Author Topic: Freak-A-Zoid (Read 5890 times)

MTFD24 · « **on:** July 27, 2004, 09:23:36 PM »

Had the opportunity to see Fran Bax throw this last night during the Classic Shootout. It appeared to be drilled pin above fingers, slight right kick out on cg. He said he wanted it for more "control" on the PBA shots, and hopefully to get some "push" with it. This was his first outing with the ball, during practice.

Now having bowled with Fran quite often in the past, here is what could observe.
The ball seemed to be clean through the heads, and when it started its move, it was a smooth continuous arc. Could not see, or at least it didn't appear, to be "jumpy" off of any dry areas, just smooth and continuous. It did not "squirt" in the oil either.

It seems that this ball could be quite a good "control" ball on medium-light to medium conditions. have to consider one for myself after seeing it in his hands.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2004, 12:30:44 PM »

what pattern were they on??
--------------------
JEFF
There is doing in not doing

MTFD24 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2004, 12:34:58 PM »

Jeff, I would have to ask Brian Green (user name from this site) as he was also bowling last night. (I am awaiting clearance from the Doc since my heart attack). But, I do believe it was the "E" pattern. he was also on the very low end of the house, which is famous for acting "tighter" than the rest of it. Maybe Brian can jump in here as well, since he and I were discussing the ball with Fran.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2004, 01:22:08 PM »

thanks MTFD, let me know when you find out.......
--------------------
JEFF
There is doing in not doing

Edited on 7/28/2004 1:16 PM

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2004, 02:04:12 PM »

MTFD,

I think it would be hard for most of us to relate to how Fran's ball reacts, for 2 reasons: 1, almost all his pin-CG distances are huge, with many pins located 2-3" above the bridge, and 2, few of us put as many revs of the ball that Fran does nor throw as fast as he does (Unless these factors have changed in the last year and a half.).

Still I'm curious as to how his Freak-A-Zoid reacted.

We bowled on the same ABC team in 2003 and a nicer guy nor a better bowler would be VERY hard to find.

(What a dumb, childish name for a ball!)
--------------------
"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."

charlest · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2004, 07:37:37 PM »

2thaMaqs,

Thank you; point made, "on the cartoon network".

--------------------
"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."

DreadPirateRoberts · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2004, 11:42:18 PM »

quote:
(What a dumb, childish name for a ball!)

please tell me what names are not stupid?

Just about 90% of the ball names are pathetic.

Visionary: Stop playing Dungeouns and dragons!

Storm: ran out of names related to the weather.

Hammer: what the heck does a blade have to do with bowling? it sounds like a shaving or lawn mover device.

colombia: they make so many balls that they don't even have a theme. super trooper? come on!

Lane master: don't even go there!

MORich. plays D&D with the visionary boys.

on and on!!!

why single out the Freak-a-ziod?

don't be a hater. be a player!

--------------------
It was a fine time for me - I was learning to fence, fight, anything anyone would teach me

MTFD24 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2004, 01:10:43 AM »

Well now back to the ball and the post after from that brief commercial....

Charlest you are correct in Fran being a fantastic person, and quite a bowler. This ball had approximately a 3 1/2 to 4" pin, with the pin just slightly above the fingers. So fairly "normal", despite Fran's propensity for unusual specs.

Now Fran can change his game tremendously, depending on the conditions. But typically, he has just above average speed and revs, with that unique side step after delivery. Oft times many have compared my game with his (minus the side step) and considering we are almost identical in height, weight and age, with similar approach, swing, etc. This makes lining up off each other fun.

So, with all that in mind, this is why my origional observation came to be, since we both have thrown similar equipment, and prefer the same "looks" on the lane.

I would definitly consider this ball to fit into the "control" category for any med-lite to med condition. Clean thru the heads, with a smooth continuous arc from mids thru the backend. Despite a fresh pattern (no carrydown, and squeeky clean backends) it did not "jump" or over react on the back end at all.

