preserve unopened balls over winter?

[canadave]

Hi,

At my club, we had a bunch of tennis ball cans (US Open Wilsons) that were unopened from last season to this season. When we opened a couple of them in May, we found to our dismay that the balls didn't bounce very well....they'd clearly lost some bounce over the winter, sitting in the cupboard in the clubhouse.

Is there any way to "preserve bounce" in unopened cans of tennis balls over a period of several months? Like storing them in a freezer or something? Or does that vary significantly from ball brand to ball brand?

 

[mrw]

I have left cans of unopened balls in my unheated shed and the trunk of my car all winter. When opened, they were fresh as a daisy. Of course, they were Penn balls made in the USA.

 

[SethIMcClaine]

Yeah, you probably got a bad batch from like canada or something... oops

I would assume keeping them at room temp would probably be best, I'm sure the winters are harsh up there and the contracting of air might be affecting the balls

 

[LanEvo]

idk i have had unopened cans of balls over a yr old, open them up play just as new

 

[Jack Migger]

I have fresh cans that I purchased 3 summers ago and still pop one open every couple of weeks and they play as good as new.

 

[gh65721]

Keep them somewhere that is heated over the winter.

 

[Il Mostro]

Best solution? Move to a warmer climate for year-round tennis.

 

[canadave]

Best solution? Move to a warmer climate for year-round tennis.

That would probably be the best solution, for sure....unfortunately, not the easiest

Thanks everyone!

 

[Il Mostro]

That would probably be the best solution, for sure....unfortunately, not the easiest

Thanks everyone!

Just kidding, Dave. I have stored balls (Pro Penn) for extended periods of time in the house, the garage, my office and my warehouse. They are always fine. I am in a warm climate, so heat is the enemy. Did the same thing in Japan when a good part of the year was cold enough to bring in the brass moneys -- also no problems.

 

[man-walking]

I think that the real problem is in the temp variation, if they are placed in a place that is subject to continous variation (night & day), not enough covered/isolated from external temp, the balls get somewhat 'weared' by this action.

And of course there should be an huge difference between factory pressurized cans and the rest.