Valve member with improved fluid flow and control

A valve assembly comprising:

• a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber, the plurality of ports comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber;
• a valve member located within the valve chamber, wherein the valve member comprises a rotatable ball having a fluid passage extending there through, the fluid passage having a first opening at a first end thereof, a second opening at a second end thereof, and a substantially oval-shaped cross section extending from the first opening to the second opening such that the fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed parallel to the fluid passage at the first opening and the second opening;
• and
• a valve stem coupled to the valve member and having a first end that extends from the valve body;
• wherein the first opening at the first end of the fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped and has a first oval shape when viewed at the first opening in a direction parallel to that of the fluid passage and the second opening has a second oval shape when viewed at the second opening in a direction parallel to that of the fluid passage, the first oval shape having substantially the same oval shape as the second oval shape.