epcoming summer new ball releases

[Stormed1]

DV8

Ruckus Schizo
World Wide Release Date: 7/16/14
Color: Neon Lime/Neon Yellow Peal
Coverstock: Class 12F Reactive
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Royal Compound
Core: Ruckus Medium RG
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $242.95
RG INT: #14/2.595 #15/2.579 #16/2.566
DIFF: #14/0.052 #15/0.052 #16/0.052

Rude Dude
World Wide Release Date: 7/16/14
Color: Neon Orange/Neon Solid
Coverstock: Class 7G Reactive
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Royal Compound
Core: Dude Symmetric
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $189.95
RG: #14/2.612 #15/2.596 #16/2.584
DIFF: #14/0.040 #15/0.040 #16/0.040

plus 4 polyester balls

COLUMBIA
Columbia N's@ne Antics
World Wide Release Date: 7/1/14
Color: White/Crimson/Azure
Coverstock: AR300 Solid
Factory Finish: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Abralon with Clean 'n Sheen 300 RPM
Core: Hi-Dynamix II
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $239.95
RG: #14/2.51 #15/2.50 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.042 #15/.042 #16/.039

EBONITE

Ebonite Energy Source
World Wide Release Date: 7/8/14
Color: Black/Red/Silver
Coverstock: XL4500 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon with Power House Factory Finish @ 300 RPM
Core: Mission
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $196.95
RG: #14/2.50 #15/2.49 #16/2.48
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.050 #16/.049

HAMMER

Hammer Black Widow Legend
World Wide Release Date: 8/5/14
Color: Black/Red Pearl
Coverstock: NBT Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish
Core: Gas Mask
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #15/2.50
DIFF: #15/.058

Hammer Absolut Flip
World Wide Release Date: 7/8/14
Color: Blue/Copper/Silver
Coverstock: H-200 Pearl
Factory Finish: 500, 500, 500, 1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish @ 300 RPM Speed
Core: Fat Max
Weights: 10-16 lbs.
BSR: $175.95
RG: #15/2.45
DIFF: #15/.048

TRACK

Track Mx16
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Orange/Blue/Silver
Coverstock: MR-8 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/3000 Abralon
Core: I-Core
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $249.94
RG: #14/2.25 #15/2.49 #16/2.50
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.053 #16/.047

Track Hx10
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Smoke Pearl/Red/Sky Blue
Coverstock: Dr-6 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/1000 Abralon polished W/ Power House Factory Finsih
Core: Face
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #14/2.25 #15/2.50 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.049 #16/.042++

Track Lx05
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Blue Pearl/Black/Silver Pearl
Coverstock: Qr-4 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/2000 Abralon
Core: Modified kinetic
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $175.95
RG: #14/2.48 #15/2.49 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.041 #15/.038 #16/.036

MOTIV

Tribal Fire
World Wide Release Date: 8/27/14
COLOR: Red/Orange Pearl
COVERSTOCK: Fusion Hybrid Reactive
Factory Finish: 5000 LSP
CORE: Halogen
WEIGHTS: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $186.95

RG: #15/2.55
DIFF: #15/.037

Octane
olor: Black/Purple Pearl (NeoMark Color: Silver Pearl/Orange Pearl)
- Weight Block: Quadfire
- Coverstock: Agility SFX Reactive
- Finish: 5000-grit LSP
- RG: 2.55 (15# ball)
- Diff: 0.043 (15# ball)
- Reaction: Skid/Flip
- Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium Oil

[Sourtower]

Hmm.. sounds like a lot of great bowling balls. Got any information on Brunswick's new stuff (Ringer Solid, Melee Cross, and Fortera Exile), Storm's (Hy Road Solid and Optimus), or Roto Grip's 5 new bowling balls?

[RobLV1]

Here goes:

The Blue Ringer is an ideal benchmark ball featuring a medium rg and a smooth reaction. Depending on how it's drilled, it can also be a good choice for medium length sport shots. I had a very good look with it on the 40' Sunset Strip Kegel pattern in a challenge shot league.

The Melee Cross is slightly longer and stronger than the original Melee. It's the ball that Sean Rash used to win the 34' Wolf Championship where he also shot 300 in the first match.

The Fortera Exile is an unusual ball for Brunswick, featuring an angular backend reaction. Walter Ray used it to win the Senior Masters. Just looking at the reaction, you'd think that the ball was made in Utah.

