Are There Different Types of Racquetballs? (6 Ball Color Guide)

Due to its lack of equipment requirements, racquetball is an easy and affordable sport to play. It is important, however, that you have the right equipment. It is your equipment that can either make you a winner or a loser, depending upon its quality. So, you should choose better quality racquetballs. But how long do racquetballs last?

Several factors determine the longevity of racquetballs. Your playing frequency is the prime factor that will let you know how long racquetballs will last. However, a professional player always changes their balls every three to five games to ensure their balls keep bouncing consistently.

Further, you will learn more about racquetball and its longevity. You will also learn the factors that determine how long a racquetball will last. So, keep reading.

What Factors Determine How Long a Racquetball Will Last?

Following are the factors that will determine the longevity of racquetball.

1. Types of Racquetballs

The racquetball’s color and type can also influence its longevity. Different types and colors of racquetball are available. In addition to making the balls more visually appealing, the different colors also serve a practical purpose.  

According to the players’ experience and skill level, each color ball has its characteristics. Apart from distinguishing the different properties of each ball, colors also help to make a ball visible during a game. 

Color choices include black, blue, multicolored, etc. Choosing the right ball color depends on your experience and skill level, as well as whether you’ll be playing indoors or outdoors.

Black Racquetballs

Black racquetballs are especially slow and are used for long rallies. Additionally, as a slower-pace ball, they usually do not get hit as hard and tend to last longer. 

Anyone who wants a bit more response time can benefit from using this type of ball, from beginners to seniors.

Blue Racquetballs

Most people play with blue racquetballs. Recreational or inexperienced players like them because they are designed for medium speed. 

In addition, this ball does not wear out very quickly, so it bounces and flies at an extremely predictable trajectory.

Purple Racquetballs

Professionals use purple balls in tournaments. Indoor courts benefit from these balls as they are the fastest. Although they are not very durable, they do wear out very quickly due to the rapid speed and hard hits.

Green Racquetballs

Compared to blue balls, green balls have more speed, but they’re equally predictable. In many ways, they are similar to the blue balls, but much more durable, so they are a good middle ground between them and the purple balls. You can also use green balls on outdoor courts.

Red Racquetballs

The bright red color of the racquetballs makes them ideal for outdoor play since they are easy to recognize in any lighting conditions. Whenever you play a fast-paced game, they are perfect.

Multicolored Racquetballs

Racquetballs with multicolored covers are also rare. Due to their two colors, they are extremely visible, and you can see the ball’s spin in addition to the two colors together.

If you want a multicolored racquetball, you can try the Python RG Multi Colored Racquetballs as it is durable and long-lasting.

2. Playing Frequency

The frequency with which you also play matters in terms of the longevity of racquetball. A racquetball won’t last very long if you play several hours a day, several times a week. 

As long as you don’t play as frequently, the racquetball will last longer since repeated impacts are not wearing it out.

3. Experience & Hitting Power

Your level of experience and the force with which you strike also affect the durability of your racquetball. 

As an experienced player who hits racquetball hard, your equipment wears out faster than that of a beginner who has not yet mastered the proper method of hitting the ball. Therefore, be careful while you hit the racquetball.

When Should You Replace Racquetball?

Occasionally, players wait until their racquetballs break to replace them, which is not a good approach. If a racquetball breaks during play, it has probably not been a high-quality ball from the beginning.

A better game demands a brand new racquetball with texture. Balls with a better texture have a constant grip on walls and floors. It takes a while for a ball to lose its texture after it has been played with. 

The smooth ball will lose its grip on the wall as it becomes more slippery and less able to grip it as it loses its grip; instead, it will slide off the surface. It is why players should change their racquetballs when the texture is worn away by more than 50 percent. 

You must follow the guidelines so your equipment does not become an obstacle to the game. If your racquetballs aren’t as bouncy as they used to be, players should replace them.  

Racquetballs come in a can or a jar. Under either processing method, the balls are present under pressure. Despite being pressurized, such a sealing preserves the shape and hardness of racquetballs.

As soon as you take these balls out of the container, they lose some of their hardness. The effect won’t be noticeable during play since this is normal.  

There is no pressurization, so there will not be air leakage, causing the ball to go flat. However, it may change its hardness and bounce over time if it is used frequently and struck repeatedly.

As you drop the ball from shoulder height, you should see it bounce up to your waist or higher. By dropping both a new and an old ball simultaneously, you can see how much each bounces. You need to replace the ball if it is bouncing significantly less.

A manufacturer’s logo is visible on some golf balls, which some people use to judge the quality of the ball. After the logo on the ball is no longer visible, they change balls. 

For beginners, simply playing with the same ball until it breaks is more economical than purchasing new balls continually, or they cannot distinguish between a new and dead ball. 

How you handle this issue depends on your budget. If you notice a ball has gone dead, you should switch to a new one. Over time, balls do go dead. It is a good rule of thumb to check the longevity of the ball using the logo.