Expert: Chip Aki - 3/16/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Every time I buy a new ball, I dread getting it drilled.  The owner drills the ball for me as he is the only one around our area.  Seems to do a great job for everyone, and works with me with alot of patience.  I have only been serious bowling for about 4 years now and have been bowling on 4 leagues plus practise.  Out of the 10 balls that I have bought during this time, I always end of with a sore thumb or huge calous during the course of throwing a ball.  We try doing different things to delete the problems, but seems to change one thing and thent create a new one. My question is: How do I figure out the correct fit for my ball so my thumb won't get sore? I would love to bowl without worrying about my thumb after 3 games or after bowling a week. I'm going to a tourament this weekend and dread qualifing due to the fact that I know my thumb won't beable to handle 12 games.  Please, help me.
Thanks for your time on this matter.
Sincerely,
Wanda

Answer -
You should not get a sore thumb or callous, but I cant diagnos this online.

Where do you live?  Maybe I can find someone near you that can help.  This is not a sport where no pain, no gain is a good thing.

Where are you getting the callous and pain at?

Chip

Reply:
To start with I live in Gillette, Wyoming. The last 3 balls (numbered 3,2,1)drilled have went from 3) rubbing terrible on the right side of my thumb (inside side), to the 2)left top of my thumb (right above the thumb nail)plus making it really sore and now 1)it is on the top (above the thumb nail) across rubbing and making it really sore.  The others have made sores at the knuckle area and callous's.  Ball 2 we change the pitch and went alot of reverse due to the way the tip of my thumb bends up. I like the feel of this ball but the callous is terrible and gets sore after awhile, plus I was always have to trim the callous on my thumb to fit in the ball. Ball 1, my lastest is just making it really sore. We change the pitch back cause the Mike (driller) said my thumb didn't like the reverse pitch. When the Mike see's me coming, I think he's going to probably start running soon.  I need help with what to look for and what how it should feel. I know the basics, not sloppy, not tight...but what else should I look for? I'm hoping someone can help me cause I know you shouldn't have these problems, and I feel really terrible for always having mike refit or taking up his time when I'm at a lost of what needs to happen.
Sorry for making this so long, but I figure the more you know the better you may beable to help.
I really do appreciate you taking the time to help.
Sincerely,
Wanda  

Answer
A couple of things.  Do you know what your span is?  Do you use a round or oval thumb hole?

Too much reverse, too long of a span, to big of a thumb hole can cause the problem that you are having.  You should never have to go through what you have to to bowl.

The only thing I can do is have you check your span.  Place your thumb in the hole and lay your fingers over your finger holes.  Where does the edge of the finger holes, closest to the thumb hole, cross your fingers?

Thanks,
Chip