The best resource is Frank Garcia's Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic... which is out of print and runs
$195 to
$411 for used versions. My sense is that you can typically find it for around $125 on the Magic Cafe if you are willing to watch and wait. I picked up a copy for $80 around two years ago.
DVDs
Spongeball Tool Kit - This is a little dated, but you've got to love the late Steve Darci's performances -- especially his instruction on how to clean sponge balls! It comes with four 1.5 inch red sponge balls, two flat red sponge circles, a 3D red sponge bunny, a 1.5 inch yellow sponge ball, a silk poke gimmick (used to vanish multiple sponge balls) and a coin purse frame. I have this DVD and here is a lot of great material. All for $18.75.
Ben Salinis's
Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic DVD - This is Ben's teaching of the material in Frank Garcia's book. I'm not sure if he had permission from Garcia's estate but I guess it is like anyone else teaching material from Royal Road or Expert at the Card Table. I have this one and the teaching is good, although I think that some of the moves are taught slightly differently than they are presented in the book. The sponge ball that came with my DVD tended to bleed onto my hands when they got sweaty, so good for practice but get a different set for performance. Cost $14.97
L&L's
World's Greatest Magic - Sponge Balls. I don't have it, but it would seems to be the best source for a variety of routines in one place. It includes routines from Daryl, Eugene Burger, Steve Darci, Al Goshman and others. Cost $14.96.
Patrick Page #5 - Sponge Balls - This is a bit more advanced and more than a little dated. I have this one and think that you buy this one for the techniques, not the production quality. Cost $9.38
The late Daryl Easton's
Essentials in Sponge Ball Magic - I don't have this one, but it looks like a great introduction if you just want to just figure out a routine. Daryl was a great magician and is a joy to watch. Cost $7.46
Daryl's
Master Course in Sponge Balls - This is a four volume set that will set you back around
$50 for the set. It covers a lot of material but seems to be a bit pricey for what you get on each DVD. I don't have this, so I can't comment on much else.
Jay Noblezada's
Sponge - I don't have this one, but have read some reviews that classify it as mediocre. It comes with sponge balls. Cost $19.95
GIMMICKS
3D Sponge Rabbits - This is Michael Ammar's handling and the routine is a lot of fun. $10.01
Pips a Popin - My favorite sponge ball trick. Make sure to get an
extra set of foam pips to go with it. $11.24 plus #3.12 for extra pips.
Sanada Gimmick - Interesting way to conceal a sponge in your hand. $5.63
Sponge Balls - You want the Super Soft 2 inch sponge balls from Magic by Gosh. They handle beautifully.
AlanWong makes a variety of different
sponge objects. That can make any routine a lot of fun.
Sponge Magic in Books
If you check out Denis Behr's Conjuring Archive, you can find a lot of information on
Sponge Balls (click on the various subtopics in the index) and a list of
Sponge Ball Routines in Books