The Pearl by Guardian Named Official Ball of US Lacrosse

By Brian Logue | @uslacrosse

Pearl by Guardian

US Lacrosse has announced that The Pearl by Guardian™ has been named as the Official Ball of US Lacrosse.

“The Pearl allows for consistent performance while meeting the highest standards of safety,” said Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of US Lacrosse. “We’re excited to help bring this innovation to the national lacrosse community.”

“As a chemical engineer and father of a goalie, I wanted to make a premium ball that didn’t hurt as much. The Pearl was the culmination of many years of technology development. WE DID IT!!!” Lee Hanson, Guardian Innovations.

Traditional lacrosse balls are made from vulcanized rubber filled with oils and plasticizers to soften it. Over time, these oils and plasticizers separate from the rubber and leach to the surface creating the slickness as well as hardening of the overall ball. These balls are commonly called “greasers” in the sport.

The Pearl is made with a more advanced elastomeric material and innovative manufacturing process that helps the ball keep a more consistent surface texture.

The Pearl is already manufactured in the United States to new standards approved by NOCSAE last month that will take effect beginning June 2017.

Current NOCSAE standards allow a range of pressure from 110 to 210 pounds to reduce the diameter of a ball by 25 percent. The new standard limits that range between 115 to 150 pounds in order to help improve safety.

“It has the same weight and the same bounce, but the balls built to the new NOCSAE standard have up to a 40-percent reduction in the transfer of energy, making it a safer ball,” said Bruce Griffin, Director of the Center for Sports Science at US Lacrosse.

The sponsorship agreement between US Lacrosse and Guardian runs through 2018 and a portion of proceeds from each ball sold goes to the US Lacrosse Sports, Science & Safety Committee to aid their efforts in making the sport safer.

The Pearl by Guardian will be used at all US Lacrosse events beginning in 2017.

About Guardian

In 2015, Guardian Innovations developed The Pearl lacrosse ball. Born from The Hanson Group, Guardian is able to draw on 20 years of material science and engineering expertise. They use their expertise to improve the materials used in sports goods. The team is comprised of innovators and scientists that are passionate about better engineered sporting equipment. Guardian Innovation’s goal remains the same: protecting athletes participating in sports that clearly demand advancements in equipment. Learn more about the company at http://www.guardianinnovations.com/ and follow The Pearl at fb.com/guardianpearl and instagram.com/thepearl_lax

About US Lacrosse

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse and the home of the nation’s fastest-growing team sport. US Lacrosse, which coordinates all activities of the U.S. National Teams Program, has more than 450,000 members in 68 regional chapters across the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse provides programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport.

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