Why are basketballs orange?
Until the late 1950s basketballs were dark brown. In 1957, the rules stated that the ball should be of natural tan color unless both teams agreed to the use of a yellow ball. Butler-coach Paul Tony Hinkle originated the orange colored basketballs now used by the NCAA: he wanted a ball that could be better seen by players and fans. He worked with The Spaulding Company to come up with a new ball, which was tested at the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville. In 1959, orange was added as an optional color subject to approval by both teams. The NCAA was impressed and the new orange ball was adopted and was made the official color. Yellow basketballs were no longer acceptable but natural tan continued as an optional color for a little while longer.
