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.

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?

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.

Quote from: JPbowling151 on January 01, 2017, 06:49:58 PM

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.