Special thanks to Jason, Betsy, and the whole Visionary family for everything.  Awesome customer service, actually helpful people, and nice too...what more could one ask for?  

I took a quick picture of the Blurple (and it's a beautiful ball, pics don't do justice to the striking colors):

http://tmadrecki.googlepages.com/ogrepearl

Perhaps a movie is in y'all's near future...once I get the Blurple drilled up later this week (Tuesday at the earliest).http://

Alright...no movie just yet (sorry!)...but a quick review after nine games:

The Ball:

15 pounds, 3 oz (before drilling)
4.5 inch pin, 3.12 oz top weight (before drilling)
Drilled 4.5 x 4, pin over ring finger, cg kicked out, x-hole on PAP
OOB Surface (1500 grit polish)

The Lanes:

Five-year old Brunswick synthetics
THS, with OOB outside 5-6 -- typically plays inside, not the easiest shot in the world, but by no means ultra challenging.  Was harder, but a change in management resulted in an easier shot.

What I was looking for:

Good length, with a strong, but controlled back-end reaction.  Something to fit above my Roto Grip Saturn, drilled label-leverage (1:30), 1000 abralon plus polish.  Basically, I simply wanted a good medium oil ball -- able to be used on a wide variety of conditions, both house and tournament.

Results:

After nine games, I have to say that this ball is a definite winner.  Normally, I don't like making a judgment on a ball this early -- but I can't help it this time.  Everything about this ball is perfect for what I wanted it to do.  The reaction features a mild lope through the first 15 feet of the lane.  Once in the mid-lane the strong Eradicator pearl cover gives the Blurple some decent mid-lane roll, before the core finally precises and flips over...giving you an easily controllable but very strong movement in the back part of the lane.  Compared to my Saturn, the Blurple was easily 4-6 boards stronger; compared to other balls on the market, my Blurple's ball motion path is similar to that of Ebonite's Total NV, but with perhaps 1-2 boards less hook.  Carry is phenomenal, even when playing deep inside.

Hey, I shot 2125 for nine...it can't be that bad!  More to come...

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I am the University of Virginia's Bowling Team.  After all, one All-American is all you need.

Edited on 5/9/2007 6:35 PM

I really hope to find time to get my Solid Ogre drilled this weekend...

Sounds like a great piece and I'm so tempted to get one, I just don't know if it's going to react similar to my Ogre at 2000 abralon, Bronze Centaur or Immortal Pearl. I don't want to buy another ball if it's going to overlap something I already have.
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Visionary Test Staff Member '07-'08