Are New Racquetball Containers Pressurized? [Has My Ball Gone Bad]

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Written By Dan Kaplan

Page Editor and Racquetball player

Unopened sleeves or canisters of racquetballs are by far the freshest.

Even though the containers are not pressurized, the cannister still will keep your racquetballs fresh until you’re read to use your racquetballs. Before 

While sitting in the canisters they will not go dead, and are even available in different colors.

While you can be sure that your unopened racquetballs will be ready to use when you open them, there are some nuisances that you want to be aware of.


Are The Racquetballs Pressurized?  

Although racquetballs are not pressurized, it’s still possible for them to lose their bounce and become unusable (also known as “becoming dead”).

So, unless you buy a racquetball that has been properly sealed in its container, you can expect it to have a flat, deflated, or rubbery feel and not bounce as it should.  


What is Racquetball?
 

Racquetball is a game played one against one or in teams meaning two against two. Racquetball is played with racquets and a hollow rubber ball and can be played either indoors or outdoors.

There is no net to hit the ball over like there is in tennis or badminton, and no tin (the out-of-bounds region at the foot of the front wall) to hit the ball above, as there is in squash.

You can learn the rules of this simple game in about a minute, and all you need to play is one, two, or three friends.  

The court dimensions are the same as those for squash, but the blue ball is much larger and bouncier. The racquet has a big head and a short handle, making it easy to use.

For those with no prior experience, racquetball is a fantastic introduction to the world of racquet sports.

man playing racquetball

Newcomers to the sport are drawn in by the low cost of racquetball balls and the equipment needed. However, the quality of your racquetball can be affected when its seal on your racquetballs has been compromised.

Every expert racquetball player knows the disappointment of a new racquetball with no bounce.

Because of this, it’s important to note that racquetballs do not go bad when stored in their original, unopened canisters but start to degrade as soon as that seal is disrupted.  
 

Why Are Cans or Sleeves or Racquetballs Sealed?  

Racquetballs are kept in good condition by the pressure contained within their sealed can or container; and once the can is opened, the ball is subjected to the air pressure of the surrounding environment, making it less reliable even when not in use.

Once the seal is broken on the can of balls, they slowly lose their freshness.

If you don’t check the balls often after a canister has been opened, you might not notice the gradual decline in quality, but it’s there. That’s why each player should keep a can/canister or two of racquetballs with them at all times.

This is because the balls are sensitive to variations in pressure, so in tournament play, one ball is used for pre-match warm-ups and another is used for competitive play.  

Vintage sleeve of 2 balls


Can Racquetball Balls Go Dead?
 

When a racquetball loses its bounce and can no longer be used, it is considered “dead”. Frequent use, along with the ball’s inherent depreciation component even when not in use, causes the ball’s bounce to gradually diminish over time.  

To put it simply, the moment you release the balls from their original sealed container, their bounce begins to diminish. This is because the ball interacts with the air around it, even when not in use, thus causing it to diminish.  
 

Racquetball balls are often made of soft rubber, similar to that used in vehicle tires, giving them their bouncy nature.

There has been discussion about whether or not to make the ball out of more durable material to prevent it from losing value over time. However, both speed and weight remain important factors that must be considered.  
 

How is the Lifespan of a Racquetball Determined?  

You can tell how long a ball will last by its freshness, color, how long you’ve been playing with it, and how it feels when being used.

When playing racquetball, your goal is to hit the ball harder faster, and more accurately than your opponent making it harder for them to return it.

The absence of a net makes the flat, surrounding surfaces an integral part of the action.

All surfaces are fair game, including the ceiling, walls, and floor, as long as players follow the rules about the ball making it to the front wall before touching the floor. 

The texture of modern racquetball provides traction as they bounce off of hard surfaces like walls and flooring. However, the ball loses its texture more quickly the more it is used in gameplay.

Because of this, the ball loses its traction and slips along the ground instead of bouncing accurately. This adds to the degradation of the racquetball. 
 

Penn racquetballs

The durability of a racquetball, however, depends on a variety of factors, including: 
 

The racquetball’s newness  

Your playtime depends on when you first launched your new set of balls. A ball that has been opened for two months will still have the same texture and grip, but it will not bounce like a brand-new ball.  
 

In-game experience  

A player’s participation rate in the game is mostly determined by his or her skill level. Therefore, the ball is unlikely to last if the game is played on a regular basis.

If you don’t play racquetball very often, the balls might last longer, but they will eventually break down under the strain of the air.

The amount of force or how hard you hit the ball when playing will also affect the ball’s lifespan.  
 

Individual preference  

Different types and skill levels of players exist. If a player feels their ball is beginning to lose its bounciness, they can switch it out for a new ball instead of continuing on with the game.

Some players, however, may use the same ball for four or five games before opting for a brand-new racquetball. As a result, newer racquetball players need to pay attention to the racquetball during play to detect when it loses its grip or bounciness and needs to be replaced.

If you’re one of those players who can’t determine whether or not a ball has a decent grip, some people say you can determine the usefulness of a racquetball by checking the logo on the ball; if it’s too faint to make out, it’s time to get some new ones.  
 

Jug of 12 balls

In conclusion, racquetballs usually come in a can, canister, or sleeve of 2, 3, or 12 balls. The latter option is the most cost-effective, and the balls are packaged in pressurized containers.

This helps them retain their rigidity and shape for as long as possible.

When you open the sealed container, the pressure inside is released, and the balls immediately begin to lose some of their punch or freshness. For casual or new players, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it does highlight the importance of strategic shopping.  

Racquetball beginners need a ball that can last multiple games without being replaced, or else they’ll have to buy a new one after every game.

It is customary to inspect the ball’s logo before purchasing it; customarily, if the logo hasn’t faded to where it can not be read, the ball is in good condition.  

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