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Author Topic: 6 More balls stripped of approval  (Read 46391 times)

suhoney24

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6 More balls stripped of approval
« on: March 29, 2022, 07:25:21 PM »
USBC and Storm Products have agreed on a national tournament exclusion rule and ball exchange program for six Storm Products manufactured ball models. The agreement comes after USBC identified the models having a percentage of balls produced below USBC minimum 73D hardness specification. Read more: https://bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622337509

USBC's investigation showed a percentage of these ball models measured below the USBC-required hardness level of the approval samples submitted by Storm. Storm collaborated with USBC after being notified of this testing.

The affected models include: Storm Phaze 4, Storm Electrify Solid, Storm Trend 2, 900 Global Altered Reality, 900 Global Wolverine, Roto Grip UFO Alert

Effective March 30, 2022, these balls models are prohibited from use in USBC national tournaments, including but not limited to, the USBC Masters, U.S. Open, USBC Open Championships, USBC Women's Championships, all PWBA Tour events, USBC Junior Gold and Youth Open Championships, USBC Intercollegiate Championships, USBC Team USA Trials, USBC Senior Masters and USBC Senior Queens.

These ball models remain USBC approved. Each USBC competition, whether tournament or league, has the option to adopt USBC's national tournament rule prohibiting use of these balls or to continue to allow their use.

USBC has shared this national tournament rule with Storm and has Storm's support. Storm will offer owners of the affected balls the option to exchange their balls for a new product. Information about the exchange program will be published later this week on StormBowling.com.
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northface28

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #16 on: March 29, 2022, 09:06:20 PM »
Quote from: SVstar34 on March 29, 2022, 08:55:30 PM
Quote from: northface28 on March 29, 2022, 08:43:45 PM
Quote from: SVstar34 on March 29, 2022, 08:39:47 PM

The question now becomes if USBC will fast track approval on new replacements for Storm. There's no way Storm can only offer replacements with current balls not affected

There really are no direct replacements. Some are “close” yet far away. Imagine if you’re bowling nationals tomorrow. I’d be livid id probably demand a refund. This is all a mess.

That's my point.

In terms of the Alert and Altered, there's only the Dark Code, X-2, or Nova which like you mentioned are close but still plenty different. Otherwise you're at stronger covers in the Proton or Reality

There's nothing like the Trend 2

Electrify Solid you at least have the Camo or Burner Solid

Right, the dark code is smoother and forward. The X2 is cleaner and sharper, nova is a totally different ball.
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billdozer

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #17 on: March 29, 2022, 10:26:27 PM »
The whole situation sucks.

Kinda odd with some of the wording, USBC won't look further into other balls?

So is that the USBC saying that other balls produced didn't have issues?
Or
Is it saying that the punishment on these 7 is enough and it is wide spread?

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Pat Patterson

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #18 on: March 29, 2022, 11:29:26 PM »
Can you imagine arriving early to bowl Nationals in Vegas, say yesterday or today.  Only to find out tomorrow when you walk in to bowl Team Event that 4 or 5 of the balls you brought are banned when you walk in and all you're left with is your spare ball.
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Pat Patterson

n00dlejester

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #19 on: March 29, 2022, 11:30:31 PM »
Man, a bunch of guys in my Nationals group are gonna be scrambling to find replacements of all sorts - myself included. There's nothing like a Trend 2, and I was banking on using it later in both blocks. Uhg, what a mess. I feel for the Masters competitors that may have lost entire bags.
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northface28

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #20 on: March 29, 2022, 11:43:49 PM »
Quote from: Pat Patterson on March 29, 2022, 11:29:26 PM
Can you imagine arriving early to bowl Nationals in Vegas, say yesterday or today.  Only to find out tomorrow when you walk in to bowl Team Event that 4 or 5 of the balls you brought are banned when you walk in and all you're left with is your spare ball.

I’d withdraw and never bowl USBCs again.
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northface28

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #21 on: March 29, 2022, 11:45:25 PM »
Quote from: n00dlejester on March 29, 2022, 11:30:31 PM
Man, a bunch of guys in my Nationals group are gonna be scrambling to find replacements of all sorts - myself included. There's nothing like a Trend 2, and I was banking on using it later in both blocks. Uhg, what a mess. I feel for the Masters competitors that may have lost entire bags.

Some free agents, non priority guys are learning a tough lesson about tour politics tonight.
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bradl

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #22 on: March 30, 2022, 12:01:34 AM »
Quote from: billdozer on March 29, 2022, 10:26:27 PM
The whole situation sucks.

Kinda odd with some of the wording, USBC won't look further into other balls?

So is that the USBC saying that other balls produced didn't have issues?
Or
Is it saying that the punishment on these 7 is enough and it is wide spread?

I think the key words here are "this production issue". If those are taken seriously, then that should make it pertain only to these 6 balls being sin binned. However, that does leave league competition open ended, as they would still be legal there. I'm guessing another announcement will be made on this no later than the end of the season.

I also wouldn't put it past the USBC to keep looking at, say, any ball produced up to 2020 (good even number). We know the complaints are going to continue to fly, prompting more inspections and investigations.



