Author Topic: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights (Read 10585 times)

300x10 · « **on:** September 12, 2016, 07:22:32 AM »

Just tossing this out there to get a idea on how to get this addressed. Not saying it is happening,but what procedures should one take if there are illegal balls in your league.

SG17 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2016, 07:39:12 AM »

if there are illegal equipment being used (any reason, not just static weights) you should start with the League officers and Local Association. If they choose to not deal with it, then elevate to the state level. If state also refuses, then your last hope is the national level.

Hopefully the League and local association takes care of the issue; if not, you can only hope as you elevate that the higher tiers put enough pressure on the lower level for action to occur.

in your example, I wouldn't count on it being addressed by the association.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2016, 07:39:39 AM »

If you are worried about balls with illegal static weights, then I would worry about something else. It is near impossible (outside of some extreme cases) to look at a ball and think it is out of spec. And if you did call someone out on it, you come across as petty. And lastly, there isn't any negligible benefit from having a ball with static weights outside the spec.

So in a nutshell, don't worry about it and just bowl.

Bowler19525 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2016, 08:14:09 AM »

Ideally, there should never be a ball that is illegal due to static weight [unless it was drilled at home by someone who couldn't properly weigh it out.] In a perfect world, PSO's shouldn't be letting a ball out of their shop knowing it is illegal. Having said that, I know for a fact this isn't the case. I have had PSO's say to me "This ball is currently illegal, but throw a few games with it, see how it reacts, and come back some time and tell me what you think and we will put the proper balance hole in it." I immediately request for the ball to be made legal before I leave the shop.

As others have said, it isn't worth protesting a seemingly illegal ball. The ball doesn't throw itself, nor is one ball out of 6-10 or more balls being used at any given time on a pair the reason an entire team wins or loses.

milorafferty · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2016, 09:10:34 AM »

For 99% of bowlers, you can't make any difference with static weights anyway, although USBC sure acts like it does.

It's funny to see spare balls not passing at the scales, yet I seem to see it every year at the Open. USBC often seems to put their focus on being bureaucrats, rather than trying to actually promote bowling.

squirrelywrath1 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2016, 09:45:05 AM »

I've had one local high profile guy give me a boatload of crap about me throwing illegal equipment. Actually confronted me when I was OPEN bowling!

Really? So what? I struggle to average better than 180 on a house shot.... but some people accuse me of cheating anyway because of illegal static weights on the ball. Taking my thumb out is about the only way I can hook the ball. I don't bowl tournaments, so please let me just have some fun, OK?

This goes back to the thumb/no thumb rule that was widely discussed here couple years ago. I have traditional thumbholes drilled, but mostly don't use them. Under the rule that thumbhole is my new weighthole and the grip center is the middle of the bridge. EVERYTHING I owned at the time was declared illegal to throw no thumb under that rule. But, the league I bowl in voted not to enforce it.

Nevertheless, some folk outside of the league choose to give me garbage about it.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2016, 10:14:15 AM »

Quote from: Bowler19525 on September 12, 2016, 08:14:09 AM

Ideally, there should never be a ball that is illegal due to static weight [unless it was drilled at home by someone who couldn't properly weigh it out.] In a perfect world, PSO's shouldn't be letting a ball out of their shop knowing it is illegal. Having said that, I know for a fact this isn't the case. I have had PSO's say to me "This ball is currently illegal, but throw a few games with it, see how it reacts, and come back some time and tell me what you think and we will put the proper balance hole in it." I immediately request for the ball to be made legal before I leave the shop.

As others have said, it isn't worth protesting a seemingly illegal ball. The ball doesn't throw itself, nor is one ball out of 6-10 or more balls being used at any given time on a pair the reason an entire team wins or loses.

It is unfortunate you feel your ball MUST be statically legal when you get it. Current drilling techniques take advantage of balance holes to fine tune the ball. To do this, balls are drilled with more positive side weight to facilitate the addition of the balance hole. It isn't an exact science where the ball comes out with 0.99 ounces of side weight. Sometimes it is 1.1 ounces or even higher.

