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Author Topic: Benchmark ball?  (Read 1961 times)

agroves

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Benchmark ball?
« on: August 10, 2004, 12:19:50 AM »
I have seen the term 'benchmark' ball used more and more frequently lately.  Why do people refer to a certain ball as a benchmark ball?  I really shouldn't matter what ball you are throwing to see the lane condition.  What matters is that you know the REACTION of the ball your throwing.  

Isn't that why we practice?  To see each balls reaction to different lane conditions.  I don't have a 'benchmark' ball.  I just chose a med condition ball-normally-and throw my first shot.  Then I try to adjust accordingly.  

Just curious about everyone else's thoughts,
Andrew
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Benchmark ball?
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2004, 03:45:07 PM »
quote:
I just chose a med condition ball-normally-and throw my first shot. Then I try to adjust accordingly.


Isnt that a 'benchmark' ball?   Usually a ball for medium conditions that you know the reaction of, to find out what/where the oil pattern is/isnt.
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DanH78

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Re: Benchmark ball?
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2004, 03:56:04 PM »
The problem with only knowing the reaction of the ball you are throwing is this:  What happens when you throw your super hook monster on anything by soup?  It burns up.  But that doesn't tell you if the lanes are dry, or just too dry for your hook monster.  The opposite is what does your burnt lane ball do when there is even a little oil?  It slides forever.  But that doesn't tell you if there is a ton of oil, or just more than that ball can handle.  

By taking the medium ball that you can throw on a wider variety of conditions, I think you get a clearer read on just what the lanes are like.  Usually the medium ball will at least get a little ways down lane before burning up to let you know how dry they are and it will also move a little on the back to tell you how heavy the oil is.  

Using a very condition specific ball to read the lanes would give you a bad read more times than not.
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MSC2471

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Re: Benchmark ball?
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2004, 04:16:03 AM »
Unless I get a chance to see people throwing on the lane conditions put out in a house I am unfamilar with, I will more often than not pull out a ball in my arsenal that can handle medium/heavy to medium conditions and work from there to see what is out there. I believe that you need at least 2 shots on each lane to see whether this ball is the correct one to use or not based on the reaction you will get. Some people aren't fully warmed up though after 4 shots, so this may have to be adjusted to 6 shots depending on the bowler.I can usually tell within 4 shots if this medium condition ball is the correct one for the lanes and make adjustments from there. Sometimes you have a house where one pair hasn't seen as much action and you need to use your heavy oil ball- other times you may hit another pair where the heads are fried and your light oil ball needs to come out. The best thing I've learned in tournaments and often league play in houses I sub in is when to put certain equipment away and when to pull it out at the right time.

And I guess I disagree with The Author that a benchmark ball doesn't have a pearl cover. Since February when I bought the ball the Eraser Pearl Particle has been my benchmark ball and can help me assess how oily the lanes are as well as how strong the back ends will be.

Matt

Edited on 8/11/2004 4:10 AM
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agroves

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Re: Benchmark ball?
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2004, 08:48:37 AM »
Great responses guys.  I will agree that a "benchmark" ball will be a med condition ball.  However, I like what bones had to say about the rev block.  I hit this last year for the first time in my life.  I failed to realize it until the 2nd or 3rd game and I still didn't play it right.  

When I have a general idea of the lane condition, ie THS, I will normally throw my Inferno or Werewolf.  If I am at a new center, I do the exact same thing.  If I have no idea what the condition is, I will play up the boards and loop it from inside during practice to see what gives me the best look.

Andrew
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agroves

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Re: Benchmark ball?
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2004, 01:36:57 PM »
I stole this from Bob Hansons reply in the Brunswick forum.

"....However with todays conditions and equipment, that doesn't necessarily mean it is the ball I use the most. It does mean that if someone forced me to go into a house with only one ball where I had no idea about the condition, the Bruiser would be my first choice. It is kind of like the 5 iron of bowling. If you are inventive you can use it a lot of different ways."

If I had to describe a ball as a benchmark, this would be it.

Andrew
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