Ok, after reading several posts about the Animal----good and bad, I felt the urge to post again on this ball.
I am only posting about my 1st Animal, the weaker drilled one that I try to keep the surface at factory. My 2nd Animal (drilled leverage) is far too strong to use on any league condition I will ever face. That ball is strictly a tournament ball for me.
1st Animal-----
Drilled with the pin below the ring finger and the MB on my VAL. As stated above, I keep the surface with the factory finish on it, this make it playable for me on almost any condition.
This ball probably has about 60-100 games on it. It has not tracked up very bad or anything, so the coverstock holds up. I have seen no decline in reaction, so quick oil absorption is not a factor. I say that in one breath, but in this breath I am saying that I keep up on the surface. Compound finish, polished finish, dull finish.....it does not matter. You have to keep the surface clean on a strong particle ball like this. You can have a ton of polish on it and it will still take in some oil. So every 7-10 games or so I put it on the spinner and apply a light coat of Clean N Sheen. Doing this keep the surface "TRUE".
On to the complaints I am hearing about the ball not hooking (one even stated it could be a "blem"). If you paid any attention to those posts you would notice that they wanted the ball for heavy oil conditions, but yet the MB is too close to the thumb.....OR it could be seen as too far from their PAP. Is this the fault of driller? I would say so. Especially if they did not really take the time to see the customer bowl. EITHER WAY.....guys, this ball flat out moves, and moves a TON. I am speaking of the one with the factory finish, so you can only imagine the hook I get out of the one with 800 grit wet sand surface.
(I know that much of this thread is rambling, but I am typing things as I think of them)....sorry
This ball is very versatile. It could be me, I change releases very well. But I can go from playing this ball from 24 at the arrows to 5 board at the breakpoint to playing straight up 5 board. The Animal does not miss a beat when it comes to HIT. Any line I want to play this thing will work well on.
I hope I have said everything that I want to. I think that many people have read some negative posts about this ball and it is swaying them from picking one up. I am sure that the Animal could be a bad ball for some to use, but most will love the ball if they have it drilled to do what they really intend to use it for.
Pro Shops, make sure you put the layout on the ball that the bowler really wants. Do not just punch one up for them and push them out of the door. If you put a length drilling on the Animal you better make sure it is for someone that throws the ball like Robert Smith.
BOWLERS, if you are getting an Animal and expect it to be skid/flip you are going the wrong route. That would be like buying a Storm BIG HIT and expecting it to be an oil ball.
--------------------
Owner/Operator
C-G Pro Shop
