I would like to address this issue as I'm watching the LEGION fall apart from "trust" and "distrust" issues from your fellow staffers.

The simple answer is "NO"!  I am no longer a Staffer/Tech Support nor affiliated with Track Intl (in any personal gains or means) but I will stand behind Carl, Mitch (except the Robo and Mean comment, I liked those balls), Guined, LouF, Harmsey, Chief BK and some of the others because I "KNOW" these gentlemen personally or professionally.  We talk...we've talked for a few years now where I feel we are openly honest with each other enough to "trust" each other.  Believe me, we don't always agree either but our consensus is about the same when it comes to equipment.

For those of us who run a shop (mine is now run from a garage "thanks AMF"), it is "impossible" to say a piece is good when it isn't (or doesn't perform to what we say it will).  It would just destroy us if it didn't and that customer would never be back.  Our "HONESTY" is what we pride ourselves on and how we make a living.  If something doesn't work and we're wrong, then we'll try and fix it, nobody's perfect.  If physics and application were all it took, then "someone" should be averaging 300...show me who's perfect or is omniscient.  Until then....

Here's what I do...

1) Analyze the bowlers game (speed to rev ratio)
2) Apply the appropriate strength/cover needed for that bowler for the condition desired/required
3) Apply the proper layout for this bowler on said condition
4) Apply proper pitches/span required to accomplish the desired reaction
5) Tweak with weight hole for completion of desired reaction

Now what's your value in that?  Staff players have to wear many hats these days...

Staffers are here to help(period) You may agree or disagree with them but they are your best source of fundamental reactions.  I am personally still in contact with many staffers across various companies because they assist me in "their" opinion within their company's line of equipment.  

Ask your proshop guy/driller, can he/she afford to drill "everything" that comes out?.....and/or then even have the time to throw it and give you the review "you" want to hear or see...?

Gentlemen please, be real...I personally appreciate Juggernaut, ccrider, kidlost and all those who spoke up against the names and that's fine (difference of opinion guys, that's all).  It serves a much higher purpose to those in charge.  

My net result of this was to hopefully regain or reunite the Legion (now I have to say of many brands throughout time) and just...move on.  This forum (TRACK) was where anything could be discussed amongst friends...that was and should remain the same.

Thank you....
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Rick Leong - Ten Pins Pro Shop
Tag Team Coaching - Co-Founder
"El" Presidente of the Legion

I had a very accomplished bowler at the PBA regional this past weekend asking me about the new product and stating he wanted to drill all three of them. The naming system never came up. He said the performance of the balls is the reason he wante to drill them.

People paying attention are noticing just how well these balls roll. Not one person at the regional this weekend commented on the names of the balls. They all wanted to know how they reacted.

I have recommended balls for several people before and I have never had someone tell me the ball was horrible. It is because I am honest and recommend what they need, not some hidden agenda to push just high end balls.

This is what being a staff member is about. Honesty and integry. I have also recommended balls outside of our product line because we didn't have what they need due to not having a true entry level ball. But, almost every time, the honesty and trust factor results in a future purchase being in our line because they know I am not pushing a ball for the sake of selling one.


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Louis Franzetti

Track Regional Staff Member

I have noticed that coloring is the first thing that entry level bowlers notice when they walk into a shop and are looking for entry level balls. Track doesn't make a true entry level ball like a Razyr or Jazz. The entry level market has never been Track's target. The Solution line was an attempt at it and it doesn't go over very well. What we do is make performance equipment? Can naming help you pick up some additional people you are not targeting, probably? But it is counterproductive to naming balls for the entry level audience when you are targeting the serious bowler. Now, coloring is one way to attract bowlers who you are not targeting to possible drill your ball. You can't notice a name when the ball is rolling down the lane but an awesome color scheme is noticable. The Tantrum was an awesome looking ball and I have seen several used by very entry level bowlers. I asked why they drilled it, they said price and color. The 505C and 715A look awesome rolling down the lane from a color standpoint. A ball can have the coolest name in the world, if it doesn't look good, the entry level bowler isn't going to pay attention to it.
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Louis Franzetti

Track Regional Staff Member

I don't care for the number system but do agree that the overall appearance of the balls looks great and will help sell where the name may fail.

