From the moment I got my distaff ball for this new product on our HP line I said I hope it's as good as it looks on paper, the first ball on lane I said "wow".  This is a smooth controllable HP ball that can fit into anyone's bag!  Clean thru the front reads midlane fantastic and continues thru the pins incredible!  Most everyone knows I usually only use the Exceed but since getting the Pivot I hardly use the Exceed.  From house patterns to tournament play the Pivot has proven to be an all around great ball in the HP line.  Better then the Red Mission.  I will have this ball ready for demos coming up, check your local shop for your next demo days

Follow Facebook pages : Anthony Amodeo and Ebonite Demo SE
Twitter : ebidemosouth
Instagram : aaebonite

I drilled up my Pivot 2 weeks ago. It was a slow day at the lanes so I got the mechanic to oil a pair for me. 43 ft THS but with no strip. There was carry down to the pin deck from that mornings seinor league. I got lined up with my pin down Champion first. Playing 12-8. I picked up the Pivot and ended up morving 10 left with my feet playing 18-10. I leaked a couple of shots out to 5 and it still recovered. The Pivot is a beast!! Great midlane read and does not stop. The specs on mine are box finish, pin down 5 1/2" from PAP. MB is 2" right of thumb. I'm going to drill another one this week pin up with 6-6 1/2" pin to PAP. I'll post review with the weaker layout.

Follow on FB Jimbo Martin or Chad's Pro Shop Winchester

#bowlitforward
#bowltowin

Ebonite Pivot Ball Specs:
Layout: 5" X 4 1/16"
MB: 4 15/16" Approx. 1" from thumb

- Color: Red/Gold/Green All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Coverstock: RCM Hybridâ„¢
- Core: CB-2 Asymmetric
- Factory Finish: 500, 1500 Abranetâ„¢
- Reaction: Strong Backend Continuation
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Heavy
- RG: 2.48
- Differential: .049

    I don't even know where to start with the latest Ebonite creation from Ronald Hickland.  The idea that originally had with this ball would be something that complimented the Challenge that I have drilled identically.  Well I was in for a big WoW factor out of the box; this is the cleanest, most angular ball I have ever thrown.  On the fresh 39 ft house condition I am easily 5 boards with my feet, 3 boards with my eyes and spotting further down the lane compared to the Challenge.  After throwing about 15 in a row with the box surface, I changed the cover with a little application of factory finish to compare with the Champion. 

The Champion also has the same Pin and CG distance and MB locations.  I really like my look with the Champion on this particular house pattern, clean enough through the front but a strong motion through the back part of the lane without burning out of energy.  When the Pivot cover is shined up it allowed me to open up the lane more and create more angle.  The Pivot was even had more room to miss and get back to carry some of the half ten pocket hits I sometimes would leave with the Champion. 

This new product from Ebonite is going to be the move that we have once seen from balls like the One, Matrix and Vortex lines, a power move on the market.  This ball is a must have in any players bag.  I can't wait to drill another one!  ToolBox Out!!!

I'm relieved to have added this ball to my arsenal. It hooks earlier midlane for me than the challenge, but remains smooth and predictable. This is a strong, yet controlled ball. A bit dry for me during league to be able to use it, but it will definitely come in handy on sport shots and in some oil!

LANE CONDITION

Length:40

Volume:med

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

I drilled my staff ball 50 x 5 1/4 x 30 and left it at box surface. This ball is strong!! Usually with stronger balls I get a lot of flare out in the fronts and the ball has nothing left for the back. This ball allows me to get in deep on the lane and have the ball still go through the pins. Usually when you get in the ball burns up and ring tens or doesn't make it there and leaves a 2-10. The deeper you get on the lane with this ball and the more you throw it left, the harder it comes back and still drives through the pins. The continuation from this ball is awesome, reminds me of a little black ball Ebonite had out a few years ago  This ball deff needs some oil but when you have it this ball is very good. I've seen everyone from myself, a higher rev player to my dad who is a low rev up the boards player strike at will with this ball, so it looks good for all styles! Ebonite has a PIVOTal moment on their hands with this one with lots more in store !

Bowl to Win! #bowlitforward

I drilled my Pivot with a tall 4 ¼” pin mostly because the house shots I bowl on have lighter volumes and don’t allow the high end, strong stuff to really excel.   I had to put some factory finish over the box surface but also played with it some and tried it spun down to 3000 and 4000 with and without polish on both surfaces.  What I see is a ball that is a touch stronger than the Champion with what I think is a little more continuation.  Looks like it will play very well on heavy oil to medium shots depending on your ball speed and rotation.  I think with the right layout and surface you can play a little deeper with the Pivot than a comparable Champion too.

BALL SPECS
Pin Length:  2-3
Starting Top Weight: 2.5
Ball Weight: 16
 
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 4.5"
I used the Drill pattern number two on the Ebonite supplied drilling instructions
 
BOWLER STYLE: Stroker – slightly speed dominant
Rev Rate:  280
Ball Speed: 17-18
PAP/Track:  PAP:  4 11/16” and 7/8" up
 
SURFACE PREP
Box Finish
 
LANE CONDITION
House Shot – 42’

 COMMENTS
The Pivot is very strong throughout the entire lane and will work best on longer patterns and/or lanes where there is sufficient oil volume in the heads.  The traction in oil is excellent, but it does not burn up early.  For such a strong ball, the Pivot recovers very well on shots sent wide of pocket and creates greater than expected angle of entry into the pins.  I am going to experiment with some higher grit surfaces and polish to see their effects on the ball.  This is one of the best balls ever to come out of Hopkinsville.  I’m looking forward to trying some different layouts for sport and PBA patterns. I highly recommend that you get to an EBI Demo Days at a center near you to try this ball.   


RJ Alman
Ebonite Regional/Amateur Staff