Help with Lattice Balls?

One of my two cats, Bebop, loves to play with lattice balls. (See
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...20846?v=glance)
if you're not sure what a "lattice ball" is.)

I have two related problems:

1. Bebop only likes lattice balls that contain a plastic "pea" (or whatever
you call the little ball that is inside the lattice ball). Unfortunately, I
am having a heck of a time finding lattice balls with plastic peas now; the
manufacturers all seem to have switched over to metal peas. For some reason,
Bebop is utterly indifferent to balls with metal peas and will only get
enthusiastic if the ball contains a plastic pea.

2. The lattice balls, regardless of whether they contain plastic or metal
peas, are very fragile. They only have to bounce on the tile floor a couple
of times and bits of the lattice break off; soon the pea falls out
altogether and the toy is useless. Or maybe Bebop is breaking the framework
of the lattice to some extent: he carries the ball around in his mouth
sometimes to put it in a more suitable position for playing.

So, I would like to know if anyone is aware of any company that makes or
sells a more durable lattice ball, perhaps one made with a harder plastic or
even some other material (fiberglass or something that resembles plastic but
is stronger?) but that sounds the same as a regular lattice ball containing
a plastic pea? Or, failing that, if anyone knows of someone who sells
lattice balls with plastic peas for a price like $2 per four pack?

Alternatively, does anyone know of any way to *make* a good solid lattice
ball that contains a plastic pea and is going to last more than a day or
two?

Last weekend, I finally found some lattice balls with plastic peas but they
were part of a bird toy which included a small mirror, a peek-a-boo toy, and
a string of 4 lattice balls; that cost me $7 (Canadian) plus tax and three
of the lattice balls are already damaged or broken useless already. I do not
want to spend $10 or $15 dollars a week on lattice balls so I'm hoping
someone can give me a useful suggestion.

Bebop likes to play but he is very picky about what he'll play with. I've
got two large drawers full of cat toys and he won't even look at most of
them. The lattice balls are one of the few toys he has remained enthusiastic
about for a long time. He gets depressed if I don't play with him but I find
it hard to play with him because he just ignores most toys.

Rhino