Ball NPS Score: Not Available
Animal

The Animal is the most technologically advanced ball produced in the history of Track. The Morpheus 2.0 core uses six pieces of different densities to achieve a balance of control of the breakpoint and overall hook ability. The addition of a wing attachment on the opposing side of the rev plate increases the Animal's mid-lane control while the aggressive Mega Fang coverstock provides its lane gripping ability. There is so much power inside the Animal that we had to use our Clean N Sheen compound to tame this wild beast. Put an Animal in your hand and be an Animal on the lane.

Animal Specs

Hook Rating 40-34  
Length 2.5  
Backend 8  
Core Technology Morpheus 2.0  
Core Power 9.5  
RG 2.53  
Differential 0.055  
Determinator Spin Time 6.4  
Flare Potential 7.5  
Coverstock Mega Fang  
Friction Rating 9.9  
Finish Compound  
Polish Clean N Sheen  
Reaction Shape Arc  
Lane Condition Heavy Oil  

got this ball a week an half ago. i am not great on the spec. pin above ring finger. was able to play up the 10th board with it. haven't been able to do that in a while. hits the pocket like an animal. if you get this in the dry area too early you might just be taking out the 7 pin only. since i got it i have been hitting the 600's with it on a consistant basis. love this ball. i will be gettint the havoc soon.

I just picked up the "Animal" ball from Hi-Tech Pro Shop in Sterling Heights, Mi., Lance Williams. They always provide great ball guidance and drilling match up.  Sean Klug has been my coach for many years and provides great equipment guidance.  We discussed several balls for the upcoming ABC's and a high-end league that I bowl in.  The competitors were: Animal, Full Throttle, Throttle, Phenom, Vicious Strike, and the sanded Killer Instinct.  Based upon “Bowling this Month” and www.ballreviews.com data we selected the Animal as the ball of choice.

The ball was drilled from a blank @ 15 lbs 4 ozs, 4 ozs top and pin @ 4 inches.   The pin is drilled at the Track position #3 and the Mass Bias at position #1.  Essentially the pin is just right of the ring finger and the Mass Bias is at the thumbhole.

First, I really like the characteristics of this ball. I have only used the ball for one night, 3-games, on a late second shift, with synthetic lanes, with the following results.  Note that I had an approach position in the 35+-board range and a lane target in the 22-board range.  The lanes were providing a recovery bump zone around the 8 board at approximately 45 ft. The ball is somewhat long as designed by Track.   I found that the ball would read the lane condition and not over react.  It would bleed out to the right and had significant recovery to the pocket.  On the pull shot it would slide and still have significant strike potential.  I was really impressed with what the ball would do at the pins.  Great hitting power!  However, you must stay on top of the back-end lane movement.  The ball will read the dry and will recover very aggressively.

I will update this review after a few more league nights and the trails at the ABC’s.

Bought the Animal looking for a versatile ball. Drilled it Pin under the bridge, CG swung out about 1" from the grip line(2" Pin) MB near my VAL. Ball reacted as expected with strong midlane read and heavy arc to the pocket. Bowling on synthetic with short oil I had too much ball and had to move way inside. I was then able to bowl on longer pattern and the ball read the lane beautifully whether I was playing straight up and hard or deep inside.

The ball is very smooth through the heads and will want to be played on medium to heavy conditions. Will update this review post weekend tournament.

BOWLED TOURNAMENT - SOME OIL IN THE HEADS BUT FRESH BACK END AND THE ANIMAL WAS TOO MUCH BALL. USED SPARINGLY IN BOX CONDITION WHILE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS BALL DID BEST. THEN DECIDED TO THROW THE BALL HARD WITH MEDIUM REVS. THIS BALL SKATED TO THE BREAKPOINT AND THEN TURNED TOWARD THE POCKET BLASTED IT - THREW THE LAST 8 IN THE LAST GAME OF LEAGUE LAST WEEK AND WILL TRY THIS STYLE AGAIN THIS WEEK AND SEE IF I NOW KNOW WHAT MAKES THIS BALL TICK

Last update - Tried above again and found we had MORE oil (this is standard in my league) so I went straight up the back at medium speed and stroked the first 8 before an elbow flare tossed one in the gutter. Started game 2 with double-gutter/spare-5 bagger/spare/3 in 10th and first 5 in game 3. What I learned is that this ball is very VERSATILE now that I know how to use it on different lane conditions. Last night the ball did ALL the work and HIT LIKE A TRUCK. This ball hit just as hard with a straight up stroker release down 5 as it did last week with serious speed and revs.

First.  I do not work for Track and I  do not know anyone
who does.  In fact, I have always rolled Brunswick or
Ebonite balls until the experience below.  And I still
will use my Brunswick and Ebonite equipment.

I had read about the hype of this ball and debated whether
to purchase one.  I was in the market because I am headed
from Nor Cal (San Jose) area to Reno this weekend for
Nationals.  In previous trips to Nationals I could not get
a ball to hook to the pocket with my Danger Zone.  Well I
purchased the Animal last week.  My book averages for the past 3
3years were 215, 212 and 214.  However, this year I moved to
a different house which usually accounts for a 10-15 pin
reduction in average due to the conditions (very oily).
My current avergage at this house is 203.  

I roll straight up 6 at about 16-17 mpg with a long roll
and then my ball typically makes a nice hard move into the
pocket. My teammates say that my bowling form is like
Brian Voss (I take this as a compliment).  Enough of the prelim.