The Hyroad Solid is a solid reactive covered version of the original Hyroad which is the ball that has lasted longer than any other in Storm's line. It's kind of ironic the there are now both pearl and solid versions of the Hyroad, as the "Hy" in Hyroad originally indicated that it featured a hybrid cover.

The Optimus is an aggressive reacting ball from Storm. If you threw the Optimus and the Fortera Exile next to each other, you would see a very similar reaction.

[MICHAEL]

DV8

Ruckus Schizo
World Wide Release Date: 7/16/14
Color: Neon Lime/Neon Yellow Peal
Coverstock: Class 12F Reactive
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Royal Compound
Core: Ruckus Medium RG
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $242.95
RG INT: #14/2.595 #15/2.579 #16/2.566
DIFF: #14/0.052 #15/0.052 #16/0.052

Rude Dude
World Wide Release Date: 7/16/14
Color: Neon Orange/Neon Solid
Coverstock: Class 7G Reactive
Factory Finish: 500 Siaair, Royal Compound
Core: Dude Symmetric
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $189.95
RG: #14/2.612 #15/2.596 #16/2.584
DIFF: #14/0.040 #15/0.040 #16/0.040

plus 4 polyester balls

COLUMBIA
Columbia N's@ne Antics
World Wide Release Date: 7/1/14
Color: White/Crimson/Azure
Coverstock: AR300 Solid
Factory Finish: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Abralon with Clean 'n Sheen 300 RPM
Core: Hi-Dynamix II
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $239.95
RG: #14/2.51 #15/2.50 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.042 #15/.042 #16/.039

EBONITE

Ebonite Energy Source
World Wide Release Date: 7/8/14
Color: Black/Red/Silver
Coverstock: XL4500 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon with Power House Factory Finish @ 300 RPM
Core: Mission
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $196.95
RG: #14/2.50 #15/2.49 #16/2.48
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.050 #16/.049

HAMMER

Hammer Black Widow Legend
World Wide Release Date: 8/5/14
Color: Black/Red Pearl
Coverstock: NBT Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish
Core: Gas Mask
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #15/2.50
DIFF: #15/.058

Hammer Absolut Flip
World Wide Release Date: 7/8/14
Color: Blue/Copper/Silver
Coverstock: H-200 Pearl
Factory Finish: 500, 500, 500, 1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish @ 300 RPM Speed
Core: Fat Max
Weights: 10-16 lbs.
BSR: $175.95
RG: #15/2.45
DIFF: #15/.048

TRACK

Track Mx16
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Orange/Blue/Silver
Coverstock: MR-8 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/3000 Abralon
Core: I-Core
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $249.94
RG: #14/2.25 #15/2.49 #16/2.50
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.053 #16/.047

Track Hx10
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Smoke Pearl/Red/Sky Blue
Coverstock: Dr-6 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/1000 Abralon polished W/ Power House Factory Finsih
Core: Face
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #14/2.25 #15/2.50 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.052 #15/.049 #16/.042++

Track Lx05
World Wide Release Date: 8/19/14
Color: Blue Pearl/Black/Silver Pearl
Coverstock: Qr-4 Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/2000 Abralon
Core: Modified kinetic
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $175.95
RG: #14/2.48 #15/2.49 #16/2.51
DIFF: #14/.041 #15/.038 #16/.036

MOTIV

Tribal Fire
World Wide Release Date: 8/27/14
COLOR: Red/Orange Pearl
COVERSTOCK: Fusion Hybrid Reactive
Factory Finish: 5000 LSP
CORE: Halogen
WEIGHTS: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $186.95

RG: #15/2.55
DIFF: #15/.037

Octane
olor: Black/Purple Pearl (NeoMark Color: Silver Pearl/Orange Pearl)
- Weight Block: Quadfire
- Coverstock: Agility SFX Reactive
- Finish: 5000-grit LSP
- RG: 2.55 (15# ball)
- Diff: 0.043 (15# ball)
- Reaction: Skid/Flip
- Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium Oil

whats this 500, 500, 500 stuff related to surface???? (hammer balls???)

[MICHAEL]

Here goes:

The Blue Ringer is an ideal benchmark ball featuring a medium rg and a smooth reaction. Depending on how it's drilled, it can also be a good choice for medium length sport shots. I had a very good look with it on the 40' Sunset Strip Kegel pattern in a challenge shot league.

