I'm a high school coach as well, so I've gone down this road a few times. In regard to bowling balls, what you recommend really depends on why they are getting one and what skill level they are aspiring to.

If they just want something fit specifically to their hand, then you can go with plastic balls, whatever they like the look of best. If they want to try to actually become competitive, then I'd definitely recommend fingertip drilling and an entry-level reactive ball.

My daughter is bowling for the first time (competitively) this season, and I just got her set up with a Storm Tropical Surge. It's cheap, it looks nice, it smells nice, and it will give a little performance without getting crazy.

Just about every manufacturer has an entry-level reactive line. Brunswick has the Rhinos and Twists, C300 has the Beasts, Hammer has the Raws, and Motiv has the Thrills.

Obviously, there is some difference in price and performance among those, but they're all going to be reasonably close in terms of what they offer in regard to performance, and the price is right (relatively speaking) for all of them.

One other important aspect about ball selection is to make sure your bowlers are aware of the fact that they'll likely be able to throw a heavier ball once they have one custom fit for their hand. My daughter was using an 11-pound house ball, and her Tropical Surge is 13. Honestly, I think she already could go up to at least 14, but I'm not going to rush it. Anyhow, my point is that a lot of bowlers think that they can't handle anything nearly as heavy as 14 or 15 because they're used to having to squeeze the heck out of house balls.

Anyhow, I hope this helps a bit. If you have additional questions, please reach out. I love to help fellow coaches/bowlers. Good luck to you and your team!

My wife has the Storm Electrify pearl and that's a lot of ball for the money. I don't know if you'd consider that "entry-level" but it's certainly no higher than mid-level.

Jess

Hi Bowlers - Thank you for the comments and recommendations.  I also collect ball donations from the four leagues that I bowl in.  Typically these are in the mid to high performance category.  Not usable for these developmental players.  I try to not spend the parents money unless I find a really good deal.  Talk with the parents and the athlete.  Color is a big deal.  Make a decision.  This year we have 19 boys and 6 girls. Varsity boys are all set.  Varsity girls at 6, with two needing a new ball.  One is a past mid school player with some skill but is using an 11 pound ball and is a straight shooter.  She is extremely small framed and weight. The other is a real newbie, using a house ball and lives in the gutter.  She is very large framed but has a good attitude.    We have two  JV Boys teams.  A couple are mentally challenged.    It is difficult to communicate with them and that they understand the training technique.  But they could use a new ball.  So, thank you for the help.  In all of my years of coaching I have not had this many challenged youths.   Be safe - Coach Denny