I seem to get better carry now with the lower track. If you watch some of MO Panels old videoes he specifically mentions that if you stay behind the ball too much,.you better bring your spare ball. He advocates for really getting around the ball for today's game. So I am just trying to find some layouts that will maximize this new track. I do welcome these comments and am always trying to improve my game. Was thinking about drilling the SUBLIME like the Shock, but moving over about 1 1/2 or 2 inches away from the VAL. Low flare with a 20-30 degree VAL angle. Any thoughts?

TESTING ENVIRONMENT

Length:43

Volume:Med-High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS 12:1 Ratio

BALL:
Coverstock: : ReX™ Pearl Reactive
Core: : Warp™ A.I. Core
Finish: Reacta Gloss
RG: 2.53 (15lb)
Differential: .029 (15 lb)

ME:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
Axis Tilt: 14°
Axis Rotation: 74°
PAP: 5 1/8 R 7/8 Up

Ball Layout: Pin Up 4 1/2 X 4 3/8 X 2 3/8 VLS

Storm has added a new ball to the signature line called the Lightning Blackout. This modernized version of the classic storm ball features the ReX Pearl cover that has been so successful of releases like Dark Code and Virtual Energy Blackout. To drive the reaction the new Warp Core with A.I. Technology puts a lower flaring core with the powerful cover to make a unique shape in the line, in the vein of balls like the Zero Gravity.

I tested the Lightning Blackout for the first time in league. Our house pattern is long and heavy, but the front panels have a lot of built in friction and they transition a ton over the course of 3 games. My idea was for the lightning blackout to be my game 3 ball when the fronts really go. I noticed right away that the cover, despite its polished finish just saw too much of the front of the lane. Even when I got way left the ball just wanted to tip a little too early. This isn't unique to this ball, game 3 has been the toughest for me as I'm always looking for a ball that will clear the fronts in this house.

I next took the Lightning Blackout with me for our annual State tournament. Most years the lanes tend to hook a alot so I thought a lower flaring option could be helpful. I was surprised to find a good amount of oil on the lanes to start our doubles and singles sets, unfortunately the players I crossed with didn't break them down well so when i had to move inside of the track, I really lost my reaction. I tried to move just left and my ball wanted  to over-read. I tried to ball down and move left and when the ball cleared the front it didn't want to save enough energy to get back and go through the pins. After fighting the lanes a few games without figuring much out I started paying attention to the other players on the pair and realized they were now right of me, but able to play closer to the track because they had more ball speed. I decided to go back to the lightning blackout that I had put away after trying to play left of everyone with it, and just throw it as hard as I could up the friction. Immediately I had a look. This is far from my A game but the Lightning Blackout responded beautifully and I managed to put together a 240 game to close out the day.

I have since experimented with the lightning blackout in varying states of transition and have found it to be constant that it is the best ball I have thrown when I need to stay on the same line after my other equipment will not let me play there. I've also observed players with more ball speed and the ball seems to be much more versatile for them as the strength of the cover is a little more easily negated with their ball speed.

I would recommend this ball for speed dominant players and matched players who have more speed and revs especially. It work pretty well as a niche ball for players like myself when they want to stay closer to the friction and can add a little to their normal ball speed.


Check out my full ball reaction video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lqUlkevcgKk?si=irmPCaH66BkNnioI

Lonnie Pemberton
Storm Pro Shop Staff
Vise Pro Shop Staff
Revolutions Pro Shop

Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@k1ngsizepapa

Just had my PAP re-checked and it went from 4 3/4 over and 1/2 up to 3 1/4 over and 1/2 up. Looking for suggestions on drilling a sublime for this.track and rev dominant. My.favorite symmetrical ball now is a Venom.shock and with my new track it maps out 2 1/4 X 0. Yes the pin is on the VAL. This does not seem.like a good layout buy the ball rolls.pretty good. I hesitate to drill.another ball with this layout. Common sense says something like 5 X 30 would.be better for a low track rev dominant bowler. Am I missing something here? Any thoughts.would be appreciated. I am about 11 mph at release, and I assume.have a lot.of tilt.with the low track. Thanks.

Have you received your answer yet? I'm also curious about this

Roto Grip Hustle B-R-Y

PRODUCT DETAILS: Hustle Lightweight core wrapped in VTC hybrid reactive coverstock. Finished at 2000ab with Rough Edge compound, which helps create higher dry lane COF.

Layout: 4 x 3 ½ x 3

My updated specs: Ball speed: average 15.5 mph. - Rev Rate: 425 – Axle tilt: 16 degrees – Axis rotation 70 degrees.

Welcome the next generation in the Hustle Line, the all-new Hustle B-R-Y, burgundy, red, and yale blue are the colors on this new Hustle, along with VTC hybrid coverstock. The coloring is amazing on this ball, you know when it goes down the lane it’s a B-R-Y. For the coverstock prep, leaning from changing my M+M from the Reacta Shine finish to 2000ab then hitting the cover with Rough Edge compound. For a little earlier and smoother back-end reaction, which the backend reaction is weaker than the new Tropical Surge Midnight, which is one of the first Surges pored in Utah in years, but weaker than the Hyped Hybrid which has been my “go to ball” the past 2 ½ years until the X-Ray and the Lighting Blackout was released a few weeks ago. The B-R-Y is the best hybrid version of the Hustles in nearly 7 years by ha having the best overall length and pin carry versus several other hybrid version and several polished solid versions like the Camo version which was recently in the Hustle line. The ball fits in the bag a step of from my X-Ray with a 5 x 4 x 4 layout and a step down from the Storm Lighting Blackout. The Blackout has more overall length, but with less “snap” in the backend. The B-R-Y creates longer length, but sharper angles into the pocket.

For additional information visit: www.stormbowling.com, and www.rotogrip.com. And for my apparel visit: www.coolwick.com, and use my discount code Rmitchell10 for 10% off your complete purchases.

Please visit my Roto Grip Rick YouTube page and watch my ball videos including the B-R-Y.

https://youtu.be/4Kp8iu2x0eM
Thank you to Earl Burger at ABC North Lanes and Lounge, Bret and Damion at Bowlers’ Supply, Storm Products Inc., Vise Inserts and Coolwick apparel.