Expert: - 12/9/2007

Question
I have a couple different questions to ask.  Lets start out with the sale prices, i have a columbia 300 reaction rev, track sensor/c green, and a bvp goliath, that i wanted to sell seeing that i just got the columbia rival.  What would u say each is worth.  The second question i have is that my girlfriend is getting a used amf titan that hooks harder than her black widow, i was thinking about buying the black widow off of her.  But i need to know what is the best way to sweat the ball.  I was thinking about putting it infront of a space heater, but i was told to bake it in my oven, which of the 2 is the best way

                thx michael  

Answer
Used balls are worth what someone will pay. Newer balls, because they have a market value have greater used value. There is no real established value (no Kelly Blue Book for Balls), unless someone sees them in use and desires the reaction they see. Unfortunately, many bowlers have bought what a bowler can do to a ball, not what the ball can do.

Figure also, that a ball may need to be completely plugged, layout changed, and redrilled, adding cost for the end purchaser. Would your local ball driller be willing to sell your stuff for you? The store gets a plug and drill, you make some too.

So, a ball must fit what you need on the lane. Balls are tools. If you DON'T need hook and you buy a hooking ball, you suffer trying to use your new toy. Don't buy a toy buy a tool.

My favorite bowling quote: "You can't out execute bad ball reaction".

What do your current balls do? Which hooks the most? Where does the Rival fit? Where would the Widow fit into what you need? What do you average and how often do you bowl?

In a recent industry newsletter, Brunswick acknowledges the benefit of heating a ball (in equipment made for that purpose). The other manufacturers would tell you that heating a ball changes the coverstock and core materials at different rates, potentially damaging the ball (core separation). They would also point out, it voids the warrantee.

Neither heat source can be controlled well enough.  Smack the person who told you to bake the ball. The oven is a big No-NO (urban legend). I had one guy bring in a ball with grill marks on it.

Try hot water(120-140 degrees), in a big bucket (an accepted option by most manufacturers). Keep siphoning off the oil till there is little or none left on the surface of the water. Then you're done. Let the ball air dry (grip holes down). Careful, glue for grips could fail. Tape will be messed up, etc.

Or try the Hook Again System from Ebonite, a dry application which draws oil out of the cover of a ball. You don't chance irreparable damage to your equipment.

Good luck with your used ball lot. Enjoy the holidays.