Ball Review
NO HOLES BARRED
BY VERNON PETERSON. {
Vernon.Peterson@
kegel.net }
17 Balls to Kick Off the New Year With a New Reviewer
I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARDto testing all the new bowling balls that will be introduced this year, as I attempt to fill the very big shoes of Joe Cerar Jr. It looks like Santa and his elves were busy as we began 2014. We have 17 balls for this issue.
Although I modeled this first
column off Joe’s long-established template, I expect to develop my own style over the next few months. Testing of all balls will be performed at the world-renowned Kegel Training Center in Lake Wales, Fla., where we will be using the same lanes, same machine and same conditioners for every review. I want to make these reviews
as consistent and informative as possible by taking out as many variables as I can. At Kegel, I will be utilizing the Computer Aided Tracking System (CATS) in coming months to accurately track each ball’s motion to the pocket. This will help bowlers visualize a ball’s breakpoint on each and every pattern. The CATS data also
will enable us to compare an older ball’s track against newer balls, as all data will be saved. This month, we tested the balls on
four patterns: Dead Man’s Curve (a 43- ft. Sport pattern), Stone Street (42-ft. house), Viper (39-ft PBA Sport) and a 39-ft., low-volume house pattern. These patterns provide a variety of length, volume and application, which allows us to see on which part of the lane each ball matches up best. My bowling profile is 320-rpm, 17- mph speed, with an axis point of 4 5/8 right and 3/8 up. I used the same layout for all the balls: 60/4.5/40 (4.5 x 3.5 x 3 in the VLS system on Storm balls). The balls were tested out of the box in order to highlight the manufacturer’s design, and no extra holes were drilled, so the balls rolled true and were not manipulated by balance holes. To be fair to each ball, they were rolled on each pattern with the intent of finding the best area of the lane. In future tests, I’ll also be using
a high-rev player during the review process, and other guest testers may be added in the future for added feedback.
Each month, BowlersJournal interactive will reprint the BJ ball review.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER
METHODOLOGY The Bowlers Journal International Ball Motion Potential chart is designed to help bowlers un- derstand which lane conditions are best suited for the most recently introduced bowling balls in the marketplace. Placement positions on the chart are based on the “out of box” surface from the manufacturer. Surface adjustments can impact a ball’s performance and, thus, its position on the chart. The chart’s horizontal axis displays a ball’s
approximate total hook in the presence of oil. While some coverstocks may have similar maximum, dry lane, or coefficient-of-friction measurements, their ability to traction in oil can vary significantly.
Balls with minimal hook potential are placed on the far left side of the chart. Balls offering a moderate degree of hook are placed in the chart’s middle section. Balls with the greatest hook potential in heavy oil are placed on the right side of the chart. The chart’s vertical axis displays a ball’s
breakpoint shape. Balls offering more skip/ snap reaction are placed higher on the chart. Balls offering a smoother, more arcing motion are placed lower on the chart. Chart placements are based on testing by
BJI ball reviewer Vernon Peterson, with varying release styles, C.A.T.S. results, PBA player input and discussions with ball company represen- tatives.
HOOK POTENTIAL 35-45: Balls with lower total hook ranges, best suited for lighter oil concentrations. Play- ers with slower speeds or higher rev rates may also prefer balls in this range for medium oil applications. 45-51: Balls with medium hook ability, best
suited for the vast majority of “typical house shots” and some lower-volume Sport patterns. This hook range should be represented by the
“centerpiece” ball in most arsenals. 51-60+: Balls with greater total hook, de-
signed for heavier oil volumes. Players with higher speeds or lower rev rates, who need added lane traction, may also prefer balls in this range.
LENGTH RATINGS 8-12: Earlier rolling balls that read the lane sooner. These products generally come facto- ry-sanded with lower grit surfaces, and match up well with speed-dominant styles and those bowling on longer patterns. 12-15: Medium-length balls that produce easier length through the midlane. Good for most house shots and medium-volume Sport patterns. 15-19+: Balls offering extra length for those
bowling on lighter oil concentrations. Also beneficial for slower speed players, or those with higher rev rates needing added push downlane.
BREAKPOINT SHAPE 10-13: Slower-response balls that read the friction areas more gradually. This range may include balls with a urethane or mild reactive cover, designed for a smooth arc to the pocket. Can also help those with higher rev rates con- trol motion and match up well from outside angles of attack. 13-15: Balls rated for slightly stronger and quicker reactions when encountering friction areas (as when the ball leaves the oil pattern). This range offers a balance of control and back-end angularity. 15-18+: Balls that respond more quickly and aggressively to friction areas. This range can help those with less hand action create more angularity near the pocket. Also pre- ferred when playing deeper inside angles, which generally require more entry angle for above-average pin carry.
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