Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 10/27/2009

Question
I have heard that you can only have a ball plugged and re-drilled twice and still be legal to use for USBC play.  I have talked to a couple of other people who have heard of no such limitation.  Are the any rules on how many times a ball can be plugged and re-drilled and still be used for leagues and other USBC competition.

Answer
Lee,
There are no rules restricting plugging and re-drilling, but when a ball starts getting to small it is illegal. When a weightblock has been drilled into a bunch it lacks the heft to effect the ball as it did new (or newer).

PBA rules precluded re-drilled balls, once upon a time, but if a ball is statically legal and within parameters for size, and registered with the PBA, they have relaxed restrictions dramatically too.

You may have come across a ball seller that would rather sell and drill rather than plug and re-drill. I'd be interested where they came up with that one, as USBC rule book is online and searchable (unless something's changed very very recently!). Thanks for the question. Good luck and good bowling.