Brick, sorry about the delay. I will reply to your PM here, it may help somebody.
Remember this is my opinion from drilling experiences.....
I personally don't buy into the finger pitches make you do anything to the ball theory. Finger pitches can have an affect on ball roll, but I feel you have to go to extremes to see a difference. Absolutely you will FEEL the difference. I feel pitches should be contoured to the bowler's hand as far as span and flexibility, but much more than that, it is more about feel and comfort. I think pitches that go away from MY theory too much can result in pain and/or injury.
I have personally experimented a lot with finger pitches. I have had a problem with my ring finger in the past, before I was drilling much and before having worked a couple years for Ron Hoppe (one of the founders of IBPSIA). I changed to 1" (ONE INCH) reverse in fingers trying to create more roll. A large number of tour players were using that type of pitch to smooth out ball reaction on these "crazy reactive" balls. I used that pitch for a year or two. I drilled a couple balls with as much as 1 1/2" reverse. Had to lengthen my span a little for those two. Felt really nice, talk about the ball sitting in your hand. What a pain in the rear to glue in finger grips though!! LOL!! Because of my natural "urethane" or "frisbee" release, my hand accelerates through the bottom of my swing, I have a lot of wrist movement/action. I didn't then, and I don't now feel the ball coming off my fingers. I'm also trying to get the ball down early and smooth as possible, while keeping my swing loose and forearm quiet.
Try this link to my present grip specs:
http://www.drillsheet.com/printDrillReport.php?id=192I could swear we stopped trying to get "lift" a long time ago. We started trying to be soft with our hand, loose with our arm swing, and not "hit up" on the ball. Maybe that's just me. I feel you get more from wrist action and hand position at release than any amount of "lift" or "hit".
I do realize that not all bowlers are like me, and some want to "feel" the ball on their fingers. If you want to change this feel, then definitely try pitches. I feel that your ball roll will not change, but the feel probably will.
Hope this helps.....
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I've started messing with my site again, wrecking it myself:
www.mikeaustinbowling.netCheck out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=2054Edited on 5/21/2008 10:45 PM