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Author Topic: A thought on the proposed ball specs adjustment by USBC  (Read 18463 times)

Luke Rosdahl

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A thought on the proposed ball specs adjustment by USBC
« on: December 18, 2017, 11:33:23 AM »
First of all, personally I don't care.  If it's legal, I'll bowl with it, if it's not, I won't, don't care.  I think USBC is missing a chance to differentiate recreation from sport though.  The average bowler doesn't get patterns.  Yeah the blue oil looks cool on the PBA shows, but there's no blue oil at league, so they have no basis for comparison.  You can show them lane graphs and pictures, but until they actually see it AND bowl on it, they're not going to get it or understand.  HOWEVER, it's really easy to understand the difference between college baseball players using aluminum bats and the pros using wood, and it's nothing that has to be explained to be understood.  All you have to say is that the pros have equipment restrictions, they can't use the balls that make it "easier" to score like league bowlers can, because when people see pros using the same balls they do bowling on lanes that look the same as theirs, they see no difference. 

Now the issue for the manufacturers becomes that they lose advertisement for balls that aren't legal for use on the PBA, but I really don't think the PBA has much influence on ball purchases anymore.  Literally not once in the last three years have I had anyone come into the shop and say, "I want the ball -insert random pro- won with the other day."  I could be wrong, but 10-15 years ago, that happened all the time.  Somebody would win with a ball on a Sunday, and Monday I'd have people in there wanting one.  Now it seems to be primarily consumer and manufacturer driven. 

This idea makes sense to me, continue with the current specs, but put spec restrictions on equipment for use in higher level competition.  The funny thing is it doesn't even matter, most people I know use equipment that's inside the new rumored specs anyway, not going to hurt my feelings, but it could hurt manufacturers who all the sudden lose maybe a couple ball lines, and more limited specs means more limited reactions which means more limited choices which means less revenue most likely.  There NEEDS to be a bolder line between recreation and sport, and it needs to be achieved without adjusting the recreation side. 
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HackJandy

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Re: A thought on the proposed ball specs adjustment by USBC
« Reply #121 on: March 04, 2018, 08:05:10 PM »
Honestly, with all the tech work ball companies have done in the last 20 years, these changes will be little more than inconsequential.

 People have been lead to believe they need much more exotic drilling’s than they actually do. Some do need the help, but those are very, VERY few and far between.

 If people just stay calm and don’t lose their minds over this, they will soon see what I mean.

For me personally its less what I lose with the balance hole and more the pain in the ass in time and money it will be to plug existing balls and then have semi ugly plug(s) in even more of my balls.  But as you say change is inevitable even if joining a sanctioned league isn't.  Overall the rule changes are less onerous than I was assuming.  Still the rule changes really should have only affected the ball makers and those that don't are more about ego and flexing a muscle than fixing any problems.  Balance holes aren't exactly some new invention.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2018, 08:29:36 PM by HackJandy »
Kind of noob when made this account so take advice with grain of salt.

Juggernaut

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Re: A thought on the proposed ball specs adjustment by USBC
« Reply #122 on: March 04, 2018, 08:53:18 PM »
So if you have a ball that has a balance hole and you plug that hole is it possible that it will be legal since the static weights are increased to 3 ounces under the proposed rules?

 Updated Proposed Change #1:
USBC proposes the following changes to Drilling Specifications:
•
 
Increasing the balance tolerances for static weight (side weight, thumb/finger weight and  balls without holes) to 3 ounces (for balls weighing more than 10 pounds).
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Elimination of all balance holes.

 Yes, it is.

 That’s why I said to stay calm and not lose your minds.

 Many balance holes are there to bring balls into compliance with current rules of 1oz or less if finger/thumb/side weight.

 Mine have holes they currently need. Once these rules go into effect, I can plug the holes, and they will still be legal. They will then have over 1oz sideweight, but less than 3oz.
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

HackJandy

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Re: A thought on the proposed ball specs adjustment by USBC
« Reply #123 on: March 05, 2018, 07:40:53 PM »
TL;DR simple balance hole plug annoying but beats ball bans.
Kind of noob when made this account so take advice with grain of salt.