Clearly, one of the big issue with china ball, as already said, is putting gel, controlling easily the beam (if we still can call it a beam ^^), etc.
I don't know if you have similar spot where you work, I guess so, but in France there's a company called Maluna which manufacturate spot called Luciole, in different size. Basicaly, it's a cube, with a bulb inside, and each face of this cube is like a frame, so you can easily put gel, diff or black velvet and whatnot. The light quality is close to what a china ball gives you, but it's just reaaaaaaally easier to use.
Here's the website of Maluna. Needless to say that any gaffer or grip can build this very quickly and cheap :
http://www.maluna.fr/1024/accueil.asp