Off topic but to be fair may have been less the move to Mexico and more it was hard to replicate the magic of PK18/Activator with stronger covers with newer additives (not as durable, soaked up more oil, hard to replicate shape, etc).  Read several reviews on here by people saying they noticed no difference between the same ball being made from the US to Mexico but they did rip on newer models with the Activator super duper plus max cover.  I will say I love throwing my older Brunswick balls but for true heavy oil my made in Mexico Forest Green Quantum is far better.  Would prefer it was made in the US but it is what it is.

Yeah, we've deviated a bit from me wondering about a Cherry Bomb, lol, but I love this insider info chat.

I feel like today's covers are so very aggressive, almost too aggressive. I find that lanes get over/under in a single game of 5-man teams. This is probably why Nationals started using 31, 32 units of oil the last few years.

I find older gear has more natural continuation. Making a modern ball continue as well involves more release manipulation than I can ever remember having to do. Which is probably why I have a few oldies in the bag for later in tournament blocks.