A game ball is disclosed that includes a polymer foam layer processed with
an inert fluid blowing agent, such as nitrogen. The polymer foam may be a
polyolefin material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and
ethylvinylacetate, and the inert fluid blowing agent may have a
relatively high-purity. The polymer foam may be manufactured with a
process that includes impregnating a polymer with the inert fluid blowing
agent and expanding the polymer by heating the polymer above a softening
temperature of the polymer, reducing a fluid pressure surrounding the
polymer, and cooling the polymer. The game ball may be a soccerball,
football, or volleyball, for example, that includes the polymer foam.