Just picked up one in 14 lb. How strong is this ball? I have not thrown an asymmetrical ball in years and was looking for some drilling suggestions. I throw the ball between 9 and 10 MPH, so I am rev-dominant with a very high track, almost on the thumb hole. I usually drill my symmetrical pieces with pin over bridge and a VAL angle probably around 40 degrees. I am looking for length with a nice backend motion. I bowl on a fairly high volume 41' THS. I am hoping this will be stronger than the MP I normally throw on this shot. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

His higher track may indicate lower tilt, and a shorter pin on an asymmetrical ball would be recommended to retain the tilt that he has so the ball does not just start to forward roll too early.

I would recommend either an 80 x 3.5" x 50 for control, or a 90 x 3.5" x 35 for a long/strong reaction.

Quote from: rkj4243 on December 29, 2021, 09:10:43 PM

His higher track may indicate lower tilt, and a shorter pin on an asymmetrical ball would be recommended to retain the tilt that he has so the ball does not just start to forward roll too early.

I would recommend either an 80 x 3.5" x 50 for control, or a 90 x 3.5" x 35 for a long/strong reaction.

So we want a layout so the ball starts to roll at his feet?  A rev dominate and high track player needs balls to get through the first 30 feet or the ball is going to hit like a wet marshmellow.  For someone who has run a pro shop; I would not ever recommend a ball that dynamic for someone who rolls the ball that slow on a house shot.  I would be leaning more toward a Burner, Hyped, even a Hustle.  Strongest ball maybe would be a Hyroad only because of the core being higher RG.  But being this is a UFO this ball has to retain energy through the first half of the lane or this ball is going to become a paper weight. 

As a comparison, I too am a slightly rev dominate high track player and the strongest pin I have is 4.5 inches from my PAP which is on a mid performance ball (Scorpion) and that is because I encounter carry down during league.  Most everything else I have is around 5 inches.  I have nothing asymmetric because I do not need core help with my rev rate.  So I am treating this gentleman like he is me since we are similar in both of us are high track and some rev dominance.

It'll essentially come down to the bowlers axis tilt. Assuming this person has very low tilt with their track being so high, you want the ball to retain tilt longer.

A symmetrical core has max flare at 3 3/8"  pin to pap. Retains tilt with longer distances and burns tilt faster with shorter.

Asymmetrical cores can have max flare between 2 3/4" and 5 3/4" or so.(I don't remember the exact numbers). But an asymm is opposite where shorter pin to pap distances will retain tilt more and longer distances will burn tilt faster(roll more forward)

As someone who is slightly rev dominant with very low tilt, I've learned to avoid asymms with longer pin to pap distances because they want to roll forward even more for me. (I had 2 duds in a Hyper Cell Skid and Grudge Pearl with 5" pin to pap, I've kept every asymm since at 4" or less with no issues)

The OP mentioned needing something stronger than a MP. Assuming that means Marvel Pearl, the UFO Alert could be a decent choice

Thanks for all the suggestions. The few asymmetrical balls I have drilled in the past all had a 5 inch or more pin to PAP. I am willing to try something different, because I never really had good carry with any of them. Maybe a shorter pin distance will make a difference. I am leaning towards putting the 90 X 3.5" X 35 drilling on this ball and just see what happens. I can always change the surface if needed. I will let you know how it turns out. Probably will not get a chance to throw it for at least a week or two.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The few asymmetrical balls I have drilled in the past all had a 5 inch or more pin to PAP. I am willing to try something different, because I never really had good carry with any of them. Maybe a shorter pin distance will make a difference. I am leaning towards putting the 90 X 3.5" X 35 drilling on this ball and just see what happens. I can always change the surface if needed. I will let you know how it turns out. Probably will not get a chance to throw it for at least a week or two.

The reason you may struggle with asymmetrics is because your ball speed is so slow.  By the time the ball gets to the pins, its done as it has used up all its energy.  An asymmetric is more for those that are speed dominate and need the help from a stronger core.  If the MP you refer to is a Marvel Pearl that ball is not weak by any means. 

Hear me out.  The MP has an RG of 2.48 which is low and a differential of .050.  If you have a slow ball speed; these are the types of balls you want to stay away from because the core wants to get started really quick.  The best balls for someone who has really slow ball speed, rev dominate, and high track, are balls that have higher RGs (2.55ish) and lower differentials (under .040).  A ball like a Raw Hammer Pearl/Hybrid, Electrify, Hustle line, and Beasts are perfect for a bowler with those specs.  Then, if you want stronger, something like a Hyroad and maybe a Scorpion would fit the bill because the cores still have a higher RG but you are looking at a stronger cover to handle more oil.  The UFO Alert does have a medium RG at 2.52 but the differential is still really high at .052 so it is still going to flare a ton. 

A lower end ball like a Hustle will look stronger on the lane than a Marvel due to a better match up to the lane condition because it doesnt waste its energy in the first 25-30 feet.  An asymmetric ball is going to work better for those that are 18-20 mph ball speed but under 400 rev rates.  I believe that a high end asymmetric in the hands of a high track, low speed, rev dominate player is going to roll out, even with a shorter pin to PAP, and you will leave tons of 10 pins and 8-10s due to deflection.  I hope I am wrong.  But let us know how it goes.

Just wanted to let everyone know I have thrown about 20 games with this ball. I can say that I am pleasantly surprised. I ended up drilling this ball75X3.5X35. I definitely ended up with a stronger ball than my Marvel Pearl. This ball seems to work well on our THS It blends the pattern fairly well and has a heavy roll while not being to forwardlike most asymmetricals I have thrown. With my slow ball speed it can roll out if I get it to friction too early most likely leaving a ten pin. I just need to play a little more inside and from there the ball looks really good and hits hard. I am looking forward to adding another asymmetrical ball to.my bag. Would the Rubicon UC2 be a good companion with the ALERT?

The UC2 will definitely get down the lane easier and have more pop on the backend.  So if the Alert is getting too early and lazy, you could switch to the UC2.