To think they should just ask me

[GlumyGloomer]

The neighbours on both sides of us have kids, so balls in the garden are a regular occurrence. We're the newbies in the row but I've swapped numbers with both neighbours. Whenever a new ball arrives (or shoe or whatever) I message both sides to find out in which direction I should chuck it back. It's a little thing but I'm just getting fed up of being responsible for returning the things. Why can't whoever has lost a ball just text me to get it back? Surely that's better than having to bother both sides each time? The latest ball has been sat outside for 3 days, because I'm waiting to see if/when they take a bit of responsibility.
One side has just sold their house, so the situation may resolve on it's own, but I've never been in this position before and just wondered what the usual garden etiquette is?

Ask them to label their balls with their house number.

Why bother? either chuck it randomly over one side and if they chuck it back you'll know it belongs to the other side. But if they aren't bothered about stuff why should you be? Apart from you drowning under a sea of ball and shoes...

Just so doing anything. They'll soon ask when they run out of balls.

If they want their ball back they'll need to "use their words" and ask for it.

Stop doing it. It's probably annoying them too. Just leave it and wait for them to come knock on your door for it.

Yes, stop bustling about catering to them -- just chuck it over one side or the other, and if one lot arrive looking for their ball, tell them to sort it out with the other neighbour, as you're not going to rush about finding out whose ball it is.

I wouldn’t bother chasing them, it’s up to them to ask you if they want their ball back.

I just randomly chuck balls in any of the 5 directions (back neighbours are staggered differently). They don't even all have children (I do) I don't give it much thought really. If it bothers you stop doing it. Put them in a basket by your door or just bin them.

I've never been in this position before and just wondered what the usual garden etiquette is?

There is no etiquette. The neighbour asks for it back if they want it.

We had a ball sat in the garden for a week or so, nobody asked for it, so it went in a black bag for the bin men.

Neighbours lost balls aren't my problem.

I'd probably pick a random side. I have a similar thing, but with a playing field behind me and a neighbour who loves football to one side. If we get a rogue football, we tend to throw it to the neighbour. If it isn't theirs, they throw it over the fence behind us. Imagine if you get the wrong side, they'll throw it back.

Or ignore it, but I personally don't like balls sitting in the garden. No idea why! I'm not exactly Chelsea flower show standard gardener or anything!

Ha, when we moved in it was a sea of balls, including a set of identical footballs where they'd just kept replacing. I suppose I'll just start guessing. I'm the kind who takes care of my stuff. It baffles me when other people don't.

I'd be annoyed if you kept texting me about balls that aren't mine /chucking them over my fence etc... Just wait for them to ask for the ball back. If the ball being in your garden is bothering you, put them in a bin bag out of the way / let neighbours know that any balls not claimed after 1 week will be thrown away. Then it's up to them and you aren't bothering the other neighbour.

Stop returning them, if nobody comes for it within a week or so then bin it.

It’s usual to have them arriving from both sides! Can you leave them at your front door for collection? Or is there one house that is the source more often, if so I’d just lob them that way.
Maybe they can limit the balls, so you know the yellow one is no. 4, blue and green is no. 8.

You were mad to ever start texting, they are probably waiting for the text to get the ball they are waiting for. Just lob it back over whoevers garden is closest to where the ball lands

If you keep chucking them back you might get a bar of chocolate like on the advert.

@bookmum08

If you keep chucking them back you might get a bar of chocolate like on the advert.

This is a serious consideration. As long as it's the darker version of dairy milk. The normal one has gone downhill. Could you discuss with neighbours and then you'll know how to proceed?

Just. Nick them in a box in the corner of your garden. When either side runs out of balls, they'll soon come knocking and they can rifle through the box then.
I would find it very wearing being on either end of this messaging - sending the message or regularly receiving messages along the lines of your dc have thrown a red ball into my garden please arrange repatriation of the ball. It's just a ball, probably one of several lying about.

Just chuck, not Nick. There is no need for criminality.

WhereTheCrawdadsSing yes the OP needs to write requests on the ball in Sharpie pen.
"Here is your ball. I like Galaxy Caramel"

Ask them to write their numbers on the ball, great idea!

But definitely stop chasing them, if they want them back, they should ask!

Just chuck it by the side it's nearest

I just pick a random house with kids round me and chuck the balls back if they haven’t been claimed for a couple of days. I reckon it must all come out in the wash eventually.

Getting chocolate is an option? I missed the memo on that one!

Guessing it doesn't stretch to Green & Blacks though...