BallReviews
Reviews => Storm => Topic started by: BallReviews-scodaddy21 on January 23, 2019, 12:37:05 PM
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The Storm Fever Pitch carries on the successful line of Pitch bowling balls in the Storm line up. The Fever Pitch does not react as early as the Pitch Black ball but it corners better than the Pitch Blue bowling ball. Storm is introducing a new weight block and coverstock with the Fever Pitch. The Tour Block core is wrapped with the PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane coverstock to create a ball that is better on shorter oil patterns and drier lane conditions.
Color: Orange Pearl
All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown
Coverstock: PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane
Core: Tour Block
Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.61 (for a 15# ball)
Differential: 0.030 (for a 15# ball)
Recommended Lane Condition: Light Oil
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I am very interested in this ball. I need a ball that can go long due to my very slow speed.
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Eddie look at the after dark pearl. It’s probably a better option for you
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The Fever Pitch was one of the most surprising balls I have thrown to date. I usually have preconceived ideas of if I am going to like or dislike a ball prior to having the opportunity to throw it.
The Fever Pitch being urethane instantly raised a red flag and subjected me to the notion I wasn't going to like it. I, also, wasn't going to even bother drilling it. My history with urethane was I could get to the pocket but couldn't carry. The Pitch Black would get there and I would go flat 10 and the Pitch Blue wasn't early enough.
With that said, my preconceived notion was dead wrong. I absolutely loved the Fever Pitch and what I saw from this ball. The ball read early like urethane but this time it turned the corners better than both original Pitch balls and I could kick out the corner pins. I had some great hitting/carrying power with this ball with messengers scattering all over the place. It's almost like a ball that is in between urethane and reactive. That's the best way I could explain it. It's early yet continuous.
I know most urethane lovers are going to love this ball and I believe the reactive bowlers who are reluctant with urethane may be decently surprised by the abilities and potential of the Fever Pitch.
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The fever pitch features a brand new urethane esq cover called power plus control and is wrapped around a similar core to the Hyroad, but without the inner ball. This drastically drops the differential and raises the RG which in turn gets the ball a little farther down the lane while providing a strong motion off of friction. I drilled both my fever pitch and pitch black identical, 50x5x50, which for me puts the pin almost right above my bridge center. For this video, I decided to bowl on a very challenging almost completely flat 40’ sport shot. The topography on this pair allowed me to stand a little farther left than usual, and gave me a few boards to work with downlane. The fever pitch ignores the front part of the lane much better than typical urethane, while still maintaining a very round and continuous motion downlane. People that love urethane will most likely love the fever pitch, and people that absolutely hate urethane, will most likely not find a use for the fever in their bag. I can see myself using the fever pitch after my pitch black starts seeing the front part of the lane too much, and starts bailing downlane. Be sure to head to your local storm VIP pro shop and preorder your very own Storm Fever pitch today! #TeamStorm
Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8-jFs7QZJA
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Storm Fever Pitch
As someone who throws urethane from time-to-time and bowls a lot of tournaments… THANK YOU, STORM!!!
This is a shape that was sorely missing for the Storm line. The traditional urethane covers that were on the Pitch Black and Blue are great at blending a pattern and giving a super smooth and predicable shape down lane, but if they are not so great on longer patterns or on carry down.
The Fever Pitch solves for all of this! It is not as early as the Pitch Black but corners way harder than the Pitch Blue. The Fever features the brand-new PWR+CTRL Urethane cover that is very versatile for a urethane. I have thrown mine at box as well as a few different surfaces and my favorite default surface so far seems to be 1,000 grit. Even there it is not as early as the Black and still has more shape the Blue. I am so happy with this ball and see myself having many of these in the future.
I see this being THE urethane ball on the market for many years to come. If you want to incorporate a urethane ball in your arsenal or need something for when the Pitch Black/Blue don’t give you enough shape on the back, you NEED THE FEVER.
