Have you ever bought a Blem or X Out Ball

[The KingPin]

With so many bowling stores, ebay and more, have you ever bought a blem or x ball? If so did you know it or was it a mistake?

A few years back I bought my wife a couple of Storm balls on ebay. I thought I was getting a great deal until we went to drill them. I think one had like a 12 inch pin if that is possible and one with no pin basically.

I was upset as the listing said nothing about the balls being anything other than new and from the factory. I guess really it was my fault for not asking, yet if a consumer is unaware of this, why would they ask anyways?

So do you have any stories like this? Or maybe a positive side?

[bowl1820]

I've had several Blem's , my favorite was a Track EMB blem. I had a 11" pin Rock Pearl, a big pin distance isn't bad. Just project it around the ball to the anti-pin position and use that as the pin.

Blem's are a good way to save money, just make sure you know what your getting before you pay.

[PSBA10]

I had a Burgundy Hammer X-out and am currently using an Ebonite Big One X-out. I never had a problem with either.

[jaws1945]

These web sites really put the pressure on Pro Shop owners. Makes it pretty tough to compete. I guess they just raise drilling costs.

[onefrombills]

I have thrown many X or Blem balls and dont really see any diffrence between that and a new ball

[mike-boogie]

recently bought a x-blem cell pearl. the emblems were reversed. local pro shop made some calls to make sure how to drill, and the ball is awesome! saved over $100! highly recommend for saving $

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I bought a Storm Xtacy Domination X-Comp for $80 with a special on bowlingball.com...the only thing wrong was that the MB was stamped with a key logo like the Shift line and it should of been stamped with "RAD+"... 3-3.5 pin with 3oz top weight... pin, CG and MB perfectly in line...

Still havent drilled it and have had it for like 4 months now.. dont know how i wanna drill it, it i actually do drill it

[Stormed1]

Ihave owned drilled probably 230 blems or comps the last 5 years.several were color or label blems. a few long pin and an X-Factor Ace they forgo to put the particles in

[NoTapNorm]

I've purchased several blems/x-outs over the years and not had problems with any. The latest is the Elite PBA Platinum. No problem drilling or anything...

[Stormed1]

There are many reasons for blems or x-outs and it varies from company to company. For example a couple of manufacturers consider anything over 4 inches for pin to cg distance a 2nd whereas Storm/Roto calls it a Pro-Pin. Most Ebonite prouced x-outs are usually 1 of 3 thins. Very short pin, very long pin, or on an asymetrical ball cg above pin. On an asymetrical ball it can also be cg relationship to a line drawn from the pi to the mas bs. Cg's that are more than 2 inches right or left of that line are blems or as Storm/Roto call them Pro-Cg. X-comps are pretty much limited to color or label issues.

[Strike Domination]

I have not but I have a buddy that bought an x-out Complete NV. It was pretty much a 0" pin.

A guy on my team now has a pro-pin Dimension with a 6"-7" pin and a pro-CG Cell with the CG out of line about 3"-4". I'm not sure if these are technically blems or just considered 2nds but they aren't first quality either way.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I have not but I have a buddy that bought an x-out Complete NV. It was pretty much a 0" pin.

A guy on my team now has a pro-pin Dimension with a 6"-7" pin and a pro-CG Cell with the CG out of line about 3"-4". I'm not sure if these are technically blems or just considered 2nds but they aren't first quality either way.

The pro pin and pro CG are actually still considered 1st quality.. they just fall out of the "standard 1st quality standards" the blems dont come until after the 6.5 inch..

STORM "Pro-Pin"™ Technology




PRO-PIN: A Pro-Pin is where the Pin distance from the CG is 5 -" 6 ½” out. Although still categorized as a first quality ball it has limited drill options (see our Pro-Pin Drilling Options) that requires a certain type of bowler. Please consult your pro shop professional before purchasing one of these balls. Anything more than 6 ½” would be termed an X-Blem (second).

[Strike Domination]

Well I guess if his Dimension is closer to 7" then it's a blem. But I'm pretty sure a pro-CG is not a first quality ball, then again I could be wrong as it's kinda the same deal as the pro-pin. I thought more than 3" out of line is a blem though, or maybe I just heard that you shouldn't buy the ball if it's longer than that.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

Well I guess if his Dimension is closer to 7" then it's a blem. But I'm pretty sure a pro-CG is not a first quality ball, then again I could be wrong as it's kinda the same deal as the pro-pin. I thought more than 3" out of line is a blem though, or maybe I just heard that you shouldn't buy the ball if it's longer than that.

STORM "Pro CG" Technology




PRO-CG: A Pro-CG is where the CG ends up a certain distance left or right of the Pin and PSA (preferred spin axis). If you draw a line from the PIN to the PSA on average the CG would need to be 2 ½” or more from that line. That distance will vary depending on if the CG was to the right or left. Although still categorized as a first quality ball it has limited drill options (see our Pro-CG Drilling Options) that requires a certain type of layout. Please consult your pro shop professional before purchasing one of these balls.

How or why is a Pro-CG manufactured? A pro-cg is created during the manufacturing process. When the pin area is being drilled the core can slightly shift. When the weight block shifts just a small amount (1/16” - 1/32”) it pulls the CG off the Y axis towards the Z axis. This is why on some balls you will notice the CG is a far distance away from the Pin to PSA line. These small shifts do not affect the reaction or quality of the product, but it can limit the drilling options. Therefore we offer a different set of drilling instructions and mark them as Pro CG's.

[pvellenga]

I have thrown tons of blems and 2nd's over the years. I live in Muskegon, MI and I probably got 100 plus blems from Brunswick before they moved to Mexico. They were just fine. Just be careful of the asymetric blems many of those can only be laid out a few ways. So you need to understand what you are buying when it comes to pro pins. Some will work better for lefties than righties and vice versa. But in my opinion Pro-pins are blems. Its not like Storm, RotoGrip and the others are trying to produce these balls on purpose! So rather than toss them they got creative and called them Pro-pins. Pros do love them because sometimes these balls are perfect for a certain layout they want to create a specific reaction. So take it how you will. I just think Pro-pins are creative advertising and not really a good choice for the rec bowler. My advice if it is an asymetric blem I would avoid them if the Mass Bias is to far out of line from the Pin and CG. The PIN, CG, and MB should be in line or very close to in line with one another. Pin placement is a whole other can of worms. I dont mind short pins but long pins I hate. I could go on and on. If you have a question about Blems or 2nd's PM me and I will help you out. If they are just cosmetic blems go for it! Nothing wrong with those babies!