New Butterfly Rubber: Proudo44 P.I. (프라우드44 P.I.)

[doppelmoral]

I was browsing around on a few Korean websites, and found this. A new rubber from Butterfly, called "Proudo44 P.I.".
Apparently, this was created for the large ball. In this case, the "large ball" does not refer to the typical 40mm ball (2.7g), but to a 44mm ball (2.4g). These larger balls are thinner and also slower, so the idea behind it is that it will be easier for beginners to play and rally. I have seen Butterfly and Nittaku producing these 44mm balls.

Back to the rubber, the Proudo44 P.I is supposed to have the springe sponge technology with a hardness of 28 (on the Butterfly scale). It supposed to be very light and supports easier access to spin for both 40mm and 44mm balls. According to Butterfly's explanation, this is a key point, since the usual harder rubber that are popular nowadays do not harmonize well with the 44mm balls. So beginners can just use Proudo44 P.I. and swap back and forth between 40mm and 44mm balls without a problem.

Some stats (assuming play with the 44mm ball):
- Speed: 65
- Spin: 66
- Arc: 65
- Thickness: 2,1mm
- Price: 70000 Won (this is currently 46€ or 48$)

I attached some pictures as well.

Cheers

 

[Kopp]

Interesting!

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

It is good to see Tamasu Co. Ltd is targeting the kiddie pool. Getting them hook on spring sponge early is a good business decision.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

They'll probably only sell it in Japan and Korea, the only two regions that have any major interest in 44mm ball game. Its impossible to find any largeball specific equipment in the US because no one plays it here. I also doubt that 9 out of 10 clubgoers in the US even know about the 44mm ball. There is a whole smorgasbord of gear designed just for the largeball game but its essentially impossible to find outside of Japan in particular. Tt-Japan has a lot of 44/LB equipment which I have been wanting to try for a long time. Interesting that Proudo44PI is inverted because largeball game is normally played with short pips

 

[Lazer]

Never seen anyone use this in my country. I know some people are using special outdoors equipment but that’s it…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[igorponger]

Smooth topsheet is an outlaw to play with 44 mm balls. Just refer to the Japan Law Booklet.

 

[Charlesmorris]

Seems like a review came out

 

[Rub]

Just seen a video that suggests it might be due to the change in ball size from 40 to 44 mm, but the ITTF hasn’t said anything about it...🤷‍♂️

 

[Peter93]

Just seen a video that suggests it might be due to the change in ball size from 40 to 44 mm, but that the ITTF hasn’t said anything about it...🤷‍♂️

No evidence this is happening and the players would probably riot if it did. The game is marketed directly to senior citizens. Not only is the ball bigger, it's also lighter to reduce speed, and different surface to reduce spin. Until I actually see the ITTF take a vote on this, it's absolutely not happening.

I'm also very confused as to who this rubber is for, given that in Large Ball competitions, short pips are the only allowed type of rubber as far as I'm aware.

 

[KY3333]

No evidence this is happening and the players would probably riot if it did. The game is marketed directly to senior citizens. Not only is the ball bigger, it's also lighter to reduce speed, and different surface to reduce spin. Until I actually see the ITTF take a vote on this, it's absolutely not happening.

I'm also very confused as to who this rubber is for, given that in Large Ball competitions, short pips are the only allowed type of rubber as far as I'm aware.

In Japan, only short-pips rubber is allowed in 44mm-ball matches, but in South Korea, pimple-in rubber is also permitted. For this reason, this rubber is sold only in South Korea.

 

[Peter93]

In Japan, only short-pips rubber is allowed in 44mm-ball matches, but in South Korea, pimple-in rubber is also permitted. For this reason, this rubber is sold only in South Korea.

Interesting! I was wondering why this wasn't on BTY Japan's website, despite having seen this rubber on the LARC.

 

[Rub]

Until I actually see the ITTF take a vote on this, it's absolutely not happening.

Totally agree.

Not only is the ball bigger, it's also lighter to reduce speed, and different surface to reduce spin.

But why reducing the speed and spin of the game even more? For me these factors make TT so spectacular.

 

[kindof99]

Maybe a larger, taller table, and a higher net?

 

[NextLevel]

Totally agree.

But why reducing the speed and spin of the game even more? For me these factors make TT so spectacular.

Adapting the sport to the capabilities of different audiences is part of commercial viability. I think that this is one of the things that hurts table tennis, we have compromised its appeal to many people by not remaining connected to the general population and from there finding the right balance.

 

[Creek]

The idea is similar to the hardbat tournaments: slower and longer rallies. While hardbat is more or less without Spin and conpletely different technique, 44 mm ball allows for normal technique but longer rallies. Quite fun in fact

 

[Peter93]

Totally agree.

But why reducing the speed and spin of the game even more? For me these factors make TT so spectacular.

Again this game is intended for the elderly so that they can play at a pace that suits them. This was never meant for true competitive players.

 

[Eric…]

It would also be legal for 40mm. D05 40, T05 36, T05FX 32, this 28.