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Storm Fever Pitch
The Storm Fever Pitch is the newest addition to the Urethane Pitch line of bowling balls. It features the Power + Control Pearl Urethane Cover with the Tour Block Symmetrical in the center. I tested on our house shot which is 42 feet in length with a few gallons of conditioner’s in the middle. I rolled the Fever after I shot footage for the Super SoniQ and Halo Pearl, figuring I would beat the track up enough to give me a good look from the outside angle I was going to play. I always try to be as honest as possible with my reviews and opinions about new releases so, with that in mind, I have never had any use for urethane bowling balls. That is not because they are not good, the fact is that I am not good. My most common miss is to the right and urethane does not reward bad shots most of the time, especially when you miss wide. It’s funny how quickly your confidence goes away when you roll a ball that doesn’t help you out. I was striking with ease using the two other releases and then I grabbed the Fever Pitch and was awoke by my blatant inaccuracies laughing in my face. Nice…
Overall the fever was a bit sharper down lane compared to the Pitch Black, given that sharper is not a regular adjective used to describe these types of balls. I used it in a tournament on a shorter sport shot and had a better feel with it. I assume the design intent is for less volume and or shorter pattern designs. When I finally threw it well I did strike a couple times but, my swing was wonky trying to stay tight and those wrap corner pins were letting me know that I was close but, not there yet.
I have and will continue to recommend the Pitch series to players that need control on friction and to those folks that really twist it up at the bottom. I’ll also say that the Fever, by far is my favorite of the Pitch line.
Stop by your local Storm VIP Shop and give it a look.
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The Fever Pitch is probably the most anticipated ball in some time. I was SHOCKED when I first threw this ball. It was a motion from “urethane†that we’ve been missing in our line. My Pitch Blue was by far the weakest urethane ball I had. The Fever Pitch is much stronger than the Pitch Blue and can be used on more than just the “driest of dry†oil patterns. It provides a good compliment to the Pitch Black as well. I think when the oil begins to carry down on the shorter patterns, the Fever Pitch be the go to ball because it has more pop than the Pitch Black. In all, the Fever Pitch is similar in strength to the Pitch Black, the difference lies in where they read the lane. The Pitch Black reads the front part of the lane HARD. The Fever Pitch sees the fronts less and offers some more motion down lane.
Players can start out on the lower volume patters/shorter patterns with a Pitch Black. When the oil starts to carry down, you’ll be able to switch to the Fever Pitch with no problems.
In my opinion this Fever Pitch will be better suited for the heavy handed guys and the slower ball speed players.
https://youtu.be/i6tYmCPcNOE
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Storm Fever Pitch Review by Casey Murphy
Orientation: Right Handed
Rev Rate: 375 RPM
Speed: 16-17 MPH
PAP: 4 5/8 straight across
Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern: High Volume THS
Layout: 50, 4 7/8, 70
Disliked the Hot Cell, Pitch Black and Pitch Blue. I could hit the hole ALLLLLL DAY and never throw more than a double. I don’t match up to urethane. Fever Pitch is different. First time I threw it I had a 9 bagger. I still control the pocket without any problem, but the Fever Pitch is strong enough and sharp enough on the back to give me the angle and carry I’m always seeing other people get.
Urethane Haters = going to love it
Urethane Lovers = going to love it
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Storm Fever Pitch
Layout: 4 x 4 x 2 Storm Pin Buffer Layout
Rev Rate: 300 rpm, 7 degree of axis tilt, 40 degree of axis rotation
Testing information: 41 foot THS (medium to light volume)
Bowling Center: Fulton Bowling Center
Kegel Machine – Brunswick Anvilane
The Storm Fever Pitch utilizes the new Tour Core and the new PWR+CTRL pearl urethane coverstock. Usually a thick shell means a great ball. I think that is true with this ball also. The orange pearl cover has some real shelf appeal. It is growing on me. The Fever Pitch is longer than the Pitch Black and corners better than the Pitch Blue. I definitely get more back end motion from it verses my Pitch Black. I use the Fever Pitch as my spare ball and have to be careful not to cut it short when shooting the 10-pin because it will hook past.
Visit your local Storm VIP Pro Shop!
#Stormnation
#SquadRG
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Right Handed
Ball weight: 16
Rev Rate: 400
Ball Speed: 17
Axis Tilt: 7
Axis Rotation: 45*
PAP: 3 3/4 horizontal, 7/8 up
Layout: 4†pin to pap, 2 ½ from VAL
I’m not really a urethane guy… I’ve got a Pitch Black for short patterns and it works well when I’m actually able to use it. However, it’s not often that I can use urethane in league or anything other than a regional.
