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Author Topic: If the USBC removed all....  (Read 2244 times)

Aloarjr810

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If the USBC removed all....
« on: August 13, 2014, 10:49:04 AM »
What would happen if the USBC lifted all the restrictions on what you could do to a ball? (No changes to the MFG's restrictions, just what you can do to it)

Use any layout, drill all the weight holes you want, no limits on statics etc.

Just how far could you push the balls limits?

What could you make it do, that you can't do now?
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avabob

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2014, 12:54:48 PM »
Nothing to be gained from further surface alterations.  Already too much overall friction for a lot of balls.  As for balance.  The dynamic imbalance already trumps what most static weights will do.  Probably if you loaded something up with several ounces of side weight it would make a difference, but not sure it would be beneficial except for very condition specific situations.  You cant increase the rev rate, because that is totally bowler supplied.  A true dodo ball would probably hook more, but additional hook without the revs to support it would not necessarily equate to better carry on most circumstances.  Bottom line, I think the high tech cores have already trumped anything to be gained from big changes in static balance.  Any changes would be so condition specific that I don't see them having much application.

Just as an aside, the reasons the ABC initially outlawed dodo balls 80 years ago is not for the reason many think.  They felt that it gave too much advantage to the guys who experimented and bowled all the time.     
« Last Edit: August 13, 2014, 12:57:12 PM by avabob »

charlest

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2014, 04:44:57 PM »
"They've gone about as far as they can go."
with apologies to Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

bullred

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2014, 12:31:28 AM »
Mo has really been quiet for a while now.  He's probably getting ready for a "new" old trick from the past.

I had the pleasure of seeing a real "do do" ball from the far past roll down a lane.   This one was a half ball from one of the old 19-20 pounders glued to a half of a ball that weighed 12 pounds.  Was a sight to behold on the pin deck.  "talk about flare"

Thaxon

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2014, 12:10:21 PM »
Wow Bullred, and I thought I was crazy because I one threw a Black Turbo with a hold drilled all the way through it.

I am probably wrong, but I think that you get to a point of diminishing returns.  On most conditions an out the box ball is good enough.  Even back in the early 90's it seemed that way to me because it was quite possible to have too much ball for the lane conditions.

txbowler

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2014, 01:15:11 PM »
To me, the discussion point is for the unique bowler.

Maybe there exists a bowler whose style would benefit if the limitations were removed.

Case in point.  15 years ago, not many bowlers were bowling 2 handed style.

Now after the rise and domination of Belmonte, other bowlers feel that his style with the extra holes that used to be allowed until the rules just changed, gave him an advantage.  Who knows if it is true or not.  No one really cared until he started dominating, and then others started copying his style.  Now bowlers started complaining and USBC changed the hole requirements.

If this poster's idea was implemented,  maybe a certain style of regular bowler would be able to layout a ball to get a similar type of reaction to a 2 hander while throwing it with 2 fingers and a thumb in the ball.  Who knows.

I would be you'd see balls with 2-5 weight holes experimented with because as most high level bowlers know, once you reach a certain level of competitive bowling, >75% of the bowlers find the pocket.  Carry is the key.  And maybe 3 weight holes with your particular style will carry better for you than 1 weight hole.

You'd see weight blocks from the makers with various weight cores positioned around the ball instead of just centered within it if their testing showed that it worked better.  If a ball with 5-16 oz of side weight worked for a certain style of bowler, it would be made and available for purchase.

It would also allow bowlers to possibly stay with their "A" game longer as they could have bigger arsenals of equipment with slightly different reactions.

It would make the game even more about ball knowledge than it already is in my opinion.

kidlost2000

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Re: If the USBC removed all....
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2014, 03:56:53 PM »
In most cases this can be done. The USBC rules are in place but not enforced. There is nothing stopping you from drilling a 1 3/8" weight hole. Or having too much finger, thumb, positive or negative side weight. In many cases bowlers are in violation of these rules and do not know it. Many scores, honor included, are shot with illegal bowling balls.

When bowling Nationals and they weigh balls many aren't legal and can be corrected or left as is. Many get left as is......and used every where else.

Which brings the point I make most often. Technically there is no static weight rule if you do not bowl Natioals or PBA events
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.