The Ladders – Just another Home & Outdoor Activities site

Welcome to the world of sports. Isn’t playing crosshead fascinating? But what is the crosshead? Lacrosse, to the amateur, is a stick game that requires a lot of teamwork. It is a sport first played by Native Americans in as early as 1100 AD.

The game has, however, evolved into a competitive sport. As history records, over thirty countries took part in the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship games. There is hope after all!

According to research, modern-day players use the head of a lacrosse stick to carry, shoot, and score goals using a crosshead ball. Sticks used, anyhow, vary depending on the lacrosse game you are playing. It is a game built on principles.

Types of Lacrosse Versions

Different crosshead classes demand the use of contrasting stick models, fields, playing equipment, and game rules. The most common lacrosse categories today include:

Women’s lacrosse
Intercrosse
Box lacrosse
Field lacrosse

Similarities and Differences

The field and box lacrosse games are men’s favorite. They involve a lot of push and pull, meaning players have to wear protective gear at all times. Field crosshead is, anyway, an outdoor game. Box lacrosse, on the other side, attracts indoor competitors.

Female players, too, have a chance at the sport. Women’s lacrosse offers damsels an opportunity to compete without making physical contact. Stick to stick touch is, however, permissible. Last but not least is the intercrosse game.

Competitors of either gender can take part in intercrosse tournaments. Physical contact is, anyway, restricted. Besides, intercrosse is an all-indoor activity that encourages players to use plastic sticks and softballs for play. But there is one constant we cannot overlook. All crosshead versions require a lacrosse ball to play.

But What is a Lacrosse Ball Made of?

A lacrosse ball bears a lot of similarities with the standard tennis ball, size-wise. The crosshead orb is, however, smaller and bulkier than the average tennis ball. Recall, a standard lacrosse ball weighs 5.25 ounces while an averagely sized tennis ball measures at about 2 ounces. In brief, the crosshead ball is a certified badass.

Components Used to Make the Orb

Surprise! Surprise! Making the lacrosse ball is easy. The orb, unlike all other spheres, does not require a lot of customizations. It is as pale as its name.

You only need to pour vulcanized rubber into a matrix and give it enough time to harden. But there is more. You must use vulcanized rubber to achieve a durable product.

For the record, vulcanized rubber is the most preferred material for manufacture. Remember, it is a stable petroleum product that makes the orb durable. In brief, it is what you need to build a masterpiece.

The Process

Ball production begins with cast development. The matrix must, however, conform to committee oversight’s standards. For example, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment specifies a circumference of between 7.75 and 8 inches. Anything lower or higher than that has to go through reproduction.

You can then pour vulcanized rubber into the cast and let it settle. Vulcanized rubber is better than natural rubber because of its molecular stability. It is the best option to cast a long-lasting ball.

How to Create Vulcanized Rubber

Vulcanized rubber is not naturally occurring. It is a synthetic polymer made by mixing natural rubber with sulfur compounds at high pressure and temperatures. But it all starts with pouring the natural rubber into a matrix.

The manufacturer then increases pressure and temperature to facilitate vulcanization. Cooling then gets introduced. It gives the cast more than enough time to harden and yields a perfectly spherical lacrosse ball.

All balls then get stamped with the manufacturer’s code depending on color. Yellow balls go to the women’s team. Men, on the other side, can use white, orange, or yellow balls. Everything gets done as per the developer standards.

Final Take

7 Benefits of Using a Hammock Ridgeline

Lacrosse is a sport that has gained traction in recent years. In the real sense, it is a global phenomenon, given that it now gets played by thirty-eight different nationalities. The rules of the game, however, remain unchanged, which is why you need the right lacrosse ball for play.

A superb ball gets defined based on many factors. Size, for one, is a standard used to cast the perfect sphere. Weight comes second on this list. Recall, a ball with excellent weight distribution bounces on and off with ease whenever it hits a hard surface.

Most important of all are the materials used. Balls created using vulcanized rubber are widely accepted, and here is why. They are stable enough to withstand a lot of abuse because of their irregular molecular structure. But functionality depends on the color of the ball.

Vulcanized rubber comes in different shades. The shades then decide whether a ball is perfect for masculine or feminine use. For instance, yellow balls are popular among female competitors. Men must, however, use white, yellow, or orange spheres for play. It all boils down to your preference.

