It absorbs oil, so it needs a hot water bath about every 50 games or it will lose some reaction. And make sure after you extract oil that you put the ball back at the grit you were using it at ie. factory box 4000. Reactive balls end up at about 600 grit after a period of use. A 600 grit No Mercy will not react like a 4000 grit one on what every condition you are using it on.