You should wipe the ball after each shot, e. g. with a microfiber towel. It has some uses: first, it takes the lane conditioner off of the ball's surface and prevents its absorption. Second, you will not grab into the oil and have slick fingers which could become a problem when you hold/swing the ball.

Besides, there's the oil extraction option which should be part of frequent maintenance, every once in a while (at the pro shop or at home with a hot water bucket or dish washer, to name some options). I'd do it as a preventive measuremenmt every couple of months, esp. with newer high end balls. I'd recommend it for reactive or particle ball, though - they all have porous shells and absorb more or less oil, and it will also depend on the oil volumes you frequently play, as well as oil vicosity. There's no hard rule, rather experience and a good eye for the ball's performance (or the lack therof).

The ball reaction on the lane will tell you if a ball is soaked - it loses lots of its former reaction and traction ability. If you warm s soaked ball slightly (e. g. in direct sunlight) it will immediately start "sweating" oil, and it will feel slick and oily when pick it up, hardly absorbing the oil rings on your track on the ball.

Hope this helps a bit?
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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