Expert: Chip Aki - 2/3/2005

Question
My son has a Columbia Wired with an extra hole drilled to get the side weight to zero.  When we bought the ball, he was throwing slow and the ball over-reacted.  When the ball driller took the side weight to zero, my son could control the ball.  Over time, my son's ball speed has increased and now his ball is not hooking very much.  Can we have side weight added back to the ball to get the ball to finish harder?

Answer
You can have the extra hole plugged, but it wont make a big difference in ball reaction.  It would be a very small percentage increase.  Talk to the ball driller and see what the balance difference would be.  The hole may be plugged and moved to add some differential, and that would help.

You may also consider trying a dull finish on the ball if his speed has increased.

Good luck,
Chip