Guys thanks for your help. I don't know how fast he throws it. I just never trust the speed that shows up on the scoring units. I have never really timed it or anything at all. I have a lot of thinking to do.
Chris if all kids were like him and thought about bowling 24/7 there would be no problem. Anytime anything dealing with bowling is on tv he wants to watch it. I am not pushing him into this at all either. This is all him. This is why I am so stuck on what to do. I don't want to make him feel like he is not going anywhere, yet at the same time I don't want to push him to hard on something. Watching him bowl he just wants to learn more and more and more. It is great!

Guys thanks for your help. I don't know how fast he throws it. I just never trust the speed that shows up on the scoring units. I have never really timed it or anything at all. I have a lot of thinking to do.
Chris if all kids were like him and thought about bowling 24/7 there would be no problem. Anytime anything dealing with bowling is on tv he wants to watch it. I am not pushing him into this at all either. This is all him. This is why I am so stuck on what to do. I don't want to make him feel like he is not going anywhere, yet at the same time I don't want to push him to hard on something. Watching him bowl he just wants to learn more and more and more. It is great!

Just curious.....how big/tall is your son?  Reason I ask is because I have a 7 1/2 year old in my care (my fiances son) and he is only about 50 pounds.  He is really skinny (you can basically see his rib cage with no shirt on).  When we take him bowling, I would be willing to bet he is not hitting 10 mph.  When your son bowls, does it only take a few seconds for the ball to reach the pins or does it seem like it takes awhile to get there?  Also, what kind of scores does he normally shoot?  Is he a child that is typically shooting 60s or is he able to get over 100 on a regular basis?

The main thing for you to think about, is anything you put him in is going to give him more than what he has.  If a Polar Ice retails for $100 and a Slingshot retails for $120-130, is it worth it to you to spend that extra $20-30 if he is still in a learning stage?  I agree with Russell and a couple others that recommend the Polar Ice.  Remember the fact that he is 8 years old so anything on the lower end you choose wont be a disservice to him.  He is just going to be excited at the fact he has a new toy to use. 

Lets see here. Going to be 8 years old in Sept. "Teach him to throw it hard"?
NNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn the SPORT!

Lets see here. Going to be 8 years old in Sept. "Teach him to throw it hard"?
NNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn the SPORT!

Trust me I am not teaching him to throw it hard. For his age he has a nice smooth game. Throws the ball good. I am still working with him on fundamentals. I teach him something let him bowl a week while working on it. That way he can get use to it. I am not trying to shove information down his throat at all. He has picked up a lot just by watching others bowl. As I said before he loves watching the PBA when it is on tv. He would be happy staying at a bowling center and watching people bowl all day. He would be even happier to be bowling however. When I was his age I was not this way at all. I am just looking at trying to find a ball that will give him some reaction is all. The T Zone just spins and slides on him. Don't get me wrong it does move a little. I just want something more for him.

Sorry I skipped right over that. No way do I want him to learn how to throw it hard. I am 37 and have wrist issues from the way I bowled. I know plenty of people that have wrist, elbow, and shoulder issues from throwing hard. So no I don't want him to throw it hard. Learn the ins and outs of the games. That's why this is so hard for me to decide what to get him.

I agree. That's why I am trying to teach him a little at a time and pass what information I know to him. I don't want to see him be one of those that only know how to stand left and throw right. Good thing he is young and catches on to a lot just by watching people.

Millertime that is a great point. I had never thought about going to that level. I was only thinking about urethane so now I am having to think about 3 balls. Well probably only 2. I have a feeling I know how I am going to go. I really wish I would take a video of him bowling and post so you all could see him bowl. I think that would be even better for you all to help out with. Thanks all for your help.