https://ebonite.com/collections/new-balls/products/big-time-special-edition

The Big Time Special Edition is coming November 16th.  This was the ball that Tommy Jones had a lot of success with when he first came out on Tour. 

I don't think the brand manager quit, they are just maximizing return on investment. Their core designs work, they are now using the HK22 base for their covers, and they have historical product names that are familiar with bowlers. Makes perfect sense to capitalize on that. No need to reinvent anything when you have core and cover combos that work. All the manufacturers have been doing this now for years.

If Ebonite were to bring back the Wolf line, I would be all over that. Blue Wolf solid? Yes, please. Red Wolf Pearl? Absolutely.

I have no issues with the retro line. We have seen the One (same version) in the states countless times followed by Puma #20 roughly. Of all of the vintage releases Tommy Jones maybe the only person requesting the Big Time and since he isn't buying the ball its probably going to be very forgettable like most of the recent EBI releases.

The easy choice for sales would be the Wolf series. You could look at the Omega or Lion series as well. Other options vs say Puma #21 would be any of the Waves or others Cat line in a lower price point option. With the original logos and not the worst artist renderings and ugliest colors that aren't like the originals. Maybe do the 8-Ball if you are that against the Wolf line for some reason even though it was done over seas.

To my original point EBI continues to disappoint and get it wrong where Columbia and others continue to actually get it. When Columbia gets to Quakes, Aftershocks and Tremors while EBI does another Stinger #12 and Puma #22 without HK22 we shouldn't be surprised. Even Track appears to miss on a great opportunity with do a throwback to the original Sensors vs what they chose instead.

I have no issues with the retro line. We have seen the One (same version) in the states countless times followed by Puma #20 roughly. Of all of the vintage releases Tommy Jones maybe the only person requesting the Big Time and since he isn't buying the ball its probably going to be very forgettable like most of the recent EBI releases.

The easy choice for sales would be the Wolf series. You could look at the Omega or Lion series as well. Other options vs say Puma #21 would be any of the Waves or others Cat line in a lower price point option. With the original logos and not the worst artist renderings and ugliest colors that aren't like the originals. Maybe do the 8-Ball if you are that against the Wolf line for some reason even though it was done over seas.

To my original point EBI continues to disappoint and get it wrong where Columbia and others continue to actually get it. When Columbia gets to Quakes, Aftershocks and Tremors while EBI does another Stinger #12 and Puma #22 without HK22 we shouldn't be surprised. Even Track appears to miss on a great opportunity with do a throwback to the original Sensors vs what they chose instead.

I totally see what you are saying.  Still waiting for Storm to bring on the El Nino.  Waiting for Track to go the Critical Mass route.  Hammer could bring back the Taboo to follow the Offsets.  To be honest, Columbia might be doing the best job overall with the Beasts, Messengers on the low end and then Power Torq, Cuda, and Piranha towards the higher end.  I could see them going with a Rock and/or Boss series in the future.  But have to admit I am surprised they did not go with the original coral color for the first Piranha ball.  But then again; it makes sense since the OG was not a Ceramicore ball.  I am expecting to see the Green Pearl Piranha to follow probably next Spring.

Quote from: ignitebowling on October 19, 2023, 10:17:26 AM

I have no issues with the retro line. We have seen the One (same version) in the states countless times followed by Puma #20 roughly. Of all of the vintage releases Tommy Jones maybe the only person requesting the Big Time and since he isn't buying the ball its probably going to be very forgettable like most of the recent EBI releases.

The easy choice for sales would be the Wolf series. You could look at the Omega or Lion series as well. Other options vs say Puma #21 would be any of the Waves or others Cat line in a lower price point option. With the original logos and not the worst artist renderings and ugliest colors that aren't like the originals. Maybe do the 8-Ball if you are that against the Wolf line for some reason even though it was done over seas.

To my original point EBI continues to disappoint and get it wrong where Columbia and others continue to actually get it. When Columbia gets to Quakes, Aftershocks and Tremors while EBI does another Stinger #12 and Puma #22 without HK22 we shouldn't be surprised. Even Track appears to miss on a great opportunity with do a throwback to the original Sensors vs what they chose instead.

I totally see what you are saying.  Still waiting for Storm to bring on the El Nino.  Waiting for Track to go the Critical Mass route.  Hammer could bring back the Taboo to follow the Offsets.  To be honest, Columbia might be doing the best job overall with the Beasts, Messengers on the low end and then Power Torq, Cuda, and Piranha towards the higher end.  I could see them going with a Rock and/or Boss series in the future.  But have to admit I am surprised they did not go with the original coral color for the first Piranha ball.  But then again; it makes sense since the OG was not a Ceramicore ball.  I am expecting to see the Green Pearl Piranha to follow probably next Spring.

Columbia is doing it best by far. They could have done the Jade vs the blue or coral since orange has been used a lot lately. Eventually we will probably see the Rage again down the line as another great option.  For Ebonite they will continue to be last of the seven at the rate they are doing these things but its their own fault because it seems like they are not trying. Storm is a whole other weird on their stuff. Like the Cell line. That should be the Black Widow type ball all day with one or so a year but nope its one every blue moon if luckily. Same for some of their other releases like the Virtual Gravity. That is another ball that should be an easy regular in the line up in the states not just overseas.