The Melee Cross is slightly longer and stronger than the original Melee. It's the ball that Sean Rash used to win the 34' Wolf Championship where he also shot 300 in the first match.

The Fortera Exile is an unusual ball for Brunswick, featuring an angular backend reaction. Walter Ray used it to win the Senior Masters. Just looking at the reaction, you'd think that the ball was made in Utah.

The Hyroad Solid is a solid reactive covered version of the original Hyroad which is the ball that has lasted longer than any other in Storm's line. It's kind of ironic the there are now both pearl and solid versions of the Hyroad, as the "Hy" in Hyroad originally indicated that it featured a hybrid cover.

The Optimus is an aggressive reacting ball from Storm. If you threw the Optimus and the Fortera Exile next to each other, you would see a very similar reaction.

I remember you being real excited about the Zero Gravity before it came out..... Did you get one? If so your thoughts!

[Amyers]

I am excited to see what roto grip is bringing out. Just what I need more choices when I decide to add that next piece. Lol 😎

[tccstudent]

I am excited to see what roto grip is bringing out. Just what I need more choices when I decide to add that next piece. Lol 😎

they just recently released a few balls and as of yet there is nothing listed on thier website about anything else coming out

[Amyers]

they just recently released a few balls and as of yet there is nothing listed on thier website about anything else coming out

What did you see them recently release? I have seen it on other sites that they are bringing 5 new balls out.

[Jaescrub]

The thing with Roto grip is I have looked on the approved ball list and I'm not seeing anything that has been tested and approved at this time. So what they have to say has lil traction till the balls are tested and pass. The ok will always come out 3-4 months before WWRD. A lot can change in that time. So let's say they tell you what's coming out. Then they send it in for usbc testing your still looking at a mid fall to winter release.

[Amyers]

The thing with Roto grip is I have looked on the approved ball list and I'm not seeing anything that has been tested and approved at this time. So what they have to say has lil traction till the balls are tested and pass. The ok will always come out 3-4 months before WWRD. A lot can change in that time. So let's say they tell you what's coming out. Then they send it in for usbc testing your still looking at a mid fall to winter release.

I wasn't aware they were not on the approved list the person that said that usually has good info apparently he's jumping the gun. Thanks for the info.

[RobLV1]

Michael: Your question to me about the Virtual Gravity points out the problem that Storm had with this ball perfectly. It was not the Virtual Gravity that I was excited about, it was the Zero Gravity. Here's some background: In 2008, Storm introduced the Virtual Gravity which was a very aggressive, early rolling ball (rg 2.48, diff 0.048), following it up in 2009 with the Virtual Energy which had the same aggressive core with a different cover material and surface. In 2011, the next introduction in this line was the Virtual Gravity Nano with the same core, and a new, more aggressive cover material, this time followed up the same year with the Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl, with the same core and a pearlized version of the cover. Fast forward to 2013 with the introduction of the Zero Gravity.

In my humble opinion as an ex-marketing executive, the naming of the Zero Gravity represents a huge marketing error on the part of Storm. They took a name with a long history of representing early rolling, aggressive bowling balls, and arbitrarily assigned it to a ball with a high rg (2.55), and a low differential (0.037), and created massive confusion not only among bowlers, but among pro shop operators as well.

Let me give you an example. A friend of mine throws a shot with a whole lot of axis tilt; a semi-spinner. He also sets the ball well short of the foul line. Before you laugh, he averages 220+ on a house shot. Anyway, his go-to balls are the Storm Cross Road, and the Storm Frantic. He was looking for a ball that would give him a slightly different look, and I recommended the Zero Gravity. He went and talked to his ball driller (a very high rev player) who told him that the Zero Gravity would read way too early for him. Apparently he didn't realize that his high rev rate makes the friction of the aggressive cover much more important than the resistence of the rg, while the low rev rate of his customer makes the resistence much more important than the friction, and the friction can still be minimized with a surface change.