I would argue your driller is doing you a favor by letting you know in advance it is illegal. You should have just thrown the ball some in open play/practice and let him know your thoughts. If you loved it he could drill a hole to minimize any effect. If you wanted a change, he could do that also.

But you are entitled to your opinion. I would just advise you to tell your PSO of your desires in advance next time.

cory867 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2016, 11:29:12 AM »

Quote from: spmcgivern on September 12, 2016, 10:14:15 AM

Quote from: Bowler19525 on September 12, 2016, 08:14:09 AM
Ideally, there should never be a ball that is illegal due to static weight [unless it was drilled at home by someone who couldn't properly weigh it out.] In a perfect world, PSO's shouldn't be letting a ball out of their shop knowing it is illegal. Having said that, I know for a fact this isn't the case. I have had PSO's say to me "This ball is currently illegal, but throw a few games with it, see how it reacts, and come back some time and tell me what you think and we will put the proper balance hole in it." I immediately request for the ball to be made legal before I leave the shop.

As others have said, it isn't worth protesting a seemingly illegal ball. The ball doesn't throw itself, nor is one ball out of 6-10 or more balls being used at any given time on a pair the reason an entire team wins or loses.

It is unfortunate you feel your ball MUST be statically legal when you get it. Current drilling techniques take advantage of balance holes to fine tune the ball. To do this, balls are drilled with more positive side weight to facilitate the addition of the balance hole. It isn't an exact science where the ball comes out with 0.99 ounces of side weight. Sometimes it is 1.1 ounces or even higher.

I would argue your driller is doing you a favor by letting you know in advance it is illegal. You should have just thrown the ball some in open play/practice and let him know your thoughts. If you loved it he could drill a hole to minimize any effect. If you wanted a change, he could do that also.

But you are entitled to your opinion. I would just advise you to tell your PSO of your desires in advance next time.

I drill bowling balls and what you (spmcgivern) are saying is incorrect. After a drill is complete it MUST comply with USBC rules which means that it MUST be within the 1 oz of side to side and finger to thumb weight. If it does not do that the ball is illegal and the driller should not let the ball leave the shop.

Static weights in today's balls means very little. I always make sure a ball has no more than .75 oz of either weight to make sure that the ball passes at USBC tournament.

Impending Doom · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2016, 11:40:19 AM »

Static weight rules are about as stupid as stupid can be, unless we're all going back to using pancake weight blocks.

2handedvolcano · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2016, 12:31:17 PM »

What ball models are common to have this so I can look at my league?

spmcgivern · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2016, 12:46:11 PM »

Quote from: cory867 on September 12, 2016, 11:29:12 AM

I drill bowling balls and what you (spmcgivern) are saying is incorrect. After a drill is complete it MUST comply with USBC rules which means that it MUST be within the 1 oz of side to side and finger to thumb weight. If it does not do that the ball is illegal and the driller should not let the ball leave the shop.

Static weights in today's balls means very little. I always make sure a ball has no more than .75 oz of either weight to make sure that the ball passes at USBC tournament.

Cory, I understand the rule. And I agree a PSO shouldn't allow a bowler to use an illegal ball if they can prevent that from happening.

But can I ask what do you do if the bowler wants the option of adding a balance hole? Do you drill it up with the CG in the middle of the grip to make sure you do not exceed 1 oz? Or do you shift the CG in the direction you would add the balance hole? If you shift the CG, then you have the chance to exceed 1 oz.

So let's say you have shifted the CG and it comes out just barely over 1 oz. Do you add the balance hole before the bowler has had a chance to throw the ball to ensure the balance hole is where the customer wants it? Or do you give him a chance to throw the ball? Notifying the customer of the circumstances and allowing him/her to throw the ball (in practice, not in sanctioned competition) allows them to be responsible for whatever happens if they disregard your notification. But it also allows them to tell you what changes they want to the reaction.

