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Author Topic: Lighter Ball and Reverse Pitch  (Read 609 times)

SUPERM0

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Lighter Ball and Reverse Pitch
« on: August 14, 2006, 06:04:05 PM »
Will need some help off the ball drillers out there.I'm 62 now and haven't got the strength as i see it to hold and deliver the ball with the revs i'd like to, i know you cant turn back the years but maybe you can help and give me some ideas if my thinking is right.I throw a 15lb and still bowl well 200/210 ave almost anywhere but i was thinking if i went down to a 14lb and put some reverse pitch on the ball would i be able to grip it better get more lift and with it being lighter get some more revs on it.I know the hitting power would suffer but would one even the other out. I play in a lot of comps which can be up to 20 games in a day so i need some good constructive advice on which way to go. Thanks guys.

 

Re-Evolution

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Re: Lighter Ball and Reverse Pitch
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2006, 03:31:06 AM »
Dropping down to 14 should help some and I wouldn't worry about a lose in hitting power. You may actually see the opposite, well at least I did.

I would not add reverse, adding reverse only makes it harder to hold onto the ball. The added tension in your hand will cost you revs cause your release wont be as clean due to grip pressure. This can also cause issues with consistency. In years past the thought was that reverse helped you get more revs. Many now believe that pitches that are a bit forward for the bowlers span and flexibility are better for increasing revs. If fitted perfectly the ball will actually hold onto you due to pressure at the base of the thumb, once the ball reaches a point just before the ankle the weight orientation of the ball will cause the thumb to clear and the weight will shift to the fingers where you can impart revs with little effort. There are some that have taken this to extremes they have developed a perfectly relaxed hand that allows them to do so. The first example I can think of is a guy that according to a span/flexibilty/pitch chart should be 1/4 reverse but he has 3/4 forward and has a very quick and clean release with effortless revs. I personally am 1/2" forward of the chart and my release is cleaner than it has ever been since getting used to not squeezing the ball.
Even though I have what some would consider to be way too much forward for my hand I am still able to come out cleanly with a very tight thumb.
I would give it a try by going 1/8 forward of your current pitch if you are able to come out cleanly try another 1/8 continue to do so until you start to hang and the back up to the previous pitch. By being able to reduce tension in your hand you wont excite all the little flexor muscles in the arm that keep you from having a free arm swing costing you power, speed, consistency and accuracy. I have come to realize gravity is my best friend cause it never changes making speed adjustments and consistency much easier by regulating my ball height at address.

Hope I didn't ramble on too much and helped.

PS: make sure that your span is correct by todays standard before attempting any forward pitch. Having a stretched span like was common in years past will not allow you to come out cleanly with forward pitch.
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SUPERM0

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Re: Lighter Ball and Reverse Pitch
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2006, 04:18:39 AM »
Thanks Sean great help much obliged.