Dislikes: None so far.

Bowler Stats: PAP 5 3/8 right and 1/2 down

C.A.T.S data: 18.5 mph, 375 rev rate and versatile with hand positions/speed

 

My Critical is laid out with a pin down 6x5x4.5 pin buffer or a 60x5.75x70 with a P2 weight hole. Having used this ball on fresh house condition that is 40 ft long and on the heavy side of medium with good success, I decided to compare it to my Marvel Pearl today. I had oiled a pair of lanes with this years Chameleon pattern last night so I could practice on a broken down pattern at lunch today. I brought my Critical, MP and pin down Virtual Energy which has been my favorite go to ball for the last year and a half. The Virtual Energy is laid out 50*x5x65*, the Marvel Pearl is 45*x5 1/4x30* (pin high and 1 1/2" from Val).

 

I first tried the Critical Theory at a local house during a Storm VIP demo day. It didn't take long to realize this ball is one of the best releases in some time. After receiving my ball from Utah (ball came in with 3.5" pin and 3.25 oz top) I chose the pin down layout with moderate flare to control the cover strength and help to maintain the huge move I saw in the last 15' of the lane during the demo day. This layout gave me exactly what I was looking for, easy push through the heads, strong mid lane read, and a controlled but strong arc to the pocket. I was able to use multiple angles during my session. I started out standing 32, targeting 14 with a breakpoint of 5 and used an easy relaxed release to get the ball to read the breakpoint. I was surprised to see that when I missed it at the bottom the ball still recovered and carried everything with authority. I could increase my speed and still couldn't push the ball past the breakpoint. The only time I saw the ball go long is when I increased speed and completely lost the ball off my hand. I ended up working on playing a deep inside line with my feet at 38, targeting 22 at the arrows out to 10 at the break. I could strike at will as long as I increased my tilt and got around the ball. If I turned the ball early or stayed up the back, the ball read the mid lane too early and went high. Interesting thing happened on those high shots, not one split or washout despite the poor execution. The pins really fly around the deck when this ball hits them. They stay low to the deck and carry is exceptional. After throwing a few games to get a good feel for this ball on the condition I switched to the Marvel Pearl.

 

I expected the Marvel Pearl to match up better on the broken down shot and it was a good 2' longer and a bit weaker off the spot unless I stayed firm and up the back of the ball. It read the lane very well when I stayed firm but if I got around the side or increased my tilt it simply skated through the mid lane and blew right through the breakpoint. The Marvel Pearl, with it's 1500 polished cover is much cleaner through the heads and more controllable on the burned up conditions today. I was worried these two releases would overlap each other before I bought the Critical Theory. Although the layouts are considerably different they compliment each other very well.

I have since put several customers in to a Critical Theory and all have been very satisfied with the results. I've noticed the line is very forgiving when it comes to release inconsistencies. This is the first ball I recommend for bowlers with mismatched speed to revs. Those with higher speed or lacking rev rates will love the help they get from this high power core. I have a 73 year old customer who wanted the proverbial heavy oil ball that goes long and coners hard when he doesn't have the flexibility or ability to throw a ball with enough revs to get a ball to flip off the back of the pattern. After trying to explain that he would need lessons to fix some basic flaws in his swing and then may still not be physically able to throw the ball "like the kids" do he was determined to buy that reaction. We drilled up his new 14lb nugget with an all new layout based on his PAP. He questioned the layout as it didn't "look" like the drill sheet in the box but I reassured him it was indeed a 5x4x2.5 buffer and that it would work for what he was hoping to see. Off to the lanes we went to check fit, roll and get an idea for his flare pattern. He started out with his trusty old benchmark ball to get warmed up. He got loose and lined up with his normal ball and was hitting the pocket routinely. He grabbed his new nugget and stood in the same place not sure what to expect. He threw a good shot, hitting his mark and using his normal speed proceeded to see the ball glide through the heads, read the mid lane and take a violent left turn and taking out the 7 pin. I'll never forget the huge smile on his face as he turned around after throwing that shot. He looked like a 5 year old who just got all the candy on the first row of the candy store! Another satisfied customer!

 

The short story is this ball has proven to be very forgiving to release errors, carries light and high flush hits very well, keeps the pins low to the deck, and has the versatility to handle everything from Med to Heavy patterns with ease. RotoGrip has another phenomenal release on their hands. This ball should be the "Ball of the Year" for 2011, it's that good. This is Roto's best release since the original Cell and Cell Pearl. Way to go Roto, the Kingdom continues to grow.