Author Topic: Cracked Ball (Update) (Read 2362 times)

captzap · « **on:** October 08, 2006, 12:59:35 PM »

Tonight in league while warming up I noticed a Hammer ball with a 8 inch long crack from the ring finger. I asked who's ball it was and it belonged to a bowler on the opposing team. They said he had been using it for weeks like that just waiting for it to split in half. I told the league president and he notified the bowler that the ball could not be used. He became mad and said he was finished with the league. Anyone else come up with a situation like this?

CaptZap

Edited on 10/11/2006 4:16 PM

BOWL119 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2006, 09:08:14 PM »

Not knowing everything about your league and its rules, see if the President would call a meeting with team captains and explain the problem. If the want, they can vote to let him bowl until it splits. You can also see if someone has an older ball and would be willing to give it to him so he can contiue to bowl. Unless you ahve one that he can get off you.

But a better question is that why is he waiting until it Splits? Why not go out and buy a new one. Maybe he does not have the money to buy a new one yet nad is hoping that this one will last until Christmas when Santa brings him a new one.

These are just random thoughts, that I wanted to share with you...
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T.J.

BOWLING IS FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU SCORE. BUT A 300 IS ALWAYS NICE.

STRIKE ZONE & PYRO. STAND 15 AND THROW 10 OUT TO 5 AND SMASH THE POCKET. AT LEAST THAT IS THE PLAN OF THE NIGHT...

Smash49 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2006, 09:14:13 PM »

I've had 6 to 8 Ebonite and Hammer balls crack this year. Normally it depends on how old they are but they will warranty some of them. We even had a Black Ice that was brand new undrilled crack all the way around sitting on the shelf.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with www.bowlersslidesock.com
www.strikingcatbowling.com

captzap · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:25:08 PM »

The crack was already over a 1/16 inch wide, 1/8 inch or more deep and 8 inches long. Doesn't USBC have a rule about defective equipment. I know that the house doesn't need a ball breaking in half and jamming the machine. Also if thrown right and it broke, pieces could fly onto other lanes.

CaptZap

pnj1967 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:40:08 AM »

quote:
The crack was already over a 1/16 inch wide, 1/8 inch or more deep and 8 inches long. Doesn't USBC have a rule about defective equipment. I know that the house doesn't need a ball breaking in half and jamming the machine. Also if thrown right and it broke, pieces could fly onto other lanes.

CaptZap

You know that is just one of the problems with bowling, and this world. Dont worry about others and what they are doing . Do your thing bowl, and have fun.
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Enjoy the people on the ballreview.com forum. Like to help when I can.

Greg T · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:45:35 AM »

I think I would have kicked your sphincter for tattling like a two year old.

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Michael Jacksons schrie Lieblingsfudgeverpacker Ã¼ber meine letzte Unterzeichnung. So jetzt, muÃŸ sie zensiert werden!!

Ebonite xcel pearl for sale. NIB:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130034435131&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Pinbuster · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:48:00 AM »

The ball should not be used and is illegal for sanctioned play.

Just as the Jordan ball was declared illegal for having grooves cut into surface, this ball would be illegal for having a groove (crack) in the surface.

Most houses wouldnâ€™t want the ball on the lanes for several reasons.

The groove can catch and damage pins.

It can cut the lane bed.

If the ball breaks apart in the machinery it could damage and jam machinery. At the very least it would be a significant mess to clean up.

Small chips and hairline cracks are one thing and are of little consequence. But an 8 inch long 1/16â€+ crack around the ball makes it unusable in sanctioned play.

Spike2112 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2006, 09:04:24 AM »

I had a Vicious Pearl that developed a crack that extended half way around the ball. I quit bowling with it all together and tossed it in the garage. Decided to see how much force it would take to actually break the ball in two. Had to drop it several times from about 5' onto solid concrete before the ball broke. I think I probably could have bowled with it alot longer before it ever cracked in half. Something to think about if one of your favorites ever crack...