I am hoping to be able to go again this coming Tuesday, and I'll try to get a follow up for you and Jeff.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

tenpinspro · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2004, 04:41:09 AM »

Okay guys, here's a quickie. Got my staff gear in today and I only had time to punch up the FreakaZoid. Here's what I saw...

It's exactly as most of us thought, very controlled, drilled it 4x3 pin 1.5 above midline, under ring, 5/8 pos and 1/4 finger, no weighthole. My house shot has become even more O/U than before(I hate it). Enough to where I'm almost playing the same shot with most balls because the inside oil is thick enough to hold "everything" and plastic will hook off the dry. This shot forces me to play about the same area on the approach but hit different breakpoints down the lane if you can hopefully understand what I'm trying to say.

Saying where I stood is not going to help because of the shot but compared to my Untamed, it's about a good 3-4 boards less and about 5-6 boards more than my Darkside. I only had a chance to compare these balls so far but I could watch it arc off the dry boards vs what I saw with the Darkside and even the Untamed moved harder off the dry boards. The only thing that stood out was the amount of oil it could handle, it rolled up pretty quick and I didn't have to play as much dry as I originally thought. It just rolled smoothly down the lane with an arcing finish. So far I like it, will have to test more this weekend if I can and I'll post a mini...

JeffRevs, you were right, the finish looks more like a compound vs what I would call a true polished look. Slightly more than the sheen/matte.
--------------------
Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Amateur/Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2004, 07:22:45 AM »

quote:

Saying where I stood is not going to help because of the shot but compared to my Untamed, it's about a good 3-4 boards less and about 5-6 boards more than my Darkside.

Rick, 3-4 less than the Untamed sounds pretty strong,...that's good!

quote:
JeffRevs, you were right, the finish looks more like a compound vs what I would call a true polished look. Slightly more than the sheen/matte.

Yup, that's what the website says, ...sounds like they wanted a nice 'multi-purpose' type finish on it.

Please report back.....I love low RG arcing stuff! Sounds like a house shot dream!

--------------------
JEFF
There is doing in not doing

MTFD24 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:03:46 AM »

Rick, it seems that your experience is similar to what I saw in Fran's reaction. And yes, it surely seemed to have quite the sheen, almost a high polish look. Thanks for the update.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:09:47 AM »

quote:
Rick, it seems that your experience is similar to what I saw in Fran's reaction. And yes, it surely seemed to have quite the sheen, almost a high polish look. Thanks for the update.

MTFD, Fran must have polished it then, ...look at Rick's comment again...
--------------------
JEFF
There is doing in not doing

MTFD24 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:13:22 AM »

Sorry....my mistake, was more involved with the control aspect, and not over-reacting. Fran most likely had some polish applied, as I know he is "usually" concerned about getting through the heads. Hopefully I can get a chance to ask him Tuesday nite.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:24:53 AM »

quote:
Sorry....my mistake,

Don't apologize

I just wanted to point that out so we can all be on the same page.....

With those specs, and a 'compound' type finish, ...it sounds like a perfect arcing medium condition ball!
--------------------
JEFF
There is doing in not doing

MTFD24 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2004, 08:29:02 AM »

As Charlest stated, Fran does have some revs, so this too could be why a possible add of some polish. But "control" does seem so far to be a strong point of this ball. Waiting to see Tuesday, and ask a few questions, possibly it could be the ball I've been missing.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

Author Topic: Freak-A-Zoid (Read 5890 times)

MTFD24

Freak-A-Zoid

Jeffrevs

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

MTFD24

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

Jeffrevs

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

charlest

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

charlest

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

DreadPirateRoberts

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

MTFD24

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

tenpinspro

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

Jeffrevs

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

MTFD24

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

Jeffrevs

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

MTFD24

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

Jeffrevs

Re: Freak-A-Zoid

MTFD24

Re: Freak-A-Zoid