This ball looks like an absolute joke!

I'm not one to bash a ball ever but here's my reasoning.  

I was at a PBA Regional today in Baltimore and I stayed for both squads.  I watched many guys throw(or attempt to throw is a better term) this ball.  They ranges from powerstrokers, pure crankers, power spinners, and tweeners(I saw a total of 7 guys between both squads trying to use this ball).  To no avail.  The pattern was the new PBA PAttern C which is 28feet of oil with a buff to 41 feet(so I was told).  I watched balls like the Big Block Diesel, Big Blue Pearl, Ravage, and Depth Charge out backend these balls by at least 6 or 7 boards.  This ball simply isn't what it's advertised as.  This is supposed to be their backend monster?  Yeah right.  To give some strongpoints about the ball, it seemed very even and controllable but all but one of the bowlers was able to get this thing to finish.  It simply would not carry, whereas other equipment did when they made the switch(usually to Big Block, or Big Blue Pearl).  I knew something was up when it hasn't even officially released yet and many people are selling their sample and test balls.  

This just doesn't look like the super backend piece hammer is saying it is.  It just looks like an even flaring mild hooking ball.  Anyone else with Deal problems?  I was actually considering punching one of these but after seeing this ball's performance in so many different styles of bowlers' hands, it just looks like it won't fit the slot I'm looking for.
--------------------
-DJ Marshall
You're not Bowling if you're not using "B"runswick
Scratchbowling.com

LoL that was HILARIOUS! ^^  and Yeah Hoss, I did get to see Van Hees throw the deal.  Great bowler, just looked like the wrong piece in his hands.  He did throw it well but tapped his life away with it, and left an almost laughable pocket 7-10 that sounded like a steak hitting the kitchen floor.  Sounds like another Shooter/Shooter XL mixup with the wrong cover thing.
--------------------
-DJ Marshall
You're not Bowling if you're not using "B"runswick
Scratchbowling.com

I am somewhat puzzled with the negative comments on the Deal since I have had much success with it myself and have sold several out of our center's pro shop with positive feedback.

In its out of the box condition, the ball gets great distance and has more recovery room than past particle pearls.  It's a strong ball.  I have not experimented with an altered surface yet and have thrown it only on the house shot here and in a recent tournament in Tenn where it was my "go to" ball.

As for the pros throwing this ball, I can't imagine them to continue to throw this ball if they're not getting the reaction they want on that particular condition.  The pros or anyone else for that matter, better match the right equipment with the condition quickly or they just won't be competitive anywhere.  There is no ball that will work on "any" condition.  The ability to recognize the difference makes the good bowler a great bowler.

I will include an excerpt from an email I recieved from Brian Graham, Hammer Brand Manager, to inform you all about the Deal.  

The deal on The Deal:

The Deal is designed for medium to light oil lane conditions.  With a particle pearl coverstock and low mass bias asymmetrical core, The Deal is very clean through the front with good movement on the backend.  As a factory polished pearlized ball, The Deal is sensitive to oil and dry and is not recommended for extreme heavy oil.  To reduce over/under ball reaction, it is recommended to scuff or sand the surface of the bowling ball.  This will produce a smoother and more controllable ball motion.

 

After extensive field testing and feedback from staff players and Hammer Challenge events in the field, we have found that The Deal has been a hit on the medium to light oil lane conditions.  

--------------------

Jason Jenkins
"Nothing HITS like a Hammer"