I am a BIG CHICKEN.

You had recommended 3/8 forward in the thumb, to alleviate my problem with the skin peeling off the back of my thumb, when using Magic Carpet.

I plugged an old ball that had 1/8 reverse, 1/8 left lateral in the thumb.
I told my driller to put 1/4 forward in the ball, as I thought that it was really pushing the forward pitch to an extreme. He thought 1/4 forward was extreme, and recommended 1/8 forward. I went with 1/4 forward.

I picked the ball up Monday night...put a sleeve in the thumb hole, installed a piece of MC...and went out to practice with the nall today. I remembered what you said about not squeezing the ball. I took my catcher's mask with, just in case, I did squeeze the ball...I didn't need it.

It took a game to get used to the pitch, and relax my hand.
I had no trouble at all coming out of the ball. My practice partner said it was the cleanest he had seen my release in years. Funny thing is: I could go an 1/8 more forward in the thumb. I found I was squeezing the ball a little tiny bit.

I also want to publicly thank you, for the quick service, sending out the "lost" Magic Carpet shipment...You are A+ in my book.
My practice partner put a piece of Magic Carpet in his ball, and liked it...He likes the whole Magic Carpet concept...makes sense.

On Edit:

I'm using BLUE Vise Skin Protection tape. I super glue the end to my thumb nail, and stretch the tape tight down the thumb 3/4" past the beginning of the thumb (towards the hand), stopped the redness, and tearing totally.

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Duke Harding
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Bowling Coaches Web Site Link

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty  or eighty.
Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
The greatest thing in life  is to keep your mind young." -- Henry Ford

Edited on 12/14/2005 6:00 PM

I find this amazing. I'm experimenting with going from 7/16 reverse to 5/16 reverse, and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do it.......

I may have to jump on a plane and pay Ron a visit.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

I am going the other way, back to a reverse pitch and tighter thumbhole.  I like the relaxed way I can hold the ball with forward or zero pitch, but I can't consistently clear the front of the thumb (I prefer a snug thumb) because my hand is not flexible.  

Ron, the Magic Carpet has made it possible for me to get almost a custom fit and reduce grabbing at the bottom in a reverse pitch.  Superior product (unsolicited product plug).
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"Some guys get the world.  Other guys get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona."

Edited on 12/15/2005 11:05 AM