The present invention provides a game ball with a transient marking feature that may be used on any court surface. No preparation of the court surface is required. The game ball is coated with a temporary marking agent that is encapsulated or otherwise sealed against exposure to the air. When the ball contacts a surface with sufficient velocity, a small quantity of the marking agent is liberated to provide a visible mark on the surface at the point of contact. Similar to a "disappearing ink", the marking agent dissipates after being released from the microcapsules.