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
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.
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