I have had no problems placing the pin dead center between the finger holes on Columbia and Track balls. While it probably voids the warranty, I have not had any cracking. I tried it with a Lane#1 ball (Brunswick manufacture) and the area around and under the pin cracked because under the pin, just below the level of the coverstock is a void. I will not do that again with a Brunswick ball.
I drilled out a Storm Hot Rod, placing the pin under the ring finger, exactly. No problem so far. I intend to drill the next few balls that way.
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"...for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise...."
J. R. R. Tolkien