The Game-Changer
Escalade Announces State-of-the-Art Pure 2 Ball
In response to the increasing growth in pickleball , Escalade
Sports has created a new ball its leaders believe will change the sport . Pickleball Magazine conducted an interview with David Vogrin , Escalade ’ s Director of Marketing , to learn more about the product .
What necessitated the need for Escalade to create a new ball ?
The game has evolved , play has evolved and players have evolved . What has not evolved is the ball .
Our process began with research and we learned that players of all abilities were experiencing issues with the current balls on the market : they wobble in flight , bounce inconsistently , and crack or lose their shape after only moderate play . Playability and durability were the primary and consistent challenges that players experienced with the current balls on the market , and our mission to create a better ball for this sport centered on solving those challenges .
What was the design concept for the new ball ? Pickleball , above all else , is fun , so we set out to create a ball that was as fun to play with as the game itself . With that objective in mind , it was very clear that our focus should be on the key playability aspects of the ball … flight , bounce and feel .
When we set out , we thought , “ This is just a whiffle ball — how hard could it be ?” Well , after two years of extensive research and development , we ’ ve realized that this isn ’ t “ just a whiffle ball .” Developing an optimized pickleball requires an extensive engineering and development investment that other companies couldn ’ t offer , which has limited the performance of the ball up until this point .
After hundreds of iterations and lots of trial and error , we were able to create a ball that maintains the performance characteristics that players want while dramatically improving upon the longevity .
Whose idea was it ? It was a complete team effort . We have a team of developers and engineers ( all of whom play pickleball ) that worked on the creation of the Pure ball from concept through production . We also have a team of players in the field who helped us validate the product on the court at the highest level of play .
Generally speaking , what was the process to make the ball ?
We utilize an injection molding process that creates the most consistent composition possible , and eliminates the imperfections that you see in a roto-molded ball while delivering superior performance on the court .
How is the ball different from competitors ’?
The outdoor ball is vastly different than any other outdoor ball on the market . Traditionally , outdoor balls are one-piece , roto-molded balls that are incredibly hard and tend to crack and lose their shape under minimal stress . The Pure ball is created using a two-piece injection molded process and provides more consistency in the bounce and flight , yet retains its shape longer for unmatched durability .
Basic stats ( weight , colors , holes ) Weight : 23g ( Indoor ) / 25g ( Outdoor ) Diameter : 2.875 ” ( Both ) Holes : 26 ( Indoor ) / 40 ( Outdoor ) Color : Available in Orange and Yellow
Was the concept fulfilled ?
Absolutely ! Our mission was to build a better ball that elevated the entire sport of pickleball with enhanced performance , while maintaining the essence of the sport that we know and love . Based on feedback from players at all levels , we definitely attained that goal .
Is the ball ideally indoor or outdoor ?
The Pure 2 line consists of both indoor and outdoor options and both will be available in yellow and orange . The outdoor ball is heavier and has a smaller hole pattern to reduce wind
Continued »
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JULY / AUGUST 2016 | MAGAZINE 29