BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: tommyboy74 on December 26, 2016, 05:57:38 PM
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So we're now into the 2016-2017 season and there have been a few staff changes that have happened.
- Tom Hess has joined EBI, throwing Columbia 300.
- Ryan Shafer will stay with Motiv as he signed an extension.
- Thomas Larsen is now throwing Track (had previously thrown all 4 brands of EBI)
- Connor Pickford will stay with Roto Grip as he signed an extension.
- Kyle Troup will stay with Storm as he signed an extension.
Other than that, there haven't been a ton of changes so far this season.
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I thought Kyle Troup was with Ringling Bros.
Guess i wasn't paying attention that well.........
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I thought Kyle Troup was with Ringling Bros.
Guess i wasn't paying attention that well.........
He's just part of the show they call the PBA these days..................
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Troup can't leave Storm until they clean all that chalk/paint/whatever it was off his little happy face from the Phaze commercial.
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Maybe that's part of his clown costume
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I know Kyle is trying to perhaps carry on his Dad's tradition, but Guppy was fun to watch, he was flamboyant and loud, but with an element of class, believe it or not. I nor anyone I know ever thought Guppy was weird. Ernie Schlegel maybe, but not Guppy.
I admire Kyle's bowling talent, but I think he would do himself better, by finding himself instead of trying to copy his Dad. Frankly his outfits and the outdated afro are for me weird. He reminds me more of Ernie than Guppy. Not sure that's what Kyle intended.
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That's a very good point... He definitely reminds me more of Ernie Schlegel. In fact, I confess that I had Guppy and Ernie confused for a moment until you mentioned it.
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That's a very good point... He definitely reminds me more of Ernie Schlegel. In fact, I confess that I had Guppy and Ernie confused for a moment until you mentioned it.
Very different.
Ernie had talent and chutzpah. Kyle has revs and desperate need for attention.
Ernie had a desperate need to win and did. He made more money in pot games after tournaments were over than he made in PBA tournaments.
I'd put Ernie in his prime against Kyle on any oil pattern, now or then, 9 times out of 10.
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I agree with Charlest on this one
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I also agree that Ernie in his prime would have beaten Kyle many times over. But the discussion was a comparison of Kyle's dress vs. Guppy vs. Ernie's.
Kyle I guess is trying to dress like his Dad, but in reality his dress and hair more closely resembles Ernie's, if you go back and review the tapes of him. And Ernie was a little weird at times, most notably his win of a major in 1995 over Randy Petersen. I know he was stunned and then excited that he won, but the "one for the old people" and "Mohammad Al"i ranting was a little over the top. Just ask Randy.....I have when we bowled together in 2014.
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Ernie was an action bowler, and one that did well over the years. He knows how to psych someone out, play the head games, and can get someone to choke when it matters.
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Jeff, you're overanalyzing again. I purely meant as a fashion reference... Give it a rest. Face it, mention loud pants and the old timers like us will think of Schlegel, the young ones (at least those who care), will think of Mr Happy Strike himself...
It's. That. Simple.
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Ronnie Russell signed with EBI. Nice pick up for EBI.
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Ronnie Russell signed with EBI. Nice pick up for EBI.
Jacob Butturff left 900 Global and went to EBI. He'll be representing Columbia 300.
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EBI is loading up! Grabbed Dom from Storm earlier this year and now these folks.
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I agree, the tide is turning, and for the better. The game is BETTER with parity with different manufacturers winning (other than Storm/Roto Grip all the time) Just as it is with many different bowlers competing and winning as well.
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Seems like Team EBI is the new Storm, signing away bowlers from other major companies. Wonder why Jakob Buttruff and Ronnie Russell left their respective staff positions at 900 Global, and Motiv. They seemed to be doing well, especially Buttruff as of late but I guess they like Tom Daugherty got better financial contracts with EBI?
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I feel the same way as I mentioned above well put.
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My opinion, when you're of their caliber, you follow the money. At their level they can win with most any brand so it really comes down to show me the money. Bowling doesn't payout like other sports so I imagine these decisions are crucial if you want to make a living on tour.
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Seems like Team EBI is the new Storm, signing away bowlers from other major companies. Wonder why Jakob Buttruff and Ronnie Russell left their respective staff positions at 900 Global, and Motiv. They seemed to be doing well, especially Buttruff as of late but I guess they like Tom Daugherty got better financial contracts with EBI?
For Russell the money was comparable but the equipment wasn't matching up anymore. This happens.
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Seems like Team EBI is the new Storm, signing away bowlers from other major companies. Wonder why Jakob Buttruff and Ronnie Russell left their respective staff positions at 900 Global, and Motiv. They seemed to be doing well, especially Buttruff as of late but I guess they like Tom Daugherty got better financial contracts with EBI?
For Russell the money was comparable but the equipment wasn't matching up anymore. This happens.
I can see that. Motiv does have a limited arsenal in comparison to EBI and Storm/RG. Not that Motiv doesn't have a full arsenal but it is more limited by today's standards.
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I love Motiv and except for a Storm Mix, all my balls are Motiv. However I currently have a bit of problem with Motiv because most of their balls now have lower differentials, especially their light weight balls like I throw and with the way I throw, I need balls with higher differentials.
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I love Motiv and except for a Storm Mix, all my balls are Motiv. However I currently have a bit of problem with Motiv because most of their balls now have lower differentials, especially their light weight balls like I throw and with the way I throw, I need balls with higher differentials.