Quote from: northface28 on March 29, 2022, 11:45:25 PM
Quote from: n00dlejester on March 29, 2022, 11:30:31 PM
Man, a bunch of guys in my Nationals group are gonna be scrambling to find replacements of all sorts - myself included. There's nothing like a Trend 2, and I was banking on using it later in both blocks. Uhg, what a mess. I feel for the Masters competitors that may have lost entire bags.

Some free agents, non priority guys are learning a tough lesson about tour politics tonight.

Agreed.

Quote from: Pat Patterson on March 29, 2022, 11:29:26 PM
Can you imagine arriving early to bowl Nationals in Vegas, say yesterday or today.  Only to find out tomorrow when you walk in to bowl Team Event that 4 or 5 of the balls you brought are banned when you walk in and all you're left with is your spare ball.

If I were a betting man, I'd run out to the closest sports book near me and put a bet on this exact thing happening; not only for Nationals, but the Masters as well.

BL.
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n00dlejester

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #23 on: March 30, 2022, 07:06:21 AM »
What's also crazy, and angering, is Chris Barnes just threw a monstrous all events total at Nationals, some of it with a Phaze 4. Will his scores be removed from the official scores? Or will Nationals include scores from before and after this event? This is a rough spot to be in.
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3835

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #24 on: March 30, 2022, 07:24:49 AM »
Here is my complaint with the USBC

Just 1 year ago, we were told EVERYONE had to wear a mask although at some point during the tournament, Nevada dropped the mask requirement. Why? USBC said to make it fair for all competitors as some had to wear a mask (early bowlers).

So why, just a year later, are we banning a ball mid-tournament? Yes, Barnes used at least 1 of the banned balls and countless others did as well. How is that fair to ALL bowlers if some got to use any of the newly banned balls (Note I am not Chris Barnes and will never be, so its not like this is costing me an Eagle).


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psycaz

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #25 on: March 30, 2022, 07:43:08 AM »
Quote from: bradl on March 30, 2022, 12:01:34 AM
Quote from: billdozer on March 29, 2022, 10:26:27 PM
The whole situation sucks.

Kinda odd with some of the wording, USBC won't look further into other balls?

So is that the USBC saying that other balls produced didn't have issues?
Or
Is it saying that the punishment on these 7 is enough and it is wide spread?

I think the key words here are "this production issue". If those are taken seriously, then that should make it pertain only to these 6 balls being sin binned. However, that does leave league competition open ended, as they would still be legal there. I'm guessing another announcement will be made on this no later than the end of the season.

I also wouldn't put it past the USBC to keep looking at, say, any ball produced up to 2020 (good even number). We know the complaints are going to continue to fly, prompting more inspections and investigations.




It really looks like they’ve told Storm to not press the issue anymore or they’ll just keep going. That’s the only way to read the lines from their (USBC’s) statement:

As part of the agreement, Storm Products will discontinue sales of the affected balls. USBC has concluded its investigation and will not be taking action on additional balls related to this production issue

It seems like it’s everything they produced. I don’t know how that flies for the other manufacturers though. The USBC is knowingly going to allow other soft bowling balls on the market and to be used?

You have to imagine the Helios is affected and would be a part of any further bannings. That ball has multiple 900s already. If I’m Ebonite, I wouldn’t be happy with knowing that ball is soft but still legal putting up records.

On the flip side, Ebonite better have their entire house in order before saying a word, even in private. The USBC apparently could have bankrupted Storm but stopped at 7 balls when Storm screamed UNCLE. Not sure you want them looking too closely at your stuff right now.

Storm needs to full investigation into what happened on their end and folks need to be fired. Some, if not all of said investigation needs to be made public for their customers sake. There’s a problem and a legit lack of confidence in their product now. Having the greatest balls (fan minds) doesn’t mean squat if they’re illegal and can’t be used when you spend $$$ to travel to the biggest tournaments only to find out your entire arsenal has just been banned.
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3835

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #26 on: March 30, 2022, 07:51:38 AM »
I wonder.....

Turn back the clock 2 years ago. That is when Storm announced the move of 900 Global production to Utah. Storm had recently just completed an expansion, including new machines to pour more balls. The reason why Storm and Global were intertwined to start with is because Storm did not have enough capacity for just their stuff and Roto Grip stuff so they turned to Global to help out.

I wonder if there is an issue with the new production machines compared to the old ones (if they kept the old ones and didn't put in all new machines).

Its weird because the Phaze 4 is R2S pearl. The Hyroad Pearl is R2S pearl. If they are truly the same cover, how can the Phaze 4 be banned but the Hyroad Pearl ok? One thought could be there is a different batch of R2S. I would believe some Hyroad Pearls have recently been poured and would be from the same batch of resin as Phaze 4s....
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n00dlejester

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #27 on: March 30, 2022, 08:01:10 AM »
Quote from: 3835 on March 30, 2022, 07:51:38 AM
I wonder.....

