I was watching some of the older PBA seniors shows that they have been showing on ESPN classic lately (THANK YOU ESPN!) and it occured to me that I haven't seen anyone (including myself) using a hook/stop reaction on the lanes in a really long time.

Is this style of play not viable anymore? Is it the oil or the balls?

I've tried getting this reaction with just about everything in my arsenal, and it just wasn't happening.

I miss the days of being able to hook stop from the outside & roll right into the pocket.


Edited on 4/4/2005 9:24 PM

Alot of times on the East Coast, and short sport conditions I still see such a reaction.  It's mostly attributed to shorter oil rather than the ball nowadays.  I know a couple houses in northern VA have such short oil(combined with a bounce off of the gutters) that it's the only look you'll get after a few games which makes carry a nightmare since you're pinging tens constantly.  I love to see shots like that though because it really makes you think.  Not only do you have to find the pocket and hold it all game, but you have to make another adjustment(most of the times a hand/tilt position) to find a way to carry.  We bowled one collegiate tournament that was 28feet of oil, buffed to 35, where they tried to mimick the look of PBA Pattern E......very unsuccessful, the shot played like hell.  The toughest thing I've ever seen in my life.
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