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Author Topic: Minimum diameter question  (Read 1317 times)

Moon57

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Minimum diameter question
« on: August 18, 2008, 09:09:39 PM »
The comment of "the ball is not legal if it's under the minimum diameter" keeps coming up occasionally. How many people think the ball is illegal if it goes under the min dia AFTER you buy it?
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1MechEng

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Re: Minimum diameter question
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2008, 08:11:31 AM »
It is illegal at any time if it does not meet diameter specs. - not just when new.
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shelley

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Re: Minimum diameter question
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2008, 01:09:34 PM »
Quick and dirty version is that if the logos are sanded off, it's not legal.  Most ball manufacturers make balls that are towards the large end of the legal scale so that they can be sanded and resurfaced a few times.  You can always sand down a ball that's too large, you can't unsand a ball that's too small, so it's safe to make them a bit larger.

Also, if the ball return is consistently having trouble picking the ball up and doesn't usually have trouble with other equipment, the ball is probably close to the minimum size limit.

SH
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Moon57

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Re: Minimum diameter question
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2008, 07:56:10 PM »
The only thing that has to be engraved on the ball is the serial number, which may be re-engraved if it starts to get worn off. I could not find anything in the USBC equipment specs that said anything about logos being worn off. Also the min dia ONLY applies to the ball at time of manufacture per USBC specs. If somebody can point me to something in writing that says otherwise I would be interested in reading it.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Minimum diameter question
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2008, 08:10:37 PM »
When's the last time someone had their ball checked by a USBC representative to see if it met the minimum size limits?  I dont bowl in many tournaments anymore, so perhaps it is being done and I am just not aware of it.



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shelley

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Re: Minimum diameter question
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2008, 10:23:01 PM »
quote:
The only thing that has to be engraved on the ball is the serial number, which may be re-engraved if it starts to get worn off. I could not find anything in the USBC equipment specs that said anything about logos being worn off.


The very first requirement for balls is that it must be identifiable as being on the approved ball list.  Without logos, it's pretty tough to prove what it is.  

You're right about the serial number, though.  It can be re-engraved if necessary, and it doesn't even have to be the original serial number.  Just something that is relatively unique to the ball.

As I said, though, it's more of a rule of thumb than a specific requirement.  The logos on most balls (Ebonite's new style logos that aren't engraved notwithstanding) are deep enough that you can get an idea of the legality of the ball by checking the logos.

SH
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