Last night I used the ball for the first time.  If anyone
doubts my to be mentioned results feel free to contact me
and I will give you the name and number of my teammates.
First game I started with a solid ten pin (typical for this
house) and spare. Because I had more room in shadow I tried
and "area check" on the first ball.  I went over the 3 board
and believe that the angle to the pocket resulted in leaving
the ten pin (my other ball would not have made it to the pocket
as solid as this ball did).  I then left the 4,6,7,10 (ouch) and
covered the 4 and 6.  I then struck out (yes, 10 in a row) for 264.
The second game I struck throught the 5th frame (15 in a row
but no 300...lol) for 279.  By the last game the oil had
been pushed down and the lanes were getting dryer.  I should
have changes balls but I wanted to see the reaction of the
Animal on these conditions and I also wanted to get a track
on the ball.  The ball did not react very well.  The back-and
of the roll was kind of dead.  I shot 213 for a 756.  Very nice results
considering this was my initial first 3 games.

More important is the ball had great backend (in heavy oil) which suits
my style.  Is this ball for everyone ?  I would never say
yes.  The big test will come this weekend in Reno.  Of course
the conditions in Nationals is one that I only face a couple
of times each year in certain tournaments.  I will at least have
more confidence and will post my scores upn my return next
Tuesday.

My direct email is kenb@sgi.com

Good and fun bowling to all.............

Track "Animal"


The ball being drilled was 3” pin out with 3.00 oz top weight.

The drilling chosen was pin 5” from PAP and Mb 4 1/4” from PAP (45 degrees); pin is above fingers, 3 1/4" above grip midline. Weight hole past axis pitched away.

Bowler Information:
Track diameter is 10 1/2.
PAP is measured at 5 1/4 over and 3/8" up.
Average ball speed (foul line to head pin) is 17 mph.
Axis rotation is typically 45 degrees
Initial rev rate is typically 300 rpm, "Tweener"

Again, what do you write about a ball that out of the box gives you a average of 240 for the 1st nine games in city tournament with a 2160 all events. Again, a fantasic ball by Del Warren and Bill Monce. Del Warren/Bill Monce continues to impress me with their ball designs. Clean through the fronts strong but smooth on the backs, powerful but with control.

This Mega Fang load particle lightly sanded at 1500 then has a light coat of Track polish/compound on it to help achieve better initial length. The Animial has a big flip block on the top and  weights on both sides of the rev plate. Strong intermediate mass bias makes this ball not only hook on medium to oily lanes but has a strong charging backend reaction giving the bowler the ability to play out or in as this ball has great recovery. TRULY a everybody ball here, all styles will like this ball. Surface adjustments made easy to adjust to styles and lane conditions.

Lane tested on were HPL 9000 at Classic Lanes Greenfield and at Echo Bowl on Brunswick 1st edition panels. Seems I can play anywhere under almost any condition with this ball.

Thanks Bill Monce and Del Warren for allowing me hopefully win City All Events, I know it will work well for you too and thanks for reading my review.
Dwight

I am going to review 2 animals here.

ANIMAL #1

Kept this one with the surface in box condition, drilled with the pin under the ring finger and MB on my VAL, about 2 1/2 inches below my PAP.

HOOK: This ball hooks. Most of the people that scream about Track's hookmonsters would need to apply a light coat of polish to the factory finish. With that said, it is very versatile with the factory finish. 8.5/10

CONTROLL: This ball is very controllable. Read above...very versatile. I can play straight up the boards if I have to by simply changing my release. It responds very well to the hand changes. 9/10

HIT: This ball hits harder than anything I have thrown in the past. The Mutant held this title for me until I threw this ball. You have no clue where the pins are going to go when this ball smacks them. 10/10

READABILITY: It reads the lanes well, and with the layout I have on this ball it starts reading the mids really quick, but needs to encounter friction before it will move. You will be able to see the oil length easily with this ball because it will start rolling early in the oil, but not make a big move until it hits dry. For most though this ball would not be used to read the lanes at all. 8/10

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Versatile!!!!! I can play all over the lane with this ball. It responds very well to hand position changes. I like this ball so much I wanted another, but drilled and with a surface for oil.

10/10


ANIMAL #2:

I wanted an oil ball, this is it. Drilled 3 3/8 leverage with the MB on my VAL. Early roll. I have not been able to get a bunch of use out of this ball because it is so strong. It does exactly what I wanted it to do. SIT IN MY BAG. This is for only true floods, and I rarely see that.

HOOK: More hook than I have ever seen. I thought the Phenom hooked until I got this ball. 10/10

CONTROLL: Forget about it. This thing is uncontrollable unless there is alot of oil 4/10

HIT: Same as the above Animal. POUNDS the pins. 10/10

READABILITY: NO WAY!!! You would never use this ball for that purpose. 2/10



OVERALL: If you need an oil ball, get an Animal and dull the surface. I took this one down to 800grit scotchbrite (which is not much for me, I usually go 600 grit). If you have trouble in the soup, this is the ball you need.

10/10---because this thing does EXACTLY what I drilled it to do.

This ball has to be the biggest disappointment in bowling history.
I have been bowling for 20 years and this ball is the worst piece
of junk I have ever used. I have tried it polished and dull, it
just don't matter. I have an old Triton Elit that hooks more than this.
Shame on you, Track!