Author Topic: Pitch questions (Read 2622 times)

Hightracker · « **on:** May 29, 2010, 11:32:10 AM »

Currently I have 4 7/8" span with 1/4 away in fingers, and in the thumb i have 1/4 rev 1/8 to the right. The problem im facing is: I feel i have to squeeze with my thumb. I use a milled oval thumb and tape if needed, with that said its not a over sized thumb problem. My question is What should I change ? Less reverse or more Right ?

icewall · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2010, 10:38:09 PM »

the new way that is recommended is to have a relaxed span (a little short but not more then 1/4" then full fingertip) then you can move pitches forward or reverse till you like it. or that is how I understand it... I''m not a driller, it''s just my experience.

If you ask me gripping is part of the game, but the less grip pressure the better as far as shot making is concerned.

Edited on 5/29/2010 10:40 PM

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2010, 11:01:45 PM »

Well hightracker here are my thoughts on your situation..

1. you have a long span so the reverse pitch in the thumb is probably needed.

2. do you know why you have the reverse in the fingers? away pitch in the fingers will make you want to grab the ball because it makes it feel like the ball is falling off your hand.

3. the right pitch in the thumb is probably close as well but a good way to check it is with Mo Pinel's fitting tubes. If your driller doesn't have the tubes you can use any object that will fit in your hand (like a soda can or similar). Your left/right pitch in the thumb is determined by where your thumb points when you are grasping the tube or can etc.

4. it sounds to me like you could use to shorten the span a touch and lose some of the reverse pitch. this will help the ball hold onto your hand and allow you to relax your hand and not squeeze the ball.I do not have the formula handy but it is something like shorten the span 1/16" for every 1/8" of reverse you lose.

So in short I would try shortening the span and decreasing the reverse pitch. This should let the ball not want to fly off your hand and thus eliminate the squeezing.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
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glssmn2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2010, 08:46:47 AM »

Away in the fingers and reverse in the thumb sounds hard to hang onto. Think about it, look at your hand, it is totally open in that position. I would get re-fit and make a pitch change. Have you ever tried lees reverse/no reverse in the thumb?

? If not, try it. Over the past year or so I have realized most bowlers never try different pitches and that can make hugs difference in everything from grip pressure to pap measurements.

Hightracker · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2010, 01:27:25 PM »

Doug, if i put my thumb in the ball relax my hand and lay my fingers over the holes the first knuckle crease lays half way between the hole. I was told the away in my fingers is for flexibility reasons.

Hightracker · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2010, 01:50:56 PM »

What would you suggest i try

1/8 in fingers 1/8 thumb

less then that

glssmn2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2010, 02:08:41 PM »

Wouldnt going a little forward in the thumb not really affect span? It is fairly cheap and no plug work would be involved just a slug change.

Of course this would be a rough estimate for him to use to get a judge on what feel he is looking for

glssmn2001 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2010, 02:16:26 PM »

Thats what I thought but was not sure. With the finger set up (away) you would think the thumb should be close to 0 so the bowler could hang on to it.

icewall · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2010, 05:50:58 PM »

this article explains the proper way to ball fit IMO.

give it a read. it explains why ball fitting is not a science and how the only way to proper ball fit is to start at a good relaxed base span and move pitches in order to reduce grip pressure.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm05_files/btm5.htm

also keep in mind gripping is not bad... however, excessive grip pressure is bad.

Edited on 5/30/2010 5:52 PM

glssmn2001 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2010, 06:55:32 PM »

quote:
this article explains the proper way to ball fit IMO.

give it a read. it explains why ball fitting is not a science and how the only way to proper ball fit is to start at a good relaxed base span and move pitches in order to reduce grip pressure.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm05_files/btm5.htm

also keep in mind gripping is not bad... however, excessive grip pressure is bad.

