Expert: - 5/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello I have not been bowling for a few years now and I have older equipment the primary ball I use is a Columbia Ti Boss II pearl (Red). I like the ball it goes down the lane far I do through quite hard and have a high rev rate(try to burn the ball). I leave a few 9 pins because the ball does not deflect I was averaging around 200, but I was looking to update the equipment and I would like to know if there is a ball that is close to the same as the Ti Boss II. One other question I was told that as equipment get older it does not react the same, and I was told if I get new equipment I may leave more 9 pins because the ball will enhance that issue. It sounded funny to me but I am not sure, don't know a lot about equipment just know how to throw it.

ANSWER: Shane,
The current Wrath line from Columbia300 has a similar weightblock to the TiBoss Pearl, but without a ceramic center nugget. The stronger surface of the original Wrath or the newer Wrath High Flush will translate to a stronger move on the backend of the lane, even without the "nugget". While your Ti Boss has lost surface effect, the nugget helps downlane with angularity and strength of reaction.

Do you keep your pearl highly polished, like the original out of box finish? Today's slicker oils, a synthetic surface and your ball speed would help it push down lane and facilitate a more angular reaction. The weight block dynamics are similar (but to answer the second part of your post) you have lost much of the effect of the reactive resin material in the coverstock (from use).

A Wrath's lack of center ceramic chunk (like the TiBoss core) will change the balls reaction in your hand, so the layout and surface choice (original Wrath, High Flush or Dead Flush) will need to match up to the lane condition you bowl on. Get me more info about what kind of condition you bowl on? (I would guess a Typical House Shot, but with a higher rev rate and faster ball speed, lanes maybe very black and white or lighter giving you your downlane friction and reaction with the older ball)

Thanks for the questions. Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I try to keep the ball as polished as I can the more polished the better. Most of the lanes I bowl on are dry on outsides and more in the middle like most patterns. I stand one to two boards left of the left far left marker throw out over 3rd arrow to about the 3 to 8 board range. This is the shot most comfortable for me to shoot but I adjust if needed. I have most trouble on dry lanes I like the way the current ball works because it can get through dry heads. For me the more oil the better. The major concern I have with getting a new ball is the ball not getting far enough down the lane for me. What balls out now go the furthest down the lane. Even if the hook rating is lower that is fine I can help it hook.

Answer
Shane,
You can get into tons of mild, entry level stuff like: Ebonite Tornados, Columbia300 Scouts, Storm Hits and Brunswick Power Grooves. These three piece (Scouts, Hits) or modified three piece (the others), will go WAY down the lane. Your looking at cores like (or slightly modified from) basic plastic balls.

You can get into weak cover and stronger core balls, but drill the cores very weak, to utilize the core effects way down the lane. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the question.