Author Topic: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This (Read 3941 times)

Stan · « **on:** January 06, 2011, 02:15:08 AM »

Ebonite just announced the Mission Domination and the Hammer Infection. I mean, the Taboo just came out a month ago. Does anybody really believe we need all these bowling balls ? Ebonite is doing a fine job releasing new equipment (it seems) almost every 2 months. I know some of you, can't wait for the new releases to show up, but come on, do you really think the newest ball will make you a better bowler ?

I for one, would like to see less releases and keep the older balls (released 2 months ago) current much longer. No wonder, most of the pro shops in my area carry extremely low inventory.

Phoneman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2011, 08:35:59 AM »

Here is something you probably have not thought of when it comes to people buying 2 or 3 new balls every season. What about the people (like myself) that get bored with throwing the same piece all the time. Standing in the same spot doing the same thing 3 nights a week for 36 weeks gets boring. I like the challenge of trying to figure out a new piece. What changes in the reaction. How to get the new piece to carry like the other ones did. That is where I get the fun out of bowling. I don,t care about the scores, they are what they are, I like trying to figure stuff out.

ImBackInTheGame · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2011, 08:59:55 AM »

I wish I could afford to buy every ball that comes out, but it's insane how many new balls come out each year. I read some blog recently that talked about the number of releases and in 2009 there were 258 new releases from 33 manufacturers. 21-22 new balls per month! Wow!

I really don't understand why manufacturers need to release so many bowling balls each year. Granted they are re-using some technology that they already created and putting a new spin on it, but there still has to be a cost associated with R&D, marketing, etc. Why not just release a line of balls (heavy, medium, and light oil lineup) and push those balls for an entire season. As long as people like them and are having success with them, why spend the money to create something else. It's almost like a new ball doesn't have enough time to get established as a "winner" before they dump it for the next release. Then they push the pros to throw the newest release even though they were having amazing success with the other ball that came out 3 weeks ago and winning.

Wes Mallot for example destroyed the competition with the original Cell and the Cell Pearl, he hasn't touched those balls since he captured the player of the year. Sure he's had some other timing issues and such, but I still think he could win with the "old" technology. We all know Wes throws for Roto-Grip, if he can win with an older Roto-Grip ball, that's still phenominal publicity for the brand Roto-Grip. It shouldn't matter what ball a pro is throwing as long as the manufacturer is on the shirt.

I really don't know where I'm heading with this post, I really feel like I'm rambling and not making any sence at this point so I'll just end with this:

The market is definatly flooded, but if your pro shop operator is good, he/she should be able to filter through everything and find the right ball for your needs.

Edited by ImBackInTheGame on 1/7/2011 at 10:02 AM

Stan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2011, 09:07:22 AM »

Phoneman, was your last post serious ??

You do not care about your scores

You do not care about your average

You do not care about if your team wins or loses (you do bowl on a team and not a singles league)

Every time you throw a shot with one of your older balls, you must strike.

The lanes never change therefore you stand in the same place for all 3 games

Repeating good shots is boring

You buy new balls for the challenge of standing all over the place trying to strike

Sorry, but bowling is all about repetition. If you find that boring, then you should find a different sport to participate in. You have to play the lanes based on the pattern and your particlar style of play. Once you have found the correct line and ball for the particular pattern you are bowling on, to change balls is stupid. I would throw you off my team in an heartbeat.

This has to be a joke, right !

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2011, 10:09:08 AM »

ImBackInTheGame wrote on 1/7/2011 9:59 AM:
I wish I could afford to buy every ball that comes out, but it's insane how many new balls come out each year. I read some blog recently that talked about the number of releases and in 2009 there were 258 new releases from 33 manufacturers. 21-22 new balls per month! Wow!

