The ball has reason to have a little extra bounce today.

It, along with the Big Wheel and Game Boy, joined the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The trio will celebrate their induction Saturday and Sunday at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.

Considered the most popular toy, the ball had been snubbed.

The bicycle, the kite, the jump rope, the teddy bear, the stick, marbles and Mr. Potato Head already are members of the 11-year-old hall of fame.

One of the four criteria for making the hall is longevity. The toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations., according to a  press release.

The ball has been around since the beginning of time.

It would be like leaving out Babe Ruth in the inaugural class inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The other criteria is icon status, discovery and innovation.

The ball has clearly been all of those as well.

“Probably no other plaything is as easily recognized, easily played with and universally enjoyed by people of all cultures, skills and ages,” said Nicolas Ricketts, a curator at Strong, in a story by The Associated Press. “The ball is timeless, it will always be here.”

Ricketts said many of the judges on the hall’s national advisory panel realized the honor for the ball was overdue.

So, we have righted another injustice.

I think I will play ball with my cat, Smokey, tonight. And it will be an honor knowing that the sphere is a hall of famer.