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Author Topic: out of names?  (Read 3894 times)

Neptune66

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out of names?
« on: May 09, 2012, 11:31:34 PM »
Is it just me, or does it seem that companies are running out of decent names for balls?

With so many balls being released it was only a matter of time, but seems like the manufacturers have all hit the wall at about the same time.

I remember not that long ago we had "stinger" and "assassin" and "anger" and "triple x factor" and .... you know... single word, aggressive names. Even if you weren't an avid bowler, you knew the names sounded like weapons for some sort of competition or battle.

And what do we have now?

Well, just take a look at the most recent releases listed on the home page of this site:

Bossco and Litch...., TNBA Rhythm, Black Mamba, Pursuit ---  ok, that one I can see.


Can't find better exanples at this time (partly cause the new site makes jumping from page to page kind of clunky), but that's my 2 cents.

If it's just me, well..  then it is.  But it does seem the names are becoming more complex and less aggressive sounding.

At least Track uses the number system. I have multiple 607A's, a 930T, and a 718A.  aside from telling the bowler something about the ball's characteristics, at least the names sound strong or at least neutral.

But back to my original point ---- do the names seem to be getting weaker over the last several months or so?
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dizzyfugu

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2012, 02:13:02 AM »
I am still waiting for the "Penetrator" or "Intruder"... We had the "Hole Pounder", let's wait for the next bummer. :)

BTW: I agree, but that lack of creativity is just the way it goes. Ball lines appear to come and go in an ever quicker pace (remember that e. g. Brunswick's Monster lasted for, I guess 4+ years, and spawned almost 10 balls), so why put any effort into name design?

Personally, I am not a fan of Track's number system. It is very emotionless, and sooner or later they will run out of RG asym. diff numbers to complement the first "class digit". I find it confusing, and it has IMO little recognition value. Looks to me like a desparate try to "do something different" and make the brand appear somehow technical?
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lhooker

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2012, 11:45:07 AM »
The names have definitely become less appealing over all but there are some good/decent ones out there. I think my Outlaw and Bandit are named very effectively. On the flip side you see stuff like AMF's OMG Hook. Don't care how good or bad that ball is, I just can't see my self getting over the name of that ball lol.
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kidlost2000

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2012, 12:26:03 PM »
You can only have so many before you have to reuse and revamp your ideas.

The One and Zone aren't aggressive battle ready names but they still work. I'm not impressed with the Track number/letter system because people will not remember which ball was which really in another year or two. I know what the Heat was, Synergy ect but 503C will be a yeah I think it was green or blue one that they released at some point.

Lets be honest the first number and the letter most people get but many bowlers and still some proshop employees won't get the MB part or it, other then the bigger the number the stronger, but they all change once holes are added ect ect. It is a sales gimmick. Like anything, names and colors are all apart of shelf appeal and yes some have really fallen short here lately.

Hammer has 5 bowling balls coming out on the 15th. Im not sure what they are but I'm guessing everything they mentioned about "saving bowling" went to the curb and now it is back to flooding the market as usual. The other EBI companies will not be far behind. It is a business and it is all about the next sell.

Still Im sure the colors will be in "HD" and the names will probably be in the aggressive market as well. Still was waiting for the next in the Plague Infection series to be an STD or The H.I.V. with the way they were going. That would have been funny. The H.I.V. it will kill the pins, and spread through out the center.
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…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

Long Gone Daddy

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2012, 12:45:51 PM »
Names are the way they are because they have been used up and you have to worry about copyright and trademark laws for what would be obvious choices for new ball names.
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Long Gone also posts the honest truth which is why i respect him. He posts these things knowing some may not like it.

Mainzer

loop_zero

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2012, 06:26:59 PM »
I really like and appreciate the track numbering system. It's very easy to understand and explain to people, even people unfamiliar with the diff/Rg's. Not sure what is hard to understand with this system. Reminds me of BMW and how they name there cars.  First number the "higher end" the ball/coverstock is, next two is your intermediate diff or how strong the engine is. The letter is the characteristic of the shape. 
Example: BMW 335X 3= low end 35= 3.5liter motor X= all wheel drive
Example: Track 503C 5=low end 03= asymmetric diff (core strength) C= continues/ control reaction
It all seems cleaner and more professional then a ball with a silly name that has no bearing on anything.
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kidlost2000

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2012, 06:42:42 PM »
A= angular
A= all
C= control
C= continuous
T= traction
T= terrain

It makes sense until you change what they mean and then it doesn't. At the rate it is going there will likely be an AC aggressive control, CAT controlling aggressive traction ect ect ect. It is their marketing idea, it isn't perfect. I think sticking with bright colors will over shadow what ever name they go to next.
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…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

dizzyfugu

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2012, 03:59:18 AM »
Quote from: kidlost2000 on May 10, 2012, 06:42:42 PM
A= angular
A= all
C= control
C= continuous
T= traction
T= terrain

It makes sense until you change what they mean and then it doesn't. At the rate it is going there will likely be an AC aggressive control, CAT controlling aggressive traction ect ect ect. It is their marketing idea, it isn't perfect. I think sticking with bright colors will over shadow what ever name they go to next.

Agree. It is not consistent, and has IMHO a poor remembering power.
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Smash49

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2012, 01:34:24 PM »
I am still waiting for someone to name a ball "the union".  You know what it is going to do!

How about the "Junk".  You could throw all kinds of "Junk" at the rack. 

And how about renaming bowling balls!  The Brother in Law:  Absolutely worthless and does nothing.  Then you could have a rival company come out with the "congress" with the same characteristics.

Finally a ball named the "purse".  I threw my "purse" at that one.

I agree finally maybe there have been enough bowling balls come out that we will see some good names.

Smash49
« Last Edit: May 11, 2012, 01:40:18 PM by Smash49 »
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kidlost2000

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2012, 03:13:10 PM »
"your purse left the lily"

Would be about right. Still plenty of good names, but they need to be put on a good ball.
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…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

MI 2 AZ

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2012, 03:17:51 PM »
Some names are already being re-cycled, like Thrash.
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chrischop04

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Re: out of names?
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2012, 04:21:30 PM »
dv8 is doing a great job at this reckless too reckless  misfit hell raiser are all great names
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