Just wondering if there are any ball review videos out for bowling newbies.  I started bowling last season and am really enjoying it.  Starting to break the 200 barrier with some regularity and I'd like to purchase my first high performance ball.  Problem is I really don't get much out of watching these videos in their current format.  I'd love to see videos out that replace the sound tracks with actual bowlers commentary telling us why they chose that particular layout for that particular ball.  Show us a well thrown ball rolled from a chosen board to a target and let us see the reaction, then throw a ball from the opposite end of the spectrum (such as a 4000 pearl with polish vs a 1000 solid with no polish) and allow us to see the difference in ball reaction.  They could then compare a particular ball vs balls of comparable construction.  Again with commentary replacing the sound tracks.  Plenty of other things can also be added.  I'd certainly get much more out of this than watching high rev players throwing big hooks with a cool soundtrack playing in the back round.  There's not enough context in the current format for the layman to really benefit much.

All of what you suggest would be nice.  However, given that virtually every ball review video for whatever ball looks almost the same, stand left throw right and let the lane block carry the ball to the pocket, not sure that anyone woulfd be willing to make it.

Komodo,

I completely agree with you, and have thought about doing this kind of videos for a web site.  One problem though, is the typical house shot can make many balls react the same or similar.  It sometime takes radically different balls to get one that will do something different from the same spot on the lane.

(I gotta get a decent camera, and see what I can come up with)

The ABS videos are really good, and somebody (I think it was Jeff Ussery?) also used two cameras for the same shot, so you get two angles on one and the same shot - what helps IMO a lot to judge a ball's reaction.

Anyway, besides the fact that many ball videos look similar (well, we just have 39 boards, and the ball ...hooks!), it is hard to judge the recation because so many factors are involved. Almost nobody provides the conditions the ball is tested on, and even if you get that info, a) lane surfaces can have another huge impact and b) do we BELIEVE that it actually is a 42' flat sport shot and not a THS or another tampered thing?

While a video is entertaining, I fear we never come to a point where we could actually have a lab condition that allows a repeatable ball test. I'd even assume that a video is actually only meaningful for that specific ball and bowler.
When I tried to put toghether ball videos, I found myself ending up witha pretty long introduction into the ball specs, its layout, my style stats and (if possible) the lane condition. And even comparing balls takes a lot of "on air" time, unless you just use one shot.

For reference: http://de.video.yahoo.com/watch/5385930/14191023

I think you can easily fill 10 min and more with "info" about just one ball.

Anyway, I support the idea of complete info and "neutral" ball testing with various players, drillings, surfaces and even lanes. But it literally takes time, both in preparation and broadcasting, and the circumstances will remain dubious.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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