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ther because when I miss it’s going to split. So I look for the ball that runs straight through the pins between the 8 and 9. It’s not always there, so you may have to go with one of the other two reactions, but if more than one ball is striking I’m going to choose the one that runs through the pins best. JASON BELMONTE: The fi rst


thing I look for is how the ball is go- ing through the pins. Several balls may go through the pocket, but rarely does more than one ball go through the pins they way you’d like. I like to see all the pins go backwards. I like to see all 10 in the pit, instead of the mes- sengers or the trip-4 pins. If I see one ball that does that, fantastic. If I see two balls doing that, my decision becomes a little more strategic. Then I have to determine which ball I think I can hold onto the longest before having to change or move. In three-game sets, it’s really important that you see your ball going through the pins right be- cause the difference between a ring-10 and a strike could mean the difference between winning and losing a match. CHRIS BARNES: If I’m on fresh oil,


the strongest ball that goes through the pins wins. By strongest I mean the earliest-rolling ball. The early roll- ing ball follows transitions better and they read easier. I’ll always go with the earliest-rolling ball, the lowest RGs and slower response cover. High-response covers respond a lot to dry and oil. Low- response covers react much less. It’s like a snow tire versus a slick tire. I always


“If I’m on fresh oil,


the strongest ball that goes through the pins wins.”


Wes Malott


go to the snow tire early on because it’s more predictable and the changes in oil will be much more gradual. If I’m in between I’ll always go with the one that has the smoother shape. WES MALOTT: I had to make that


Chris Barnes


17 USBOWLER FEBRUARY 2012


very decision recently. I had a good look with two different levels of bowl- ing balls. At fi rst I thought I’d go with the mid-range ball because I thought I could stay with it longer. I was afraid that if I used the higher-end ball I’d have to get away from it sooner. But by the end of practice I didn’t quite see what I wanted from the mid-range ball, so I chose the high-end ball. I ended up being able to stay with it the whole block. That’s a decision you have to make, and you have to commit to it. The next day on fresh oil I started with the high-end and had to go away from it after three games. Sometimes the lanes will let you do it, sometimes they won’t.


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