A ball is a spherical or roundish object that is used in several games and athletic activities. Its shape is similar to a tennis ball, but its name suggests otherwise. A ball is typically solid, hollow, or a mixture of all three. This is what makes it so versatile in games, such as tennis. Players hit a tennis ball with a tennis racquet or a baseball bat. It is a common object used in softball and baseball. In this game, the ball is not swung at by the batter, and is usually not within the strike zone.
In addition to the racquetball, a ball can refer to any spherical object. Armadillos curl into balls when they play, as do humans. Russian leather balls, also known as miachi, date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Despite the name, it’s not clear exactly when this spherical object came into being. Regardless of its origin, though, it was widely used in sports, including soccer, four square, and ping-pong.
“On the ball” is a common expression for a talented, efficient, or effective person. It probably comes from a sports phrase. The phrase may be an abbreviation for “keep your eye on the ball.” It admonishes a person to pay attention to details and get things done. The phrase has been used since the 1800s to describe baseball pitchers and successful athletes. In the 1930s, it became an idiom.