Yet, with all of the hype around the Fever Pitch, I had to drill one up (hype or not, I would have drilled one…).
I’ve had a chance to roll it on 2 versions of the PBA Viper pattern and was quite pleased at the reaction I got from it. While the Pitch Black rolls super early, especially with the 500 or 1000 surface, the Fever Pitch clears the fronts really well, but shapes much better down lane than previous urethane releases. I was able to play relatively straight, up the lane and move a bit left and bounce it off of the friction outside. I was surprised that it rolled that well for me.
Cut to the first actual league game I’ve rolled with the Fever… The lanes were a bit squirrely and there seemed to be less friction to the right than we normally see in league. I decided to pull the Fever out towards the end of the 2nd game and proceeded to roll the last 16 to finish the night. A 300, on a house shot with the Fever Pitch. I was surprised with every shot, not that the reaction wasn’t amazing, but just that I had that much room to miss. Not to mention, the core design of this ball is really good. It definitely goes through the pins better than many urethanes.
At this point, I have not altered the surface, but once I have a chance to roll on some more short patterns, I may have to scratch it down to 500 or 1000. Then again, if it continues to shape the way it does currently, I’m not sure I will.
Being in the PBA South region, I should get plenty of attempts to use the Fever, and I plan to try it every chance I get. If you are a fan of the new generation of urethane, the Fever Pitch is a great option.
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PAP - 3 5 /8 up 1 1/8
Speed - 16
Tilt - 17
RPM - 400
The new urethane from Storm is called the Fever Pitch Pearl. First off with my roll urethane just doesn't match up with me. The pitch blue , Pitch Black and Hot Cell were just okay. The Fever Pitch has a new PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane coverstock. I drilled mine with a stronger pin, 4 x 4 x 2 and added some surface. The Fever was a little cleaner than the pitch black and a little more shape downlane. I think the Fever will be get some more play on the shorter patterns and later blocks where I can't get resin down the lane. It definitely has a different motion and should fill a gap in Storm's urethane line.
Brian Watson
Pro Shop Staff
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Storm Fever Pitch Ball Review by PJ Haggerty
It seems like urethane can be used on almost any pattern these days. Several years ago, I don’t remember anyone using it, but today, it’s everywhere. Storm products has come out with several urethane balls, but the Fever Pitch is by far the strongest one I’ve thrown. With a revised Hyroad core and a pearl coverstock, the Fever Pitch is turns the corner extremely well for a urethane ball.
I’ve drilled one so far and really like what I see. I put a very standard layout on the Fever Pitch: 5 x 4 with no hole. The pin is above my bridge with a slight shift of the CG. I’ve noticed I still need to put a good amount of surface on it (500/360) to get it to shape the right way, but it rolls great.
I believe the pearl coverstock helps push the ball through the front part of the lane and creates a bit more angle down lane than a Pitch Black.
If you need a urethane ball or drilled a Pitch Black, the Fever Pitch is much different and is needed in your bag today!
#StormNation
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See stats in profile.
This will be my first urethane ball since the SUPER NATURAL. I have a very end over end type of roll and what I see with the PITCH BLACK is early read/soft backend which is usually a no-no for my style which is med revs/med speed. I put the FEVER PITCH 4" to PAP with a 35* back angle. So far I have tinkered with it at box finish which is 2000 abralon.
I have thrown this in practice on our house shot which is about 38-40' and the surface is pro anvilane but with a large amount of lineage as it is a 24 hour center that is always busy. The FEVER PITCH is surprisingly stronger in the backends than any of the recent urethane balls Storm has put out. I did throw the NATURAL some at a demo days and just left soft ten after soft ten. My SUPER NATURAL was more of the same except my adjustment to tighten up my angles would result in 4 pin or 4-9 combos and then back to the half tens. Face it, with the volumes of oil on the lanes compared to when original urethane was the ball of choice some styles are just not meant to throw urethane anymore.
