Vaqueta ball
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The vaqueta ball (Valencian: pilota de vaqueta, IPA: [piˈlɔta ðe vaˈketa], lit. 'little cow') is the kind of ball used to play some Valencian pilota variants, including Escala i corda, Galotxa and Raspall. Its name derives from the fact that it is made of bull's skin. It has a black colour that tends to become brown as it is used, and is designed to contrast with the white colour of the trinquets' walls.
The vaqueta ball has a diameter of 44 millimetres (1.7 in) (giving it a circumference of 138 millimetres (5.4 in)), and its weight is around 42 to 48 grams (1.5 to 1.7 oz), depending on the variant.[1] In Escala i corda lighter balls are preferred, while in Raspall heavier balls are used.
The actual weight of the balls has changed over time. In the 1930s, pilotaris such as Quart played with balls around 28–33 grams (0.99–1.16 oz). The lighter the ball the slower it goes and the less it flies (its direction). This change of weight has been favoured by rest players, who tend to be stronger and have to send the ball longer, but it is an extra handicap for mitger and punter players, who have to stop the ball or strike it in the middle of its trajectory and while it is still carrying a lot of force.
During the matches, and before beginning every quinze, the team who stands at the dau is allowed to change one of the six disposable balls (each team previously chose three of them). This way, if playing again a double team, a trio would choose a new ball, which are fast and with a long bounce, so that the opposing two players are forced to move constantly. Otherwise, the attacking team tends to choose heavier balls, since they exhaust more when defensing.
