How did the use of a tennis ball with its cover removed affect American handball?

During the 1890s in the United States, the use of a tennis ball with its outer covering removed introduced a "soft ball" version of the game. This ball was initially used in smaller four-wall courts in the New York City area, but it also prompted young players to begin playing outdoors against the solid wall of a building.

While the use of this soft ball spread to other cities, primarily for four-wall play, it was eventually met with dissatisfaction due to its large size and slow speed. This led to the development of a smaller, gas-filled ball that proved more acceptable to players and helped stimulate new interest in the sport.1