Author Topic: Separate Spare Ball? (Read 1460 times)

Strapper_Squared · « **on:** February 15, 2004, 02:27:51 AM »

I have been playing around with throwing a separate spare ball (plastic ball) over the past couple seasons. Overall I have not seen a big increase (if anything, maybe a slight decrease) in spare percentage.

For me, it seems as if no two balls I own feel the same. Yes, they all have the same spans, pitches, etc... but still they are all just a little different. To complicate things more, my thumb never seems to be the same size (night to night) and often changes throughout the night. As a result, I will get comfortable throwing one ball for strikes...and at some of the middle lane spares. Then inevitably a few frames later, a spare will show-up where a plastic ball would be beneficial (10 - pin or 6, 10 etc). When I pick up the spare ball, no matter what I seem to do, it feels a little different. Now I'm not sure whether there is an actual difference between the two balls, or if I get distracted thinking about the difference in feel, or whatever, but sometimes it definitely causes the spare ball to either slip off my thumb... or more often hang up on the thumb a little. As a result, the shot tends to be pulled one way or pushed out the other. Gets to be very frustrating. I feel I would make 99% of my spares if I had a consistant feel.

Lately, I have been leaving the plastic ball home and just flattening out my strike ball. This seems to work moderately well, but occassionally I don't completely flatten the ball out and it hooks a small amount.... again causing it to be off target.

I'm not sure whether I should abandon the spare ball completely or practice more with it to get the comfortable feel. Anyone else have the problem? Any suggestions?
S^2
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The Bengals season has come to an end. Achieved the .500 mark, so all was not lost. Now we look forward to April... Come on Chris Gamble

Buzzhead · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2004, 05:54:07 PM »

When you figure it out let me know, because I am in the same boat!!
I too have started to flatten out my wrist but my problem seems
that I flatten it out too much! I throw the plastic ball the same
as my strike ball and it hooks too much also.
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Saws are made to cut ANYTHING including 10 pins

tenpinspro · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:08:45 PM »

Hey SS,

Ask your shop if they're going to deal with a new product called switch grips from Turbo, it is a removable thumb that you literally put in and take out of one ball and place in another for consistent feel. I was in Medford OR with Jeff Lizzi and we spent some time going over this new technology. Looks very interesting and useful for bowlers such as yourself. It is the same thumbhole used from ball to ball. Contact me directly if you want more info...

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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

mumzie · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2004, 08:23:15 PM »

I had the slug changed out in my spare ball twice to get it as comfortable as my strike balls.

I use a spare ball on all non-double wood right side spares, because I don't like the wear and tear on a strike ball when I miss right and dump it into the gutter.

I'm working on the left side spares with a spare ball, but I'm not yet comfortable with that.

jd1319 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2004, 09:04:07 AM »

actually, I like the slightly different feel to my spare ball, it just helps to clear the mind and resist the urge to use the same release when throwing my strike ball.

IMO, it helps the focus on the spares, and slows me down on my spare shot. Because the feel is different, I take the extra time to thik through every aspect of the shot, where as the spares I use my regular ball for, I shoot much quicker.

Strapper_Squared · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2004, 09:09:51 AM »

quote:

That's why God made bowlers tape.
Adjust the thumbhole to where it feels right. Try going to the lanes with only your plastic ball and throw it for a session. Shoot at every pin in the rack with it.
In a very short time it will feel fine.

Agreed. bowlers tape is fine, and I use it (either adding or removing)throughout the night. But what happens is that the ball which fits at the beginning of the night doesn't fit at the end. That's fine with your strike ball as it gets most of the use... but you pick the spare ball up from under the bench when needed and all of a sudden the thumb is tight... so you pull a piece of tape out..now you are spending more time playing around with the tape then actually shooting the spare. Orthe black tape sticks together and two pieces come out... now its too big. Its almost as if would be necessary to continuously monitor thumb every few shots to make sure the feel is there. Then it gets to be more of a hassel than its worth.
As far as practicing strictly with the plastic ball... after 5 or 6 shots with it, I get comfortable with the thumb and am able to release it cleanly...if that's the case, spares are no problem. Basically the problem comes down to being able to release 2 different balls the same way... This may be overcome by the interchangable thumb sleeve mentioned above. I guess the question with that becomes, how quickly/easily does the sleeve interchange? When it is in place, does it somehow "lock" as not to move or otherwise shift? This definitely could be something to look into.
Thanks for the replies,
S^2
--------------------
The Bengals season has come to an end. Achieved the .500 mark, so all was not lost. Now we look forward to April... Come on Chris Gamble

tenpinspro · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2004, 11:38:40 AM »

Hey SS,

The interchangeable thumb does exactly that. It's a 2 piece system, the outside piece is placed and glued inside the ball and the inner piece is your removable thumb, you can use whatever thumb sleeve you're using now. It just needs to placed into the movable piece. This moveable piece then slides into the bigger piece in the ball and locks. Turn left 90 degrees and it slides back out ready to place into any other ball. Actually a very good concept. I'm still looking into it wondering how many of my customers would like this.
--------------------
Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Author Topic: Separate Spare Ball? (Read 1460 times)

Strapper_Squared

Separate Spare Ball?

Buzzhead

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tenpinspro

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mumzie

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jd1319

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Strapper_Squared

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tenpinspro

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