So, back to your original question, yes I bought the Zero Gravity (two, in fact), and really liked the ball. In fact, I bowled a 299 game the first week with the ball. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter I started using Brunswick equipment. Because of my belief that the ability to switch between bowling balls seemlessly is paramount in modern bowling, I really don't like to cross between brands. It just so happens, however, that the week before last I was bowling in the Senior Masters, and on the second day when I was bowling the double burn at 2:00 pm, I decided to go to another bowling center to warm up as I found the 10 minutes of practice afforded by the USBC to be insufficient to get my body loose. As all of my equipment was in the paddock at Southpoint, I grabbed an old pair of shoes and the Zero Gravity and headed over to Red Rock to try and get loose. I still really like the reaction I get from this ball. Unfortunately most of the bowlers who buy the ball are disappointed because they expect an early-rolling hook monster based on the name.

[Amyers]

Michael: Your question to me about the Virtual Gravity points out the problem that Storm had with this ball perfectly. It was not the Virtual Gravity that I was excited about, it was the Zero Gravity. Here's some background: In 2008, Storm introduced the Virtual Gravity which was a very aggressive, early rolling ball (rg 2.48, diff 0.048), following it up in 2009 with the Virtual Energy which had the same aggressive core with a different cover material and surface. In 2011, the next introduction in this line was the Virtual Gravity Nano with the same core, and a new, more aggressive cover material, this time followed up the same year with the Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl, with the same core and a pearlized version of the cover. Fast forward to 2013 with the introduction of the Zero Gravity.

In my humble opinion as an ex-marketing executive, the naming of the Zero Gravity represents a huge marketing error on the part of Storm. They took a name with a long history of representing early rolling, aggressive bowling balls, and arbitrarily assigned it to a ball with a high rg (2.55), and a low differential (0.037), and created massive confusion not only among bowlers, but among pro shop operators as well.

Let me give you an example. A friend of mine throws a shot with a whole lot of axis tilt; a semi-spinner. He also sets the ball well short of the foul line. Before you laugh, he averages 220+ on a house shot. Anyway, his go-to balls are the Storm Cross Road, and the Storm Frantic. He was looking for a ball that would give him a slightly different look, and I recommended the Zero Gravity. He went and talked to his ball driller (a very high rev player) who told him that the Zero Gravity would read way too early for him. Apparently he didn't realize that his high rev rate makes the friction of the aggressive cover much more important than the resistence of the rg, while the low rev rate of his customer makes the resistence much more important than the friction, and the friction can still be minimized with a surface change.

So, back to your original question, yes I bought the Zero Gravity (two, in fact), and really liked the ball. In fact, I bowled a 299 game the first week with the ball. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter I started using Brunswick equipment. Because of my belief that the ability to switch between bowling balls seemlessly is paramount in modern bowling, I really don't like to cross between brands. It just so happens, however, that the week before last I was bowling in the Senior Masters, and on the second day when I was bowling the double burn at 2:00 pm, I decided to go to another bowling center to warm up as I found the 10 minutes of practice afforded by the USBC to be insufficient to get my body loose. As all of my equipment was in the paddock at Southpoint, I grabbed an old pair of shoes and the Zero Gravity and headed over to Red Rock to try and get loose. I still really like the reaction I get from this ball. Unfortunately most of the bowlers who buy the ball are disappointed because they expect an early-rolling hook monster based on the name.

Rob I agree with this 100% the naming of this ball really screwed up the intro of a really great ball. Everybody expected this to be the next big skid/flip heavy oil hook monster and that's not what this ball is. I had a lot of friends who bought this ball off of the virtual gravity reputation without looking at the numbers or waiting on a single video to come out. In my opinion the zero gravity is a great medium oil control ball could even be considered benchmark piece. It's a great ball that a lot of people just were looking for something different due to the name.

Upside I'm waiting for one of those guys to trade one in. It'll be second drill but if I can get it $50 can't beat that. Just no 15 lbs. yet.

[Stormed1]

whats this 500, 500, 500 stuff related to surface???? (hammer balls???)H

Ebonite International uses 4 Haus type machines to put the finish on their balls. After a predetermined time the balls are moved from one machine to the next. In the case of the Hammer you questioned it would mean a 500 pad in the first 3 machines and a 1000 oad on the last. So when you see their listing of finish it is that grit on each of the successive machines.

Reportedly Roto will be announcing 5 new balls at Bowl Expo

[Sourtower]

The thing with Roto grip is I have looked on the approved ball list and I'm not seeing anything that has been tested and approved at this time. So what they have to say has lil traction till the balls are tested and pass. The ok will always come out 3-4 months before WWRD. A lot can change in that time. So let's say they tell you what's coming out. Then they send it in for usbc testing your still looking at a mid fall to winter release.