Spike

justdale · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2006, 09:32:20 AM »

There really isn't anything in the USBC rule book on cracks in a ball. Unless the bowling center has a problem with it, then you should've minded your own business. There is no way to determine if this ball had any adverse ration to the lanes, but, I think you should've read your rule book before opening your mouth, congradulations you lost a member of your league

Pinbuster · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2006, 10:46:25 AM »

Depending on play pins are replaced every season or two.

Wood lane beds had to have new coats of surface applied a couple of times a year. They would have to be totally resurfaced every 2 or 3 years.

Houses with older synthetics are seeing significant wearing of surface after 10 years that many feel has resulted because of abrasive particle balls.

None of these things would last 40 years without constant maintenance.

In the USBC rules for ball specifications.

The surface of a ball must be free of all depressions or grooves of specific pattern, except for
holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification letters and numbers, and incidental
chipping or marring caused by wear. Any bowling ball used in certified competition must be
approved and identifiable as a ball listed in the â€œApproved Bowling Ballsâ€ list located on the
Specifications/Certifications page of bowl.com. Additionally, for identification purposes, each ball
must have some form of serial number (this may be engraved or re-engraved by the bowler).

I would not call the cracked described as incidental chipping or marring caused by wear and the surface of the ball is not free of a groove.

The league president obviously agreed with captzap.

I personally would probably have let them complete that weeks set but not use the ball in future. But they are within the rules to ban the use of the ball.

Aloarjr810 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:50:20 PM »

quote:
The ball should not be used and is illegal for sanctioned play.

Just as the Jordan ball was declared illegal for having grooves cut into surface, this ball would be illegal for having a groove (crack) in the surface.

Not to say you should use it(the ball) but
The rule says "Grooves of a specfic pattern"

"The surface of a ball must be free of all depressions or grooves of specific pattern, except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification letters and numbers, and incidental chipping or marring caused by wear."

The big crack would be closer to the "incidental
chipping or marring caused by wear" section.

Now there might be a case for saying its a hole (like a weighthole or something). and its bigger than whats allowed in a ball.

Edited on 10/9/2006 6:48 PM

captzap · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2006, 04:03:33 PM »

Follow up from USBC in an email they sent me.

This is in reference to your e-mail of October 9, 2006.

Section 2a-3 ( Bowling Balls) on page 84 of the USBC Rule Book states,

"3. The surface of a ball must be free of all depressions or grooves of specific pattern, except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification letters and numbers, and incidental chipping or marring caused by wear. Any bowling ball used in certified competition must be approved and identifiable as a ball listed in the "Approved Bowling Balls" list located on the Specifications/Certifications page of bowl.com. Additionally, for identification purposes, each ball must have some form of serial number (this may be engraved or re-engraved by the bowler)."

The bowling ball you described is in violation of Section 2a-3 and therefore, should not be used in certified competition.

Question asked: If a bowler's bowling ball has a crack that is 8 inches long, 1/16 inch wide and 1/8 inch deep, is this ball legal to use in sanctioned league play? Would the rule in chapter 7 section 2a-3 apply? This not normal wear or a specific pattern.

Sincerely,

John Budnik,
Rules Counselor

I think that sould answer the question of whether or not I should have called for the ball's removal from sanctioned play.

CaptZap

Edited on 10/11/2006 4:15 PM

TTforshort · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2006, 10:17:04 PM »

You did the right thing considering that thousands of dollars were involved. If it was nickel and dime stuff, who give a flip?

TT
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"Following the course of least resistance makes for crooked rivers and crooked men."

Author Topic: Cracked Ball (Update) (Read 2362 times)

captzap

Cracked Ball (Update)

BOWL119

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

Smash49

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

captzap

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

pnj1967

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

Greg T

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

Pinbuster

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Spike2112

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justdale

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Pinbuster

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Aloarjr810

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captzap

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)

TTforshort

Re: Cracked Ball (Update)