Patent ID: 6878079

Claim:
A ball game assembly for playing a tennis-like ball game in which opposing players return a ball within a prescribed playing unit extending along a horizontal playing surface in opposite longitudinal directions over a net, comprising: at least two junior tennis racquets, each having a handle portion and a head portion; a net; a net apparatus for supporting the net in a vertical plane at substantially regulation tennis height or less across a playing court; and a soft resilient foam ball, said ball being sufficiently dense, resilient, compressible and durable so as to withstand repeated and sustained impact by said racquets at various angles and forces, wherein said ball has a diameter from about 3.5 to 4.5 inches, weighs from about 0.75 to 1.25 oz., is formed of an open-celled, spherical construction, has a surface layer coating of acrylic ream or latex paint, and has a maximum compression of 10% after 90% compression for 22 hours at 158°F. (70°C.), wherein said ball may be struck by said racquets and returned over said net or bounced off said playing court at a reduced speed, and wherein the players achieve the sense and feel of playing regular tennis while being able to play at a reduced pace and with less skill than is normally required.