That's some good info to know. Thank you very much for that. I wonder if this means that Hammer will be coming out with the Complete Aim soon lol

[Jaescrub]

The only problem with looking at the USBC approved list is that some balls are over seas releases and some company's will have a ball approved under one of there other company's names. The smack down was under the DV8 line and we all know it's not a DV8 ball! But good hunting ;)

[rv driver]

Michael: Your question to me about the Virtual Gravity points out the problem that Storm had with this ball perfectly. It was not the Virtual Gravity that I was excited about, it was the Zero Gravity. Here's some background: In 2008, Storm introduced the Virtual Gravity which was a very aggressive, early rolling ball (rg 2.48, diff 0.048), following it up in 2009 with the Virtual Energy which had the same aggressive core with a different cover material and surface. In 2011, the next introduction in this line was the Virtual Gravity Nano with the same core, and a new, more aggressive cover material, this time followed up the same year with the Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl, with the same core and a pearlized version of the cover. Fast forward to 2013 with the introduction of the Zero Gravity.

In my humble opinion as an ex-marketing executive, the naming of the Zero Gravity represents a huge marketing error on the part of Storm. They took a name with a long history of representing early rolling, aggressive bowling balls, and arbitrarily assigned it to a ball with a high rg (2.55), and a low differential (0.037), and created massive confusion not only among bowlers, but among pro shop operators as well.

Let me give you an example. A friend of mine throws a shot with a whole lot of axis tilt; a semi-spinner. He also sets the ball well short of the foul line. Before you laugh, he averages 220+ on a house shot. Anyway, his go-to balls are the Storm Cross Road, and the Storm Frantic. He was looking for a ball that would give him a slightly different look, and I recommended the Zero Gravity. He went and talked to his ball driller (a very high rev player) who told him that the Zero Gravity would read way too early for him. Apparently he didn't realize that his high rev rate makes the friction of the aggressive cover much more important than the resistence of the rg, while the low rev rate of his customer makes the resistence much more important than the friction, and the friction can still be minimized with a surface change.

So, back to your original question, yes I bought the Zero Gravity (two, in fact), and really liked the ball. In fact, I bowled a 299 game the first week with the ball. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter I started using Brunswick equipment. Because of my belief that the ability to switch between bowling balls seemlessly is paramount in modern bowling, I really don't like to cross between brands. It just so happens, however, that the week before last I was bowling in the Senior Masters, and on the second day when I was bowling the double burn at 2:00 pm, I decided to go to another bowling center to warm up as I found the 10 minutes of practice afforded by the USBC to be insufficient to get my body loose. As all of my equipment was in the paddock at Southpoint, I grabbed an old pair of shoes and the Zero Gravity and headed over to Red Rock to try and get loose. I still really like the reaction I get from this ball. Unfortunately most of the bowlers who buy the ball are disappointed because they expect an early-rolling hook monster based on the name.
Rob: Why don't you like crossing between brands? Since I've never thrown more than one ball at a time, I'm interested in your take on this.

[rv driver]

Rob I agree with this 100% the naming of this ball really screwed up the intro of a really great ball. Everybody expected this to be the next big skid/flip heavy oil hook monster and that's not what this ball is. I had a lot of friends who bought this ball off of the virtual gravity reputation without looking at the numbers or waiting on a single video to come out. In my opinion the zero gravity is a great medium oil control ball could even be considered benchmark piece. It's a great ball that a lot of people just were looking for something different due to the name.

Upside I'm waiting for one of those guys to trade one in. It'll be second drill but if I can get it $50 can't beat that. Just no 15 lbs. yet.
A lot of the problem is that on the Storm web site, the ball is listed in the Premier Line, which is generally touted as creating "the most total hook and ball motion across the entire product line -- quickest transition, greatest entry angle." That description sounds like a testosterone-leaking, barn-burning, hairy hook-monster.

