I was looking at some old equipment to post for sale and noticed that the coverstock in my Green Messenger seems to be at least as thick as the total length of the balance hole.  Same thing on the RED PULSE.  My newer equipment the cover appears to be between 1/2 to 3/4 " deep.  Maybe this is why todays balls die out so quickly.  My old Pulse has the labels sanded  off with probably
a thousand or more games and still has a decent reaction.  Any opinions on this?