Well I started leagues last night, and didn't exactly come roaring out of the gate with a 513...  However more frustrating was the fact I could not get out of the ball cleanly.  I just recently had my thumb redrilled with oval inserts (opposite of Matt's situation) but I noticed that my thumb kept sticking, especially on shots where I was throwing to the right.

My question is, if I want to sand the hole to open it up a touch what grain sandpaper should I use, and are there any sanding techniques or no-no's I should be aware of?  And if I decide not to sand, are there any tips for helping the thumb slide out of the ball easier?

--------------------
"Here we go folks, he is working off the first 8, and looking good.  Looks good on the approach.... OH NO, its off his ankle and down the gutter!!  OHH THE HUMANITY!"

I have the same problem clearing at the release point smoothly. To correct this problem I employed a different approach. After checking the Bill Taylor guide for the correct pitch to drill I then decided to go a step further. My usual thumb size is 15/16, but I drilled the hole at 1 inch, after the hole was drilled I marked the outer edges of my thumb with a washable crayola marker then put my thumb in the hole, after removing my thumb I could look inside the thumb hole and see if any markings were left behind, and there was ! Using the ebonite ultra work out tool or a # 8 file from Lowes I formed my own true oval, this process does however take some time and patiance.  I placed a thumb cork in the front of the hole and use black tape in the back if I need it to allow for swelling and shrinking. Since trying this on one of my balls I have since completed the process on all of my equipment, it works and it works well. I have not had any problems clearing the thumb or clutching to achieve the grip.

Hope this will help you, it helped me.
--------------------
It's not my saying but I live by it's meaning.

To get somewhere you've never been able to go, you must do something you've never done.

A measure of success, to peruse your dream and watch it unfold.

Lack of having a free arm swing will also cause thumb sticking problems. Any sign of muscling can prevent a free thumb release. Believe me, "been there and done that."......And "still there and do that at times."