[Hampe]

Rob: Why don't you like crossing between brands? Since I've never thrown more than one ball at a time, I'm interested in your take on this.I'd be curious to know as well. I switch between my Track and Roto-Grip stuff all the time (and before that Storm and Brunswick). For me a ball is a ball as far as brand goes.....Is it just an eccentric tick you have Rob, or is there an actual reason? :)

[Amyers]

The new rotogrip balls are up on rotogrips website

HP4 Sinister
HP3 Hysteria
HP2 Out Cry
HP1 Scream Shout color change

[RobLV1]

It's definitely not an eccentric tick, I have good reason. Everything about a balls core is known: shape, low rg, differential, etc. These elements are all measurements, and can easily translate from one ball company to another. The cover material is a totally different beast. There are three elements which determine how a cover material reacts to the lane: Coefficient of Friction (COF) in oil, COF on dry, and oil absorption. All of these things are routinely measured in the development of a cover material, and tested by the USBC as part of the approval process. Unfortunately, none of these numbers are shared with us (bowling consumers). What you have left is marketing rhetoric to tell you how the ball will react, and like most marketing rhetoric, they are going to tell you what you want to hear.

So, in my mind there are two reasons for staying with one companies' balls. First, the general characterics of the cover materials tend to be consistent within the companies' products. An example of this is my own observation that Storm products tend to react more to friction and skid more in oil, while Brunswick products tend to give a better read in the oil and don't over-react to friction. The other reason concerns the fact that many manufacturers use the same cover materials and the same cores over and over again in different combinations. Again, using Storm as an example, the R2S reactive cover material has been used on many of their lines of bowling balls since it's introduction on the Special Agent in 2006. If you have used that ball, any of the "Road" series, and of the Fast, Furious, and Frantic series, or the IQ Tour balls, then you already know what to expect when you buy a new Storm ball that utilizes the R2S cover material.

[Hampe]

Ah, ok....now I get what you're saying. Basically, you wouldn't buy from different brands, but say if you already had balls from two brands, I'm guessing you would be Ok switching between them?

[RobLV1]

So much depends on your own preferences for making adjustments. Looking at your current arsenal, I assume that you've had all of the balls for some time. The more you use ball changes as a method for making adjustments, the more that using balls from the same manufacturer can benefit you. In my own case, I often turn to ball changes as a way of making very uneven "pairs" of lanes more manageable. I would estimate that I use two different bowling balls on the two lanes that make up the pair nearly 50% of the time. By using balls from the same manufacturer, I am able to start with the two different balls and change the two independently as the oil transitions. I doubt that I could do that switching across brands. The good news is that when I make a change in brands, the local junior leagues get lots of ball donations.

[MICHAEL]

whats this 500, 500, 500 stuff related to surface???? (hammer balls???)H

Ebonite International uses 4 Haus type machines to put the finish on their balls. After a predetermined time the balls are moved from one machine to the next. In the case of the Hammer you questioned it would mean a 500 pad in the first 3 machines and a 1000 oad on the last. So when you see their listing of finish it is that grit on each of the successive machines.

Reportedly Roto will be announcing 5 new balls at Bowl Expo



HAMMER

Hammer Black Widow Legend
World Wide Release Date: 8/5/14
Color: Black/Red Pearl
Coverstock: NBT Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish
Core: Gas Mask
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #15/2.50
DIFF: #15/.058

OK,,,, I need some help here.... I have a spinner with the abalone red pads, (not sure of the spelling), I have 180, 360, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000.
Lets say I want to resurface this Black Widow Legend.

On my spinner, I place that ball, I use the 4 side method,,,, what's next??? do the 500 pad 12 fricken times???

[MICHAEL]

since the deadly aim is working GREAT for Iceman, should I go purchase a couple, just incase they stop making this Magic Ball!! How do you know when a ball is going to be dropped by a manufacture?

[Amyers]

HAMMER

Hammer Black Widow Legend
World Wide Release Date: 8/5/14
Color: Black/Red Pearl
Coverstock: NBT Hybrid
Factory Finish: 500/500/500/1000 Abralon W/ Power House Factory Finish
Core: Gas Mask
Weights: 12-16 lbs.
BSR: $206.95
RG: #15/2.50
DIFF: #15/.058

OK,,,, I need some help here.... I have a spinner with the abalone red pads, (not sure of the spelling), I have 180, 360, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000.
Lets say I want to resurface this Black Widow Legend.

On my spinner, I place that ball, I use the 4 side method,,,, what's next??? do the 500 pad 12 fricken times???

