One of the updates for the Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT that consumers can see immediately on every individual ball—other than the new logo, of course—is the tiny numbers etched into the surface. This combination of numbers and letters is what is called a Lot Code in manufacturing terms. The Lot Codes on the Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT identify the production run, factory location, machine, mold-tray, and ball-cavity. This is an industry-first innovation, designed to help our engineers and lab technicians ensure and measure quality and performance.

Lot Codes will be used internally at Vulcan to ensure ultimate quality control, giving the company the opportunity to track any patterns in issues that arise. That means any ball that performs in a less-than-satisfactory way can be reported, tested, and either confirm the quality or make a manufacturing adjustment if it is warranted. On the Pro Tour, specifically, this is a protocol that will be used to address any concerns from players and officials.

Player consensus is that the new Generation 2 Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT ball represents a significant improvement, with its high-quality resin formulation and new equipment and tooling. As the sport continues to evolve, Vulcan is committed to ongoing technology advances in pickleball design. Lot Codes are a visual beginning to that forward thinking for the sport.

The Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT Generation 2 Pickleball is the official ball of the PPA Tour and MLP, and it is available in 3-pack, 12-pack, 36-pack, and bulk 100-pack options at vulcanpickleball.com.