AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 20 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator (Manager/General Manager), Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Certified, IBPSIA "On Lanes" Certified, 2 Time Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors and Past Secretary/Treasurer, Small Shop columnist "Pro Shop Operator" Magazine, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" magazine, editor of IBPSIA NET NEWS weekly e-newsletter, editor of "The Bowling Tree" blog and webmaster of www.revbowl.com.
Experience 20 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst. Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member (18 years), 2 time member of IBPSIA Board of Directors, former Secretary/Treasurer.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Technically Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance (YABA) and the National Bowling Council (NBC) as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
Question QUESTION: I currently throw a strait ball but I'm going to be getting a new ball soon and I'd like to throw a hook. Are there going to be any changes to my release? I stand at the far left, about where the last dot is on the lane, will I have to change where I position myself?
I'm also changing from a 16 pound ball because it's a bit too heavy and causes me to grip it too tight. It's a ball that wasn't specialized for me but fits ok. What can I expect from a lighter ball on the lanes?
I'd like to get a Reactive Resin ball with flexible grips, how much should I expect to pay?
ANSWER: Dan,
Are there going to be any changes to my release? Yes, or the ball won't hook. You will need to make the changes. A ball can influence how you roll, but it's not an automatic thing.
I stand at the far left, about where the last dot is on the lane, will I have to change where I position myself? Depends on what you learn to do.
I'm also changing from a 16 pound ball because it's a bit too heavy and causes me to grip it too tight. If it doesn't fit you will have to grip it. Does the weight compliment your game?
What can I expect from a lighter ball on the lanes? You very likely will throw harder, hopefully a correct fit will have you NOT GRIP.
I'd like to get a Reactive Resin ball with flexible grips, how much should I expect to pay? You want to walk into a place and dictate everything about your purchase. Great idea, but you know (and I know) NOTHING about what you need. Let the ball driller help you.
Why are you getting reactive resin? Why grips?
Some thoughts: Ball weight is dictated by your size (weight and athleticism), surface is dictated by lane conditions and ball speed, how you roll the ball is influenced by your coach or someone with some understanding of the sport and what you want to do.
Cost: a basic (plastic) ball runs around $65-70, entry level performance ball around $90-100, mid price or higher is more but more ball doesn't necessarily help if you can't control it. And since your rolling straight why pay $200-250+ and get a straight ball.
Lastly, the fit is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT. You pay more to people that know what they're doing. Interview them. Explain what you want and CHALLENGE them to provide it. Don't just get a ball, require the driller to GUARANTEE you get what you want. They will be more invested in making it happen. Cheap drillers and mass merchants (big sports stores) sell to the naive. You buy cheap (typically) you get balls that don't fit WELL, and don't perform WELL. Thanks for the questions. Good luck and good bowling.
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QUESTION: The weight doesn't compliment my game, I just got the ball from a family member since he was moving to a new ball he gave me the one I currently use. I feel the weight is an issue because in order to keep it from dropping I have to grip tightly. I'm about 165 pounds and pretty thin, throwing a 16 pound ball is a workout for me.
I'm thinking of getting Reacitve Resin because I'd like more explosiveness and from what I've seen and read that's what it can give me. I'm not sure about the grips, I thought they'd give me a better feeling but that may be something I have to try out for myself.
Answer Dan,
Fit will help, but a 15 probably will work fine.
Resin provides some tackiness and friction, it does help with the explosiveness, but you need to create the reaction with your delivery.
Grips can make the feel more comfortable, but the potential help (for lift) wears out in 60-75 games (and they should be changed periodically).
