Expert: Chip Aki - 5/21/2004

Question
I'VE BEEN BOWLING FOR 30 YEARS, I'M 48 YEARS OLD AND A 220 AVE. THE PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THE WITH MY THUMB PITCHES. I HAVE A TENDON PROBLEM WITH MY HAND AND HAD TO DRILL A LITTLE FINGER HOLE TO EASE THE PRESSURE ON THE REST OF MY HAND. IN OTHER WORDS I HAVE 3 FINGERS HOLES. WHEN I WAS IN MY PRIME I HAD A PROBLEM WITH GETTING OUT OF THE BALL TO SOON, SO I WENT AWAY ON MY THUMB PITCH TO KEEP ME IN THE BALL. I NO LONGER WHERE A WRIST DEVICE (MONGOOSE) I WORE FOR 15 YEARS. WE TRIED GOING A 1/2" UNDER TOWARDS PALM, IT WORKED FOR A WHILE NOW I HANG UP TO MUCH. THERE IS A FINE LINE WITH MY THUMB FEEL, I GET OUT TO SOON OR I HANG AND GET TO MUCH LOFT.
(HELP). I HAVE USED MOST COMMON PITCHES LIKE 1/8 PALM AND VARIOUS REVERSE PITCHES. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DAN  

Answer
What span are you using now?  Usually thumb pitches are directly related to lenght of span.  Flexibility has to be taken into account.  There are also things in your physical game, such as timing, wrist position, and body tilt.  All of these can cause squeezing and release problems.

You may also have to look at the thumb hole size or shape.

This type of problem really need to be seen in order to be fixed.  If you give me your spans, I can make a suggestion or two.

Good luck,
Chip

Where do you live?  I may be able to reccommend someone for you to see.