It has come to my attention that there might be 2 types of Official Baden Senior Softball Balls that are being used at official SSUSA tournaments: composite and synthetic. If this true, I would like to know why that is the case. If so, does the weather play a factor in which ball is being used? I would like to know as I usually buy balls at the tournaments so I could use them during BP. Do I use composite or synthetic depending on the weather for best performance? Also, is there an official retailer where I can purchased both types of official balls. I am just trying to make sense of this and always looking to improve every aspect of my game!

This is the first time I've heard this. We play roughly 7 SSUSA tourneys a year and luckily the only time the Baden balls are used is Vegas and I don't recall which cover they had. I would have to go home and check to see what we have.

I thought every ssusa tournament had to use the baden with ssusa stamp, and only supplied by them.

The official ball for SSUSA qualifying tournaments is the Baden Fire ball, with a synthetic cover, red stitching and the actual SSUSA logo.

Baden balls with black stitching, composite covers and the words "Senior Softball" exist, but ARE NOT approved for use in SSUSA qualifiers.

Tim's advice...
Buying something that you heard was approved, or looks similar is going to get you in a pickle down the line. If you want to buy the correct from SSUSA in bulk, call the office and ask for a quote.

Curious, why have the composite ball ? Especially if it's not allowed in qualifiers.

The senior Baden balls with blue/black stitching are far superior to the synthetic ball with red stitching. It performs great in hot and cold. It is also safer on the defenders since it does not hold onto the dirt that makes the red stitch hard to see after just one game of use. I wish SSUSA would go to this Baden ball for the safety reasons.

Marcster13,

Which Senior Baden balls are those? I can't find any online that are "Senior" Baden with blue/black stitching, I can find some USSSA and NSA that are Baden with blue/black stitching on them.

JohnO28- I haven't been able to find them for sale on any sites in over a year. They are amazing though!

Marcster13,

I vaguely remember hearing people talk about them a year or two ago but never saw them.. I believe they said the same thing about them that you did..