I do feel this will have a place in my bag. One to train my release with, two to take to USBC Nationals to shoot spares with, and three to use in place of an entry level ball on wood and very short patterns like 34' and less. The FEVER PITCH might just be the one urethane out that lower rev and older players can throw and not have it fluff tens all set. Just be prepared to square up your angles and throw it well and you will enjoy this look in your arsenal.
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The Fever Pitch is Storm’s newest release in the Thunder line, and it’s a new take on urethane. It’s not technically urethane, the Pwr + Ctrl cover is a urethane-like material that’s meant to give the feel of urethane with a more resin-like shape to bridge the gap from traditional urethane like the Pitch Black to low end reactives as far as shape is concerned. It’s both easier down the lane and more responsive on the backend than urethane without being as long and flippy as something like a Hustle Ink might be. As far as hook goes, the Pitch Black and Hot Cell are still both stronger overall, they’re just much earlier and smoother. If you’re a resin fan, this one will be more approachable than typical urethane, and if you’re a urethane fan, this will give you a more resin shape but with the urethane control you like to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6HpCPXSlr4
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 43'
Volume: 21 mL
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
Likes: Shape's down lane better than low end reactive balls.
Dislikes: comparing to other urethanes...nothing!
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
The Fever Pitch is the motion that I have been wanting from Urethane. I have not always been able to use urethane because I like to see a little shape down lane, which is of course, what urethane is supposed to control. Urethane from the past has hooked very early with not much shape down lane. The Fever Pitch you are able to get a little further in, throw it out, or even miss out, with the ball still being able to recover and even create angle down lane.
Here are some other Urethane options that I was able to compare with. Where the Fever Pitch Shines is when you need to get in and create angle. I said it before but it’s just magical how this urethane shapes down lane. Maybe it’s the modified HyRoad Core, we all know that’s a special piece. The joke with a couple bowlers at my center is “when is it time to Ball UP to the Fever Pitch?â€
Purple Flame Pearl-Old School and Drilled over the label
Pitch Black-60 x 5 x 30
Hot Cell- 60 x 4 x 45
Fever Pitch- 60 x 4-1/2 x 35
With the resurgence of Urethane it has become a popular tournament option and I do not see that trend going away. This is the one that you do not want to pass on.
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I had a chance to drill the Fever Pitch is Storm's newest release in the Thunder line, and it's a new take on urethane. It's not technically urethane, the Pwr + Ctrl cover is a urethane-like material that's meant to give the feel of urethane with a more resin-like shape to bridge the gap from traditional urethane like the Pitch Black to low end reactives as far as shape is concerned. It's both easier down the lane and more responsive on the backend than urethane without being as long and flippy. I drilled mine 40 x 4.5 x 30 this ball looks great on dryer lanes and allows me to play a part of the lane I normally can with I see the burn
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The gap between the Roto Grip Hot Cell and Storm Pitch Black was always a big gap as the Hot Cell has that much stronger Asymmertical core. Enter the new Fever Pitch, a pearl urethane that packs way more punch than its predecessor in the Pitch Blue. Fever Pitch was more back end and cleaner than the Pitch Black. This ball will be great on those patterns that are a little longer where the Pitch Black isn’t enough or once you need something with a little more pop on the back end but need that urethane type shape.
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BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3- 4
Starting Top Weight: 3.4 oz
Ball Weight: 15
DRILL PATTERN
60X5X40
BOWLER STYLE: RH - Stroker
Rev Rate: 380-420
Ball Speed: 15-16
PAP/Track: PAP: 5 13/16†and 1/2" up
SURFACE PREP
Box Finish: 2000 Abralon
BALL MOTION
The Fever Pitch is not as early as the Pitch Blackâ„¢, but corners better than the Pitch Blueâ„¢ ever dreamt. We found the gap we needed to fill and we filled it. Hard. After extensive and thorough testing, we found the precise core dynamics that matched up flawlessly to this new and exciting cover: PWR+CTRL Urethane.
COMMENTS
I use this ball primarily as my spare ball I replaced my mix with the Fever Pitch so I would have a urethane ball I could use when the lanes dry and I need a better Motion than I could get with my Pitch Black. This ball make a good downlane motion and works great when the lanes dry up.
