BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Ringing10 on September 29, 2012, 01:23:01 PM
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Last week when I picked up my ball off the return I noticed a ball that was cracked all the way around from finger to finger. I asked the guy about it and he said it had cracked in his car over the summer but he didn't have time to go to the pro shop and buy a new one. The crack is about 1/8 inch wide all the way around the ball. Is this legal to use during league?
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No, it's not legal! USBC states that all bowling balls be free of grooves or indentations of a specific pattern except for gripping holes and manufacturing logos/labels!
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Not legal but I don't think you will have to worry about it for long...that thing will probably fall apart...
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According to the USBC Rulebook, Chapter 7: Equipment Specifications and Certifications CAQ’s, page 115:
Can I use a ball with a crack in it?
If a crack is located within your track area, it is not permitted for use during USBC competition. A crack is defined as a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting.
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So, if it is in the track area, it is not legal to use.
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So now the question is, what to do? He says it is the only ball he has and I don't really want to throw him under the bus. On the other hand, I think he can afford a new ball he said he doesn't have time to get one.Do I need the take it up with the president or secretary?
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Let me also say this is a small handicap league, not a big money league. He is a middle of the road bowler average wise.
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That's your call...I personally wouldn't worry about it...it's not giving him an advantage...but it IS against the rules. You could always alert the league secretary or president and let them decide what to do.
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Let me also say this is a small handicap league, not a big money league. He is a middle of the road bowler average wise.
You say that until he beats you or goes on a run of strikes. Lol! If he and afford to bowl league he can afford to buy a new ball. Bring it up with him and tell him its illegal, whether he can afford to or not, he can throw a plastic house ball for a while. If it splits in half what then? He would have to buy one anyways. Take to him, his team, and the league president. Not so much for competition sake, but ive seen the mechanic in the back when a balls cracked in half in the ball return. It aint fun and it aint pretty, and all because some cheap skate didnt want to replace a ball. There are ways around no time.
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I am sure the proprietor or manager would love to hear about that ball rolling down the lanes. I bet they would take care of it for you.
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I did speak to him last night. He has bought a new ball, just waiting for it to come in and be drilled. Thanks for all your replies.
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I have one I hadn't even thrown for 10 games. Split all the way around.
Naturally like 90% of my splitters from San Antonio!
Anyway I loved the reaction and kept throwing it! It is beautiful on the lanes and hits like MUSH!
My Pro Shop operator told me if I want I could fix it! But it would be a real big project but I can't find a replacement!
Anyone have a non split Columbia Hi Flare Scout reactive?
REgards,
Luckylefty
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I agree that the ball is illegal according to USBC rules but I'll play the devil's advocate here and ask why you care and how his using this ball affects you? I doubt he's gaining an advantage over anyone using it. I'm the president of my league and I always wonder why some guys get concerned about things that make no difference to them. This is more a proprietors problem than a league problem!
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While the ball may not give him a advantage. It could be affecting the other bowlers.
If the ball starts causing damage to the lanes or pins do to the crack, that would affect the playing surface and thus could affect their scoring.
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I've taken care of our local lanes for 30 years and saying it could affect scoring conditions may be the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time. I guess you've never bowled on old worn wood lanes before? Pins will not be affected any more than finger or weight holes affect them. The holes in a bowling ball can leave marks in the lanes if the lanes are wood but I don't see anyone complaining about them. Synthetics? Forget about it, they are nearly strong as steel. Think of a new excuse a bowler should be concerned. I still can't believe anyone would have the guts to tell the bowler he must get a new ball, except the proprietor.
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Okay then if it won't ever affect the lanes or pins then I guess the proprietor has no right to say any thing either since it's not damaging his equipment.
Because why should he quote: "get concerned about things that make no difference to them."
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Sorry Einstein but the proprietor does have the first say. But it will not affect scoring conditions. You said it would. What about that do you not get? It could cause damage to the lanes equipment, such as if a piece broke off and got into a pinsetter or ball return. I don't think that would affect your scores. This whole thread comes down to a bowler who in his mind thought it was necessary to enforce the rules and tell the guy to get a new ball. He is one of many who bowl that get a little to caught up in things that really don't affect the league he was bowling in. The guy will not score better with a cracked ball, in fact it is more than likely he will score worse which would have an advantage to the one who started this thread. So back off your wise-azz position and relax.
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I did not say it "would" affect scoring. I said "if" it damaged the lanes it "could" affect it"
I said:
"It could be" affecting the other bowlers.
If the ball starts causing damage to the lanes or pins do to the crack, that would affect the playing surface and thus could affect their scoring.
A "Sorry Einstein" crack and your saying I'm being "wise-azz".
