win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Rubber Ball Ban?  (Read 15167 times)

MI 2 AZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8159
Rubber Ball Ban?
« on: August 12, 2013, 09:32:12 PM »
A senior bowler told me that while bowling in another center in Tucson, she was told that she could not use her rubber bowling ball.  Apparently, they have banned rubber bowling balls.  I am assuming only for that center as I was not aware of any USBC ban on them.  Any others here aware of a similar situation and what damage will a rubber bowling ball cause to either the lanes or equipment?


Logged
_________________________________________
Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.

 

Elimeno Pee

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 616
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2013, 09:56:50 PM »
My guess is maybe the rubber balls have a big issues being picked up by the ball return at that house when not wiped off regularly.  House I grew up in had that same issue, but never banned them.
Logged
Wise bowler told me once: K.I.S.S.   Keep it simple stupid.

Hyper Cell
Freak
Freak Out
Profit
Totally Defiant
Pursuit
C-System Versa Max
Defiant

fluff33

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 388
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2013, 10:50:44 PM »
Which center in Tucson?
Logged

MI 2 AZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8159
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2013, 11:10:17 PM »
They are military retirees, so I am going to assume the center on DM.

Edited to add:

After thinking about it a bit more, I am not sure if that was the same couple who was talking about DM.  Earlier, someone was talking about bowling at DM where the price of open bowling was whatever the outside temp happened to be at the time.  They mentioned they paid $0.97 per game because that was the temp at the time.  I am not sure if that was the same couple who later was asking me about a ban on rubber balls because I was not paying attention to who was talking about the open bowling earlier.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2013, 11:25:21 PM by MI 2 AZ »
Logged
_________________________________________
Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.

itsallaboutme

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2017
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2013, 06:21:31 AM »
The only damage a rubber ball will create is to the patience of the mechanic when there is a ball call every ten minutes every time she bowls.

I'm gonna guess she bowls at a center with Brunswick A-2 pinsetters.  If the lift rods on these machines aren't adjusted properly hard rubber balls usually need a little help.  A few times I've seen the mechanic send it back sanded to 220.  Makes for an interesting conversation at the desk when the bowler wonders what happen to their ball. 
Logged

txbowler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 626
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2013, 09:14:58 AM »
I have a ebonite XL-5 rubber ball that I carry with me for those 'super extreme' dry lanes I encounter once a year when I don't want to change hand positions.

On synthetics, at the end of the day, you can see where I played all day as the ball leaves a thin ball track on the lane if there is not enough oil in the heads/midlane as I guess the rubber leaves a bit on the lane like a tire on the road.

Kinda of a catch 22 since I don't use it unless the lane is fried, and it doesn't leave a mark unless the lane is fried.

Anyway, some of the older machines have issues removing the rubber from the lanes on the strip cycle and they have to double or triple strip any pair a rubber ball has been used on.

More work and expense for the center, thus they "dislike" rubber bowling balls.  And I have been in centers that also "prefer" or "request" that you do not throw rubber balls.

But I also got a hold of a XXXL recently and haven't have to use the XL-5 in a couple of years.
Logged

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2779
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2013, 10:29:26 AM »
There were a couple of super soft rubber balls out like the LT 48 that actually made black marks on lanes, much like a pair of soft black rubber soles can do on a tile floor.  Lane men hated that too.  Generally hard rubber balls shouldn't be a problem anywhere.  I still have a black diamond in my garage.  Havent thrown it for several years, but it out performed my plastic ball on some conditions.
Logged

Jorge300

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6407
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2013, 04:10:29 PM »
I beleive it has to do with the marks they leave on synthetic lanes. My father, before he had a stroke, threw nothing but LT-48's. When the centers in our area went to synthetics they told him he couldn't throw it anymore. He was forced to move into Urethane. I am guessing this center probably went through the same thing and just decided to ban rubber balls altogether.
Logged
Jorge300

J_Mac

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6778
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2013, 05:59:43 PM »
Quote from: itsallaboutme on August 13, 2013, 06:21:31 AM
The only damage a rubber ball will create is to the patience of the mechanic when there is a ball call every ten minutes every time she bowls.

I'm gonna guess she bowls at a center with Brunswick A-2 pinsetters.  If the lift rods on these machines aren't adjusted properly hard rubber balls usually need a little help.  A few times I've seen the mechanic send it back sanded to 220.  Makes for an interesting conversation at the desk when the bowler wonders what happen to their ball. 

As a former pin chaser at a center with A-2's that was the first thought that popped into my head when I saw this thread's title. Second was the other observation about the softer rubber balls leaving black streaks towards the end of the pattern.

Never sanded a rubber ball since it was almost always an issue that occurred during a league,  but many of the 15-16 lb.  urethane house balls would get that treatment.  Maroon scotchbrite and a thorough wipe down with lane cleaner....
Logged

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2779
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2013, 06:52:47 PM »
Not a mechanic, but hard rubber balls were the equipment of choice when the A-2 was introduced.  Never saw any problems.  Pretty sure it relates to the black marks the super soft rubber balls made on synthetics.   

