Water polo ball

Water Polo Balls come in standard sizes: The modern game originated in the late 19th century as a form of rugby football, played in rivers in England and Scotland, with a small 3 to 4 inch ball constructed of rubber imported from colonial plantations in India.

However, the leather football absorbed water and became extremely heavy, slippery and out-of-control when wet.

In 1936, James R. ("Jimmy") Smith, California water polo coach and author of several books on water polo mechanics, developed a ball made with an inflatable bladder and a rubber fabric cover, which improved performance.

In the first half of 2005, FINA allowed a change to the standard water polo ball used in official games.

[7] The current rule states that the water polo ball must be "yellow with black lines", but new wording will allow for colored panels.