BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: dougb on February 13, 2014, 01:06:52 AM
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In an earlier thread I posted about Bill Hall's new ball company, Blend10 Bowling. For those of you who don't know, Bill is a long-time coach to the pros (such as Norm Duke) and inventor of the Tri-Grip fitting system.
Blend10 is his newest venture and two balls will be released this month. To my knowledge, the first place to offer them will be Pinole Bowler's Supply here in the SF Bay Area, which was also the first shop to offer the Tri-Grip on the West Coast.
Beyond that I don't know anything except the balls are being poured by 900 Global. In the mean time, Bill put up two teaser pics on Facebook.
I'll keep you all posted as I learn more. Between a lesson with Bill and the Tri-Grip I walked away with first place in my last league and $300 in my pocket, so I might be the first person on the board to buy a Blend10 ball!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1901825_694455660576637_716121103_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1012294_694455713909965_96504565_n.jpg)
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I like blue.
Tough market.
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Bill talks about the balls a bit in this podcast with Joey Cerar and Tim Burg. http://above180.com/2013/12/the-proper-way-to-line-up-with-bill-hall/
Agreed tough market unsure how small manufacturer makes it today's demographics. Niche environment.
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I wonder what weightblocks are in these.
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Was talking with Gary Parsons about these new releases last month. I don't understand the logic of bringing more product to a tough market that is already flooded with product.
For as smart as Mr. Hall is, did he not just notice the "Fail-Safe" move that Global made marketing the Network line of balls??? Did he not just notice the marketing move of the small lot of rare Blue Hammers???
all I can say is GOOD LUCK!!! He's gonna need it.
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Bill talks about the balls a bit in this podcast with Joey Cerar and Tim Burg. http://above180.com/2013/12/the-proper-way-to-line-up-with-bill-hall/
Agreed tough market unsure how small manufacturer makes it today's demographics. Niche environment.
Thanks for posting. I listened to it.
For those who didn't, Bill explains the lettering on each ball. He's actually going to have two different lines targeting two different styles of player. "NST" stands for "New School Technology" which he says is for the modern player who is looking for a big backend ball.
"OSW" stands for "Old School Works", and Bill thinks there is a demand from players like me who don't rip the cover off the ball and send it rocketing down the lane at 18 mph+. This is a tamer ball reaction.
He also talks about these two balls and posted some info on Facebook.
The first OSW is a symmetric ball with a 2.503 RG and 0.035 differential. It comes OOB at 1500 polished and Bill says the color looks like Yellow Dot Bleeder. He took an old Columbia 300 core (since 900 Global owns them) and tweaked it, adding a new coverstock. He compares the ball motion to an original Blue Hammer with a reactive coverstock. I'm sold!
As for the NST, this is a completely new core/cover design of his own making. It has a 2.480 RG along with a .048 differential.
Finally, he's coming out with a Blend10 polyester ball so your Blend10 arsenal can be complete.
Balls will be released first week of March.
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900 global pouring them??
even JET has moved on from Global
Ebonite poured last JET Ball
global in $$ trouble ........sad
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Thanks Dougb ..I didn't listen .. appreciate your recap!
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At last check, they're doing just fine. Pouring Seismic, Lane 1, and Blend 10, its possible they're not going to go bankrupt from losing Jet's business.
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Plus I suspect a true home run with the network...that ball is no joke!
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Thanks Dougb ..I didn't listen .. appreciate your recap!
No problem! Funny how little talk these balls have got here or on BBE despite having pics and some info.
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Until I see weight blocks, I can't get excited about it. I'm a jerk like that
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not that i wish any of these companies in the sport we love, would have to shut its doors.
I know its a very tough business to turn a profit in.
not to mention less and less participation is projected for the years ahead.
I hope they do survive..
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well, i just read another story on the interweb (so it must be true)
that Storm has purchased Global
would make sense, as i had heard they were in trouble and were looking for a buyer or investor