mv,
yes, you are correct in your assumption that a person would have to be
missing a middle finger(unless specifically requested)for the bridge to
be one inch wide. i have two customers that are missing their middle
fingers due to a job related accident. one bridge is 1" wide and
the other is 1 1/8". most manufacturers require a minimum of 1/4" bridge
in order for the warranty to be valid.
i do agree, if the ball was drilled "correctly", specifically bridge width
and pitches, then the ball SHOULD last longer than five months.
i don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but it seems that clear
balls have a greater tendency to crack versus other plastic balls. i've
wonder if it has something to do with the lack of color pigment or filler
that actually affects the balls composite and construction.
rk