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

String cover on the ball.		String cover cut to expose cork core of ball.

3) The covers are cut and stapled on the ball. The covers are cut by machine, one similar to a small punch press. The covers are cut and the holes perforated at the same time. Each cover is checked for imperfections, checked for thickness and softness, and then matched in pairs.

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).

The softball was stitched together while clamped to a table.		The clamp was a portable device in wood or metal and could be used at the factory or at home.
Two straight needles are used to stitch the ball together.		Here is one of the softballs manufactured in Perkasie under the Dudley name.

5) The balls are check for errors,then packaged and shipped.