I'm going to finally get to go to the OPEN next week. Always wanted to go, just never had the time and the money at the same time before.

 For all you other guys who are going, or who have been before, what variety of stuff are you taking?

I have always taken 5 plus plastic, but after last years s#@t show of a performance, I will only be taking 3.  The smaller amount of balls, simplifies decision making for which ball to use and I'm dropping the plastic because I don't leave enough 10 pins to justify taking it...besides I can get the UC3 to do the same job as plastic.

My Open arsenal:

Axiom at 2K or 3K
Axiom Pearl at 1K polished
Rubicon UC3 at oob

Bowling April 16th and 17th.

I am close enough to drive so I will take different balls for Team and Doubles/Singles

Team event
#1. Motiv Midnight Sniper. My normal spare ball and can be useful if the lanes are truly fried.

#2. Forge Fire 4000 + Polish. Good length and sharp down lane move. I can move left with this ball.

#3. Pride P5000 CTD pad .  I hated this ball when I first got it, then I had a eureka moment that reminded me why I'm not a professional bowler. :-) Nice smooth movement on the lane that allows for easy control.

#4. Trident Odyssey 3000 CTD pad. In box surface the Pride and Odyssey are somewhat similar, but changing the surfaces gives an option. I will be able to get to the pocket with both of these, but between the two, I should be able to also have carry.


Doubles/Singles
#1. Motiv Midnight Sniper. My normal spare ball and can be useful if the lanes are truly fried.



#2. Motiv Forza GT P5000 CTD pad. This ball has always treated me well in Singles. Smooth and predictable. I only use it once a year and if I'm not having an operator error day, it rolls nicely on the D/S patterns.


#3. Motiv Venom Cobra P5000 CTD pad.


#4. Motiv Top Thrill 4000  polished, with a light scruff from a worn P5000 pad.




Update: Just received an email from Motiv that the new Blue Coral Venom will be released on 4/13 which means I will have it around 4/1. So it might make the trip...or not.

Hammer: 3D Offset, Scorpion, Web Tour
Brunswick: Jab SE ( stong layout), Jab SE ( weak layout)
Track: Spare
Just going to be a matter of surface adjustments prior to going

Considering the group I'm going out there with - my golf clubs.

We've got awhile before we bowl, but

Quantum EVO solid
Knock Out Black/Blue
GB4 pearl
Payback
Crown Jewel

Ugh, every year I design about 35 different arsenals that I could possibly bring with to Nationals, and I usually end up averaging about a buck seventy per game regardless. One of these years, I'm just going to walk in with a single ball in one hand (no bag) and a pair of shoes in the other. That sounds pimp.

In any case, as of now, here is what I plan to bring this year:

PhysiX - 1.5x6x1 (2000)
IQ Tour Solid - 5.25x4.25x2.5 (2000)
Venom Shock - 5x5.5x3 (2000-3000)
UC3 - 4x4x2 (1000)
Purple Hammer - 4x4x2 (1000)
Pitch Black - 4.5x4.5x2.5 (500)
Plastic

Obviously, that's a lot of urethane, which I know is taboo for some. Still, after several years of beating my head against the wall trying to chase the shot left, this year, my goal is to control pocket. I'm hoping to be able to use the Pitch Black and/or Purple Hammer during a good chunk of team. The UC3 could be an option during the early portion of minors. If I'm wrong, I'll still have two very versatile reactives in the IQ Tour and Venom Shock.

I say all this realizing that I don't bowl until Apr. 30 and May 1, which means I have time to rethink this about 50 times between now and then. I guess we'll see.

Well, I’m here in Vegas. I ended up bringing:


1. Track Red Paradox—-OOB with polish
2. Roto Hyper Cell Fused—Box finish
3. Roto UC3–Box finish with just a touch of shine
4. Brunswick Black Quantum—Not sure, but it’s always been shiny and I never changed it.

 Anything else and I’ll just have to drop some $.

 Wish me luck. We have practice and the Bowlers Journal later today.