Mike Sipple
Storm Amateur Staff
www.stormbowling.com
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I have never gotten a look quite like this from a urethane ball before. Throwing it on a burnt up house shot allowed me to try and do quite a few different things with it to really see what it is capable of for a low/medium rev player. I was very pleasantly surprised with the motion I was able to get down lane compared to my Storm Pitch Black. Although it is not technically “true urethane†it still gives you that urethane feel with a little bit more of a punch coming off of the friction. I also got my mom this ball as she has a much slower speed she was needing something to get down lane and not over hook on the back end, but still come through the pins enough to get the ten pin out. I was never a person who even thought about throwing urethane until now.
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The Storm Fever Pitch is a ball that everyone can use in the bag, it has a unique shape for a urethane that was missing in the storm line. With the Fever Pitch I can easily adjust to from my Pitch Black when the heads start to get burnt and the lanes wont allow me to play my reactive equipment, I just move in a little and the ball does the rest. It clears the heads, gives you read and the ball finishes. I have noticed that if it gets lane shined too much it tends to go longer then I like to see, so I just keep a good 2000 on the ball and its money. If you need a ball that you gives you a look like urethane but finishes like a reactive, look no further and pick up the Fever Pitch today.
[/quote]LANE CONDITION
Length:
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):
COMMENTS
Likes:
Dislikes:
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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FEVER PITCH: 55 X 3 X 30 - 14lbs.
POWER CONTROL COVERSTOCK - 2000 GRIT - 3"-4" FLARE POTENTIAL
LANE INFORMATION: 42FT THS ON HPL INSTALLED IN EARLY 2000'S
This being my first ball review since my accident, I felt I needed to start with one of the 3 balls I have been using since I was released to start bowling again. Comparing to the Pitch Blue and Pitch Black, the core and cover combo allows the ball to have more length and more angle into the pocket, and with my current slower ball speed than in the past, this ball is great on fresh for me, unlike the other "Pitches" I can stay in the same breakpoint area almost all 3 games of league, the ball does tend to tip a little heavy for me off the breakpoint, more then the Pitch Blue which is needed to enter the pocket it better. Great ball for slower ball speed bowlers on THS and lighter and shorter sport patterns.
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Storm Fever Pitch
Layout: 50 x 4 ½ x 65
As a mid-level rev rate and ball speed player, I have never been able to use urethane on house shots, due to sub-par carry and a lack of backend. The Fever Pitch changes that, however, as it is easier through the fronts and has more backend and entry angle than the normal urethane ball. It is still very controllable and has that classic urethane predictability, but the extra little kick of backend reaction that it has makes it great for wet/dry house shots. It is still not at its best at trying to circle the lane too much, however; straighter angles are better for optimum carry. It will also shine on shorter sport shots.
Mike LeViner
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Storm Fever Pitch
Core: Tour Block
Coverstock: PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane
The Storm Fever Pitch will bring a urethane with more length to bowling arsenal's everywhere.
I usually don't play something that sets up early, so most urethane's do not match up with my style. With the Fever Pitch I get more length that I do with my pitch black but still smooth, easy to control reaction. This is a reaction that I usually see with equipment I drill with the pin on, or very close to, my PAP. My current light oil ball is a 1" pin to PAP Hustle INK. I will be practicing more with the Fever Pitch to see if this will be a useful alternative for me in my tournament back.
My recommendation for this ball would be short patterns but I am sure I a lot of my customers will want the Fever Pitch as an option for light oil house shots.
