I was able to use the Natural for a few weeks now, and finally I feel I have enough info to pass on. First thing, the Natural features the same core as found in the Street Rods from last year, as well as the newly released Fast and Furious. The Rg comes in at 2.55, and the diff. at .038 in 15lbs. The cover is a non-reactive urethane called U2S. I drilled the ball pin over ring, cg on grip line, no x hole. The main idea behind the layout of the ball was to give me a little extra curve in the backend than what my spare ball does when shooting at the 2,4,7,8 spare combination.
First day out: As with any urethane ball, it will hook alot out of the box until it gets some oil on the cover. After about five frames or so, I was using the Natural for my first ball, playing 12 at the arrows out to about 8-9, with a smooth roll off the dry into the pocket on our house condition. The ball blended out the strong backends that our center is known for. After league play that same night, I used the ball again to show a couple of people the reaction that this ball has (I used the Fast in league that night). After about 15 or 16 in a row, I already had two sold as soon as they were released. Both bowlers were looking for a ball that just floats off the dry, just like the Natural does.
After seeing how well the ball rolled, I decide to use it for league the next week. I shot 300(game 2), 770 for the first three of our four game set!! I finished off with a game in the two teens. The best thing about the Natural, is the lack of moving around the pattern, the way new stronger covers can. I also like the fact that it doesn't yield as many designer splits, because of the lack of board coverage. The Natural is not going to have as high of a carry percentage as a reactive ball, but it will leave very makable spares.
This is a great addition to the Storm line up. I have been wanting a urethane ball for a long time now, and this fills that need.
--------------------
Tommy Gollick
Storm Regional/Pro Shop staff
Red Crown Pro Shop Harrisburg, PA
stormbowling.com