Expert: Susie Minshew - 11/20/2009

Question
I bowl in a league and there are 1 or 2 bowlers who drop their bowl on the approach before they get to the foul line.  Is this right or wrong?  I always thought that it was not legal to do this.

Thanks. :)

Answer
Hi, Judy!

There are numerous reasons that people lay the ball down behind the foul line. It is not illegal.

Here are some of the reasons: Too much reverse pitch in the thumbhole (very common); a thumbhole that is too big; breaking the wrist back as the ball is delivered; incorrect timing; doing it on purpose to eliminate skid (unlikely).

The most common reason is the first. It is a harbinger of a poorly fit ball.

Susie