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LANE CONDITION
Length: Medium
Volume: Medium to light
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS
The Fever Pitch by Storm is a great go between Urethane and Reactive. The POWR CTRL pearl urethane coverstock enhances the backend motion of the Fever Pitch. Completely different from the Pitch Black and Stronger than the Pitch Blue. Another difference between the previous Pitches and the Fever Pitch is the Tour Block. The major benefit of the Tour Block is that it is more dynamic than the Capacitor weight block allowing the Fever Pitch to be stronger down lane. I am a low rev rate guy (around 300) with medium ball speed and likes to go up the lane as much as possible. The Pitch Black and the Pitch Blue were either too much too early or not enough down lane. The Hot Cell was just too much core and not enough shell. The previous urethane releases made me move too far left on a normal house pattern and when carry down happened… It was ugly. However, the Fever Pitch seems to be more versatile and gives you some help on the backend. My PAP is 5 5/8 over and ¾ up and the layout I used was 4X4X2 with no hole. The Fever Pitch did rev up like a urethane but had a backend motion that gave me some error room on the backend. I can see this ball in my bag for short patterns or older lane beds where friction is everywhere. I was impressed with the Fever Pitch and would recommend it for anyone looking to purchase a urethane piece.
Likes: Versatile for urethane
Dislikes: It is urethane
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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LANE CONDITION
Length:40
Volume:Med-High
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
Coverstock: PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane
Weightblock: Tour Block
Finish: 2000
RG: 2.61
Differential: 0.030
Me:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
PAP: 4 7/8 Right 3/8 Up
Ball Layout: Pin Over Ring 65 X 4 3/8 X 40
The New Fever Pitch by Storm take the controllable read of a Urethane ball and pumps up the power to give you more overall hook and increased continuation. The All New PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane cover creates a blend that keeps the ball hooking downlane where traditional urethanes bail.
I've had time to throw my Fever Pitch on a variety of Conditions and I'm amazed at how many I can match up with. I have found use for both the Pitch Black and Pitch Blue but they are very pattern specific for me. When the look is up the outside they are fantastic, never miss the front of the lane and are amazing for controlling downlane reaction. My issue has always been staying with a urethane reaction as the lanes transition. When covering boards its much more difficult to carry as the traditional urethanes want to use ALL of their energy in the front of the lane
The Power+Control blend gives me much more read when I throw the ball left to right. I love the fact that I can still throw it where I liked the old urethanes with a slight adjustment for the increased hook overall. The greatest advantage to the Fever Pitch is that you can make incremental moves left for much longer and still get the ball to go through the pins. That difference is huge because many times going from Urethane to reactive is such a huge change in shape that readjusting can cost you vital frames.
I also find that the Fever Pitch is much more forgiving on Higher friction surfaces for me than the Pitch Black/Blue. It is easier through the front than the Pitch Black with more get back than the Pitch Blue. This is especially helpful for bowlers who like myself have lower ball speed.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Storm Fever Pitch
Layout: 60 x 4 1/4 x 60
Info: PAP 4 5/16 x 1/4 up, Speed 16-17, Rev Rate 400
The Fever Pitch is Storm’s new urethane with the Powr + Ctrl pearl cover. Simply put, I needed a urethane with more pop downlane than the Pitch Black. Based on pre-release info, I was hoping this was the ball. Unfortunately, I drilled it with about 10 weeks left in the league season. I can’t throw urethane on house generally so I didn’t use it much until summer sweepers started. After using it exclusively on sport compliant 34ft and 36ft patterns, I can confidently say that it is not a Pitch Black. It’s also quite different than my Hot Cell, which is much earlier than either Pitch. My Fever seems to have that familiar urethane roll up front but it goes a couple feet longer and has a sharper motion (if you can describe urethane as sharp at all). Don’t get me wrong. This is definitely still urethane, just a much needed step up at the breakpoint.
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The Fever Pitch is the third release in the Thunder line of bowling balls that features a urethane coverstock. The use of the PWR+CTRL Pearl Urethane cover is different than that of the preceding Pitch Blue and Pitch Black. The Fever Pitch also has a different core called Tour Block, that yields more differential (0.030) and a higher Rg (2.61) in 15lb bowling balls. The bright Orange Pearl really stands out, sitting on the ball return.
I drilled the Fever Pitch with a 4†pin and 2.5†pin buffer. Using the Fever with the box finish of 2000 grit abralon, I am able to get a great deal of length from this ball, and more backend movement on fresh backends than the Pitch Black. The reaction shape is best described as a combination of the Pitch Blue and Pitch Black. The Fever is a little more rolly than the Blue, but still more angular off the spot than the Black. Fever is a little longer than Black, but picks up quicker than the Blue. The Fever Pitch gives me a more unique reaction by combining the two other Pitch balls, that actually compliments my Hot Cell more than it compliments the Pitch Black/ or Blue. The Fever Pitch seems to be at it’s best when the backends are clean and no carrydown is present.