Turn back the clock 2 years ago. That is when Storm announced the move of 900 Global production to Utah. Storm had recently just completed an expansion, including new machines to pour more balls. The reason why Storm and Global were intertwined to start with is because Storm did not have enough capacity for just their stuff and Roto Grip stuff so they turned to Global to help out.

I wonder if there is an issue with the new production machines compared to the old ones (if they kept the old ones and didn't put in all new machines).

Its weird because the Phaze 4 is R2S pearl. The Hyroad Pearl is R2S pearl. If they are truly the same cover, how can the Phaze 4 be banned but the Hyroad Pearl ok? One thought could be there is a different batch of R2S. I would believe some Hyroad Pearls have recently been poured and would be from the same batch of resin as Phaze 4s....

If I am understanding the USBC article correctly, it seems like there ARE other balls with 'production problems', but the USBC is not pursuing action against them.

I'd wager pretty much every ball coming out of that plant is affected. Look at the Idol Helios - that ball's has at least one 900 already, and I remember the flurry of astronomical 800s when it was first released.

It's a shame USBC is choosing to affect players now. Imagine you were on a plane with 1 or 2 of those balls, headed to Nationals. Some of your arsenal is now illegal. All your practicing, surface prep, preparation - out the window. It's really frustrating me, and I don't bowl Nationals for another 6 weeks!
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DrBob806

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #28 on: March 30, 2022, 08:15:49 AM »
Quote from: ignitebowling on March 29, 2022, 07:54:04 PM
I find it interesting that USBC stated they wouldn't pursue against other, im guessing slightly older, Storm equipment going forward.

So the actual number is definitely a lot higher. Wonder how long that would be going back on older stuff?

Lol...."older stuff" for Storm could be a couple months. They seem to have new rocks constantly & it's been going on for many years.
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Bowler19525

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #29 on: March 30, 2022, 08:19:05 AM »
Quote from: 3835 on March 30, 2022, 07:51:38 AM
I wonder.....

Turn back the clock 2 years ago. That is when Storm announced the move of 900 Global production to Utah. Storm had recently just completed an expansion, including new machines to pour more balls. The reason why Storm and Global were intertwined to start with is because Storm did not have enough capacity for just their stuff and Roto Grip stuff so they turned to Global to help out.

I wonder if there is an issue with the new production machines compared to the old ones (if they kept the old ones and didn't put in all new machines).

Its weird because the Phaze 4 is R2S pearl. The Hyroad Pearl is R2S pearl. If they are truly the same cover, how can the Phaze 4 be banned but the Hyroad Pearl ok? One thought could be there is a different batch of R2S. I would believe some Hyroad Pearls have recently been poured and would be from the same batch of resin as Phaze 4s....

Ron Hickland was on the Down Lane Podcast after the Spectre mess and said the color additives put in to the covers can potentially affect hardness.  If that is the case, the Hy-Road Pearl is a 2-color ball and the Phaze 4 is a 3-color ball.  Perhaps that has something to do with why R2S pearl on one might be a different hardness than the other.  There are a lot of things that go in to the formulation of these covers, and if one thing is off it can go bad in a hurry.
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psycaz

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Re: 6 More balls stripped of approval
« Reply #30 on: March 30, 2022, 08:20:25 AM »
Quote from: n00dlejester on March 30, 2022, 08:01:10 AM
Quote from: 3835 on March 30, 2022, 07:51:38 AM
I wonder.....

Turn back the clock 2 years ago. That is when Storm announced the move of 900 Global production to Utah. Storm had recently just completed an expansion, including new machines to pour more balls. The reason why Storm and Global were intertwined to start with is because Storm did not have enough capacity for just their stuff and Roto Grip stuff so they turned to Global to help out.

I wonder if there is an issue with the new production machines compared to the old ones (if they kept the old ones and didn't put in all new machines).

Its weird because the Phaze 4 is R2S pearl. The Hyroad Pearl is R2S pearl. If they are truly the same cover, how can the Phaze 4 be banned but the Hyroad Pearl ok? One thought could be there is a different batch of R2S. I would believe some Hyroad Pearls have recently been poured and would be from the same batch of resin as Phaze 4s....

If I am understanding the USBC article correctly, it seems like there ARE other balls with 'production problems', but the USBC is not pursuing action against them.

I'd wager pretty much every ball coming out of that plant is affected. Look at the Idol Helios - that ball's has at least one 900 already, and I remember the flurry of astronomical 800s when it was first released.

It's a shame USBC is choosing to affect players now. Imagine you were on a plane with 1 or 2 of those balls, headed to Nationals. Some of your arsenal is now illegal. All your practicing, surface prep, preparation - out the window. It's really frustrating me, and I don't bowl Nationals for another 6 weeks!

That’s one of the things I’m stuck on… there are other balls but we stopped here???

While the other companies may not want to risk the ire of the USBC, the Helios is probably going to be an option as an exchange. What happens when even more huge scores come from the ball? They know it’s illegal. But the other companies just have to sit back and watch it tear it up and become even more popular and sell? Or anything else that will be an exchange ball. Sounds like it is/was a wide spread problem in Salt Lake City.

Some many different perspectives with this. Just crazy.
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