Sweet Ball. I wasn't sure of what to expect from this ball. The Big-B specs make it out to be very similar to the Time Zone, with a slightly lower RG. Many of the posts I read made it sound weaker, and surprisingly there were a few who just didn't like it. Well - I LIKE IT. For comparison purposes, my Time Zone is layed out for length and big back end (pin over bridge, CG kicked right a bit, and it does just that - LONG and STRONG. Major-league back end - it never runs out of back end. With the solid PK18 cover, it doesn't like drying heads though.
I drilled the Bruiser with the intent of having an earlier reaction - more even, and less angularity. The ball is a 3" pin, and I laid it out with the Pin below and on right edge of the ring finger, with the CG stacked below. This is around a 5x5 layout for me. One observation that surprised me - the blue portion of the ball appears to be pearlized. Not dramatically, but it is noticeable. That might explain why some bowlers are experiencing a weaker reaction than they had expected. My home house isn't noted for having heavy oil - it's medium at best. Having pearlization is a good thing there. Anwway, the ball reacts just as I had hoped. More even than the TZ, and covers slightly less ground. This layout gives me around 3" of flare in the oil, and at least a couple of more inches as it completes it's journey. The hit and carry seem good - it didn't shatter any wood, but it carried every hit that I thought it should. The ball reminds me a LOT of my 16# Spirit, which was one of my all time favorite balls. Similar layout, and I'm getting similar results. Another plus, it doesn't over-react, and seemed a bit more forgiving of slight inconsistencies in release than the TZ. Early impressions lead me to believe that this is a ball that will 'stay in play' longer than the TZ. The TZ is a more 'dramatic' ball, having a bigger snap, and a more energetic effect on the pins, whereas the Bruiser is more predictable, and just gets the job done in an efficient manner.

Eagerly and impatiently wating for the SlayR to appear...

Back to the Bruiser - Since I already have a shiny PK18 ball drilled to get down the lane and finish hard (Time Zone w/pin over bridge), I decided to take some shine off the Bruiser. I cut the shine using my Spinner and some Track Clean & Smooth. I was worried that the ball would start up too early and maybe burn out in my home house, but it didn't show any signs of that at all. It just got 'better'. More 'even' reaction than before (if that's even possible), more predictable, and no loss of hit or carry. The Time Zone and Bruiser are a GREAT 1-2 punch. Throw a couple of Inferno's on one side, a Monster Red/Black and a Slay/R on the other side and you're ready for ANYTHING except a freak condition. The Bruiser has definitely taken over 'First Out of the Bag' duties, and is starting to look like the ball that's going to get the most play. Too bad I don't see more oil - I sure do love throwing my Infernos.

Wouldn't know - never thrown the SmashR. I'm only a recent Brunswick convert.