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Author Topic: Determing Thumb Pitches  (Read 16452 times)

Brickguy221

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Determing Thumb Pitches
« on: August 22, 2008, 08:45:35 AM »
Is there a chart or diagrams as a basic guide line of where to start to determine a starting point in determining a bowlers thumb pitch?

I know that after a bowler bowls awhile that a driller can adjust his thumb pitch from what it is depending on several factors, but say a new bowler that has never bowled, is there a chart or diagrams to aid in determining what pitches to drill his first thumb hole?
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

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pin-chaser

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Re: Determing Thumb Pitches
« Reply #31 on: August 29, 2008, 08:25:10 PM »
Here is a theory I am working on...

No ones thumb is in the the center of there hand (or grip).. yet virtually all layouts used is the "T" grip. Now, I dont necessarily belive in the classic view of an offset thumb... however, drilling all holes based on the centerline of the "t" grip causes your hand to twist in order to put your thumb into the ball. Using two separate center lines (one for the fingers and one for the thumb) can reduce this twist and reduce stress of the hand and finger and improve the release by evaucating the thumb faster. When drawn on the ball, it appears as an offset thumb. In essence this is nothing more than tilting the holes when compared against the traditional "T" grip. I am working on developing some science behind this concept similar to what Bill Taylor has done or let me rephrase... continue Bill's work forward.
 
As for IPBISIA, they are a GREAT resource indeed. I advocate anyone so inclined to drill balls to attend there classes for ball fitting.
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Brickguy221

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Re: Determing Thumb Pitches
« Reply #32 on: August 29, 2008, 09:26:37 PM »
quote:
Using two separate center lines (one for the fingers and one for the thumb) can reduce this twist and reduce stress of the hand and finger and improve the release by evaucating the thumb faster. When drawn on the ball, it appears as an offset thumb. In essence this is nothing more than tilting the holes when compared against the traditional "T" grip


pin-chaser, amen to that. Rick Leong put me onto this type grip a little over two years ago when I went to California on vacation. It is so comfortable and a relief to get away from the sort of twisted feel of the straight T-Grip drilling. In a certain sense it is a bit like a CLT Grip, but not to that extreme. I

I have bought 2 new balls the past 5 weeks and drilled them with the original T-Grip like I used to have and how most people have, and have not liked the grip at all, so I am going to have my driller change them back to what you describe this next week. The balls won't have to be plugged and holes moved. All that will have to be done is leave the Thumb drilled on the center line it is drilled on now and pour the fingers and re-drill in exact same holes on a new center line 1/4 to 5/16 to the right of the thumb center line.
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick
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pin-chaser

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Re: Determing Thumb Pitches
« Reply #33 on: August 30, 2008, 08:48:24 PM »
Brickguy221,

   Sounds similar... I would be interested is knowing more about this guy and how he determines how far to offline the two centerlines. My theory is based on the physical mechanics of the hand... while others i have talked to is based loosely on guessing.

   And I agree this is comfortable.

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Brickguy221

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Re: Determing Thumb Pitches
« Reply #34 on: August 31, 2008, 01:12:11 AM »
pin-chaser, Rick Leong used to be tenpinspro when he posted on this site. He ran a pro shop at Alameda, California up by San Francisco and represented Track and posted mostly in the Track Forum. A very intelligent person when it comes to bowling balls and layouts. Probably one of the best if not the best on this site.

The way he did my grip was....

1. Measured my hand and got my span and checked for finger and thumb stiffness at that time.

2. He then layed out the ball in a normal T-Grip layout.

3. Next he dropped the Ring Finger 1/8" and then drilled fingers off the T-Grip center line.

4. Next, he erased the thumb markings for the T-Grip and used my span measurements to find the new thumb location which was left of the orginal T-Grip thumb location. He then drew a new center line from the middle of the new thumb location up to the middle of the bridge between the fingers. The beginning point of this line was about 5/16 inch left of the original middle of thumb location on the T-Grip. He then drilled the thumb hole pitches  off this new center line. This 5/16 inch will vary from bowler to bowler, depending on what the bowler's span is.

To sum it up, the finger pitches were drilled off the original T-Grip center line and the thumb pitches were drilled off the new center line.

Since that time, I have made a minor adjustment of dropping the Ring Finger 1/16 in place of the original 1/8 and with this change, this moving the thumb left is now about 1/4"+ (9/32").

Once you get these measurements right (9/32" for me), you can reverse how you do this if it is easier (it is for me and my driller) and draw a center line and mark the fingers and then drill the thumb first, then measure the determined amount right (9/32" for me) and draw a center line off this point and then drill fingers off that center line.

If I haven't explained this so that it is understandable, let me know and I will try again.
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick
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