The exchange "call the ball", "[X] has the ball" is a part of real life carrier landings. The "ball" in question is a marker on the (Improved) Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, a set of lights on the carrier's deck. The marker - called "meatball" - shows the pilot how well they are lined up for the landing, whether they are lined up correctly or too high/low, too far left/right. The first part of the exchange - "call the ball" - is the Landing Signal Officer in effect asking the pilot "Do you see the marker on the (I)FLOLS?". The response "[x] has the ball" means "Yes, I do see the marker". This means the landing can proceed. Otherwise the LSO is very likely to call off the landing and the pilot will have to go around and try again.

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