Ball Opinion

[PDad]

Don't really understand all this chatter. Does it really matter what ball is best? Your DD will need to pitch (or hit) whatever ball is used in HS or College.

Dudley CFP (NFHS) is the official ball for four (4) of the California HS sections (i.e. Northern, North Coast, Central and Southern). It is only required for playoffs in the Southern Section, but is commonly used throughout the HS season.

And for travel, you'll use whatever brand being is provided by the showcases. Even at friendlies, both teams provide balls, so it still barely matters. Furthermore, even if there IS a favorite brand, if we've figured out how to use HeyBucket, I'm sure we can manage Google searches to find good deals. But okay, I suppose it's nice to share a good website, if you've found a good deal. Fair enough.

Having said all that, the only really useful question asked
Excuse us. Other people have broader interests (e.g. people involved in buying balls for their HS).

(which has yet to be answered) involves what is the game ball used with either ASA or PGF?
If you're so smart, why didn't you answer that question instead of dishing attitude?
- ASA has certified balls with most, if not all, of the major brands. There is not a single standard game ball.
- Diamond is a PGF sponsor so I would expect that is the brand PGF used, at least for the National Championships. PGF uses HS rules, so I would expect an NFHS certified model.

Regardless of the various claims of what's "best", it DOES makes sense to buy practice balls to match what your team will be seeing at Qualifiers and Nationals. So don't focus on what's best. Focus on what is being used at the tourneys you'll play in.

Teams use balls for different purposes in practice - pitching, fielding and batting. I'm more concerned about using an economical ball (cost/lifespan) for BP than what is commonly used in games.

[Dugout Dad]

We buy the Dudley CFP (NFHS) just so our pitchers can get use to it for the HS season, but it is a poor quality ball. It turns mushy after one game and becomes worthless to use for practice. We have had luck with the Pro 9 for practice balls because they hold up for a few months and they cost an about $40 doz. I have a dozen Thunder balls in the bin that are still rock hard after a year of use, I think Dudley makes those.

[Fredegar]

Don't really understand all this chatter. Does it really matter what ball is best? Your DD will need to pitch (or hit) whatever ball is used in HS or College.

Dudley CFP (NFHS) is the official ball for four (4) of the California HS sections (i.e. Northern, North Coast, Central and Southern). It is only required for playoffs in the Southern Section, but is commonly used throughout the HS season.

And for travel, you'll use whatever brand being is provided by the showcases. Even at friendlies, both teams provide balls, so it still barely matters. Furthermore, even if there IS a favorite brand, if we've figured out how to use HeyBucket, I'm sure we can manage Google searches to find good deals. But okay, I suppose it's nice to share a good website, if you've found a good deal. Fair enough.

Having said all that, the only really useful question asked
Excuse us. Other people have broader interests (e.g. people involved in buying balls for their HS).

(which has yet to be answered) involves what is the game ball used with either ASA or PGF?
If you're so smart, why didn't you answer that question instead of dishing attitude?
- ASA has certified balls with most, if not all, of the major brands. There is not a single standard game ball.
- Diamond is a PGF sponsor so I would expect that is the brand PGF used, at least for the National Championships. PGF uses HS rules, so I would expect an NFHS certified model.

Regardless of the various claims of what's "best", it DOES makes sense to buy practice balls to match what your team will be seeing at Qualifiers and Nationals. So don't focus on what's best. Focus on what is being used at the tourneys you'll play in.

Point well taken. It wasn't my intention to have all the attitude. It's just that what started as an interesting topic seemed to be degenerating into a my DD prefers this/that, and I found it for $60, I found it for $69, I found it for $64 incl. shipping.

It didn't sound like anyone was asking for a HS purchase, but that's a good point.

You're right about another thing: I'm not smart enough to answer the question about PGF and ASA. Although I did take time to check. Spent time hunting on both ASA and PGF websites, under regulations, equipment, etc. and couldn't find information on the official ball. So I figured I'd repeat that question in the hopes it would get answered. Which you did. And you even included some HS info too. Thanks ... that was the best info posted yet.

[Safebyahare]

General Ball Opinion:
For pitching the Dudley CPF, A well built ball with high ridge seams for the pitcher to work her magic. Durable, long lasting.

For hitting:
2nd place is the Dudley CFP, again well built, long lasting, good pop, flies well. Lasts.
1st place is the Demarini Lighting (red label) A well built ball that does not loss its pop! This ball flies off bat to build confidence. Low to mid seams. price about $50. a dozen. If you are just hitting this IS the ball.

What do I know? Well,, what I do know is that I have bought, tested a variety of balls for just hitting with my dd. She hits about 200 balls a week into naked SB or BB field. (hitting into net or cage robs batter of where ball would truly go)
This alone has made all the difference, and I don't have to say anything, she can see for herself how hard or well she hit.

To say the type of ball you practice or play with doesn't matter is like saying it doesn't matter what bat she swings or what glove she uses. mmmm

The product that gives you what you want, and you are able to get your monies worth out of it, is the product you want.

[Crabby_Bob]

...
What do I know? Well,, what I do know is that I have bought, tested a variety of balls for just hitting with my dd. She hits about 200 balls a week into naked SB or BB field. (hitting into net or cage robs batter of where ball would truly go)
This alone has made all the difference, and I don't have to say anything, she can see for herself how hard or well she hit.
...

It's nice to have a yard that big.