Expert: Chip Aki - 3/29/2006

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I have an older Storm Trauma ER that I bought through a pro shop several years ago. It was drilled by the pro shop and used for several months, during which time I fought with it constantly. While bowling at another house, the pro shop guy was watching the ball and talked to me about it. He noticed that the center of gravity mark is very laterally placed directly on top of the pin mark. He told me this was not normal.

He scaled the ball for me and found it to be extremely off weighted. I cant remember the specifics of it now but he did what he could to solve the problem but never was able to help. The main issue was that it just dies out long before it completes a hook. It's as if it spend all of it's energy before reaching the pins.

Is it worth trying to do something to help it, or is it time to simply start over with something else. The ball was suggested for me due to the very heavy oil conditions for my league at the time but it never reacted on heavy oil or light and has since been polished several different grits etc.
Answer -
A ball with that pin and cg placement does not happen often, but I would not classify it as abmormal.  Although it would limit the layouts  you could use, it should still be possible to get a decent reaction.

A ball that is considered to be pin in will read the lane a  bit sooner and is more of a control type of ball.

Where is the pin in relation to your grip center or your finger holes?  Does it have an extra hole in it?

Thanks,
Chip


Thanks for the reply. The layout is as follows. It's a right hand ball. The GC and pin are about 1.5 inches from the center of the right finger hole at about the 5 o'clock position. The mass bias mark is about 2.25 inches from the center of the thumb hole in about the 4 o'clock position. If you lay the ball on the ground so that the space in the middle between the finger and thumbs holes is straight up, there is a blind hole about 110 degrees to the right from that center. it's a large hole of about 1 inch diameter and about 2 inches deep. I know it's hard to get a visual on exactly how it's set up but that might give you a slight idea of the set up.

I'm just frustrated with it. I was doing great in my league with an old hand me down ball that wasn't even drilled for me. I figured stepping up to my own ball would help, instead my average went down from 170's to 130's and never rebounded. Due to a thumb injury I had to take some time off, but now that I am trying to get myself back into the game I am trying to decide if there is anything I can do with it to make the ball have some form of reaction to carry into the pins. Everyone that watches the ball just comments that it's as if it's biulding up energy to hook, but just as it's about to make it's break, the energy dissipates.

Thanks again for the reply, I look forward to your response.

Answer -
It may not be the layout of the ball that is the problem, but just the overall stregth of the core and coverstock.  The layout, the coverstock, and the core on this ball is designed for a heavier oil condition.  However, if it doesnt match up to your rev rate, axis tilt, and ball speed, it will use up its energy too soon, even polished, and not want to give you backend movement or hitting power.

Was this ball supposed to be an upgrade,(more hook potential) than the ball you were using?  

It is an easy mistake to make when purchasing a new ball.  We all have a tendancy to think that newer is better, but if the new doesnt fit our style, it turns into a good boat anchor.

Good luck in the future,
Chip


The ball was suggested because of the very heavy and very long oil pattern. My old ball was ok but it was just in really rough shape so I wanted something that I could grow into and use for several years. It seems as tho the more rev's and speed I put into it the worse it gets. I'm tracking in the 17.50 to 18.50 MPH range. I have yet to see how high of axis rotation I have since I couldn't find a good explanation to check it.

Personally, I just feel that I was led in the wrong direction on the ball suggestion, and the fact that it's a bit different is all leading me to problems. I'm probably going to just try out something different. I'm thinking maybe something from Storms Hot rod series would be a better fit now and something I could improve with in time. I just want something that will have some form of back end reaction.

Thanks again for the help.
Answer -
If you are looking for a ball with a lot of potential for the price, check out the Hot Rod Super Sport solid.  It is the one that smells like peach.

You may also want to look at a ball with the same characteristics as your old one, but with a stronger coverstock.

Good luck,
Chip


Personally, I don't know why I was recommended such an extreme ball. The trauma was in the master line which was probably way way too much for me at the time. I'm sure I could have done better with a less aggressive ball and a dull cover stock.

I do like the look of the super sport. It looks like a good in between ball that could do fair on the types of lanes that I see now. Since we are on the subject and you know a little about my set up, have you heard anything of the hot rod "hybrid". I'm not to sure of the duel cover stock myself.

Using the ball matching program on Storms site (which might be a bit subjective), it tends to match me to the super sports and the eraser "ragin banshee". I just don't want to make the mistake again of ending up with too much ball for my style.

Thanks again for the help, you have been great.  

Answer
The Hybrid would be a better ball for medium to dry conditions.  
I am now on Storm staff.  I just cant seem to update my profile on the Allexperts site.

I like the Hot Rod SS balls for most house conditions.  I use the high end stuff at some tournaments.  

We just got back from Corpus Christi and I used a Hot Rod Pro Stock pearl the most.

Good luck,
Chip