If it is shinny people will notice. If it strikes, even more people will buy them.

I think written reviews are fine but videos are even better.

I think ABS does a wonderful job of making videos and posting them to the web.

I hate that they are American Bowling Solutions, and are located out of Japan and make the videos in Japanese.


Why doesn't the "E-machine" start doing these videos, or similar ones for the U.S. with guys like Mitch and the other staffers, even regional players? It's cheaper then real commercials and with youtube and this forum would be very popular and seen buy a ton of customers?? (Globally) Also Brunswick has their similar vids they make and Bruns-nick makes them for Brunswick as well.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfErgifA_L4&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXlpsBhv4GA&feature=channel
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" hand, don't step on the lanes without some "

Probably the best topic we've had going on here in a long time.  I've spoken to Carl and Lou on numerous occasions about the older line, and I even believe the newer line.  I value and respect their opinions.  Those two I can actually say I can trust.  Rick-for those who do not know, I made a 3 hour trip to visit him and spent another 9-10 tapping his brain.  There is no doubt I trust him.  However, there are many others out there(Not Track staffers)that I've met recently that I couldn't trust to watch an EMPTY bowling bag while I go to the bathroom.

I'll ask about a product, and see how it may compare to a different product from a different line.  When I get answers like "There is nothing on the market that even comes close", and crap like that I don't even want to talk to you.  I understand their job to try to push the product/line, but some just take it too far.

I think the bigger issue in particular is in the pro shops not having a clue.  For example, I moved to this hell hole area over a year ago.  I went into the pro shop and gave them a Kinetic Energy to adjust the cover on.  The owner asked me where I got it from-because Track got bought out by Ebo and dropped the name.  Really???  So, I don't know if its the company not reaching out to enough shops(primarily for those who don't know staffers, etc.) or it's the shop liking to be oblivious to things.  That's way above me.

On to the new pieces.  Yes, they all look great.  The names?  Whatever, you can't see the name when it's rolling down the lane.  The reaction? From what I've seen(first hand and on tv) they are as advertised.  However, my reasoning for not acquiring any of these pieces is simply because what I'm lacking is low end equipment-none of those fit the bill.  I do need another Oiler to join my K.E. and S.E.-however I'm not a fan of particle coverstocks(which is why my MM overall has so few games on it).  If you have seen me throw, you'd know why.
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You may be the better bowler, but my car would blow the doors off of yours.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Phoenix_RsX/Arsenal/

I don't know why I jumped onto this topic . . but ball reaction can vary vastly from the PBA shots to regular house shots.  I've had PLENTY of balls that were trash and wouldn't do anything on a house shot only to come alive on a pro shot.  The ball companies have several things in mind, but forefront in my mind, would be making a ball that looks good on tv when millions of people are watcthing.  A million people seeing a good ball reaction all at the same time is a lot better marketing value than having people randomly pick it up and spread the praise by word of mouth.  I know that pros are required to kind of push the product, but with all the new balls coming out and with the extensive testing all the companies do, I'd have a hard time believing that a ball they're sinking a loooot of developmental money into and that THEY have to back is a piece of shiatzu.  

I used to manage a pro shop also, so I understand the care you need to take with customers when it comes to ball selection.  One bad ball drilled for somebody most of the time means that they go somewhere else next time.  And of course if a pro told them the ball was good, and they get it from you and they don't like it, of COURSE it can't be the pro's fault, it must have been something YOU did.  Not every ball will be good for every bowler and if we took time to educate them more or if they took time to educate themselves, it would be a whole different story, but for some reason, intelligence is lost on bowlers . .
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This is Fluffy.  He is the Destroyer of Worlds.