Author Topic: Cracked ball is it league legal? (Read 11697 times)

Red-Lake-83 · « **on:** November 05, 2009, 07:26:04 AM »

The topic is pretty strait foward one of our league members has a ball that is cracked a 1/4 inch all the way around. But other than the rule about a uniform surface on a ball or does this even apply? Are there any other rules we can use to stop him from using it! I have seen a ball split in half and jam the return badly enough so that the player was charged $100.00 for repairs. I would like to handle this at the league level because that other bowler was suspended from the house for not paying.

I would rather see this one spend the money on a new ball! But he says that if we can't show him in the rules then he will keep using it. I even offered him one of my older balls and he turned it down go figure.

I guess as a last resort we will have to get the house involved.

Hogsharley · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:40:02 PM »

Right from the USBC rule book.

quote:
Can I use a ball with a crack in it?
If a crack is located within your track area, it is not permitted for use during USBC certified
competition. A crack is defined as a A narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth
usually occurring from some breaking or parting

The crack is in the track area so it's illegal. Maybe the president should give this guy the heads up before he starts a scene at league.
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3 holes of fun!!

Buzzhead · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:43:08 PM »

Why would the house not care enough about their investment enough to stop this from even being a league issue???

Thats the real question here in my simple mind!
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FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?

?? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
Member of the FOS, if there happens to be a 9 pin standing just toss a saw and cut it down~~!

sepcfhj0i9f56jhtro · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:51:59 PM »

I don't see how the ball would even roll with that type of crack. The bridge between my finger holes cracked, so I am having that plugged but this sounds like the ball would not even be usable.

JessN16 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2009, 11:10:44 PM »

quote:
quote:
USBC rules it says that a ball must be free of all divots, indentations and other marks not caused by normal use.

A crack all the way around the surface of the ball is not from "normal use" and he is in violation of USBC rules by using a ball that can damage the lane surface, as he's most likely rolling over the cracks.

"Normal use" of a bowling ball will cause nicks, and scratches. These can lead to stress fractures that can migrate all the way around the ball. "Normal use" of a ball is to roll it down the lane, and have it knock down pins. Hopefully the pin setter doesn't try to eat the ball in the process of returning it.

Coverstocks do crack. I have had one split in two while stored on the rack in the basement. The ball was never abused.

This ball you are referring to was probably not 'abused' at any time in it's lifetime. But you state that it must have been, because it is cracked.

I don't see a violation of the USBC rules. Common sense rules, yes. USBC, no.
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________________________________________________
There is more to bowling than just knocking down pins.

There's a difference between a cut or a scratch and an actual crack. I believe the OP is talking about a crack which actually threatens to split the ball in two at some point.

If so, that's definitely illegal. The ball is probably out of round, or at the very least would flunk the circumference limit test due to there being a gap in the coverstock.

There's also the issue of lane damage (which is what this rule was probably designed to prevent). You roll a cracked ball across the lane surface a few times and you run the risk of gouging the lane (particularly if it's old wood).

Jess

CHawk15 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:24:10 AM »

Is this topic some kind of joke ? You have got to be kidding me, this shouldn't even be a discussion because of the damage a cracked ball can do to the lane surface. Just tell the guy at the desk and the league president and let them handle it. I'm not going to waste the time to look this up in the USBC rulebook, but the house will force him not to use that ball, period.

Red-Lake-83 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:34:53 PM »

Well first of all thanks for all the replies. So here's an update as of last night. The point was brought up to our wonderful league president(mr.nonconfrontaional)and he said he would look it up. In the mean time again said player told him he could not afford another ball. Well the pres could not find the as he put it supposed rule in the handbook so he allowed him to go ahead and use it anyways!! Another player found it and showed him but I guess he felt sorry for the guy and said he did not see any harm in him using it!

Well next week since the league will not handle it we will turn it over to the manager of the house. Our laneman said he would not do it because the guy with the ball is kind of confrontaional.

JessN16 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2009, 08:00:22 PM »

quote:
Well first of all thanks for all the replies. So here's an update as of last night. The point was brought up to our wonderful league president(mr.nonconfrontaional)and he said he would look it up. In the mean time again said player told him he could not afford another ball. Well the pres could not find the as he put it supposed rule in the handbook so he allowed him to go ahead and use it anyways!! Another player found it and showed him but I guess he felt sorry for the guy and said he did not see any harm in him using it!

Well next week since the league will not handle it we will turn it over to the manager of the house. Our laneman said he would not do it because the guy with the ball is kind of confrontaional.

lol...this is so not surprising. Most of the time these days your league officials get elected because they're the friendly guy no one dislikes. Well, when it comes time to actually do something, they won't do it. Sergeants-at-arms are about the same way. It's a freakin' disease.

Jess

no300tj · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:20:29 AM »

Email USBC. Someone there can answer this question.
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whoever said size doesn't matter never had trouble with a thumbhole

loves2bowl · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:33:09 AM »

i work at a bowling center and when someone throws a ball wit a cracked surface it ruins the lanes and also other machine parts.......he probally left his ball in the cold and it cracked he will learn when he either gets kicked out or has to pay for damages and plus a new ball

ecc0_9879 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:57:20 AM »

it is simple i am sure there are 20guys with used balls willing to sell them for 25-40 bucks and if he is lucky someone might have one that is an easy alteration to fit him open up a thumb or change some finger grips add a slug. I have sold 10 to 12 balls to locals and they are all very happy with them. makes a simple decision newer equipment with a cover that wont lose hittingpower because of a crack and no more complaining he is using illegal equipment

Author Topic: Cracked ball is it league legal? (Read 11697 times)

Red-Lake-83

Cracked ball is it league legal?

Hogsharley

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

Buzzhead

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

sepcfhj0i9f56jhtro

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

JessN16

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

CHawk15

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

Red-Lake-83

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

JessN16

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

no300tj

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

loves2bowl

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?

ecc0_9879

Re: Cracked ball is it league legal?