Author Topic: Thumb pitch question? (Read 680 times)

mrtappedalot · « **on:** April 16, 2004, 04:08:02 AM »

Alright, here's another point of ignorance in the wide woooorld of bowling from me...

My span is small. 4 1/16 x 4 1/8. All my stuff has slight reverse pitch (either 1/16 or 1/8). I'm having some new stuff drilled up next week, and I'm going to forward pitch, since I've thrown a few balls with forward pitch and I've been amazed by the smoothness and consistency of my release.

What should I be looking at for forward pitch with my span? I was OK throwing 1/4, but the Jayhawk chart says 1/8... I could of course go with 3/16 and split the difference.

How much do you think my span will change if I go to (for arguments sake) 3/16. Is there a chart that shows that for every certain amount of forward pitch, you have to shorten your span?

Thanks again, pardon the stupidity...

pin-chaser · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2004, 07:56:46 PM »

Good question!!

Thumb pitches are customized for every person, but begin with the set of facts. To determine your approapriate thumb pitch you first have to determine the appropriate span. This is subjective and it appears that every proshop I have been to see the span in a different way. Ie. a completely relaxed hand verses pulling the fingers can produce as much as 1/2" difference in the span. Additionally, in the 70's and 80's span measured to the exact 1st crease on both fingers was normal. However today the crease should be measured to the top on the finger hole thereby being significantly short based on old standards. But the begining pitches for the thumb is based on this distance, so getting the appropriate distance is the first step. Then adding and subtracting forward/reverse pitches based on several items such as, thumb flexability, thumb length, thumb moisture and any deformities or aborations. It would be simply a guess for anyone to make a suggestion without having the above information. You should simply find a good pro shop operator that can effectively provide a grip that provides the release you like.

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Author Topic: Thumb pitch question? (Read 680 times)

mrtappedalot

Thumb pitch question?

pin-chaser

Re: Thumb pitch question?