1
of
1
On the Ball
Amazing Sports Facts from Football to Pickleball, Baseball to Golf
Brief Description
Whether you’re a FOOTBALL fan, a PADEL pro, a TENNIS aficionado or a CRICKET enthusiast, you’ll love this fascinating collection of more than 200 sports facts. Did you know... A standard basketball has about 4,118 ‘pebbles’ on its outer surface? All Major League Baseball umpires must...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$2699
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 1 week
Found a better price? Request a price match
On the Ball
$2699
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
A Court of Splintered Harmony: How to Get Your Copy on Release Day
A Court of Splintered Harmony is almost here, and we have some exciting news for...
The ACOTAR Countdown Is On, But We Need to Talk…
Last week, things started taking a dark turn. The excitement surrounding the release was suddenly...
Pick up a Graphic Novel for Halloween
Wanting something different for spooky season? Try a horror themed graphic novel! Lizzy has rounded...
Even More New Board Games Just Arrived!
It's been another busy week at Book Hero, with heaps of new board games and...
The Book Briefing 21/10/2026
Welcome back to another edition of 'The Book Briefing', your weekly round-up of all the...
See more
Whether you’re a FOOTBALL fan, a PADEL pro, a TENNIS aficionado or a CRICKET enthusiast, you’ll love this fascinating collection of *more than 200* sports facts.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Whether you’re a FOOTBALL fan, a PADEL pro, a TENNIS aficionado or a CRICKET enthusiast, you’ll love this fascinating collection of more than 200 sports facts.
Did you know...
- A standard basketball has about 4,118 ‘pebbles’ on its outer surface?
- All Major League Baseball umpires must wear black underwear in case their trousers split?
- Padel was invented by a Mexican businessman in the 1960s?
Like the sound of these facts and want to know more? Then On the Ball is essential reading. Featuring obscure, unbelievable, intriguing and engaging facts about some of the world’s most popular ball sports, discover more than 200 fascinating nuggets of information on the sports, the balls, the players, the history and more.
Find out why the number of dimples on a golf ball can make you a better player, what the fastest recorded serve is in a tennis match and who is the world’s highest-earning ball player. All this makes this miscellany a must-have for any sports trivia fans.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781912983872
Publisher: Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 09 September 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd
Illustration: 50 col artworks
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 123.0mm
Height: 186.0mm
Weight: 300g
Pages: 96
About the Author
Alf Alderson is an award-winning adventure sports and travel journalist and photographer based in Pembrokeshire, Wales. His writing has appeared in a wide range of publications and websites including
the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Independent, Toronto Globe & Mail, South China Morning Post, Financial Times and Mpora.
More from Sports
View all-
Shane Cameron
This is the gripping, often surprising story of one of New Zealand's toughest and most resilient fighters. Shane Cameron rose from humble beginnings to become a dominant force in the Australasian heavyweight division. Known for his explosive power and fearless fighting style, Cameron captured multiple national titles and fought 'The Fight of the Century' against David Tua in the biggest...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
15% offNew Release100% Unofficial Formula 1 Annual 2027
Discover everything there is to know about your Formula 1 heroes in the 100% Unofficial Formula 1 Annual 2027. This action-packed annual takes you behind the scenes of the Formula 1 2026 World Championship! Meet every driver and team, then explore every circuit on the calendar. Jump into the history of the sport and discover the amazing technology and engineering...Hardback$1700Elsewhere:$2499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Inner Game of Tennis
Improve your game and discover your true potential by increasing your concentration, willpower and confidence. Described by Billie Jean King as her 'tennis bible', Timothy Gallwey's multi-million bestseller, including an introduction from acclaimed sports psychologist Geoff Beattie, has been a phenomenon for players of all abilities since it was first published in 1972. Instead of concentrating on how to improve...Paperback$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
13% offLegends and Soles
The brilliant autobiography from the ‘saviour of Nike’ If you’re a sneaker head, you know him as the saviour of Nike. If you’ve watched Air, you saw Matt Damon’s portrayal of the man who discovered Michael Jordan and how he revolutionised the payment structure of endorsements for athletes. Legends and Soles tells Sonny’s story – his blind-sided firing by Nike...Paperback$2800Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Surviving to Drive
A hugely entertaining access-all-areas account of a year inside Formula 1, from Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, star of Drive to Survive, one of the most successful Netflix series of all time. THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Gripping to read. Funny, real, exciting. It's a brilliant book.' - Chris Evans 'Fearless and candid... A gleeful guide to...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed
The long-awaited book from rugby stars Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall. Rugby megastars James Haskell, Mike Tindall, and Alex Payne get together to discuss the highs and lows of their podcast, friendship, and rugby. Among the key questions answered: What happened when Mike took their shambles of a podcast inside the walls of Windsor Castle to meet the...Hardback$5500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
18% offGloves Off
The unflinching autobiography from the two-time world heavyweight champion and British People's Champion, Tyson Fury, now out in paperback, Gloves Off is an enthralling journey into the life of one of boxing's most charismatic and controversial figures. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise and dramatic falls, Fury’s story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. In this...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Salt Path
The Salt Path is a deeply moving and profoundly inspiring true story that captures the essence of human resilience and the profound impact of nature on our well-being. This compelling narrative, a Sunday Times bestseller and shortlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize, recounts the life-changing journey of Raynor and Moth Winn—a couple who, facing monumental life challenges, find solace and...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
19% offThe Salt Path
The bestselling true story of the couple who lost everything and embarked on a journey not of escape but salvation, soon to be a major motion picture starring Golden Globe winning Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, the couple lose their home and their livelihood. With...Paperback$2200Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
States of Play
The International Bestseller & Winner of the Football Book of the Year Award A Times Sports Book of the Year A Telegraph Book of the Year An Irish Times Book of the Year An Irish Independent Book of the Year 'Important, perfectly timed and hugely necessary.' The Guardian 'A monumental piece of investigative journalism.' Irish Times 'A must-read on how...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Swimmer of Auschwitz
'Propulsive... Readers will be hooked' - Publishers Weekly Based on the extraordinary true story of Alfred Nakache, subject of the Oscar-nominated short film Papillon. Alfred Nakache, a Jewish child from Constantine, never imagined that he would one day swim for France at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, nor that he would achieve a world record, as he did...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Formula
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT F1.' - Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class 'MODERN F1 IS THE SPORTS STORY OF THIS ERA AND NO ONE COULD TELL IT BETTER' - Kevin Clark, ESPN 'THE FASTEST READ YOU WILL EVER PICK UP' - A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell F1 is...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