Just say no. You have enough balls. Play with the surface on the ones you already have

[MICHAEL]

Michael: Your question to me about the Virtual Gravity points out the problem that Storm had with this ball perfectly. It was not the Virtual Gravity that I was excited about, it was the Zero Gravity. Here's some background: In 2008, Storm introduced the Virtual Gravity which was a very aggressive, early rolling ball (rg 2.48, diff 0.048), following it up in 2009 with the Virtual Energy which had the same aggressive core with a different cover material and surface. In 2011, the next introduction in this line was the Virtual Gravity Nano with the same core, and a new, more aggressive cover material, this time followed up the same year with the Virtual Gravity Nano Pearl, with the same core and a pearlized version of the cover. Fast forward to 2013 with the introduction of the Zero Gravity.

In my humble opinion as an ex-marketing executive, the naming of the Zero Gravity represents a huge marketing error on the part of Storm. They took a name with a long history of representing early rolling, aggressive bowling balls, and arbitrarily assigned it to a ball with a high rg (2.55), and a low differential (0.037), and created massive confusion not only among bowlers, but among pro shop operators as well.

Let me give you an example. A friend of mine throws a shot with a whole lot of axis tilt; a semi-spinner. He also sets the ball well short of the foul line. Before you laugh, he averages 220+ on a house shot. Anyway, his go-to balls are the Storm Cross Road, and the Storm Frantic. He was looking for a ball that would give him a slightly different look, and I recommended the Zero Gravity. He went and talked to his ball driller (a very high rev player) who told him that the Zero Gravity would read way too early for him. Apparently he didn't realize that his high rev rate makes the friction of the aggressive cover much more important than the resistence of the rg, while the low rev rate of his customer makes the resistence much more important than the friction, and the friction can still be minimized with a surface change.

So, back to your original question, yes I bought the Zero Gravity (two, in fact), and really liked the ball. In fact, I bowled a 299 game the first week with the ball. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter I started using Brunswick equipment. Because of my belief that the ability to switch between bowling balls seemlessly is paramount in modern bowling, I really don't like to cross between brands. It just so happens, however, that the week before last I was bowling in the Senior Masters, and on the second day when I was bowling the double burn at 2:00 pm, I decided to go to another bowling center to warm up as I found the 10 minutes of practice afforded by the USBC to be insufficient to get my body loose. As all of my equipment was in the paddock at Southpoint, I grabbed an old pair of shoes and the Zero Gravity and headed over to Red Rock to try and get loose. I still really like the reaction I get from this ball. Unfortunately most of the bowlers who buy the ball are disappointed because they expect an early-rolling hook monster based on the name.

YES,,,, it even had Iceman confused!!! LOL (:) I do know some bowlers that have The Zero Gravity and love it! I threw it at the Storm Demo day, used it inside and outside, but was not impressed. (didn't really work for me, with its generic drilling)

BUT that Byte was Strike after Strike,,, playing the inside which is NEW FOR Me,,,, I couldn't throw anything but strikes on 4 different lanes, I will never forget that afternoon.

I have Bytes now, a 14lb, and 15lb. only reason I have the 14, is a guy I bowl with purchased it, and didn't care for it, and sold it me for 60 bucks! Had to plug it,,,, and had it drilled,,, but its too light,,, and doesn't' come off my hand like a 15lb or 16lb.

Then I purchased a another one 15lbs had a one of the best drillers around town drill it as close as possible to the one I threw at the Storm Demo day.

One thing I have noticed is PLAYING THE INSIDE and shooting 4 and 5 arrow, like I did on that Demo DAY, is that its not as consistent as playing the 10 arrow with my Deadly Aim! Playing the inside with the Byte, leaves more 10s ringing and flat!


I am beginning to wonder, WHAT WAS THE MAGIC THAT DEMO DAY??? Why hasn't' it happened since? Was it the oil?? It was a standard house pattern AMF? Was it THAT ball??

I am not giving up on the Byte, but for now its going to have to take a back seat to the Deadly Aim!!

The Byte does have a beautiful sweeping hook into the pocket playing across the oil and inside, but not the carry I have with the hammer ball.

I am new to playing the inside,,,, so maybe my carry will improve with minor adjustments and more practice, and knowledge!

[MICHAEL]

Just say no. You have enough balls. Play with the surface on the ones you already have


THANKS Amyers,,, Ice needed that!! You and Nancy Regan both use that catchy fraise!

[tccstudent]

Rotogrips new balls are now on their website