Expert: - 2/24/2008

Question
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS I HAVE BEEN THROWING A HAMMER BLADE, LATELY IT SEEMS TO HAVE LOST ITS DRIVE, I KNOW THEY SAY LET THE PROSHOP DECIDE.  BUT I SOMETIMES THINK THE GENTLEMAN WE DEAL WITH PUSHES THE OUT DATED BALLS, I WOULD LIKE TO GO THERE WITH SOME INFO OF THE NEW ONES.
I AM NOT A CRANKIER, I AM A STROKER.  I BOWL ON MOSTLY MEDIUM TO LIGHT OIL AND CARRY A 173 AVERAGE.  ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
CYNTHIA

Answer
If you know a little about what a ball can do, you can make an informed decision. Great idea.

Often if a discontinued ball can benefit a customer, I will suggest it, for the performance to cost benefit. (but it allows me to relieve my inventory of a devalued product)

Does (did) your Blade give you more a skid flip reaction? strong backend? does it provide enough control for your spares? Do you play straighter up the lane? or swing the ball?

What are you looking for from your next ball? stronger reaction then the present ball? Do you have a ball company that you prefer?

There have been a hand full of new balls introduced since the end of January. Would you like info on every ball, every level of pricing? or just mid to higher end balls? Or the current catalogs from which manufacturers?

Some of the new stuff includes:
The Roto Grip Cell targeted for heavy oil, features a Cutoplasmic Solid Reactive cover, in Turquoise, Navy and Black, finished with 2000 grit Abralon. The Nucleus Core features 2.52 RG and .056 Differential generating an expected 7  inches of track flare.

The Roto Grip Pluto a Sure Grip II Solid cover finished with 2000 grit Abralon, will be Scarlet and Charcoal. The Higher RG ball features the Orbiter II core with 2.61 RG and a .018 Diff expected to create 2” of track flare.

Lane 1 is introducing the Liberator Buzzsaw, a black cover of BUD (Black U-Dot) Urethane finished at 1000 grit. The new Liberator contains the patented, classic, Buzzsaw Diamond core, 2.53 RG.

Hammer introduces the Black Widow Bite Featuring the High Mass Bias Gas Mask Core with Flip Block and new Violent Bite Reactive coverstock.  The Black Widow Bite expands the performance offerings in the Black Widow series by offering a stronger hook motion with more aggressive backend.

A Premier Line addition from Storm, is the Gravity Shift. Storm’s new Silver Cherry and Violet colored R2X Pearl Reactive coverstock will be finished at 1500 and polished. Expect 6  inches of flare from the Shape-Lock HD core and a Cherry/Chocolate fragrance from the New Storm.

Expect a Grape fragrance from the New Storm Rapid Fire, also expected February 9th. The 1500 grit polished Purple and Sapphire Blue ball contains the Twin V core and R2S Solid Reactive cover.

Hope this little taste helps, there are many more options. Thanks for the question. Please provide a little more info and we can get targeted in a bit better. I've grabbed a few of the new balls from my blog at TheBowlingTree.blogspot.com