If you play tennis, or live anywhere near a tennis court, that would probably be a good place to get some "free" balls too.......and I think tennis balls would work well for this. I used to buy them for one of my dogs, she loved to pick the fuzz off.....wonder if any of those are still around here? Anyways, maybe a tennis ball could be softer too, for the pins to stick in? Your BALL MAN is so cute, I sure hope you win...