Static electricity on balls

I notice when I play at the rec center that sometimes when you throw the ball up to serve, the ball sort of sticks to your hand and doesn't toss up as high as you wanted. It seems to be because of static electricity. I know the balls get old and dusty sometimes. Have you any thoughts on that?

Hi Tim,

You’ve made a keen observation about the way the ball behaves, and you’re absolutely right that static electricity can play a part in this. This is more noticeable in dry environments where static can build up more easily, such as in heated indoor areas during the winter. Here are a few tips to mitigate this issue:

Before playing, try wiping down the balls with a slightly damp cloth. This can help reduce the static charge and dust accumulation.

Make sure your hands are clean and not too dry. Applying a small amount of lotion can help, but be careful not to have them too greasy or wet which could affect your grip.