I see this question pop up a lot, so I thought I would comment on it.  Roto Grip feels we can have a complete product line with 3 lines of balls & 3 balls in each line.  At any given time we might discontinue a ball and people feel it leaves a gap.  

I don't believe this to be true.  

I think on any given night you should be able to take a ball, adjust to the lane conditions and score well.  Maybe on a Sport Pattern League it might require a specific ball, but even then we are athletes and able to adjust how we play this sport, I.E. hand positions, ball speed, rev rate.  Saying we have a gap would be like saying if you didn't have a 5 1/2 Iron you would be in trouble on the golf course.

My main point really is this; If Roto Grip would release a bowling ball, discontinue it 1-2 years later and then release a new ball with a different color that reacted the same, wouldn't that seem pointless?  Why not just keep the ball in the line?  I am sure most of you might say, "Well manufacturers re-release balls to increase sales when the ball has slowed down."  

That is why we discontinue a ball, but I feel I am cheating my customer by coming out with the "exact same thing".  

In closing I just want to say that as the game changes with new bowling centers opening, different ideas presented, heavier oils, and different lane patterns arise; Roto Grip will continue to be innovative, changing our equipment, and trying to stay ahead of the competition.  When a ball comes out it does replace a ball that was discontinued in the Line, but not the same reaction.  

Let me give you an example:  

For those of you who loved the Solid Black Silver Streak, we tried to compliment that ball with 2 releases.  

First, Roto Grip released the Retro Resurrection, matte finish instead of polish with a higher RG and differential.  Similar, but not the same.

Second, we released the RS-X, lower RG and a higher differential.  Similar, but overall stronger than the Silver Streak.  This ball had our new coverstock on it, so it was even earlier giving this ball a great name that I think will hang around for a while.  

For those of you who are sorry to see the Silver Streaks go, take a hard look at the RS (Roto Star) line.  In my eyes they are better than the Silver Streaks ever were.

Point of the story - We don't replace, we come out with something better!    

I have seen a lot of threads on this topic and I wanted to clear that up.  I'd love to hear your feedback on this topic regarding not only Roto Grip, but other manufacturers as well.  

Thanks,
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Roger Noordhoek
Technical & Customer
Services Manager
Roto Grip, Inc.
888-450-6920
RogerN@rotogrip.com
www.rotogrip.com

For all your Roto Grip Logo Merchandise please visit www.rotogear.com

Roger,
  I totally understand your point of view and I appreciate you clarifying it to the board.  I am one who has missed out on the Silver Streal Solid, but I do like the Ressurection and RS-1, these balls are a whole lot without a big price tag.  But I wonder how a limited production re-release would do for sales.  I could see a lotta people waiting on a ltd. release of the Global Assault, and Silver Streak Solid.  Point is yes Roto has done a great job on improving their pieces, but sometimes you can't beat "ol' faithful".  But I know this is a business and there are so many great pieces it is hard to gripe and moan about one that is going away.  But if you could, do you think that you can give a heads up when a ball might phase out?  That way I can stock up  Everyone that I know who throws Roto Grip loves them and so do I, I don't even feel right throwing another company's ball even if its a friends it makes me feel dirty. lol.  But I have heard that there is some complaints from those on staff that feel the covers just aren't aggresive enough, is Roto going to try to get a stronger cover to compete with companies like BIG B?

BMM
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Roto Grip forever!!!! What else is there??

Roger,
All I can say is "WOW!"  Who would have thought a ball company would NOT rerelease the same ball in a different color, different name and of course...claim it is a "new" ball reaction?  I commend you and Rotogrip for stepping up and saying, "Hey, we want your business and appreciate your loyalty.  We do whatever necessary to keep that...but not at the expense of deceiving our clientele and therefore basically ripping them off and calling them morons in the process."  ANY chance, miniscule as it may have been, of me considering another ball company was just tossed right out the window with that candid statement.  AMEN ROTOGRIP!!!!!!!
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Weekly bowling league...$25
Pitcher of beer....$6
Taking a Lane#1 user's wallet with a RotoGrip ball that costs half as much....PRICELESS!!!
Some balls are overpriced and over-hyped....for everything else...there is RotoGrip.
www.rotogrip.com
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Losers always whine about their Buzzsaws.  Winners go home and thank their RotoGrips.

Roger,

A great explanation all the way around.
I first started throwing Roto 2 1/2 years ago mainly because I liked the idea of 1 weight block with 3 different coverstocks on it. To me it seemed like a good idea because if I liked how the ball rolled because of a certain core mixing in a different coverstock would help create an arsenal from ONE company rather than comparing apples to oranges.

With Roger's help along the way I feel I've got a pretty good arsenal to choose from. Some of my equipment is from the Discontinued selections(i.e. 2 Pure Fuels and 3 Silver streaks(with 1 NIB to go))to go along with some RS-'s(X and 1's). Its VERY,VERY rare that I leave the Roto Grip line.

Even though I'm not on their staff they go out of there way to help me whenever possible and I like to return the favor.

If I've got a question concerning a ball or layout, Roger or Hank as gotten back to me in a very short amount of time to try and help me.
This makes me feel like a member of a team and I want to help that team in any way I can.

Roto Grip Forever!!!!!!!!

Mike Thill

This is some great stuff!

TTT