Ball NPS Score: 100.00
Coverstock: Evolution Solid Particle
Ball Color: Black All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Finish: 800 Sheen
Flare Potential: 4.5" (Medium)
RG Average: 2.549 (Medium) on a scale of 2.43-2.8 Very low-High Break Point
RG Differential: 0.031 (Medium-Low) on a scale of .000-.080 Low-High Flare
Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium-Heavy Oil
Description: Introducing the Sting. Our newest Max Performance release to use the Buzz core. Only this time, we armed the Sting with Evolution Particle, so you''ll never get stung by heavy lane conditions again

I picked up a Sting two weeks ago and primarily used it on a league shot.  It appears we're getting a little more oil than normal in the first two weeks, in the two houses I bowl at.  I have mine drilled pin above ring finger, PAP 5 5/8 with 5/8 up.  This ball hits hard when coming from the outside.  I sanded the cover with a grey pad, to take some polish off it.  I don't believe this ball is for heavy oil, but medium heavy.  I have a Terminator, Yeah Baby and Big R Bang, to compare with this ball.  This ball will up with the Terminator and maybe I should have picked up a Black Pearl, for heavy oil.  Thus far, I'm happy with it, the only problem is the lanes are being oiled squirely and I may need something with a little more bite. I'm a down and in player, very accurate and consistent, the farther right I move, does not affect this ball.  The reaction is true and precise.  When it was drilled, the cover stock was at least 3 1/2 inches thick, my driller laughed and said this company (Legends) really know how to make a product.  The drill bits don't last long, due to the hardness of these balls.

This is my first Lanemasters ball.  Spotted it on e-bay already left hand drilled with very few bids on it.  I couldn't resist and bid $42 bucks on a whim, figuring I would get outbid as there was still a couple of days left on the auction.  Ended up winning it for $41.50!  Couldn't believe how good of shape it was when I got it...looked like it had never been thrown.  It was drilled pin under ring and CG kicked out about two inches.  Moved the thumb hole to increase the span a little and didn't have to move the weight hole.

I've thrown this ball on heavy, medium and light oil already.  As expected it performs best on medium oil, with a fairly strong midlane and a smooth but solid arc to the pocket.  The ball hits hard and continues through the pocket well.  Didn't leave any seven pins, and suprisingly no solid nines either.  The break point was a little earlier than I normally see, but I wasn't surprised as this is a particle ball.

On light oil I had to throw the ball pretty hard across the 20 at the arrows down to about the 12 board at the break point.  Carried fairly good through the heads and midlane yet still maintained plenty of energy to turn into the pocket.  I also didn't have any problems leaving seven pins, nor did it hit too strong.  I did have to maintain pretty firm ball speed to keep it from coming in high, but I usually just left a six pin when it did.

Threw it last night on a flood and it still did pretty good. I played an inside line throwing across the 15 at the arrows down to about the 13 at the break point and the ball was able to make it into the pocket fairly strong.  Didn't leave a single five pin so I knew that it was moving into the pocket fairly strong despite the less than optimum angle.  I probably won't use this ball OOB for heavy oil as I am more comfortable throwing my ball out a little more.

I'm planning on throwing it on the spinner and polishing it up with some of Bean's Secret Sauce this weekend to see how that affects it.  I'm expecting it to go just a touch longer as the coverstock appears fairly smooth from the factory.  I'm surprised at how durable the coverstock is on this black beauty. Our only bowling center is ancient and is notorious for chewing up balls, but the Sting has nary a nick after throwing it three nights of league and one afternoon of practice.

Overall I'd rate the Sting 9 out of 10 on medium oil.  Might give it 10 out of 10 after I see how it works with a little polishing.

10/8 Update - I went ahead and polished the Sting with Bean's Secret Sauce.  It put the perfect final touch on this ball...it now goes a touch longer and moves back to the pocket with authority.  It also really looks really great polished up - a shining black beauty.  I now rate the Sting an easy 10 out of 10.  Great ball!

This ball certainly fills the "heavier oil" slot in my arsenal.  OOB finish clears the fresh well and still lacks nothing on the backends.  So far, my arsenal includes Sting - Xcelence - Hornet.  I am VERY pleased to date with LM/L stuff.
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I am a fan of whatever ball is going to fatten my bank account.

Saw a great price on this one, so I decided to get another Lane Masters to for more oil.  I drilled this ball with the pin under the ring finger, and the CG kicked out slightly to the right of the thumb hole.  The ball needed a weight hole which was placed below the midline, 4 inches out from my grip center.  I've used this ball in two different houses thus far, and both times I was barely able to get a game in with it as it was a bit too much ball for the house shot.  I was able to move deep inside and swing it to the dry, with The Sting coming back very hard off the friction, but it was more of a struggle than is usually needed on a house condition.  Lane Masters is correct when they say that this ball is a ton of hook even with the polished finish.  It is only a couple boards more hook than my Psycho, but definitely goes earlier, and I'm sure with the particle in the coverstock will handle a bit more oil.  Not sure I would make this the biggest hooking ball in an arsenal unless you're going to dull the coverstock, but it's a great ball to start the night with on a fresh condition if your house uses a fair amount of oil, or probably a great choice on some of the longer PBA conditions.  Have some regionals coming up on Chameleon, Scorpion, and Shark, so it will be interesting to see the reaction on those conditions.  
On a side note, the difference in drilling is unbelievable, as this is the first Lane Masters ball I've drilled myself, feeling the drill press going through nothing but coverstock and core as compared with filler is the difference between night and day.  Can't see how this wouldn't equate to more hitting power, and that is a difference that can actually be seen, not just boasted about by the manufacturer.  Quality job Lane Masters!!!

I am Batman
"Where does he get all of these wonderful balls?"