What are softballs made of?

Answer 1

How to Make a Softball

1) Start by making the core or center of the ball. In its early stages, softball cores were made of pressed Kapok, a material similar to cotton, producing a ball that was rather soft. At one time the softball was known as a mush ball but later became known as a softball. The harder, more durable, bonded granulated cork ball was developed and became the standard for over 30 years. About 1975 the very hard solid plastic cored softballs began to be used; they are actually harder than a baseball.

A bonded granulated cork center used to be used for the center of the ball for many years. Recently the center of the ball was changed to a solid plastic. No winding is required on plastic centers.

2) A thin layer of string is woven on the ball

3) The covers are cut and stapled on the ball.

Two covers created the surface for the softball. Several staples held the covers on the surface while it was stitched.

4) The softball covers are stitched together on the ball. Softballs are stitched in different colors. For instance, red stitches on a softball indicate that it is a restricted flight ball (used on fields with limited space).

Answer 2

Plastic Softballs

Answer 3

They are made of a few different materials. Some are cork wrapped in leather much like a hard ball. Some are plastic wrapped in leather, some are wrapped in rubber or plastic made to look like leather.
Chances are the majority of the ones used in games and sold at stores are all a hollow plastic ball wrapped in leather.

I played soft ball from age 7-14 then played hard ball from 14-17 then got scouted and played in the minors for 5 years.

So I have cut open my share of balls....

Answer 4

soft balls