaments, or you'll be at a disadvantage. This is quite negative for our sport.

Mine don't seem to have any ittf markings

cole_ely wrote: Mine don't seem to have any ittf markings

They won't be allowed to mark them 'ittf approved' until they're actually approved.