The hammock is one of the world’s most brilliant inventions ever to get created. A bed, apart from giving you an unparalleled outdoor experience, also boosts your standard of living. It offers your lumbar region more support.

The result is a reduction in back-related complications, given that the device eliminates pressure point development. Hammock use also improves blood circulation. It reduces body stress levels, too.

But a bed does not work in isolation. It requires additional components such as:

Tarps
Ridgelines
A rainfly
Bug nets
Hooks, and
Cords, to become functional.

So, what is a hammock ridgeline?

Building Comprehension

To the layperson, a hammock ridgeline is a component used to suspend a tarp above the bed. The device comes in handy, given that it holds the rainfly, an element used to shield you from snow and rainfall in place.

The ridgeline also promotes platform asymmetry. But not all hammocks come integrated with the device. You must, therefore, learn how to install the ridgeline yourself to achieve maximum function.

Ridgeline Set Up

Installation is easy. You only need to tie both ends of the hammock with a whoopie sling at the points when the propping cords meet the bed. But you must use a piece of rope that is shorter than the hammock length for maximum function.

Types of Hammock Ridgelines

Hammock ridgelines come in two varieties. These are the structural and adjustable ridgelines. The “structural” lines never move once installed. Adjustable ridgelines, on the contrary, are mobile. They are, therefore, easy to calibrate.

The Best Ridgelines

Superb ridgelines are masterpieces manufactured from high-quality materials. They are not only durable but also robust enough to support heavy loads. Above all, they have reflective patterns that enhance visibility during the night. So, do you see Why You Should Use a Hammock Ridgeline?

Advantages of Using a Ridgeline

Hammock ridgelines are unnecessary. They are, however, useful to campers in the following ways. The ridgelines:

Promote Bed Asymmetry

A ridgeline gives you the same amount of sag every time you install the platform. It also maintains balance by promoting asymmetry. The hammock, although unnecessary, proves to be a valuable asset for any camper. It also encourages consumer safety by reducing the likelihood of a fall.

Enhance Sag

Outdoor beds can be useless if there is no sag, and here is why. A compact platform makes climbing hard. In the real sense, a short person is at risk of falling under such circumstances.

Second, you cannot lie down flat when the platform is taut. Back-related complications might then develop, rendering the equipment useless. But ridgelines save the day, given that they amplify the bed’s curvature and make the device more user-friendly.

Increase Room for Additional Storage

Where do you hang your gear in the wild? Ridgelines are useful because they allow you to suspend camping accessories with ease. Besides, you might use the line for extra support as you dress up, especially if you have wobbly feet.

Provide a Platform for Rainfly Support

What do you do when a calm jungle night transforms into a torrential downpour? Settling down and fast is the first thing you must do. You must also find a way of shielding yourself from the rain, and that is where the ridgeline proves itself vital. The line helps you install the rainfly fast before the raindrops get to you.

Eliminate Pressure Points

A bed without a ridgeline is subject to a lot of stresses. Remember, the device must support your weight at all costs, something that becomes burdensome in the absence of the line. The ridgeline, anyhow, distributes the weight evenly, thus eliminating pressure points that might otherwise weaken a hammock’s structural integrity.

Make Bed Installation Easy

Installing the ridgeline is usually a one-time affair. The rope creates a model through which all other hammock installation processes can follow. You, therefore, benefit a lot from using a hammock ridgeline, given that you can prop the device up in a matter of minutes.

Conclusion

The hammock ridgelines are more of a necessity than a need for the following reasons. They make the bed more stable by increasing the arc. Besides, ridgelines improve user comfort. Remember, they promote bed flexibility, meaning you can sleep diagonally, and on your back.

Moreover, the lines increase the bed’s structural integrity. Propping cords do an excellent job in supporting the camper’s weight. But the device functions a lot better when the ridgeline is in place. The component also reduces tension, thus averting hammock tear.

Finally, ridgelines provide enthusiasts with a platform for additional storage. Life in the jungle is messy. You cannot, therefore, leave your gear and food on the ground unless you want to attract bugs and wild animals to your camp.

In summary, the ridgeline suspends the equipment above the ground and protects you from savage animal attacks. In a nutshell, a ridgeline does not cost much but serves a lot of purposes.