The problem I see with naming it after bowling conditions (heavy, medium, light) is that there's too much subjectivity in how much oil is on the lane, whereas it's MUCH easier to just find out your rev rate. That being said, I'm not sure this new naming convention makes any more sense than the old one. I think the old one made sense on paper, but in reality the results were all over the map. I love my Track bowling balls but I've learned that the numbering system wasn't what it purported itself to be.
I thought the L, M, H were for Rev Rate, not condition?!? L was for Low Rev players, M for Medium Rev players and H for High Rev players. Was this incorrect?
LX for low rev players, means these balls will get the stronger covers and strongest cores.
MX for medium rev players, these balls will be combo, MX10 has the same Face core from the 910A, but new stronger shell.
HX for high rev players, these balls will get the weaker cores and probably smoother covers that don't change direction as fast.
The old system was making things have overlap, the ball "names" needed more variety without over lap. The second two numbers on the new system are the same as the second two numbers of the old, core dif. Higher numbers, higher differential, more flare, more hook, etc...
To me with the old system, the first number did not necessarily mean stronger cover, but was really about price point. The higher the first number, the more they cost. When the balls were just A, C, T, that was pretty easy. Then came A/T, C/A, C2, etc... plus "SPECIAL EDITIONS", these were just ways to differentiate the balls, the overlap.
There will be LX with lower numbers, and HX with higher numbers, etc. They just feel it is a time for a little change. Freshening up. There was talk of the numbers thing going away completely. MOST of the Staffers frowned on this. Track ball users are the Smart Bowlers, the thinkers, the studiers, we want precision. This is what they are marketing after. The BOWLERS, the people that are really into bowling and LOVE it, EAT it, etc... YOU GUYS!!!
The four EBI brands are trying to separate themselves from each other, hence the logo changes, color changes, etc... The Staffers wanted to keep a number system as that is different than every brand in the industry.
It's up the us, the Pro Shop Professionals to sell the customer the right ball for what they want, as it always has been. Just a small change, with some more shelf appeal and pin popping power!!!
Hope this helps ya! Get me at mike@bowlingdynamix.com as I'm not on here every day!