Abstract: A sports ball (10), such as a football (12), has outer panels (14) of leather. The outer panels (14) have embossed pebbles (16) to enhance grip. Each outer panel (14) is formed by embossing the pebbles (16) on a segment (54) forming one or more of the outer panels (14) after the segment (54) has been cut from the unembossed full hide or half hide from which it comes. This provides great advantages in flexibility and consistency of manufacturing in addition to improved performance such as grip and aerodynamics.

Abstract: The sports ball (410) has an inner layer (416) and an outer panel (414). The inner layer (416) is secured to the outer panel (414) and several inner layers (416) and outer panels (414) are sewn together to form the sports ball (410). A strip (440) is positioned between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) under a white stripe (448) to raise the white stripe (448) on the sports ball (410) above the surrounding outer surface of the sports ball (410) to enhance grip. The sports ball (410) can be a football (412). A line of thread (424) can be stitched between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) on either side of the stripe (448) to enhance the shape retention of the sports ball (410), enhance grip and help keep the strip (440) in place. In a modification, a strip (480) is positioned between the inner layer (416) and outer panel (414) except under the white stripe (448) to form a void under the stripe (448) and enhance grip.