+1
Same boat here. Motiv makes a great product, but EBI has better options in light weight equipment (other than Hammer...their Diffs are on the lower side for lighter weights. ) Motiv doesn't offer their oilers in lighter weights, which presents issues for people who throw lighter weights and want an all Motiv arsenal.
My current arsenal is Ebonite, Columbia, and Track and is working out great. Love the reaction and carry. Had to adjust surface on the Adrenaline Shot to dial it in. The GB2 MVP is way stronger than advertised.
Ore thing of note. I picked up a Swerve and a Warrior both on closeout. They are not asymmetrical in the lighter weights. No MB marks on either one. Looks like EBI may not have any light weight asymms. If you really need a light asymm, might need to go Brunswick/DV8/Radical since they offer legitimate asymm light weight equipment.
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Ore thing of note. I picked up a Swerve and a Warrior both on closeout. They are not asymmetrical in the lighter weights. No MB marks on either one. Looks like EBI may not have any light weight asymms. If you really need a light asymm, might need to go Brunswick/DV8/Radical since they offer legitimate asymm light weight equipment.
Once you get under 14lbs, cores change quite a bit.
some of the Track Pieces may have some core strength in 13lbs
but overall its limited
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Ore thing of note. I picked up a Swerve and a Warrior both on closeout. They are not asymmetrical in the lighter weights. No MB marks on either one. Looks like EBI may not have any light weight asymms. If you really need a light asymm, might need to go Brunswick/DV8/Radical since they offer legitimate asymm light weight equipment.
Once you get under 14lbs, cores change quite a bit.
some of the Track Pieces may have some core strength in 13lbs
but overall its limited
Track appears to use the same core across all of their balls in the lower weights. 13lb balls are all 2.53/.055 and 12lb balls are all 2.60/.039. Columbia does the same, except for the Nitrous and below. Ebonite uses a slightly more dynamic core in the 12, with their 12lb balls being 2.62/.046. The Ebonite 13lb, however, is 2.59/.043. All are great numbers for the lower weights.
The numbers for the 12 and 13 Ebonite Cyclone are amazing. I would love to see that core in a ball with the GB12.7 or stronger cover. It would be an amazing ball.
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It is my understanding that Motiv uses in each ball line up, the same size and shape core in all weights with the lighter ball cores being less dense. They do this to give the lighter weight balls as close as possible the same shape on the lanes as the heavier weight balls. That is what I have been told by Motiv themselves.
Other companies such as EBI, Storm, Brunswick, etc. use the same generic core in all of their lighter weight balls which is a different core than they use in their 14# and up balls, so their lighter weight balls aren't going to have the same performance/shape on the lanes as their heavier weights. That is the main reason I try to stick with Motiv plus Motiv has great and long lasting covers that don't soak up oil like their competitors do.
However, as already mentioned, I have not done as well with their lower differential balls.
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It is my understanding that Motiv uses in each ball line up, the same size and shape core in all weights with the lighter ball cores being less dense. They do this to give the lighter weight balls as close as possible the same shape on the lanes as the heavier weight balls. That is what I have been told by Motiv themselves.
Other companies such as EBI, Storm, Brunswick, etc. use the same generic core in all of their lighter weight balls which is a different core than they use in their 14# and up balls, so their lighter weight balls aren't going to have the same performance/shape on the lanes as their heavier weights. That is the main reason I try to stick with Motiv plus Motiv has great and long lasting covers that don't soak up oil like their competitors do.
However, as already mentioned, I have not done as well with their lower differential balls.
Storm has also been using the same core shapes recently in the lighter weight versions of their high end stuff, just like Motiv. However, if I have my choice between an "exotic" weight block spec'ed at 2.59/.029 or a generic core at 2.62/.046, I am picking the generic core each time to have the added differential. Ebonite uses the same core shape in all weights of the Cyclone, but that is the only ball they do that with.
It was very surprising to see Ronnie Russell go to Ebonite from Motiv. Now that EBI allows pros to throw balls from any of the 4 brands, it will be interesting to see what he chooses to throw most frequently. Track and Hammer get a ton of attention, but Ebonite branded equipment really hasn't been in the spotlight lately. It would be nice to see some Warriors and the Maverick get some TV exposure.
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I wonder if Ronnie switching to EBI had anything to do with Motiv not having a urethane ball in their lineup. I feel like he'd be someone that would do well with urethane on the short patterns
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I wonder if Ronnie switching to EBI had anything to do with Motiv not having a urethane ball in their lineup. I feel like he'd be someone that would do well with urethane on the short patterns
Rebel Tank is still in production and I'm sure he still has his og Tanks.
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I wonder if Ronnie switching to EBI had anything to do with Motiv not having a urethane ball in their lineup. I feel like he'd be someone that would do well with urethane on the short patterns
It may have been more so the fact that a few of their really good balls were discontinued without a true replacement. Just speculation of course.
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I wonder if Ronnie switching to EBI had anything to do with Motiv not having a urethane ball in their lineup. I feel like he'd be someone that would do well with urethane on the short patterns
It may have been more so the fact that a few of their really good balls were discontinued without a true replacement. Just speculation of course.
seeing as Motiv is the only major manufacturer without a sister brand, they do have holes that aren't filled by a sister brand. EBI has 4 companies to fill a hole, Brunswick 3, Storm/Roto have 2, 900/AMF (is AmF?) have 2. Motiv does have some holes, but that's not a viable excuse as EJ looked good this year. I see it as a business decision for Ronnie and EBI could/would/is paying him more. Seems simple from the outside looking in.
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Ronnie said in the Motiv Facebook group that his was strictly a financial decision and had nothing to do with the Motiv arsenal.