Here's a new one from another forum.

That Purple Stuff gets the ball so clean it's like a fresh surface every time you roll it. So that breaks the lanes down faster and bowlers (in the Las Vegas leagues at least) are deliberately using it to cheat or as Rob M. puts it:

"it just gets the surface so clean that it's like a fresh surface."

"Better be ready to adjust after every shot! "

Think that's being a little dramatic Rob.

"Actually, it's not. I've seen it used in a scratch league, and I'm being totally serious. I've also seen it used to intentionally mess up someone else's shot."


So is a clean ball a way to cheat? or just a way to blame the other guy for you not being able to adjust or you just plain bowling bad?

Bowling is not nor should be a perfect scenario or environment...bowlers have become to complacent thinking they shouldn't have to or need to adjust or move and if anyone effects their playing area they become offended...bowlers need to learn how bowl more so than find more excuses...

I believe at Nationals they have a rule against applying anything to your ball.  I thought that you could not even clean your ball once competition started.

Unless a league or tournament has a rule against it (Example: the Nationals), You can use cleaners during competition if they are approved for anytime use, been that way for years.

The FAQ for Rule 18 – Bowling Ball – Altering Surface
When may I alter the surface of my bowling ball?

a. Cleaning – Cleaners approved for use any time may be utilized before, during or after
certified competition; cleaners approved for only before and after competition may only
be used during these times. The use of a ball spinner is prohibited during competition.

b. Sanding – You are permitted to sand the surface of your bowling balls prior to certified
competition; however, the use of abrasives is strictly prohibited once the first ball is thrown
in the competition.

c. Polishing – You are permitted to polish the surface of your bowling ball prior to certified
competition. However, once tournament or league play begins, the use of a ball spinner is
strictly prohibited.

Bowling is not nor should be a perfect scenario or environment...bowlers have become to complacent thinking they shouldn't have to or need to adjust or move and if anyone effects their playing area they become offended...bowlers need to learn how bowl more so than find more excuses...

I agree with this. ^^^


when I see a statement like this:

"I have also heard this during bowling when someone on an opposing team seemingly cannot miss, a player chooses to use the Purple Stuff and throw a few shots on the keyed in players line."

It just sounds a little whiny, I'm really sure rolling a clean ball across someones line a couple of times destroyed that guys shot.

Then having it sound like it's some cleaners fault or the USBC fault for approving it.

I wonder if they banned cleaning, would we hear someone say something like:

"I lost because that guy used a old oil soaked ball and threw it across my line a couple of times"