I still recommend the new Burgundy hammer and the new Blue hammer for the very strong and much weaker alternatives to the old Urethane if you are looking for that controlled hybrid (between urethane and reactive) feel.  Both are under $100 new and can probably be gotten off Ebay for second hand for significantly less.  The problem with the old urethane from what I hear is mostly due to the arms race between the ball makers and the lane guy.  Modern lanes are much harder and slicker(more oil as modern soakers deplete heads bad otherwise) than a couple decades ago.  Lot to be said to going back to basics and bowling in say a plastic ball only league (vaguely remember seeing that mentioned on a league flyer recently).  More about skill than whose good with the ball spinner and has deep pockets.

More about skill than whose good with the ball spinner and has deep pockets.

It's more about skill regardless. Good maintenance and constant new equipment is nice, but actual good bowling still comes out on top. Having the tools to succeed =/= having the skills to succeed. Don't fall into the trap of thinking those that have and spend the money on a bunch of new stuff have a big advantage. That's a bad place to be.

Then threaten to sit on them?

 Now THAT might get their attention! 😈

To complete what I said earlier my blue hammer finally came and I got it drilled and rolled my first open farting around series with it tonight.  All I can say is perfect compliment to Burgundy hammer.  The conditions were drier than usual (fancy that with lots of open free summer pass bowling at AMF/Brunswick in the area) and I found my Burgundy was crossing over so after about 2 or 3 frames I put it away and switched to my blue hammer the rest of the night and was greatly impressed.  It carries as well as the Burgundy just tamed down with zero worries about the dry.  Was weird to only have one ball on the approach though.  Actually the only negative is whether I will be able to replace my plastic spare ball with it.  I want to throw on more conditions with it to see but afraid it might not be straight enough.  Its definitely stronger than my plastic but thinking about it there was not one spare where I hit my usual target and it missed.  Maybe just takes a bit more time and confidence and won't be a problem (with my back, 3 balls are all I can carry except perhaps to tournaments).  I am starting to regret less and less becoming more of a Hammer man than a Stormer lol especially as a stroker who generally prefers down and in track bowling as long as I can get away with it.