a method of manufacturing a sport ball includes providing a fluid impervious bladder , providing apparatus for penetrating the bladder and including apparatus for receiving an object in sealing engagement , providing a plug dimensioned and configured to engage in sealing relationship the apparatus for receiving in sealing engagement , inserting the plug into the apparatus for receiving , inflating the bladder , and forming additional layers of material on the bladder that is part of a complete sport ball . thereafter , the method includes providing a self - contained inflation mechanism dimensioned and configured to be disposed within the envelope of the sport ball and dimensioned and configured to engage the apparatus for receiving , removing the plug from the apparatus for receiving , and placing the inflation mechanism into the apparatus for receiving . in some forms of the invention the step of forming additional layers includes adding reinforcing windings , molding a layer of rubber on the windings , and laminating composite panels onto the ball and setting the panels in a molding process .