Expert: Chip Aki - 9/4/2009

Question
Hi chip.  I throw a secret agent very similar to the way norm duke threw it in last year's Denny's world championship against WRW. The only difference is that I don't get quite the backend movement that he does, most often coming in thin and leaving a ten pin. On a standard house pattern (relatively oily), do you think a switch to virtual energy(or gravity) will give me that extra punch I need to come in higher?

Answer
What surface do you have on the secret agent you are using?  If it is polished, I would suggest dulling the surface of the ball.  Use a 2000 abralon pad.  If the lack of reaction is due to too much oil, this will help.
You do not say what kind of ball speed you have.  I would probably suggest the virtual energy unless you have a high ball speed.  This ball is much stronger than your agent and has a very versatile coverstock that can be fine tuned for the condition that you bowl on.

Good luck,
Chip