BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: bigmoney on December 22, 2003, 10:20:11 PM

Title: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: bigmoney on December 22, 2003, 10:20:11 PM
I know there are many opinions regarding equipment; however I am looking for some suggestions.  First of all, I am a newer bowler who carries an average of 189.  I throw rather hard and use the Vortex II 16# ball.  I have a tendency to leave a solid 7 quite regularly and have an awful time getting my ball to "flatten out" to pick up the spare.  Virtually all other spares, other than splits of course, do not provide consistent problems.  I am now looking at the purchase of a spare ball, but I do not have a clue at what I need.  What surface, pounds, maybe even brand, should I be considering?

Any and all replies appreciated.
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: janderson on December 23, 2003, 02:00:55 PM
If someone you know has an old hard rubber ball laying around you can plug and redrill, that will work as well as the plastic.
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(c) Copied Right! 2003 Knarly Stuff Inc.
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: billy brown on December 23, 2003, 03:01:03 PM
if you only have the  vortex. i would not suggest a plastic ball. i'd go with the storm hit pearl or big hit pearl(probably depending more on what color you want. Tell the driller you want to use it more as a spare ball so they can set it up appropriately. This ball may hook past some spares at first but you'll figure out how to throw it a little straighter at spares and be able to use it when the lanes dry out instead of the Vortex. and if you want a plastic i'd ask around at league-especially senior bowlers that might have heavier weight equipment they don't use(who knows you might end up with a r/w/&b Spirit of '76), and check goodwill, etc. because you should be able to take a plastic ball off someones hands for 5-10 dollars.
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: Burak Natal on December 23, 2003, 03:49:43 PM
Theoretically you can shoot straight with anyball with any surface. Means you can use any ball as a spare ball if you know how to roll it. So, I can write hundreds of words about how you can do it and blah blah blah..
Why try hard if you have a direct answer/best solution?!!

Here is the direct answer to what you are looking for buddy:
Columbia300 White Dot or Brunswick Target Zone..
You won't be disappointed.
Also please keep in mind that many coaches advise your spare ball to be 1 pound lighter than your strike ball. You may roll it harder and faster..

Just my 2 cents
Burak
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: no1bucsfan on December 23, 2003, 03:53:44 PM
a plastic ball is a plastic ball. It's what you probably need to pick up your spares. The only thing that matters is what you want. You can go for the basic, or go for fun with the cow or spiral, or be intimidating and get the skull or the snake.

Basically they will all do the same thing. go striaght and hit where you aim them.
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You can always hit em hard when you've got the balls

Lefties are the only people in their right minds.

no1bucsfan
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: Scolai on December 23, 2003, 06:37:01 PM
Ebonite Matrix.

Cheap and effective.  Isn't that what you want?
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Nut

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: matt smith on December 23, 2003, 07:09:25 PM
matrix???? dont u mean maxim? a matrix will make the problem worse lol

good luck and high scoring
matt
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: Scolai on December 23, 2003, 08:35:59 PM
quote:
matrix???? dont u mean maxim? a matrix will make the problem worse lol

good luck and high scoring
matt


Duh!  Yeah, that's what I meant.

I knew having that Matrix video cover sitting on the entertainment center would mysteriously effect my brain.

Thanks for clearing that up.
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Nut

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: Strider on December 24, 2003, 08:26:53 AM
... if you can read that.

A plastic ball should do wonders for your spare game.  They are more the same than they are different, so just pick up the best looking one that your proshop has for a good price.  Columbia's Blue Dot or White Dot, Brunswick Target Zone, Ebonite Maxim, RotoGrip, Storm, etc. all make cheap plastic spare balls.  Stand at the far right of the lane (assuming you're a lefty) and target just inside of the middle arrow.  Under normal house conditions you can use your normal release.  If you see dry or sport conditions, you will need to flatten your release to make it go dead straight.  I would recommend the same weight to keep everything feeling consistent.  They should come polished.  Keep it that way.  Lusterking is cheap and usually available.
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Penn State Proud
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: TheBowlingKid25 on December 24, 2003, 08:40:22 AM
Why fork out 50-60 bucks, probably more, for a new spare ball when you can just grab a plastic off the house rack, ask if you can have it, plug it, drill it, VUALA! YOU GOT URSELF A SPARE BALL! DA DA DAAAA UP UP AND AWAY! TO THE BAT CAVE ROBIN!!!
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15 years and still going strong! 15 years old that is!
Title: Re: Any recommendations? Spare balls?
Post by: Smash49 on December 24, 2003, 10:43:40 AM
I use an Ebonite Maxim spare ball and only for the 6/10 pins.  I'm right handed and use my strike ball for all leftside spares.  Not all plastic balls are the same an example a yellow dot is very different than a blue dot.  I found a Brunswick green LT-48 that I'm going to punch for my new spare ball.  It's about 15 to 20 years old and in great shape.  I had one years ago and loved it.  You can find things like that at DAV, Goodwill etc or someone at the center may have one laying around.  A friend at the center gave me mine to get it out of his garage.  I would recommend the Maxim or a White dot for an inexpensive spare ball.  As long as you don't do something crazy they should go long and straight.  

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock:   If you are using something else this sock will make you throw the others away!!!
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