Next Arsenal Dilemmas: Part III

[Mike White]

What do you consider a high rev rate? Just curious

My rev rate in the time period I bowled with Aslan, was measured via video and resulted in approximately 550 rpm.

At that time, the bowling center didn't have any indicator of ball speed.

Recently the software has changed, and now indicates the ball entering the pins at 14-15 mph.

As for hooking onto the next lane with a reactive resin ball, after league one night I pulled out the DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge that I won online here.

I was playing 15 thru the arrows, out to 5 at 40 feet, and back to the pocket with the Storm Mix.

I tried to play the same line with the HRR, but when it exited the side of the oil at the 10 board, the ball didn't continue out to the 5 board.

It followed the edge of the oil (10 board) until the end of the oil pattern (39 feet), and the ball hit the left gutter half way between the end of the pattern, and the pin deck, but it didn't climb over to the next lane.

[RobLV1]

The entire concept of guessing when a ball will hook by the name stamped on it is a combination of old fairy tales and Aslan's imagination

Not entirely. Cover materials are rated by the USBC using three test criteria: Coefficient of Friction (COF) in oil, COF on dry lane, and oil absorption rate. The problem is that these numbers are never made public (with the exception of some Ebonite balls that put the oil absorption rate on the ball with no explanation of the meaning of the number). Since the numbers are never made public, we can only go on experience in terms of evaluating the cover materials of different companies. My own experience over the past several years has been mainly with Brunswick and Storm, so I will limit my observations to these two brands. From what I've seen, Brunswick balls find more friction in the oil and react less to the dry parts of the lane. Storm balls, on the other hand skid more in the oil, and react more violently to the dry. My guess is that Brunswick balls have a higher COF in oil, and Storm balls have a higher COF in the dry. Is this making a value judgement? Not at all. I have both Brunswick and Storm balls in my arsenal and use them according to the lane condition and the part of the lane that I decide to play.

Until ball companies decide to share the test results on their cover materials, we have nothing to rely on but our own experience and the experiences of others. To consider that chemical differences do not exist between cover materials from different manufacturers is naive at best.

[Amyers]

Not entirely. Cover materials are rated by the USBC using three test criteria: Coefficient of Friction (COF) in oil, COF on dry lane, and oil absorption rate. The problem is that these numbers are never made public (with the exception of some Ebonite balls that put the oil absorption rate on the ball with no explanation of the meaning of the number). Since the numbers are never made public, we can only go on experience in terms of evaluating the cover materials of different companies. My own experience over the past several years has been mainly with Brunswick and Storm, so I will limit my observations to these two brands. From what I've seen, Brunswick balls find more friction in the oil and react less to the dry parts of the lane. Storm balls, on the other hand skid more in the oil, and react more violently to the dry. My guess is that Brunswick balls have a higher COF in oil, and Storm balls have a higher COF in the dry. Is this making a value judgement? Not at all. I have both Brunswick and Storm balls in my arsenal and use them according to the lane condition and the part of the lane that I decide to play.

Until ball companies decide to share the test results on their cover materials, we have nothing to rely on but our own experience and the experiences of others. To consider that chemical differences do not exist between cover materials from different manufacturers is naive at best.

I wouldn't disagree with anything you said there but if I'm looking for a ball to go longer with more backend I'm not just sticking any storm one in the bag nor would I order my lineup even if the balls has similar Rg by the manufacturer.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

My rev rate in the time period I bowled with Aslan, was measured via video and resulted in approximately 550 rpm.

At that time, the bowling center didn't have any indicator of ball speed.

Recently the software has changed, and now indicates the ball entering the pins at 14-15 mph.

As for hooking onto the next lane with a reactive resin ball, after league one night I pulled out the DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge that I won online here.

I was playing 15 thru the arrows, out to 5 at 40 feet, and back to the pocket with the Storm Mix.

I tried to play the same line with the HRR, but when it exited the side of the oil at the 10 board, the ball didn't continue out to the 5 board.

It followed the edge of the oil (10 board) until the end of the oil pattern (39 feet), and the ball hit the left gutter half way between the end of the pattern, and the pin deck, but it didn't climb over to the next lane.

This video?

http://www.bowlingvids.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=940bc2120

[billf]

This video?

http://www.bowlingvids.com/mobile/wa...?vid=940bc2120

I only watched three frames, it was too painful. 350-375 at best there. But I did see video of Mike bowling about 3-4 years ago and it was higher, probably 425 or so.
If that is 550 in this video then Danielle McEwan is a cranker.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I only watched three frames, it was too painful. 350-375 at best there. But I did see video of Mike bowling about 3-4 years ago and it was higher, probably 425 or so.
If that is 550 in this video then Danielle McEwan is a cranker.

You took the number right out of my head. I was watching and thinking 350 to 375 at best. I'm around 480-490 and can see my rate is higher. Or maybe I'm calculating it wrong and I'm 700? Who knows lol

[Mike White]

I only watched three frames, it was too painful. 350-375 at best there. But I did see video of Mike bowling about 3-4 years ago and it was higher, probably 425 or so.
If that is 550 in this video then Danielle McEwan is a cranker.

That event took place shortly after a bicep injury (too heavy of a ball) so I was way down in revs there.

We got to bowl on fresh oil, but it was stupid oil. Drier in the middle, and flooded from 10 and out.

It took a few frames to realize, to avoid the flood and get some reasonable reaction, I had to move way left and play the middle of the lane.

[Mike White]

This video?

http://www.bowlingvids.com/mobile/wa...?vid=940bc2120

This one, Frame rate is 480 fps.

One revolution is completed in 54 frames. rev rate per minute = 60 / (54 / 480) = 533.33

[Mike White]

This video?

http://www.bowlingvids.com/mobile/wa...?vid=940bc2120

Here is full speed

[Aslan]

The entire concept of guessing when a ball will hook by the name stamped on it is a combination of old fairy tales and Aslan's imagination

I will let both PBA pros that told me that more than once...that you and Rob are skeptical.

You will never get different ball manufacturers to make the same ball with the same core and same cover stock so we will never answer that question.

Every time I try to make a statement about any one spec and it's effect on ball motion...you claim it's impossible to know because there are so many variables and you can't isolate any of them. Okay. So we're back to the "Amyers Method" of arsenal selection which involves a dart, a dart board, a piece of paper with every ball currently available, and a suitcase full of sandpaper. I am NOT a proponent of the "Amyers Method".

Like our previous debating on this matter....either specs MATTER...or they DON'T MATTER. You can't have it both ways. If RG is important, it's important. If it's meaningless...then whats the point of even knowing what it is? You're essentially saying ball manufacturers just post all these specs to confuse us and try to make us think that the balls are special. I'm not quite that cynical of ball manufacturers...except maybe Motiv.

Anybody that believes Brunswick cant do backend hasn't thrown the Mastermind Braniac or Radical Ridiculous.

Rob can answer this better than I can...but I believe the Fortera series by Brunswick was an attempt at "skid/flip" and many people believe that was a failed effort.

So...I guess I'm forced to post a poll.