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outside the legality of being used or if its benifiting the guy, of even if he can afford a new ball the big thing i would question is the fact that if it decides to finish breaking and leaves chunk of ball on the carpet or against the curtain in the back of the lanes you leave the opertunity for others equipment being damaged, on top of lanes and machine damage. or if it happens to leave a chunk in the below ground part of the ball return ya got a a timely delay of popping off gutter caps and all that. ive saw such damage from a failed switch grips couple years ago
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What a minor "rule" for a handicap league bowler to quibble over. I bet you are a real hoot to bowl with. LOL
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What a minor "rule" for a handicap league bowler to quibble over. I bet you are a real hoot to bowl with. LOL
That's exactly my point. Guys must have better things to worry about than a cracked bowling ball. I have bowled on the same lanes as guys using cracked equipment. Mostly everybody laughed. Nobody questioned whether it might affect scoring and nobody told the guy he must get a new ball!
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I did not say it "would" affect scoring. I said "if" it damaged the lanes it "could" affect it"
I said:
"It could be" affecting the other bowlers.
If the ball starts causing damage to the lanes or pins do to the crack, that would affect the playing surface and thus could affect their scoring.
A "Sorry Einstein" crack and your saying I'm being "wise-azz".
You're still sticking to your ridiculous point that it could in some way affect ohter bowlers? Please, I already told you finger holes leaves dents on wood lanes and they have never once been blamed for changing scoring conditions. Cracks won't take more oil off the lanes or wreck the pins. How else would it affect other bowlers unless a piece damaged the machinery and caused a stoppage in action?
You're continuing to fight a losing, wrong-headed battle. Even the author has not come back to make a point again. I'm sure he wishes he would have just worried about his own bowling and left this issue for the proprietor to address!
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Sorry Einstein but the proprietor does have the first say. But it will not affect scoring conditions. You said it would. What about that do you not get? It could cause damage to the lanes equipment, such as if a piece broke off and got into a pinsetter or ball return. I don't think that would affect your scores. This whole thread comes down to a bowler who in his mind thought it was necessary to enforce the rules and tell the guy to get a new ball. He is one of many who bowl that get a little to caught up in things that really don't affect the league he was bowling in. The guy will not score better with a cracked ball, in fact it is more than likely he will score worse which would have an advantage to the one who started this thread. So back off your wise-azz position and relax.
To me that is the whole reason why someone should not throw a cracked ball. Who cares about lanes and affecting scoring. This has to do with the possibility of damaging equipment. I see a ball with a large crack in it, I am not thinking of my scores; I am thinking in the best interest of the bowling center.
I would advise the bowler to show the ball to who ever is running the bowling center that night and get the green light from them. Who cares about USBC rules in this matter.
That's what this all boils down to.
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Doesn't matter what it effects...it's against the rules. I understand it really isn't a big deal but...a rule is a rule. I'm not sure I'd be the one to say anything but someone has to...
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This just came down to whether a bowler feels it's his responsibility to tell the bowler he better get a new ball. Advising the bowler to take the ball to the person running the lanes is the right thing to do. But, telling him he must quit using the ball and get a new one is just being over-zealous!
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If its in the track i would say something... I mean its really only gona get worse..??!?
I use a cracked triple x factor for bout 3 months till ppl bitched about it soooo much.. The crack started in the middle finger and went straight up for 2.5". I took a dremel and made a small hole to stop the cracking. It worked. Had 3 300's, couple front 11's with it in that few month span! Ball just liked the pattern very VERY well. I gave it up since they had changed the shot any so..
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tc300,
You would say something to the person? What that it's illegal? You continued to use yours. That he should get a new ball? Is that your right? If that is what you would do then I know the people who now control our government are getting through. They believe they know what right for us and that they should have the right to make us do what they want us to do. No bowler has that right. That is what this topic strted about. Not just that the ball was illegal but that the author thought it was his right or duty to tell the bowler he must get a new ball.
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tc300,
You would say something to the person? What that it's illegal? You continued to use yours. That he should get a new ball? Is that your right? If that is what you would do then I know the people who now control our government are getting through. They believe they know what right for us and that they should have the right to make us do what they want us to do. No bowler has that right. That is what this topic strted about. Not just that the ball was illegal but that the author thought it was his right or duty to tell the bowler he must get a new ball.
Faawk yea i continue to use my mine! The numbers I was putting up was worth the risk... And I had probably around a 3-5 selection at that time I could pick from. So when it was time ago it wasn't a big deal. And im sure this guy will use it till it cracks in two! Mine wasnt in the track but i knew i was going to throw the ALL THE TIME! Im not saying im nor wrong but it was my choice to continue to throw it, oh and shoot 300's and big 700's with it! :-)
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About on the same scale as having a ball drilled with illegal counterweights or altering the surface during sanctioned league or tournaments. Totally irrelevant.