I remember that there were 2 tests you gave a ball to check it. First you bounced to see if it was dead or live. Second, you sqeezed it to see if it was cracked, soft or hard.
Once, I was in the candy store and a little kid was buying an egg ball and wanted to check it out.
He innocently asked the store owner: “George, can I squeeze your balls”.
We cracked up and the kid did not understand why.

Remember stoop ball and 5 boxes.