First ball

[toucandave]

Hey guys, I live in northern Japan on a military base where it's fairly isolated in the middle of nowhere. Me and some buddies have joined our med group bowling team (b team) for something fun to do. For many years bowling consisted of nothing more than beer drinking and house balls where the balls would just roll straight down the lane and hopefully hit somewhere in the middle of the group of pins. Well, one of the guys just got a 12 lb Ebonite Bash and let me throw it. It was great. I've NEVER thrown a ball that curves before. So anyway, I would like to get a ball similar to it, but not exactly it. (I also don't want the Clash since another guy on our team just got that one).

From my uneducated research, the Toxic by Hammer seems close. Or am I looking at this wrong? What about the Venom by AMF? Do you have any suggestions other than the Tropical Storm as a first time ball? Not sure of the lane conditions that exist on base. Here is a link for the balls I'm looking at. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.bowlingball.com/CompareProducts.php

Thanks,
David

[dizzyfugu]

David,

you can more or less chose any entry level ball from the major manufacturers, e. g. the Tropical Storms, the PK17 Power Grooves or the Scouts. The Jolts are IMHO also very good pieces if you are ambitious, or a Rampage from Brunswick. In Japan, ABS has also the Pin Navi as an entry level ball. These are all solid balls, and I'd recommend them as your first step to "serious" bowling instead of a more expensive solution. This is IMHO not worthwhile at the moment.

More important than the ball itself is its proper setup for your hand - I am sure, that a ball that matches you well can easily be a 14 lbs. piece, and it will be easier to play than another player's 12 lbs. ball. Do you have a pro shop at your base? If not, try to find one and ask for assistance, what you want and what you aspirations are.

For a stronger ball and to exploit its potential, you should have a stable release, so that your PAP can be measured and the ball drilled accordingly, fitting your style and needs. But that's something I'd look at rather in some months of time and practice.

If you really want to invest money, either try to get some coaching, and/or get yourself an additional polyester spare ball that will be useful on singlöe pin leaves and corner pins that are hard to come by with ahooking ball for some players.

Good luck, though, and have fun
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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[toucandave]

Thanks DF
Yeah, I was thinking that 12 lbs might be too light, but his Bash did feel good. Yes there is a pro shop at the alley, but it's REALLY limited in selection. But I'll go talk to them today. I know that everybody gets their balls drilled at some lanes off base, so I know there's a pro-shop on the outside, but since I don't speak Japanese, I don't know how much other help they can be.

So what's the difference in an entry level ball, a mid performance ball, and a high performance one? Do the entry ones curve less, easier to control, or just cheaper so in-case you discover bowling isn't your thing, you haven't wasted a lot of money? Or all the above?

Thanks again for your input, I'll look at the balls you suggested,

David

[toucandave]

OK. I think I got it down to the Rampage, Jolt or Pluto. But then again...who knows maybe I'll change my mind by morning. Almost time for some midnight bowling.

[azguy]

Of the three you listed, I'd suggest the Jolt. It's one that you can learn on, use for a couple years and start to develop a hook. It's a good ball and will last you longer than you might think, right now.

JMO
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az guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

[dizzyfugu]

I'd also go for a Jolt Pearl or Solid. The coverstock is smooth but offers good traction, and the core gets the ball into a roll and finish, this will help you. The Rampage is overall a stronger option - versatile, but IMHO too much for a beginner. Cannot say anything about the Pluto, though, never seen one in action around here.

Differentiating between balls is mostly by the coverstock. High end pieces tend to have very aggressive coverstocks, coupled with powerful cores. While they offer a huge hook potential, they make IMO only sense if you have a developed stable game, where you can exploit the ball's potential through setup, drilling and proper use. Remember: the hook in itself is not the goal of the game, but carry - and in most cases a less modern piece (mid range) does the same job, just not as spectacular, seen on TV and with a bigger price tag. Many mid-priced balls use coverstocks from former ball generations, and their cores tend to be milder - even though some special purpose pieces can be very powerful, too.
 
IMHO, they offer anyting the "normal" bowler might ask for - Ebonite's Bash & Clash are a very good couple of balls that would, plus a spare, cover more than 90% a typical bowler might encounter. Brunswick's Rampage and Wizard are pretty much the same, as well as Hammer's Doom and Anger, just to name a few. The variety of options is confusing!

Entry level balls are commonly the mildest pieces in a company's assortment - but they are in no way weak! The Tropical Storms or the Power Grooves are pretty strong pieces, and very good value for the money. The High Flare Scouts are also stronger than would think in the first place. They normally have simple cores (pancakes or weight pucks), that distribute weight to the cover and get the ball well down the lane, for a controllable hook that is easy to control for a beginner.
The Rampage is already a mid-range piece, while the Jolts fit between entry level and mid-range.

If in doubt, talk with the local pro shop, and maybe try to bargain (although difficult in Japan...) about a complete package with shoes and a bag - two additional useful equipment parts, and mayn shops offer such packages at better rates than bought seperately.
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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