First off I have to thank Richie and Chuck for getting my new playtoy into my hands just in time for our PBA league tonight.
Ball specs:
15# 2 oz, 3-4" pin and 3-1/4 oz top weight
Layout:
Basic label drilling on the drill sheet...didn't want it too strong on the backend and I figured the 1:30 layout could be tamed easily with surface if I needed. Pin is above and right of ring finger. The mass bias is right in my track about an inch left of the thumbhole and slightly above. Ending weights are 1/8 finger and 1/8 side.
The VIper PBA pattern is a 37 foot pattern with quite a bit of oil but due to the pattern itself allows several ways to play the lanes.
I started the night playing the ball over the 3rd arrow out to around 8 with a strong release. This held well for the first game and I shot 211. The start of the next game saw the ball drifting high so I made a 2 and 2 move left and found carry again for a few frames. Then I lost it and left a couple of splits as I let up on the speed a hair. Moved another 5 left as the game wound down. Game 3 saw me move back right and play a very tight outside swing (12 to
with a dead up the back release. The ball absolutely crushed the pocket even from this less than ideal angle (typically leaves lots of 9 pins in our house).
In short this ball is absolutely awesome. I didn't touch my Special Agent all night long. Despite the ball being very strong and hooking a lot (5-6" of flare) it was massively controllable and I was able to stay with it the entire night. I was able to get the ball to recover on errant shots that went wide but if I tugged it, the ball was gone.
Impressions:
1. The ball is massively versatile as I was able to stay with it all night.
2. The ball recovers VERY well for a ball that hooks as much as this one does.
3. The ball is very responsive to changes in release.
4. Messengers galore...I have not sent messengers like this EVER....just awesome.
This is going to be a winner from Lane 1....hands down the best solid resin ball they have produced since the Blueberry.
I am still taking pre-orders on this ball at my normal price. Just email or PM me and I'll add you to the list!!!
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
