I'm finished. It's a rushed job, and is probably missing a few things, but I think it covers the main points. Of course you're all encouraged to help me add or take away from what I have written. Maybe it will eventually make it's way to the big wigs and get some attention. Here it is, enjoy.
The title is pretty self explainitory. Are the ball companies trying just too hard to blind us with the speed they're turning out the "new technology?" Are certain manufacturers more at fault for this than others? The community at ballreviews.com shared their thoughts and opinions on the raging debate over ball wars.
The first thing that comes to mind when reading about so many new bowling balls from mostly the major companies every single week are rabbits. However, even rabbits can't reproduce THAT fast. This seems to be a sadly growing trend, with the exception of the smaller companies. So many balls are coming out so quickly that it's hard to even keep track of the names at times. Do we really need this many balls? Even people who buy new equipment regularly cannot keep up with the rapid pace the companies have set. Storm and Columbia seem to be the two frontrunners as of now, with Storm seeming to put out a new ball every two weeks. Their X-Factor master line class already has three balls wearing the logo, which is nearly the number of months since the first was introduced. My research for this topic found both support, although small, and opposition.
Here are a few of the smaller comments I gathered.
VARIETY BABY, VARIETY
Why do they have to flood the market? They are killing us!
PRO SHOPS: Manufacturers, STOP MAKING NEW BALLS!
Ebonite will discontinue 15 balls from their line in a summer and then release 20 new balls to replace them...I don't get it.
Some of the larger posts produced these opinions, especially by pro shop owners, or those that worked in one.
Why introduce a ball just to replace one that you already have? Or worse yet (Columbia pay attention) why release a ball that's the same core and cover with just a different name??? We, as pro shops, need to get together and tell the manufacturers enough is enough. Bowlers are getting confused and so are we. Let's do something about this!!!
People walk into the pro shop and see all the balls sitting on the wall, and then ask what the difference is. Let's see, this one has a few thousandths of a point higher rg, this coverstock is named something different from this one, and oh yeah, they're different colors too. Why discontinue something that works and replace it with some "new technology?"
The general concensus I received was that the ball companies are moving too fast for themselves. We all know they're out to make a profit, and feel that in today's society that something has to be bigger, better, and quicker for it to sell. However, it's going so fast that people hardly have a chance to buy the newest ball unless they're rolling in cash. Many people skip certain balls completely even if they're a huge fan of the company and usually buy every new release. But for those that don't just stick to one company, the flood of balls can be maddening, especially when certain new ones are seen as one company's answer to a ball that another company just released. The pace is simply too fast, which is luring people more towards the smaller companies in an attempt to find what they're looking for without all the hassle of digging through ball upon ball. Lane 1, Dynothane, Morich, Roto-Grip, and Visionary are all small manufacturers that will put out only one or two new balls every few months. These impressive releases rival, if not outperform many of the new balls from a great deal of the larger companies. While Storm may put out three or four particle pearls in their different lines within a few months, Lane 1 released the Cherry Bomb, a ball with many qualities of a particle pearl that has quickly become a favorite of many bowlers that traditionally stick with the larger companies. The C/2, Vendetta, Silver Streak, Colossus, and Gargoyle lines all contain 2-4 balls that cover many conditions the typical league bowler will see, and deliver incredibly. The Blueberry Buzzsaw is touted as perhaps one of the most versatile balls to hit the market yet. As well, at least one ball in each of the lines from the smaller companies can share that label. These lesser known competitors seem to have a knack for finding gaps in their ball lines and plugging them solidly.
Another related occurence recently has been the enhanced rebirth of favorites from years ago, balls like the Monster Bruiser, Time Zone, and Threat being the most prevalent. Many people have been overjoyed at the introduction of the Threat, incorporating the Tri-Core technology used in the Triton Heat with a coverstock made from new technology to help it adapt to newer lane conditions. Several people also find the benefit in finding a ball that fits them, and purchasing several duplicates to leave undrilled in their closets for when the ball they're using wears out.
The bottom line seems to be that some of the new technology is incredible, balls like the Inferno and original X-Factor being standouts, but the excess production rate is too much for bowlers to handle. Some pro shop walls can boast 30 or more brand new releases, but to some customers, it can leave them to a decision that they end up not making. More times than not, I'll encounter a bowler that will come into the shop with a ball, and say "This one wore out, I want one that reacts exactly like it." Chances are, I'll be able to find at least 5, and sometimes 10-15 balls that will all come very close to what the customer wants. The number of choices prompts them to respond with a comment like, "Well, maybe I'll just have you resurface this one and see if I can squeeze some more life out of it for now." Ball companies should spend more time trying to please the customer than filling their wallets. After all, too much of a good thing can and has become too old really fast.
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I know Kung Fu!
I am the one, the one that will bring balance. All the pins shall be destroyed!
