Lane One Testimonial –


I have been seeing some of the usual Lane#1 “debate” that routinely shows up on the BR boards from time to time but rather than get in the fray I thought I might try a different route and just report on my positive and genuine dealings with the company and its representatives.

First, who am I? I am your typical house league bowler that just tries to bowl well, relax and have a good time while bowling, strives to get better and learn more about the art of bowling. If I could learn better spare shooting and get more coaching I might even like my scoring average more. But, I am currently a one time a week bowler with no time to practice (ie… family, kids, research, teaching…)

I have tried and used bowling balls from the following companies: Lane#1, Hammer, Ebonite, MoRich, Lane Master, Storm, & Brunswick.  I have found balls from each company that are well made and useful for my game, however, for whatever reason I seem to match up well and score better more frequently with those from Lane#1. I don’t have much luck with anything I have tried from Storm – don’t really know why (you will later see me talk a fair amount about Storm, do not see it as Storm bashing, see it as how I made the move to Lane#1 as my preferred matchup in contrasting the two).

For the record, I really like the cobalt pearl, XXXL, U-Pearl & Solid from Lane#1 and the Buzz from LaneMaster, and when necessary (deeper line) the Angular One from Ebonite and G-Force from Lane#1.  I am looking to try another ball from another company but will probably fall back to Lane#1 because I know it has been a dependable ball company for my game.  Now for those of you beginning to cackle at the “price” of
a Lane#1 ball, all I will say is that often I am (and only me) willing to pay the price, as the economics decides these things in the market place – apparently Lane#1 is doing just fine selling, people are buying the balls, and they continue to do so.  

Now, my Lane#1 story:

It starts simply. I was struggling during league using a Storm X-Factor Ace. Got some advice from another bowler and got a bit of coaching, plus looked at acquiring a new ball or two (after all that is what a lot of house bowlers like to do, is it not?). I bought a Storm Banshee and a Lane#1 U-Pearl and began to use them. I first used the Storm balls for a few weeks and was still struggling, over/under reaction, no consistent carry, really having a hard time…. then,…. well, … ok – I will throw the Lane #1 U-Pearl. I, immediately, tossed my high game for the time – 256 (first game tossing the ball), followed it up with two more 200+ games. I decided I was on to something here. My average over the next block of games increased nearly 25 pins. Definitely, on to something for me. A few other people around me in the league of that time began to ask me about Lane#1 as they had not heard of it and began to try a few balls as well. A few of them began to also find increased success and a few did not.

I then proceeded to try and buy over the next few months after that time an XXXL, Bullet, and U-Solid. I continued to have a very successful match-up with those balls for my game and bowling conditions at two different houses. I also picked up a used CherryC^2.

I then found, on the internet, BallReviews.com. I knew nothing about it until then. So, I started to post and interact with other bowlers (here in the Lane#1 section and the others).

Richie Sposato (Lane#1 CEO) spotted some of my posts and noticed I was a physics professor and contacted me about doing some physics calculations:

quote:

---

Seeing as though you're a physics professor, would you be interested in doing a physics study for us, regarding our diamond core, vs. many other shapes (round, square, rectangle, etc...). How do these numbers translate to more effectiveness at the pins? Plus, how could we explain this benefit to the average bowler..?

Would you be interested in doing something like this? Let me know.

Sincerely,
Richie Sposato – President
Lane #1

---

After a YEAR of pondering, I did a little research project on core shapes and you can find it posted at the Lane#1 website. You can go look it over for all the details if you wish, but that is not why I am posting this LONG letter.

In a few discussions & exchanges, I mentioned that the results of the project might not be what they wanted nor expected, but I was told that whatever they were the results would be posted. I thought this a genuine response.

I then did something crazy. I destroyed 16 bowling balls in my garage to extract the cores so that I could begin the research in a timely manner with a student of mine (6 of my own, 5 donated by bowlers at the local bowling alley, and 3 donated new from Lane#1, two purchased with research funds). My garage has never been that destroyed.
   
Richie then sent me a few bowling balls to replace me and the local bowlers for their personal donations to the project even before the results were in. (I got three, the other two to local bowlers).

At this point, I was introduced to the Cobalt Pearl (still my favorite). About four weeks later I tossed my first 300 game with it, and began to hover around an average of 205. Not soon after that tossed my first 700 series, then not too much later tossed another, then awhile after that 776.  I skipped from tossing a high series of 662 with my other company balls into the 700s (in a very short bowling time span). Whatever the reason, I was really matching well to Lane#1 equipment. I used it a few weeks ago after a long hiatus and tossed a 713 with it, I really should use it more, but I’m trying other things at the moment I guess because I’m always testing stuff as a scientist.

So, for me, it was logical for me to conclude and say, “Lane#1 is the company for my game and scoring.”  My average when I started to use the balls increased significantly and I was beginning to see honor score potential!

I was also at “The Gathering” in North Carolina when Lane#1 representatives made the trip (Richie himself too) and brought balls to raffle off for those in attendance. They answered questions, gave some coaching/drilling tips, gave a sales pitch (what company wouldn’t), and hung out with a bunch of bowling fanatics in a social way. A complete class act the whole time (even after the travel ordeal they endured to get there).

I have since bought a few more balls, some from Lane#1, some not from Lane#1. But, I seem to do better with mostly Lane#1 equipment. I have also gotten a couple more surprise gifts (balls) from Lane#1 on occasion. I haven’t asked for them, they just seem to show up. That sure is nice for a company to do. I don’t feel like I deserve to get any more comp balls, as I think the number I destroyed during the research project have been replaced.  I also, do try and talk Lane#1 balls up with the bowlers around me to AT LEAST give them a try. I’ve been seeing them more often around me lately.

Now, you all can bash me if you want. Call me a Kool-Aid ( ) drinker. Think of me a company shill, or whatever else you want. All I can tell you is that from my own personal experience, Lane#1 makes balls that do well for my game, Lane#1 as a company is a class act, Lane#1 will continue to get business from me. I base my decision on the evidence I have observed and the interactions I have had with them.


If you made it this far and read all this post – WOW, you have a lot of free time.


Dr. Joe

--------------------
Dr. Joseph Howard
Joe's Physics Page    

"Imagine what you could do,
if you could do what you imagine"

Physics Researcher
... Current Active Ball Arsenal
....... Cobalt Bomb <<-- Favorite
....... G-Force - occasionally
....... Crystal Spare <<-- Spare
....... Angular One - occasionally
....... The Buzz - Really good
....... BlackWidow Pearl - might sell

Truth in Bowling Stats

.... High Series: 776
.... High Game: 300
.... High Game Sport Shot: 256


Edited on 1/18/2008 3:07 PM

Edited on 1/18/2008 7:51 PM