utility ball
Illustration — Red utility ball with grips visible • Illustration — Blue, orange, and yellow utility balls among other sports balls A utility ball is a spherical, inflated ball used in several kinds of playground games and sports. It is also known as a playground ball or named after the games in which it is used, such as dodgeball and kickball. Utility balls were introduced in the mid-20th century and have continued to be used in various games.
Also recorded as playground ball · cherry ball · dodgeball · kickball
utility ball
Celine Nadeau · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Illustration — Red utility ball with grips visible • Illustration — Blue, orange, and yellow utility balls among other sports balls A utility ball is a spherical, inflated ball used in several kinds of playground games and sports. It is also known as a playground ball or named after the games in which it is used, such as dodgeball and kickball. Utility balls were introduced in the mid-20th century and have continued to be used in various games.
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wikidata · Q117286674 · wikipedia · Utility ball
In this article
History
History
The first dedicated utility balls were introduced by American manufacturer Voit shortly after World War II and became popular within a few years, being adapted to several games such as dodgeball and kickball that had previously been played with harder objects, like basketballs. The softer ball was safer and easier to adapt to other games, such as four square.
Specifications
Specifications
Utility balls are typically made of polyvinyl chloride or rubber and have a diameter of 8.5 in and weigh between 11.6 to 13.3 oz. The balls are often made with ribbing for grip and are inflated to 2 psi.
A red playground ball in the middle of the school yard.
David Morris
Close-up of an orange playground ball
jakerome
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q117286674: utility ball
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Utility ball”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Chetwynd, Josh. The Secret History of Balls: The Stories Behind the Things We Love to Catch, Whack, Throw, Kick, Bounce and Bat. Perigee Trade. 174–175. 2011. 9780399536748.
- 2.Applebaum, Ben. Recess: From Dodgeball to Double Dutch. Chronicle Books, LLC. 134. 2016-02-23. 9781452146287.
- 3.Foster, J. Paul. Four Squares. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. 26. 3. 63. March 1955.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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