Adult ball Vs. kids Balls

[Speedbum99]

Ok...going to get my kid a ball for Xmas. I hit the sites and check out the KIDS BALLS section (of different sites) and couldn't really find any I know she would like. Under another section (mid priced balls) I found several balls she might like, available in her weight size (8lbs)..but my question is..what is it that makes one 8lbs ball qualify as a "kids" ball and not another..or is the 8lbs ball in the "MID-Priced" balls ok for a 9 y.o?

Help?

[Constantine]

I don't know which site(s) you looked at, and you didn't mention the ball names, but I'll take a shot at this anyway...

I don't know of any company that makes anything but polyester equipment in an 8lb ball.  And at 8lbs, all bowling balls will have the same pancake core inside them.  Unless you've found an anomaly, I'd say pick any ball you like based on color, price, whatever.

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Good luck & good bowling

[Speedbum99]

I appreciate the feedback...how about drilling protection??? Worth it?

[MI 2 AZ]

What do you mean by drilling protection?
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

[Speedbum99]

If your new ball cracks when it's drilled by a pro shop, bowling.com will replace your ball free of charge! Manufacturers' warranties typically do not cover for cracking during drilling and drillers are not held responsible for their mistakes or defects in the ball.

*Ball must be purchased from bowling.com
*Ball must be drilled within 10 days of receipt
*Protection must be purchased before ball is drilled
*Ball must be returned for inspection and the receipt for drilling charges must be included
*We pay freight back to you
*Protection may not be applied to international orders

Drilling protection...worth it or not?

[MTFD24]

Since you are looking into a kid's ball I may as well ad my 2 cents for you.

Most "kid's" balls are as stated above, a plastic ball with a pancake weight block, some with a cartoon character engraved, or just multi colored. The cost of these balls are also usually on the low end.

Considering that you can get most of these balls at our local pro shops for between $45 to $65 (which includes fitting, drilling, and any future minor adjustments such as enlarging the holes free), you may just be better off utilizing the local shop. If you add up the cost of the ball (VERY low profit margins on these) shipping, then add the drilling & fitting to your internet purchase, it will probably be cheaper buying locally.

On higher end purchases you can often save money on the internet purchases, but it probably will not be cheaper for a kid's ball.

Your local shop should be glad to oder any ball you desire, and often will have a ball/bag combo deal for kids as well.

Best of luck, and happy bowling with yout kid.
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The Older We Get, The Better We Were
www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games

[MI 2 AZ]

I will have to let others comment on this one.  I have had balls drilled for over 30 years and do not remember ever having a ball crack during drilling, so I am not sure of what the procedure would be for something like that.  

I have had two balls that cracked out long after drilling, one about three years later and that one I just deposited into the trashcan.  The other, a Danger Zone, was just under a year later so I returned it to the proshop and got a new one from Brunswick.  At that time their warranty covered that but I dont know what the warranty would cover nowadays.

I guess I always assumed that the manufacturers warranty covered defects for one year or something like that.
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

[JohnP]

Speedbum99 -- I have been drilling balls for almost a year and have drilled probably 30 - 40 "kids balls".  I've not had a single one break.  I agree with MTFD24; buy the ball from the pro shop at the bowling center you frequent.  I can't speak for that pro shop, but if a ball cracked while I was drilling it, I would go back to the distributor to get a replacement.  If they wouldn't replace it (they would) I would replace it myself, so you would buy from me in the future.  I also sand out holes as the kids grow at no charge.  --  JohnP