What kind of balls do you prefer in your cups and balls routine and why do you like 'em?

I like the common red crocheted balls... they're easy to handle and quite visible from a distance.

Although, a friend who works in the computer field has given me a set of those black rubber mouseballs if I ever decide I want something that looks "period" (medieval).

I just have to make sure they stay visible somehow... (Do the routine on a white cloth perhaps?)

The problem with rubber balls is friction--they tend to hang up in many moves, and if you try to move a cup across the table with a rubber ball in it, you might end up unintentionally doing a shell routine steal!

A good choice is the little mini "hackysack" balls, because they don't roll as much.

Philemon,
It's a trick bit to do, but if you want something "in period", try small stones. It's very convincing. (Just make sure you find similiar stones)

Sable

Mike Roger's baseball is very good. Don't know whether you can still get them

For the cups and balls, I have used all of the following: dice, rubber balls, mini-baseballs, crocheted balls, and ball bearings. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and my routines with each of them is different. The biggest advantage of dice is that they don't roll away. In this regard, Sable's advice to use stones is a good one (especially if the final load is a large stone). However, stones will be harder to palm than dice.

My least favorite version is the crocheted balls. They tend to get dirty very quickly and they get bobbled and frayed. Rubber balls also tend to get dirty with handling (although it depends on the type of rubber). So, if you want to use balls, I would everywhere prefer the mini-baseballs. Betty (Mike's wife) is still making the mini-baseballs, but you'll have to look around for the chop balls, and she no longer makes these.

Bye for now

Harold

I use a “Monkey’s Fist” knot for a ball. Mine a shave under 1 inch and made of strands of red and black leather (leather laces). I have made some final load balls that are about 3 inches in diameter out of red and black rope, but don’t use them much as I favor fruit loads for the finale.

The Monkey Fist knot is an old sailing ship decorative knot. While it is a ball in a general sense it has “edges” that help keep it from rolling.

This knot makes a pretty ball and is easy to tie. There is an instruction page with illustrations at http://www.realknots.com/knots/faqknot.htm#monkey

Great Post Mumblepeas! Very interesting site.

You're in good company MP. Ray Grismer uses the same thing.

I prefer using sponge balls and coffee cups using a lemon, lime and a turnip for the final loads.

For close-up in restaurant situations I use the crocheted balls and use the sponge balls as the final loads with my spun aluminum cups.

Aedryan

Scott-

Where on earth did you find those little hackysack balls? I have checked everywhere without luck. I agree, I always thought those would be the best. Any help you can give me would be great!!

Thanks-

For those who would like to use the mini baseballs, try looking in the doll-furnishing section of an arts and crafts supply store. I found a mini-baseball in a package for about $2.50. They are about 3/4".
So, for $10.00 an entire set can be had.

Scott

For the hacky-sack type balls try Oriental Trading

http://www.oriental.com/

Look in Toys

They have so much stuff your eyes water thinking about how you can get some of them into your act.

Don't work for them, just trade (no pun intended) with them.

I too, prefer the miniature baseballs made by Mike Rogers and now his wife from what I've heard. For the final load, I use baseballs from the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. In my routine I throw away the wand early in the routine and use a miniature baseball bat and glove. As I sing
"Take Me Out to the Ball Field" I produce the final load baseballs and my rolled up wand unfurls as a Blue Jay banner.

Darryl the Wizard

Denny and Lees is running a special on those little balls.

My favorite balls to use are the tayade (sp?) balls. They are beautiful and elegant and they also don't roll very far.

Just spoke to Denny at Denny and Lee’s and he does not have any Mike Rogers cup and ball mini-baseballs. He is selling a leather “Monkey Fist” ball in several colors.

Hi.

As I am very bad in doing magic, I always think about the sleight I am going to use.

In my routine, I use the elevator move. I cannot do it with mini-baseball leather ball, so I prefer crocheted balls.

Also problems with the tip-off move.

I use aluminum cups.

Anyhow, I see Ammar uses mini-baseballs and can perform all that moves... so it might be only MY problem!!!

Cheers

Stefano Mambretti

Crocheted

Say I´m crazy but sometimes I use common sponges - you can go from one routine to the other