Superior, WI -- Jim Kotera of Highland, Wis., says his 19,875-pound ball of twine is likely a world record for such an unusual collection of string.

Kotera said by collecting bits of twine from area neighbors, he has been able to amass an elliptical twine ball that is approaching 20,000 pounds and is a worldwide attraction, the Superior (Wis.) Telegram reported.

"I had heard that there were people out there claiming to have the world's largest ball of twine and I decided that I would beat them," Kotera said.

Kotera told the newspaper he is fastidious about recording the ball's ever-growing weight. He weighs each addition and keeps a running total of the ball's growth.

Kotera says he will never to surrender the ball, which he began in April 1979 and hopes to continue to add to for years in the future.

"I plan on doing this until I die and it's pretty neat -- pretty darned neat -- that the people all the way in New York are paying attention," he told the Telegram. "I'm having a ball!"