I've noticed a similar phenomenon.
Of the balls I've used in the past 4 years:
Solids: 3
Hybrids: 3
Pearls: 10
I have had two pearls crack and have noticed the pearls tend to get more little nicks and dents than the hybrids or solids...but that may just be because the sample size is mostly pearls.
I have also had two balls crack that were undrilled...both pearls.
Some have said that Storm balls have a greater tendency to nick and crack...I think RobM talked about that before...something to do with Storm's cover materials...that tend to be very reactive/sticky...but not as durable. Of the 4 balls that cracked on me; one was a Storm, one DV8, one Brunswick, and one Track...so I haven't noticed a difference....but again, sample size, I've only ever thrown one Storm ball.
Another potential factor is how expensive the ball is. My Storm Frantic and Brunswick Slingshot both cracked...and both were lower-end balls. My Track 706A cracked (undrilled)...and it was kinda a mid-level ball. And my DV8 Ruckus cracked...and it was a more "higher end" ball.
It's also easier to SEE damage on polished pearls than it is matte finishes and/or solids...so that's a potential reason.
I'm REALLY struggling with my Ebonite Innovate right now....because it is developing a "track" every 1-4 games...and I've never had a ball do that before at that rate. It leads me to believe that Ebonite's HTR 3.0 Pearl coverstock isn't very resiliant.
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