I really don't understand why manufacturers need to release so many bowling balls each year. Granted they are re-using some technology that they already created and putting a new spin on it, but there still has to be a cost associated with R&D, marketing, etc. Why not just release a line of balls (heavy, medium, and light oil lineup) and push those balls for an entire season. As long as people like them and are having success with them, why spend the money to create something else. It's almost like a new ball doesn't have enough time to get established as a "winner" before they dump it for the next release. Then they push the pros to throw the newest release even though they were having amazing success with the other ball that came out 3 weeks ago and winning.

Wes Mallot for example destroyed the competition with the original Cell and the Cell Pearl, he hasn't touched those balls since he captured the player of the year. Sure he's had some other timing issues and such, but I still think he could win with the "old" technology. We all know Wes throws for Roto-Grip, if he can win with an older Roto-Grip ball, that's still phenominal publicity for the brand Roto-Grip. It shouldn't matter what ball a pro is throwing as long as the manufacturer is on the shirt.

I really don't know where I'm heading with this post, I really feel like I'm rambling and not making any sence at this point so I'll just end with this:

The market is definatly flooded, but if your pro shop operator is good, he/she should be able to filter through everything and find the right ball for your needs.

Edited by ImBackInTheGame on 1/7/2011 at 10:02 AM

I like your idea about a new line every year. That would be plenty. A company could have maybe one all new release with much hype, another release or two that combines current tech in a different way (core/cover swaps), and maybe a piece or two that is just a refresh.

As for pro's throwing old equipment, I'm sure many of them could score very well and be competitive with older stuff, but that won't help their sponsors sell the latest new item they have released. The last thing a manufacturer wants to tell customers these days is "there is no reason to get a new gadget, our old gadgets work just as well if not better!" Never gonna happen, it's all a push to sell new and repeat business is key!

9~ Internet Tough Guy and
Cyberspace Sheep Lover

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:15:07 PM »

I enjoy new equipment as much as anybody, but anymore I would hate to be a proshop trying to move so much merchandise.

My cost on the bowling balls is the ball plus thumb insert, which for me allows me to buy a decent amount of equipment when I choose to. (Especially the packages that get released.) Any more there is so much from several companies that if you stuck with just one, you could probably do ok trying every new ball if you wanted. As mentioned sometimes it is nice just to try something different.

From a proshop perspective I think it can be a nightmare. Especially with four companies being together and releasing a ball or two together all at the same time. That is a lot of new stuff to have on hand to replace a decent amount of not so old stuff you just got in. Plus buying in amounts required to get your discount through the manufacture for gold or platinum status adds up to a lot of bowling balls.

Be good, or be good at it.

jls · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2011, 02:24:57 PM »

Triple Amen to that sir... And now they put a minimum on what you must buy on 1 invoice to get the discount...

kidlost2000 wrote on 1/7/2011 2:15 PM:I enjoy new equipment as much as anybody, but anymore I would hate to be a proshop trying to move so much merchandise.

My cost on the bowling balls is the ball plus thumb insert, which for me allows me to buy a decent amount of equipment when I choose to. (Especially the packages that get released.) Any more there is so much from several companies that if you stuck with just one, you could probably do ok trying every new ball if you wanted. As mentioned sometimes it is nice just to try something different.

From a proshop perspective I think it can be a nightmare. Especially with four companies being together and releasing a ball or two together all at the same time. That is a lot of new stuff to have on hand to replace a decent amount of not so old stuff you just got in. Plus buying in amounts required to get your discount through the manufacture for gold or platinum status adds up to a lot of bowling balls.

Be good, or be good at it.

jls

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2011, 10:53:37 AM »

I've been sick of Ebonite and even Storm and Brunswick doing this for 10 years now. Ebonite is the worst at it.

I like companies like Motiv, Visionary and even Roto Grip that actually can keep a ball in production for a year or even two and three.

Author Topic: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This (Read 3941 times)

Stan

Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

Phoneman

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

ImBackInTheGame

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

Stan

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

9andaWiggle

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

kidlost2000

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

jls

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This

BrianCRX90

Re: Anyone Else Getting Tired of This