Author Topic: Great Balls of the past or odd companies even! (Read 12587 times)

Armourboy · « **on:** August 11, 2013, 05:30:24 AM »

Ok so with the advent of the almighty Youtube and the ability to go back and watch old PBA matches before I got into the sport ( probably about 1998) I've noticed a ton of balls that I flat out don't know what they are or even who made them in some cases.

Now I've figured out some of them by going through the old approved list based around the year they were used, but that doesn't really give me a ton of info on what people thought about them at the time.

Like today, just found out Norm Duke used to throw a ball from a company named Champion that apparently had them poured by Faball.

So ok really what I'm after is those odd little tidbits about how things were, how balls reacted, who threw what when, why they no longer throw it or what ball you wished the would completely reintroduce.

On a side note I've spent the last day or so looking at the matches from the change over from urethane to reactive urethane and the difference it was. Norm Duke wheeling it across the lane in a match or two blew my mind lol. I've pretty much only seen him throw more down and in so it was a bit of a shock to the system.

charlest · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2013, 06:52:20 AM »

Not only that, but Duke had a company called Power Play make a bunch of balls for him, called the Advantage. Their list is here with some info about them
http://www.123bowl.com/search.cfm?isCurrent=1&companyID=40

Also, not sure if you've heard of it, but this website has a list and small description (many times the cover description and the core specs) of many balls from the past:
[url]http://www.123bowl.com/listcompanies.cfm?isCurrent=1[url]

Pinbuster · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2013, 07:07:08 AM »

Here is another site with most of the old balls.

http://www.bowlingballvault.com/

Armourboy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2013, 07:34:32 AM »

Thanks, I've actually run across both looking different things up.

Damn lefties make it hard to figure out exactly what they are throwing in some of these old events sometimes.

I'm always shocked to see just how many ball companies there has been over the years and the fact I keep finding different ones.

Also find it interesting how some guys bounce around like mad between ball companies over the years and others stick with the same one for a long time.

Track_Fanatic · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2013, 08:03:34 AM »

I believe the number one reason you see different bowlers throw a lot of different equipment is because there weren't too many people on staff. Unless you were a really really big name back then, you may. However, more money was to be made using equipment. I haven't bowled in a national tournament in years but i recall bowling back in early to mid 90's. Right before the tournaments they had lists posted showing what incentives were for the week being offered from each company. I'm not sure if this still happens or not though. Unfortunately the money has gotten worse through the years instead of better. The temporary revenue building concept of product registration that has now turned permanent had also squashed the smaller companies IMHO.

Armourboy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2013, 08:29:18 AM »

Yeah just looking through some of this stuff the number of companies that came and went in the late 90's to early 2000's seems to be pretty crazy.

JamminJD · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2013, 09:26:02 AM »

On a side note I've spent the last day or so looking at the matches from the change over from urethane to reactive urethane and the difference it was. Norm Duke wheeling it across the lane in a match or two blew my mind lol. I've pretty much only seen him throw more down and in so it was a bit of a shock to the system.

On a side side note: The interesting thing about Duke is the majority of his wins are with resin.. Not trying to highjack, just talking about differences in era of equipment and bringing up Duke reminded me of this.

http://www.pba.com/Bowlers/Bowler/8678

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:12:20 PM »

Some old little known companies....

ASU made a urethane ball named the Patriot....had a rocket shaped core, looked like a Blue Hammer

Champions....small company started by Norm Duke, Del Ballard and 2 other PBA players....started with the Weapon series of balls.....Burgundy Weapon, Blue Weapon and Black Weapon. Then came the Ultimate Weapon and the Reactive Ultimate Weapon. Then came the Warhawk line and then the ultimate breaking up of the company. Yes, the balls were poured by Faball.

Pin Breaker had an interesting marketing strategy....sold their balls in 2-1/2 gallon plastic buckets, not boxes. Also they differentiated between their balls by coverstock and label color....all balls were called Pin Breakers

AMF had a great strategy with their AMForce line....numbered 1 thru 4, each had a different reaction and hook characteristic...

What ball was the furthest ahead of it's time?

The Track Shark wins this award.....this drill sheet for this ball made the Phantom drill sheets look like kindergarten reading material. I recall the pro shop I was using at the time telling me the Shark was the kind of ball that you wanted to give away and charge $200 to drill!!! FYI the core was designed by Mo Pinel.

Lots of others as well.....

JamminJD · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:18:40 PM »

Thank You, I was trying to remember the company that made the Patriot, that was a great ball. Also the Champions balls where good too, BUT that Track SHARK was awesome! I still have all 3 of mine although one cracked but a great piece shot a lot of honor scores with all the balls mentioned.

JPbowling151 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:21:47 PM »

I always thought Champion bowling was founded by Bill Hall or was that Power Play? Anyway I remember seeing an old telecast where Norm Duke was throwing a ball called The Tank by a small company called Eureka? Did this company make any other balls or was The Tank their one hit wonder?

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:28:32 PM »

JP.....Bill Hall was another one of the founders of Champions. I think the other was Chris Warren....maybe?

The Tank was a urethane made around the same time as the Black Angle, Black U Dot and Black Hammer. And Yes, it was a one hit wonder for the company.

Juggernaut · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:34:44 PM »

The Blue TANK was made by a company called EUI.

How about the JPF Axes that were designed in left hand and right hand models? Didn't Fabinich start this company after selling HAMMER to the Wonders family (Who now have Visionary?) Weren't these once touted as the very first asymmetric balls?

ASU also had a ball called the ELIMINATOR, that was an ugly tan color.

Juggernaut · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2013, 01:43:25 PM »

Here is a picture of one of the old EUI shirt patches.

EL · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2013, 03:27:37 PM »

Anybody remember Star Trak? I had a few of them, Reactor Blue pearl, Red pearl and the X-15.

sdbowler · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2013, 03:33:47 PM »

Why was I thinking Voss had something with Champion? As I type it though I know I am wrong. AMForce was not the only ones to have the number system. The Attitude series was I, II, and III. From what I saw the 'Tude II was the most popular around my area.
I remember when the Track Heat was the ball that dominated out on tour. That was an amazing ball. I don't recall how long it seemed to stay on top.

Author Topic: Great Balls of the past or odd companies even! (Read 12587 times)

Armourboy

Great Balls of the past or odd companies even!

charlest

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Pinbuster

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Armourboy

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Track_Fanatic

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Armourboy

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JamminJD

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Doug Sterner

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JamminJD

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JPbowling151

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Doug Sterner

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Juggernaut

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Juggernaut

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EL

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sdbowler

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