Expert: - 5/10/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello.  I am a high rev, high speed two handed bowler, average 235 in league.  I have been having problems with my equipment cracking right above my middle finger.  Recently my Hy Road and Rising star have had this happen to them.  The crack forms at the top middle of my middle finger and begins to form around the left outer edge of my middle finger.  I have had to get balls plugged numerous times because of this problem and it becomes very costly especially when the balls have less than 100 games on them.  Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening as it seems to be occurring more and more on all of my equipment.  Thanks.

ANSWER: Mike,
Ball warrantees cover this problem. If a ball cracks within the warrantee period, get it replaced by the manufacturer/your pro shop guy (usually for FREE).

With all the balls that get sold a year, I'm surprized I experience so few problems. Contact the seller, identify the ball and problem. Your style may be putting specific/unique stress on your equipment, and I'm sure tha manufacturer would want to know about it. If you get stone walled by the seller, contact the manufacturer via their website or contact me again and I will direct you to the District Manager for the East Coast. Sorry for the problem, thank you for bringing it to my attention, now let's try to get it handled (better).

The two balls mentioned are the only balls you've had problems with? How are they drilled? Where is the Pin in relations to the grip of the ball?  Let me know please.

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  For the hy road, pin is drilled above and between the bridge with both both finger holes drilled outside an inch of the pin while the rising star has the same layout but the pin is within one inch of both of the finger holes.  Would the rising star not be covered by warranty because of this?  I was also in contact with my pro shop and he believed the warranty would be voided once inserts are put in.  I wasn't sure if this was true either.  I love both of these balls and get a great reaction on many sport shots, just becomes costly.  Thanks again.

ANSWER: Mike,
Your layout seems to have safe pin positions but how you roll the ball may have the track closer to your fingers (more stress in that area of the ball).

Do you know your primary Positive Axis Point? Many two handers roll the ball the same way, while others use the second hand on the ball to help alter axis rotation and tilt to create different ball rolls and reactions. Since you're having a problem with two balls drilled similarly, I'd be concerned how close your track is to the pin, CG and Mass Bias of the balls to try to determine what may be causing the cracking.

Finger grip holes don't void any warrantees, as long as manufacturers guidelines are followed for minimal bridge size and pitch angels between the two finger holes. If your driler has a decent relationship with the Storm people or their own distributor(s), one or the other should/would replace the balls. Have you had this issue with any other bowling balls?

Thanks, let me know.

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

QUESTION: From what I last remember, I would say I am around 4 3/4 left 0 vertical but this could have changed since the last time I checked.  I think I agree with you since I know my ball tracks and does clip the upper edge of my middle finger.  Should I try to alter my track in order to avoid this problem?  I would definitely work on it but am not sure completely how to go about it.  I did have the problem with two other balls in the last year or so.  They were the Brunswick Copperhead and Brunswick Ultra zone.  I actually went to practice earlier today and pulled out my old 14lbs Storm 2fast and found that the track is much farther away than all of my previous balls of 15lbs.  I was wondering if this may have some effect on what has been going on.  Thanks again for the great information.

Answer
Mike,
The core position (location of the pin) is potentially pulling the track to the finger holes. You may want to use a different layout so the track doesn't hit the finger holes. Changing your delivery to accomadate the ball is a cart before the horse scenario. You should have the layouts encourage the ball to do what you need, not try to change your roll to avoid the holes.

What kind of layout does the Storm 2Fast have? Do you roll it different because of the weight?

If you're 4 3/4 over your pin is probably about 5 inches from your axis, but if the first few flares hit the fingers the vertical axis is probably NOT 0. See if you can put a piece of tape on the axis and verify where it is off your hand (do it on a couple balls to verify, different layouts will influence the PAP).