The YuXin 2x2 Baseball is a sphere-shaped 2x2 cube that reproduces a baseball: a white background and the red stitching that runs around it. It belongs to YuXin’s sports ball series, with football, basketball and volleyball versions, and measures around 64 mm in diameter.

• BrandYuXin
• TypeSpherical 2x2
• DiameterAround 64 mm
• WeightAround 68 g
• MagnetsNo
• DesignWhite with red stitching

How it works

Inside it’s a 2x2: two layers per axis and eight pieces, all corners. What changes is the outside: the ball’s pattern is spread across the pieces and, when you scramble it, the stitching is broken into separate fragments. To solve it you have to join them up again, following how each red line continues from one piece to the next. Puzzles that change the shape or look of a familiar cube are called shape mods.

Design

The surface is almost entirely white, so the stitching is practically the only clue for orienting each piece. That makes it somewhat more demanding to recognise than a coloured 2x2. When solved it looks like a real ball and also serves as a decorative object. It isn’t valid for official competition, which requires one plain colour per face.

What level is it for?

Designed for anyone who already solves a 2x2 and wants a different visual variant, or as a gift for baseball fans. As with all 2x2s, it’s best not to force a corner to twist on itself.