Unique Pete Sampras Tennis Ballport - Holds 80 Balls

by Unique

Product Features

• Holds 80 Balls
• Endorsed by Pete Sampras

Product Description

Ballport 80-Ball Basket is made of tough polypropylene. No wires to rust, welding to break or paint to peel. Handles rotate and lock up or down for easy pickup and dispensing. Ships in a small, 2 wide by 25 high box. Assembly is easy with panels locking into place and legs easily attached with provided screws. Rolling bars on the bottom help ease balls into the basket and hold hold them in. Sliding bars on the top slide open to make dispensing easy, and lock closed to hold balls during transport and storage. Handles lock into an upright position for ball collection, and in a downward position for ball dispensing with a patented locking feature.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0019F03MK
• Item model number: BPS-80 - Sampras
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,811 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #4 in Sports & Outdoors > Racket Sports > Tennis > Balls

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TennisAnyone, October 23, 2009

By 

Horace'sWorld (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unique Pete Sampras Tennis Ballport - Holds 80 Balls (Sports)

This is the best tennis ball hopper made! I was originally going to purchase one of the high end metal hoppers but I'm so glad I didn't. The Hoag ball hopper is extremely strong but the 4 pegs along the bottom are about three-quarter inches thick so when picking up the balls they don't go all the way into the basket. Instead, you have to continually press on top of an additional balls to have the first ball fully enter into the basket, and so on. With the last 4-5 balls you either have to force them inside by hand, or let them naturally fall out the bottom and add them manually into the top. Ending each pick-up this way is a pain, particularly when you're done hitting and tired. The Unique Ballport build quality is outstanding, consisting of solid plastic inserts and metal screws that actually secure/fortify the basket from breaking. Not sure why their is a Sampras Ballport 80 and a regular Ballport 80. They are identical but the price is less for the non-Sampras version. The writing on the hopper and everything is identical. If you need a hopper that holds 80 balls then this is it. Unlike all other metal hoppers, this one actually holds the stated amount of 80 balls. Because of the build of the metal hoppers, which are angled on the sides(whereas the Ballport is square), you can only get about 85% of the stated capacity, unless you meticulously place each ball in the basket by hand - not good. The top of the Bal port has two sliding poles to secure the balls from falling out which is much better than a free hanging top that swings open and shut. Buy this hopper you won't regret it.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Hopper I've used: Stable, Durable, and highly functional, April 19, 2010

By 

John (Elk Grove, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unique Pete Sampras Tennis Ballport - Holds 80 Balls (Sports)

This Unique Pete Sampras Ballport is the best tennis ball hopper I've had the chance to use. I've used the Black Wilson 75 and Gamma Hopper and while they seem durable because of their metal construction, they are prone to tipping over, lids coming updone, and metal bases, handles, and baskets can become warped.

The Unique Ballport is made up of a hard plastic (similar, tough material found on a plastic bicycle pedal). The plastic will withstand a good amount of damage and use. I don't foresee it breaking or cracking from the daily wear and tear.

Putting the hopper together is easy by screwing in ten or so screws at the corners and legs sides. The legs will not come apart since they are secured by screws directly into the basket. This means you won't have to fiddle around with the legs falling off (like in the Wilson and Gamma hoppers). In addition, the leg locks that keep the basket upright or in the carry position are well designed so that the hopper is stable and secure in both positions. It keeps transporting easy, and provides peace of mind when setting it up for usage.

In addition, the spinning sticks at the bottom allows tennis balls to be easily "hopped" or sucked into the basket. I found it much easier to pick up balls with the Ballport than with any other hopper. Since the base sticks spin, the fuzz on the balls are not torn up, the balls glide right through the basket, and most importantly the sticks retain their shape keeping balls in the basket. Metal hoppers can become mailable and as a result the wires shift and become wider over time.

Lastly, the top sliding locking sticks move easily and will keep the balls in the basket during transport. Compared to wired hoppers, this innovation works phenomenally well and I have no fear of any balls spilling in the trunk of the car. I've used Wilson and Gamma hoppers in the past, and would occasionally have the lid latch come undone and 70+ balls rolling around the back of the trunk.

PROS:
* Constructed of Highly Durable Plastic that will last with daily usage
* Easy to pickup tennis balls
* Legs will not come undone if knocked down or during transport
* Leg locks keep the basket stable during carry and transport positions
* Top cover sliding locking sticks is very reliable and will not become undone
* Rectangular shape allows for easy ball pick along fences.
* Holds stated 75-80 balls.

CONS:
* Slightly heavier than wired hoppers (full hopper probably weights around 10 lbs)
* Seems short in height at about 3 feet high
* Lid locking sticks need a little push to slide into the lock and open position (not as smooth as I would like it to be)

Overall I would highly recommend purchasing the Unique Ballport over standard wired hoppers. The secure legs (transporting and carrying) and secure "lid" are the highlights of this product and these feature sets it apart from the rest. I only wish it was a little lighter and taller.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, well made, works perfect!, May 14, 2011

By 

Fog Flyer (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unique Pete Sampras Tennis Ballport - Holds 80 Balls (Sports)

This is the first and only ball hopper / picker-upper / stand I have used, but I really can't imagine one being designed any better. The wire legs/handles lock easily and securely in both positions. It is such a joy to pick up all the balls around the court so easily; just set the basket on top of the loose ball and it effortlessly slides between the bottom rollers and into your hopper. Some reviewers mentioned the stand is too short and not sturdy enough. Well, I am 6' 3" and think the stand is high enough and it seems pretty sturdy also. I only had about 25 balls in it, so perhaps with 80 it is less stable, but if the wind was blowing hard enough to blow the stand over, I don't think I would be playing anyway.

I spent about three hours practicing serves and backhands yesterday and it is without a doubt the best $25 I have spent on tennis yet! Absoulutely LOVE the ball hopper! Should have bought one a long time ago!