If you drilled a P2 hole in my ball because the ball was "illegal" before I had a chance to test it out, I would go elsewhere from that point on. Especially since I make it known what I am looking for in my drilled ball. I understand the rules, but I also understand the large effect a properly placed balance hole has on the finished product.

cory867 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:07:13 PM »

Quote from: spmcgivern on September 12, 2016, 12:46:11 PM

Quote from: cory867 on September 12, 2016, 11:29:12 AM
I drill bowling balls and what you (spmcgivern) are saying is incorrect. After a drill is complete it MUST comply with USBC rules which means that it MUST be within the 1 oz of side to side and finger to thumb weight. If it does not do that the ball is illegal and the driller should not let the ball leave the shop.

Static weights in today's balls means very little. I always make sure a ball has no more than .75 oz of either weight to make sure that the ball passes at USBC tournament.

Cory, I understand the rule. And I agree a PSO shouldn't allow a bowler to use an illegal ball if they can prevent that from happening.

But can I ask what do you do if the bowler wants the option of adding a balance hole? Do you drill it up with the CG in the middle of the grip to make sure you do not exceed 1 oz? Or do you shift the CG in the direction you would add the balance hole? If you shift the CG, then you have the chance to exceed 1 oz.

So let's say you have shifted the CG and it comes out just barely over 1 oz. Do you add the balance hole before the bowler has had a chance to throw the ball to ensure the balance hole is where the customer wants it? Or do you give him a chance to throw the ball? Notifying the customer of the circumstances and allowing him/her to throw the ball (in practice, not in sanctioned competition) allows them to be responsible for whatever happens if they disregard your notification. But it also allows them to tell you what changes they want to the reaction.

If you drilled a P2 hole in my ball because the ball was "illegal" before I had a chance to test it out, I would go elsewhere from that point on. Especially since I make it known what I am looking for in my drilled ball. I understand the rules, but I also understand the large effect a properly placed balance hole has on the finished product.

I will always add a balance hole if it does not weigh out properly. The ball will not leave because if he/she gets busted at a tournament they will surely tell everyone where the ball was drilled. If they want to throw it before the hole goes in we go right out to the lanes and do it then and there. NO EXCEPTIONS.

milorafferty · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:15:50 PM »

Wow. I know where I wouldn't be getting a ball drilled.

Impending Doom · « **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:23:16 PM »

Back in the day, I had a Threat that was super snappy off the spot. Had 7/8 side, so I wanted to put a crater on the pap. I took it to 3/4 negative, so I removed over an ounce and a half. The ounce and a half didn't make a difference. The void I put in the core made a difference.

Now, I always weighed out balls before I drilled them. If I didn't want a hole, I would keep it under an ounce, so I could drill the ring deeper in case of "mistakes". If the desired reaction required an extra hole, I went big. I had a guy move up from a Cougar to a V2, and he wanted HOOK! So I rev leveraged it, put an inch hole at p3, and dude freaked out. "WHY DOES MY BALL HAVE 4 HOLES? NO ONE ELSES BALL HAS 4 HOLES!"

ignitebowling · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2016, 04:27:49 PM »

If a ball is believed illegal on static weight you can notify a league officer to have the ball checked. If illegal it cannot be used in league or tournament play again till it is fixed.

If after this the bowler continues to use the illegal ball then they are subject to forfeit of scores.

It's listed in USBC rules.

Author Topic: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights (Read 10585 times)

300x10

Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

SG17

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

spmcgivern

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

Bowler19525

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

milorafferty

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

squirrelywrath1

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

spmcgivern

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

cory867

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

Impending Doom

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

2handedvolcano

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

spmcgivern

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

cory867

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

milorafferty

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

Impending Doom

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights

ignitebowling

Re: Illegal Bowling Ball Static Weights