-
FEATURES:
- Color: Full Spectrum All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Biohazard Core
- Veneer: Level 5 Reactive Pearl
- Surface: 800 Abranet, 1000 Abralon, 2000 Abralon, 2000 Abralon with PowerHouse Factory Finish Polish
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- RG: 2.53
- Diff: .045
- Hook Rating: 19 (Finish-2, Cover-10, Core-7)
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium Oil
- Description: Lookout for this new one! Epidemic is the craziest look- ing performance ball ever produced! With a new Level 5 Reactive Pearl coverstock in our Full Spectrum color, the Epidemic is going to turn heads. Our new core compo- nent transfers a ton of energy to the pins, and this ball comes with a devastating backend movement. Have you caught the Epidemic yet?
-
LANE CONDITION
Length: 41 ft
Volume: Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): USBC Open
Likes: Clean through front part of lane and makes strong midlane and backend motion. Drilled ball 50 x 5 x 0, knocked cover down very lightly to break shine and ball reacted very well. This ball is great for when your bench mark ball is checking up too early, the Epidemic will clear the front and give you great recovery in the back. This ball is perfect when my Infection is burning up too quick and my Grape Vibe is not enough.
Dislikes: Out of box too shiny for higher Volume
Edited on 6/8/2011 at 1:16 PM
-
Comments:
I love the Infection and was curious about this ball when the Mystery Ball was sent out to a few lucky pro shops. I was lucky to see this ball in motion before I received my ball & I liked the movement that I saw. This ball is much cleaner (about 2 feet longer) through the fronts than the Infection with the strong midlane & backend motion than the Infection had. I drilled this ball exactly like my Infection (pin down - 5 5/8 x 60 x 4 1/2) that I love dearly to see the difference between the two balls. I wanted to have a ball when my Infection was too strong and to fill a gap in my arsenal at the time. The Epidemic fills that void when the Midnight Vibe was not strong enough in the backends. This ball matches up well in the current Hammer product line and with the vibriant colors it displays, I think it will be a great looking ball on the shelf as well as on the lanes! This ball will match up with all various styles of bowlers and is a perfect compliment to the Infection after the fresh & when you need to get in and boom the ball on the broken down lane patterns.
Lane Conditions:
USBC Nationals (41') at South Point bowling center
THS (39' - South Point & Gold Coast in Las Vegas, NV) - I will be bowling on more patterns in the near future (Megabucks) and will follow up with another review at a later date
Drill Pattern:
5 5/8" x 60 x 4 1/2" pin buffer
Bowler Specs:
Rev Rate: 475
Ball Speed: 19-21 mph
PAP: 5" x 1" up
Pictures:
Mike "Plowboy" Thompson
Hammer Amateur Staff Member
"Nothing Hits Like a Hammer!"
A proud member of the Red Sox Nation!!
-
LANE CONDITION
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): 41 ft
Likes:If you all liked the Plague and Infection you will love this ball. The Epidemic is a lot cleaner through the fronts with great continuation on the back. I drilled this ball 45 X 5 3/4 X 40. This ball gave me a much cleaner look through the fronts. I able to move right of all the traffic and create more angle on the back. The ball is a lot sharper than the Infection and more continuation. The Epidemic is a great addition to the hammer line up. Now we have a pearl that will get further down the lane with great angularility on the back.
Dislikes: None
-
Hammer Epidemic
Weight: 15#
Pin: 3-4"
Top Weight: 3.25 oz.
Layout: 60x4.5x60
First Impressions:
Ball gets through the heads very clean and has plenty of angular motion on the backend.
General Thoughts:
This one is most angular out of the three in the series (Plague, Infection, Epidemic). Best used on Medium to Medium oil conditions. Works great as the first ball out of the bag most of the time in league for myself.
Comparison/Contrast:
Versus the Plague
Plague handles oil better but does not have the angular backend motion the Epidemic does. If your THS is noticeably drier then you could see action with the Epidemic right away.
Versus the Infection
Although the Infection has more of a backend reaction than the Plague, the Epidemic out performs the Infection when it comes to backend reaction. The Infection can handle more head oil too.
Overall Thoughts:
A lot of ball without the high price tag. Definitely worth looking into, and the ball has some very eye catching colors to boot. If you are seeking clean reaction through the front with a ton of backend pop, you should consider the Epidemic!
Michael Price - Office Manager
McCorvey's Pro Shop Staff
Phone: (256) 539-1560
McCorvey's Pro Shop - VISIT OUR BRAND NEW ONLINE STORE!
http://www.mccorveysproshop.com/
Hammer Pro Shop Regional Staff
-
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 4
Starting Top Weight: 3
Ball Weight: 15.4
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 5
CG to PAP: 4.5
X Hole (if there is one): none
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate:
Ball Speed:
PAP/Track:
SURFACE PREP
Grit: Out of Box
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):
LANE CONDITION
Length: 40, 42
Volume: 27, 24
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS, Sport
BALL REACTION
Length: cleared mids
Back End: snap, arc
Overall Hook:
Midlane Read: smooth and continuous
Breakpoint Shape: predictable to angular
COMMENTS
Likes: The Epidemic will surprise the lot of you. For those with stronger revs vs lower tilt and mid Axis you will be able to move around the pattern like you have a ball with a bit more surface. Predictable read through the mids with clean roll. If you are not careful you will get some snap. Definitely will be in the bag as a starter and then play down from there. The E will match up to the I. Figure that out.
more to come as more patterns are played.
Dislikes:
VISE AMATEUR STAFF
HAMMER AMATEUR STAFF
USBC SILVER CERTIFIED COACH
IBPSIA ADVANCED CERTIFIED
Pro Connection
Bowlers Map
DigiTrax
NOTHING HITS LIKE A HAMMER
"See my vise as it rolls down the lane....you can't it revs too much"
-
LANE CONDITION
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Highway to Hell
Likes: Clean through the heads and makes a nice left turn to the pocket
Dislikes: None
I got this ball to compliment my original Taboo and drilled the Epidemic exactly the same, pin under between the bridge.
This ball is a perfect step down from my Taboo and as long as I can hit my targets and not over-release the ball, this ball just rolls so nice and makes a clean, sharp left. Hits hard as heck, and the colors are really eye catching. I was using it for the first time in league play and I was getting good comments.
I been more of a 900/AMF guy, but have tried the Hammer Toxic (was ok, but not really what I was looking for) and the Black Widow Pearl (was ok too, but was too over/under). But since I got the Taboo, I been loving that ball, and now the Epidemic. These 2 ball compliment one another perfectly (for me) and all I might need is the Taboo Spare to complete my arsenal
I know it sounds like I'm in denial, but I'm not.
-
LANE CONDITION
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS, Sport etc
Likes:As everyone agrees: this ball gets down the lane easily and booms off the corner! About 2 feet longer than a favorite of mine, the Infection, but stronger than the Grape VIBE in recovery. The color scheme is insane! Everyone in the house will know what you're throwing.....or at least will be asking about it!
Dislikes: Does squirt on the heavier oil conditions, can get a little touchy with lane carrydown.
NOTHING hits like a HAMMER
K Gmach
Hammer Amateur Staff
USBC Certified Coach
Go BREWERS!