Edited on 5/30/2010 5:52 PM

Great article, I always see everyone speak of flexibility when it comes to pitches, but when I wanted to "get around the ball more", my pro shop did not hesitate to try more forward in the thumb. In actuality we gave my span more length along with it. Being flexible never came up

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2010, 08:11:13 PM »

OK i got ya....if you do have stiff fingers then I can buy the away in the fingers but the 1/4 is still a bit much unless you use the "lift" inserts. Most of the lifts add 1/4 under pitch so your 1/4 reverse makes the net pitch in the fingers 0.

When I had Mo Pinel redo my grip he shortened me up and changed my thumb pitches to left and forward instead of reverse and right. When I fully insert my thumb in the ball and lay my fingers across the holes the knuckle is very nearly at the top of the fingerhole.

If you are having problems with your grip and your ball driller suggests it, don't be afraid to make major changes. There are plenty of people that would look at my sub 4" span with 3/16 forward and 3/16 left and say WTF????But you know what?...it works and that's all that matters.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
For Real Time Interactive Bowling Conversation:
BowlingChat.net

JustRico · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2010, 08:38:11 PM »

If the span is not right, pitches are merely a band aid.....you have a proper or correct fit and pitches that allow you to hold onto the ball and release it at the proper angle. To me the span may be too long, thus requiring you to grip it. Adjusting the pitch, such as more forward or towards the center of the grip will only lengthen the span thus creating more gripping.
--------------------
Formerly BrunsRico

los2003 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2010, 08:41:15 PM »

my fingers are a little bit stiff and I use 1/2 inch away in the fingers.. and a 4 1/2 4 5/8 span. I'm alsom a 1/4 left and 1/8 reverse in my thumb but I broke it 3 times playing basketball.. And i'm only 25..lol I think your last statement is the most important..

quote:
OK i got ya....if you do have stiff fingers then I can buy the away in the fingers but the 1/4 is still a bit much unless you use the "lift" inserts. Most of the lifts add 1/4 under pitch so your 1/4 reverse makes the net pitch in the fingers 0.

When I had Mo Pinel redo my grip he shortened me up and changed my thumb pitches to left and forward instead of reverse and right. When I fully insert my thumb in the ball and lay my fingers across the holes the knuckle is very nearly at the top of the fingerhole.

If you are having problems with your grip and your ball driller suggests it, don't be afraid to make major changes. There are plenty of people that would look at my sub 4" span with 3/16 forward and 3/16 left and say WTF????But you know what?...it works and that's all that matters.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
For Real Time Interactive Bowling Conversation:
BowlingChat.net

Stan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2010, 09:38:37 PM »

I don't think anyone on this board can properly adjust your grip without physically watching you roll the ball and actually check out your grip.

Go to a good local shop and have your grip checked.

Mike Austin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2010, 12:20:40 AM »

I've used as much as an inch away in the fingers, and currently use 1/2 away. 4 1/2 spans on both fingers. It just feels good. My ring finger gave my problems years ago, but not recently. I also use my thumb holes very tight.

I agree with Stan, kinda hard to do this on the internet, so many variables. Hightracker did not mention how much bevel he uses either. All those pitches and spans could be perfect, but if he bevels the crap out of the thumb hole, well.......

Without seeing for myself, I would say to try 1/8 reverse and 1/8 right and go from there. Probably not more right, unless your thumb joint is really loose. If you make too many changes all at once, you don't know what fixed the problem.

Author Topic: Pitch questions (Read 2622 times)

Hightracker

Pitch questions

icewall

Re: Pitch questions

Doug Sterner

Re: Pitch questions

glssmn2001

Re: Pitch questions

Hightracker

Re: Pitch questions

Hightracker

Re: Pitch questions

glssmn2001

Re: Pitch questions

glssmn2001

Re: Pitch questions

icewall

Re: Pitch questions

glssmn2001

Re: Pitch questions

Doug Sterner

Re: Pitch questions

JustRico

Re: Pitch questions

los2003

Re: Pitch questions

Stan

Re: Pitch questions

Mike Austin

Re: Pitch questions