Well, howdy there! Let’s gab about them tennis balls, you know, the ones you whack around with a stick. You ever wonder how long they last if you don’t open ‘em up? I sure did, so I poked around a bit, asked some folks, and here’s what I reckon.
Now, them tennis balls, they ain’t like them canned peaches, you know? They don’t last forever, even if you don’t pop ‘em open. I heard tell that them balls are made of rubber, and that rubber ain’t happy sitting around for too long. It gets old and tired, just like me! So, how long do unopened tennis balls last? That’s the million-dollar question, ain’t it?
Some folks say if you keep them balls in that can they come in, they might be alright for a good while, maybe a couple of years. But don’t you go thinkin’ they’ll be bouncy like a spring chicken after all that time. That air inside, it seeps out, slow as molasses in January. It’s like a tire that’s got a slow leak, you know? One day, you go to use it, and pfft, flat as a pancake.
- Pressurized cans: These are the best for keeping them balls fresh. They keep the air in, but even then, it ain’t forever. I heard two years is pushing it.
- Regular tubes: These ain’t as good as the pressurized ones. The air leaks out faster, so them balls won’t last as long.
Now, if them tennis balls ain’t in no can, well, that’s a different story. They’ll go bad faster than milk in the sun. The air gets to ‘em, and they lose their bounce quicker than a hiccup. I wouldn’t count on them being good for more than a few months, maybe six if you’re lucky.
So, how do you know if them tennis balls are still good? Well, you gotta squeeze ‘em, see if they’ve got any pep left in ‘em. If they feel hard as a rock, they’re no good. If they’re all squishy and soft, they’re done for too. You want ‘em to have a little give, but still feel firm. It’s like checking a ripe melon, you know? You gotta get a feel for it.
Another thing, them tennis balls, they don’t like the heat. Don’t you go leaving them in the trunk of your car on a hot summer day. They’ll cook like a Thanksgiving turkey, and that rubber will get all messed up. Keep ‘em in a cool, dry place, like a closet or a basement. That’ll help them last a bit longer.
And what about them fancy pressureless tennis balls I keep hearin’ about? Well, them’s a different breed, they say. They got no air inside, so they last longer. I heard tell they can last a year or more, even if you use ’em regular. But they don’t bounce the same, see? Some folks like ’em, some folks don’t. It’s like them fancy coffee drinks, some folks like ‘em sweet, some like ‘em strong.
So, to sum it all up, how long do unopened tennis balls last depends on how you keep ‘em and what kind they are. If they’re in a pressurized can, they might be good for a couple of years, but don’t expect miracles. If they’re out in the open, they won’t last nearly as long. And them pressureless ones, well, they’re a whole different kettle of fish. You just gotta use your common sense, you know? Squeeze ‘em, look at ‘em, and if they seem off, well, they probably are.
And remember, even if them balls seem okay, they might not bounce like they used to. That rubber gets old, and it loses its spring. So, if you’re playing a serious game, you might want to get some fresh ones. But if you’re just whacking them around for fun, well, a little less bounce ain’t gonna hurt nobody. It’s like my old bones, they don’t move as fast as they used to, but I still get around!
Now, I ain’t no expert, you know? I’m just tellin’ you what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen. But if you take care of them tennis balls, they’ll last a bit longer. And if they don’t, well, that’s just the way it is. Nothing lasts forever, not even tennis balls.
One last thing, if you’re really worried about it, you can always buy new tennis balls. They ain’t that expensive, and it’s better to have a good bouncy ball than to be playing with a dead one. It’s like using fresh eggs for a cake, you know? It just makes everything better.
So there you have it, a whole heap of information about how long do unopened tennis balls last. Hope it helps you out, and you can get back to whacking them balls without worrying too much.