I have seen ball calls when the lanes were totally flooded regardless of what ball surface was being thrown.  Also remember guys sanding down urethane balls so much that they grabbed and threw accelerator belts. 
« Last Edit: August 13, 2013, 06:55:25 PM by avabob »
Logged

J_Mac

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6778
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2013, 07:01:29 PM »
Quote from: avabob on August 13, 2013, 06:52:47 PM
Not a mechanic, but hard rubber balls were the equipment of choice when the A-2 was introduced.  Never saw any problems.  Pretty sure it relates to the black marks the super soft rubber balls made on synthetics.   

I have seen ball calls when the lanes were totally flooded regardless of what ball surface was being thrown.  Also remember guys sanding down urethane balls so much that they grabbed and threw accelerator belts. 

2 things... maybe 3...

A)  The amount of oil used now and then is completely different... I don't think oil was pushed around on wood lanes like it is on synthetics either, it just disappeared between the boards...

B)  The type of oil is completely different. More solids that hold up better to aggressive cover technology versus older mineral oil based conditioners used in old wick based machines.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2013, 07:08:58 PM by J_Mac »
Logged

FlappersRevenge

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 60
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2013, 07:36:42 PM »
Quote from: Jorge300 on August 13, 2013, 04:10:29 PM
I beleive it has to do with the marks they leave on synthetic lanes. My father, before he had a stroke, threw nothing but LT-48's. When the centers in our area went to synthetics they told him he couldn't throw it anymore. He was forced to move into Urethane. I am guessing this center probably went through the same thing and just decided to ban rubber balls altogether.

The problem I would see with that, obviously, is that if the ball is USBC approved, regardless of coverstock, how would the house be able to dictate what a bowler can or cannot use during a sanctioned league?

Yes, I realize the house is the house and theoretically they can do "anything they want", but one issue I could see being raised is that if the house wants USBC certification, they have to abide by USBC rules, and USBC rules say I can use any and all approved equipment, including rubber balls. I could see somebody, somewhere, making a stink about it to the local association, and the center getting into hot water with USBC because they're arbitrarily banning approved equipment simply because their lane men or mechanics don't want to do their job.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2013, 07:38:32 PM by FlappersRevenge »
Logged
My hockey/baseball/football jersey collection:
http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/DropkickMurphy915/library/?page=1

Juggernaut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6498
  • Former good bowler, now 3 games a week house hack.
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2013, 08:03:09 PM »
Quote from: FlappersRevenge on August 13, 2013, 07:36:42 PM
Quote from: Jorge300 on August 13, 2013, 04:10:29 PM
I beleive it has to do with the marks they leave on synthetic lanes. My father, before he had a stroke, threw nothing but LT-48's. When the centers in our area went to synthetics they told him he couldn't throw it anymore. He was forced to move into Urethane. I am guessing this center probably went through the same thing and just decided to ban rubber balls altogether.

The problem I would see with that, obviously, is that if the ball is USBC approved, regardless of coverstock, how would the house be able to dictate what a bowler can or cannot use during a sanctioned league?

Yes, I realize the house is the house and theoretically they can do "anything they want", but one issue I could see being raised is that if the house wants USBC certification, they have to abide by USBC rules, and USBC rules say I can use any and all approved equipment, including rubber balls. I could see somebody, somewhere, making a stink about it to the local association, and the center getting into hot water with USBC because they're arbitrarily banning approved equipment simply because their lane men or mechanics don't want to do their job.

 You might be correct, but what happens when the house finds "some reason" to ban you from coming in?

 As a business, they can refuse to serve you, and can have you removed from the premises.

 So go ahead, file that protest to use your rubber ball. Then you are going to have to find a new place to use it in.

 (This is not a theoretical model either. I was told this is EXACTLY what would happen.)
Logged
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

MI 2 AZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8159
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2013, 10:47:19 PM »
Thanks for the replies and info.

Logged
_________________________________________
Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: Rubber Ball Ban?
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2013, 02:23:54 PM »
txbowler,

Your center must put out a pretty wet shot that you find the XXXL similar to rubber.

I told a story out here of bowling on weekends at a center that put out a head shot.
The reactives actually would hit the end of the pattern(15 and at the arrows) when first thrown on and jump up and land sideways 3 boards sideways and then roll out into the gutter at 35 feet.

XXXL's were still pretty hooky, but fingertip rubber balls made me make the weekend shot look like a juicy 10 to 10 top hat! 

All of a sudden 600 to almost 700 was possible.  However the rubber never worked in league on Monday thru Friday!

Regards,

Luckylefty
« Last Edit: August 14, 2013, 11:34:58 PM by LuckyLefty »
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »