Just posted this in reply in a thread and thought to start a new thread to introduce you softball players with something delightful.
Hard Tennis balls are an ABSOLUTE HORROR to play cricket with.
The ball bounces way too much to play a front foot drive.
You mostly end up playing at midwicket due to awkward bounce
There is no concept of playing a carpet shot that could roll over the grass.
Significant danger of sustaining an injury if the ball hits you in the groin.
Fingers could be broken if a hard hit stroke is attempted to be caught in a failed attempt.
Throwing the ball back to keeper from long distance will take your arm with it.
If there is moisture around, the ball absorbs it and gets even worse
And it's all because hard tennis ball is HEAVIER than a regular hard/leather cricket ball.
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If you wanna play cricket with softball and safely have TONS OF FUN then try
Wilson A1217B Soft compression Baseball or a Wilson A1228B Soft Compression Baseball.
These balls are softer than a regular baseball. They provide a perfect mix of tape ball (without having to replace the tape every few overs) and a heavy tennis ball. They are very safe if struck on the body; however, you will require a regular cricket bat - a tape ball bat won't do.
Their weight is perfect which provides an awesome bounce, and also the leather surface skids perfect to suit the bowlers and the batsmen. You can delightfully play regulation cricket strokes, including front foot drive that rolls the ball over the ground, and also cut shot at the back foot. The bowlers get an awesome feel of the grip as there is a seam on the balls.
Fielding and catching is wonderful and provides an actual cricket environment.
These balls are an absolute delight to play cricket with.
Once you play with them, you will NEVER go back to that junk of hard tennis ball.
ps: Not sure if you can buy them in UK but search for Wilson Soft compression baseball.
Folks in the U.S. can buy it from amazon or any sporting good store.
(There are other manufactures like Rawling or Champion but those don't last long while Wilson's lasts forever).
Hard Tennis balls are an ABSOLUTE HORROR to play cricket with.
The ball bounces way too much to play a front foot drive.
You mostly end up playing at midwicket due to awkward bounce
There is no concept of playing a carpet shot that could roll over the grass.
Significant danger of sustaining an injury if the ball hits you in the groin.
Fingers could be broken if a hard hit stroke is attempted to be caught in a failed attempt.
Throwing the ball back to keeper from long distance will take your arm with it.
If there is moisture around, the ball absorbs it and gets even worse
And it's all because hard tennis ball is HEAVIER than a regular hard/leather cricket ball.
-------------
If you wanna play cricket with softball and safely have TONS OF FUN then try
Wilson A1217B Soft compression Baseball or a Wilson A1228B Soft Compression Baseball.
These balls are softer than a regular baseball. They provide a perfect mix of tape ball (without having to replace the tape every few overs) and a heavy tennis ball. They are very safe if struck on the body; however, you will require a regular cricket bat - a tape ball bat won't do.
Their weight is perfect which provides an awesome bounce, and also the leather surface skids perfect to suit the bowlers and the batsmen. You can delightfully play regulation cricket strokes, including front foot drive that rolls the ball over the ground, and also cut shot at the back foot. The bowlers get an awesome feel of the grip as there is a seam on the balls.
Fielding and catching is wonderful and provides an actual cricket environment.
These balls are an absolute delight to play cricket with.
Once you play with them, you will NEVER go back to that junk of hard tennis ball.
ps: Not sure if you can buy them in UK but search for Wilson Soft compression baseball.
Folks in the U.S. can buy it from amazon or any sporting good store.
(There are other manufactures like Rawling or Champion but those don't last long while Wilson's lasts forever).
