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Author Topic: Thumb??  (Read 9667 times)

leftycrank

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Thumb??
« on: November 04, 2013, 05:55:23 AM »
Do I need to drill a thumb hole in a bowling ball? I know there are weight issues will have to put a serious weight hole in the bottom heavy side to stay in USBC spec's but does it have to be a thumb hole?? My son throws with two fingers he is a full roller which we found out the hard way.. his fingers kept cracking to the point his ball was ruined this happened on three of his balls the pro shop guy would just say well um thats how he throws it..lol Well after drilling balls myself and learning the hobby/trade I now know he is a full roller and needed his balls drilled completely different..
My question is could I drill his fingers then add a weight hole without actually putting in a thumb hole? Thanks guys for the help.

 

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2013, 09:02:09 AM »
If I understand correctly, there needs to be a thumb hole. Here is what USBC says:

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.

bacon22

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2013, 09:25:27 AM »
If I understand correctly, there needs to be a thumb hole. Here is what USBC says:

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.

The way this reads to me is there is a maximum number of finger/thumb holes but not a minimum.  It reads as if you could throw a ball without holes at all as long as it weighs out correctly

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2013, 10:47:46 AM »
bacon22,

How would you demonstrate the ball being able to be gripped with the holes then?

itsallaboutme

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2013, 10:58:14 AM »
You don't need to drill a thumb hole, but if you do you have to be able to show that it can be used as a gripping hole.

DP3

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2013, 11:16:47 AM »
You're better off drilling a thumb that way you create a PSA of sorts in the ball to make the ball a little more consistent and dynamic.  The two finger drilled ball for a no-thumber works for guys with very slow speed since the ball wants to push so much. 

JohnP

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2013, 11:28:13 AM »
I'm including two links to USBC Equipment Specification manuals.  The top one is to the latest version, I can't get it to load but it could be my problem instead of USBC's.  The second one is to an older version that works for me.  The section you want to look at begins on P. I-3 and continues through P. I-5.  --  JohnP

http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/equipandspecs/pdfs/2012-equip-and-specs-manual.pdf

http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/equipandspecs/pdfs/2010-equip-and-specs-manual.pdf

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2013, 02:01:25 PM »
It looks like there really does not have to have a thumb hole drilled, as I read further, and assuming it meets the BALANCE requirements.  I wish it were better written so we don't need a law degree to understand what the heck USBC is talking about...

itsallaboutme

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2013, 02:23:16 PM »
Correct.  The key is it must balance from the center of whatever gripping holes are drilled. 

JohnP

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2013, 11:20:40 AM »
Were you able to get the link to the newest manual to open?  I'd like to know if it's my problem or USBC's.  --  JohnP

itsallaboutme

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2013, 11:49:12 AM »
Works for me, looks like it a problem on your end.


JohnP

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2013, 03:22:12 PM »
When I try the link the first page loads OK, but when I try to move to subsequent pages I get a message that there has been a problem with a page loading and all subsequent pages are blank.  Any idea what my problem may be?  I've tried pasting the link instead of clicking on it and get the same results.  --  JohnP

itsallaboutme

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2013, 03:30:57 PM »
the porn machine is worn out.  Buy a Mac.

MI 2 AZ

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2013, 04:15:13 PM »
When I try the link the first page loads OK, but when I try to move to subsequent pages I get a message that there has been a problem with a page loading and all subsequent pages are blank.  Any idea what my problem may be?  I've tried pasting the link instead of clicking on it and get the same results.  --  JohnP

It worked for me.  What are you using to open it with?  I opened it with Firefox, so make sure whatever you are using is the latest version.
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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

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JohnP

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Re: Thumb??
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2013, 11:22:17 AM »
I'm using IE9.  --  JohnP