Expert: Chip Aki - 6/9/2006

Question
I had my thumb hole drilled at my local pro shop. When I first got the ball, the hole felt a little loose, but as my thumb swelled up, it felt ok (and even a little tight). I like to have a tight thumb,  but it started to feel a little too tight. I threw the ball again in about my fifth game that night, and my thumb stuck in the ball. I ended up falling down and my ball going about 6 feet in the air. I saw something once, it was this little plastic tube that looked like a finger insert except for the thumb. This tube you wore on your thumb and it would always allow the ball to come off fine. I cant find it again and I was wondering what it was called? I dont have a thumb insert or thumb slug in my ball, would putting one in help me? Do you have any ideas on what I could do to stop this from happening? Thank You.

Answer
I am not sure if they make that tube anymore.  You can use a thumb insert instead.  By forcing your thumb into it, it will help control the swelling.
A urethane thumb slug installed into the ball may help.  It is a smoother and slicker material than the bowling ball.  
If you dont want to use the slug, you can apply a very small amount of chapstick to  your thumb when you start sticking.  You would apply it to where your thumb is grabbing.  Dont use too much though.

Good luck,
Chip