Utility ball

A close-up of a textured red ball
Red utility ball with grips visible
A variety of balls in a cage
Blue, orange, and yellow utility balls among other sports balls

A utility ball is a spherical, inflated ball used in several kinds of playground games and sports. It is also known as a playground ball or named after the games in which it is used, such as dodgeball and kickball. Utility balls were introduced in the mid-20th century and have continued to be used in various games.