Ball Review JET:
Propulsion Hybrid Hook 47 • Length 16 • Breakpoint Shape 14
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Manufacturer’s Intent: The Propulsion is a hybrid for medium to heavy oil, designed to stay clean through the heads and make a quick transition. The strong asymmetrical core and polished VersaMAXX-9 HD cover create an extremely versatile ball. Core: The asymmetrical core produces a low RG of 2.50, a high differential of .055 and a mass bias of .018. We saw about 4 inches of flare.
Coverstock: The crimson/blue/mercury colored VersaMAXX-9 HD hybrid cover is finished at the factory with a 1500-grit polish. The Ra value is 2.27 and the effective surface grit is 4900. Overview: The Propulsion gives a smooth reac- tion off the midlane with a predictable backend reaction. We had a good look on our Stone Street house pattern, playing in the track area around 13 at the arrows and out to the 7- or 8-board at about the 46-ft. breakpoint, according to our CATS. I was able to get lined up pretty easily on the lighter house pattern as well, but had to be careful not to try to open up the lane too much, especially with my lower revs. On the other hand, Billy could open it up to cover a lot more boards with a smooth reaction. On the USBC team pattern, I could go more direct on the fresh (up the track area between 7-8) with a good amount of hold and a little recov- ery to the right. You would want to play the hold a little more than the swing because of the shiny hybrid cover. I see the Propulsion Hybrid as a game two ball once the track area opens up. But if you are looking to use it on the fresh, a stronger drilling or a little surface could make it work. On the doubles/singles pattern, we were able to play in the track area to start, as the ball allowed us to play straighter on the fresh with hold and recovery. This truly would be a good first choice for the USBC doubles/singles pattern because of its short and smooth transition off the breakpoint. The ball keeps the pins low with good pin action and carry. It’s also a good choice for those who play a little more direct on fresh conditions and need a smooth reaction off the breakpoint. The Propulsion and the Fighter make a good 1-2 combo.
THE SKINNY ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST
BLEND 10:
NST Hook 49 • Length 17 • Breakpoint Shape 15 //////////////////////////////////// //////////
Manufacturer’s Intent: “Our first release in the New School Technology (NST) line features the ACI core (patent pending) with our own unique Blend10 coverstock B10A16 formulation,” says Blend10 Managing Partner Pete Olivia. “This new core technology has been designed to increase the potential of pin carry and is complemented by the B1016A coverstock. The blending of these two properties has produced a very strong ball motion on the backend of the lane that many bowlers are looking for.” Core: The ACI symmetric core produces an RG of 2.480 with a differential of .048. We saw 4 inches of flare with our layouts. Coverstock: The sky blue B10A16 pearl coverstock comes out of the factory with a 1500-grit polish. We measured an RA value of 1.47 and an effective surface grit of 5400. Overview: The name of Blend10’s first new ball stands for “New School Technology.” It truly is a ball that has the characteristics bowlers want for today’s lane conditions, making a clean push through the front part of the lane and a strong motion in the backend. On our Stone Street house pattern, we were able to get lined up around the second arrow with hold and swing area and good movement to the pocket. On our lighter volume house pattern, we were able to go inside to the third arrow and open up the lane easily with a good entry angle to the pocket to increase the hitting power. The NST comes out of the box pretty shiny, so it went a little too long for us on the USBC patterns with their volume and length. But this would be a good choice for a No. 2 ball when the track area opens up. This ball keeps the pins low, and our carry percentage was high. It’s a good choice for bowlers with lower ball speeds and/or lower rev rates because of its ease getting through the front part of the lane before it makes its turn to the pocket.
BLEND 10:
OSW Hook 46 • Length 16 • Breakpoint Shape 12 //////////////////////////////////// //////////
Manufacturer’s Intent: “Regardless of ball speed, from a slower senior to a speed dominant youth, the OSW is designed to provide the bowler with an uncanny ability to blend out oil transition, thus decreasing that much undesired over/under reaction,” says Blend10’s Pete Olivia. “The construction of this ball has been designed with specific input by [bowlers] as to what they feel has been missing in today’s ball market. This ball will be able to generate the same hitting power that we are all looking for, but with a much more controllable ball motion.” Core: The P2R symmetric core produces an RG of 2.503 and a differential of .035. We saw about 4 inches of flare. Coverstock: The dark purple B10A6 solid coverstock comes out of the factory with a 1500-grit Abralon sanding. We measured an RA value of 2.19 and an effective surface grit of 5100. Overview: The OSW (Old School Works) gives you true old school ball motion and is a good complement to the NST. We got lined up pretty easily around 8-board on the longer house pattern, Stone Street, giving us a forgiving reaction with a good amount of hold area, as well as some swing area. On the lighter house pattern, this ball gave us a smooth, predictable motion and allowed us to keep to the right, closer to the track area. The ball drove harder through the pins than you would think when you hear “old school.” On the USBC patterns, we had to play a tight line at first, and the breakpoint was a little too late to the pocket. With more surface, this ball would be a good choice to start off on the doubles/singles pattern. It’s a good ball to go to when the lanes are wet/dry or when they get ugly and you need to keep it in play with a predictable motion. It is forgiving for all types of releases and fits almost any type of bowler, but especially the higher rev players because of its smooth motion at the breakpoint. In comparison to the NST, on our lighter house pattern, the OSW was about five boards right with the feet and three with the eyes at the arrows.
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