Havent seen a pitch black, but I have used the original Natural, and now throw a Blue Hammer. For spares the Pitch Black will be fine, but I would take the shell up to at least 2000, and preferably 4000. Urethane can be great as a strike ball on tough conditions, but only if you keep the surface so as to play very direct. If you start having to play any significant out angle, even the high rev guys are going to be disappointed with carry. I have shot some good numbers, and made money with urethane, but only when I could stay outside of about 9 board, and play up the boards.