USBC modifies rule on bowling ball gripping holes

[vdubtx]

Aslan should like this as he despises 2 handed bowlers!

LINK

Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications
Published: May 7, 2014 | Bowl.com
ARLINGTON, Texas - In a move to add greater clarity and fairness to ball specifications related to bowlers not using their thumb while delivering the ball, the United States Bowling Congress has modified the specifications on bowling ball gripping holes.

Under the new rule, any thumb hole that is not used for gripping purposes during the delivery would be classified as a balance hole. Bowling balls are only permitted one balance hole.

"A no-thumb bowler using a balance hole along with an unused thumb hole could effectively create two balance holes and change ball dynamics through layout choices in ways that are not available to a bowler who does use their thumb," USBC Interim Executive Director Chad Murphy said. "This rule change aims to create greater fairness by removing the potential advantage of two balance holes. If the bowler doesn't use the thumb hole for gripping, it's not really a gripping hole."

The rule change strictly addresses the use of the thumb hole and only affects bowlers who do not use their thumb for gripping the ball during a delivery. The change will go into effect at the beginning of the winter bowling season, Aug. 1, allowing bowlers affected by the change the time to make necessary repairs to their equipment.

"The change is intended to simplify the specification, make it easier to enforce and reduce confusion," USBC Managing Director of National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said. "It is not necessary to have a thumb hole if the bowler isn't going to use it for gripping purposes and the ball has to be within our static balance requirements to be used during USBC certified competition."

Here is how the new specification will read in the USBC Playing Rules starting Aug. 1:

Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand. The player is not required to use all finger holes in any specific delivery, but they must be able to demonstrate, with the same hand, that each gripping hole can be simultaneously used for gripping purposes. Any thumb hole that is not used for gripping purposes during the delivery would be classified as a balance hole.

[circlecity]

That's kinda a big deal. I never really thought about it like that.

[Aslan]

Good. Keep Belmo from cheating.

[mike_thomas93]

So basically the two-handers are only going to have two holes drilled in their balls for their fingers, right?

[tccstudent]

So basically the two-handers are only going to have two holes drilled in their balls for their fingers, right?

they can still have one balance hole they get to choose if it will be where the thumb would have been or elsewhere

[mc_runner]

Interesting. Too bad for 2 handed/thumbless bowlers who now have to plug all their balls to be legal though.

Here's a question that just popped into my head - are balls required to have a third hole at all, or can bowlers go with only finger holes? That 's not affected by this rule change, but curious.

[ALazySavage]

http://www.pba.com/Resources/Bowling101/

"The regulation ball is of solid composition, has a circumference of no more than 27 inches, and weighs 10 to 16 pounds. A ball may have two or three finger holes; most bowlers use the three-holed ball, inserting the two middle fingers and the thumb into the holes."

[vdubtx]

Good. Keep Belmo from cheating.

No need for him to cheat, he hasn't cheated and won't in future either.

[Aslan]

http://www.pba.com/Resources/Bowling101/

"The regulation ball is of solid composition, has a circumference of no more than 27 inches, and weighs 10 to 16 pounds. A ball may have two or three finger holes; most bowlers use the three-holed ball, inserting the two middle fingers and the thumb into the holes."

I thought a person could actually drill 4 finger holes and a thumb hole if they wanted? I know a lot of older players that use 3 finger holes plus the thumb hole. Is that the PBA rule or USBC?

[bowl1820]

A ball can have a max of 12 holes:

4 finger holes & 1 Thumb hole
one vent hole for each finger and/or thumb hole

One balance hole & one inspection hole (aka Mill mark/hole)


Current Rule: (part 1 is what is being updated)
Drilling Specifications
Holes
The following limitations shall govern the drilling of holes in the ball:
1. Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one
for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand. The player is not required to
use all the holes in any specific delivery, but they must be able to demonstrate, with the
same hand, that each hole can be used simultaneously for gripping purposes. Any hole that
cannot be reasonably shown to be used with a single hand would be classified as a balance
hole.

2. One hole for balance purposes not to exceed 1¼ inches in diameter. This hole may not
exceed 1¼ inches at any point through the depth of the hole.

3. No more than one vent hole to each finger and/or thumb hole not to exceed ¼ inch in
diameter. USBC considers a vent hole to be any non-gripping hole that intersects with a
gripping hole at any depth. Any hole intended for use as a balance hole that intersects with
a gripping hole will instantly be considered a vent hole. This hole may not exceed ¼ inch at
any point throughout the depth of the hole.

4. One mill hole for inspection purposes not to exceed 5/8 inch in diameter and 1/8 inch in
depth.