I tried using the Fever Pitch in the box condition on the WTBA Tech Committee World Challenge pattern that is 34 feet with a low volume of 7.14mL. The Fever was too strong for this pattern in the box finish, and ended up using a polished Pitch Blue. I then tried scuffing the surface of the Fever Pitch with a 500 grit Abralon pad, and used it on a lighter volume, 41 foot house shot, with good success. The additional flare that is created by the stronger core of the Fever Pitch seems to like a little more oil than the Pitch Blue.
I will be carrying the Fever Pitch with me, anytime I know I will be bowling on a short or lower volume pattern. The unique shape the Fever Pitch gives me will be a monster on the right condition. The Fever Pitch has a unique reaction shape that will give slower speed players a good reaction on lighter volumes of oil, and very heavy handed players a more crisp downlane move on fresh backends than what traditional urethane covers will. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the Fever Pitch. As always, Bowl up a Storm!
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BALL SPECS
Ball Weight: 14
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 5 inches
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 380
Ball Speed: 13 (monitor speed)
COMMENTS
Likes:
Much more "flip" on back end than any traditional urethane ball.
Good length.
No carry down issues.
Dislikes:
Can't handle heavy sport conditions.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
I'm a no-thumb, one hand bowler, who primarily uses non-reactive balls.
Before the Fever Pitch came out I felt there was no ball out there for me, for most conditions. When I use reactive, the ball hooks all over the place, and while I can use it well on long sport conditions. I don't get to play those that often. So options where either to grind it out with traditional urethane, or stand left and throw all the way right.
Fever Pitch may be " urethane-esque" as storm phrases it, but this is not a true urethane ball. Actually, one of my finger holes was damaged (not the balls fault) and corner chipped slightly, from the way it chipped and how the bevel knife cut it when rounding out the cut, this is clearly not urethane material.
It is significantly stronger than my true urethane balls (natural pearl, blue hammer, visionary crow). With a 5 inch pin to PAP, on short oil this thing flips hard. In fact, one night one of my sport shot leagues, playing the 42 foot Mark Roth pattern, I had to stop using this ball because it was coming in at such an angle that I left two, 9 pin and then a 4-9 spare. It was hooking too hard.
Keep in mind that with my 380 rev rate, but 3 degrees of axis tilt I will see more movement than most, but this is definitely a big step up from urethane. It is great from me on medium length sport shot, or I can fling it right on house shot. either up the track on fresh, or go deep inside on the burn.
As far as filling the gap between reactive and traditional urethane, this ball is perfect. I'm not some staffer or anything, just some guy who needed a controllable ball for sport shot.
For my game, and especially in one house that always hooks a lot due to the lanes, it doesn't not work well on too short condition. For that need to ball down to a weaker and more true urethane piece.
Since I have both, to compare it to Covert Tank, it is is longer, and about equal hook. Covert Tank is overall stronger if the fronts are burned up a little. Fever Pitch I first thought was weaker, but have found to be stronger other times, if the condition allows it to flip more off the back stronger (my Fever Pitch it drilled to flip). For most people it wouldn't make sense to have both, but since I almost never use reactive these two balls complement each other as a pearl and solid.
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Let me start off by describing my style:
I am a classic 1940's style Suitcase Grip Full Roller.
I have low revs (110 rpms)
Low ball speed (12 mph off my hand)
90 degree axis rotation
Zero tilt
And, like the players of the distant past, I use a conventional grip.
So knowing the limitations of my game let me describe what I wanted out of the Fever Pitch and what it actually delivered.
As a Classic Full Roller my best play is down and in from the outside.
I needed a ball that could be rolled very direct to the pocket and not die out.
A ball that would be very clean, hold the line, yet have punch in the back without overreaction.
I have not had any luck with resin balls simply because they have too much flip in the back, or break loose too early on me.
I have used maybe 15 different urethane balls over the years looking for something that would work consistently at the three houses I bowl at, each of which have totally different oil patterns.
The best and most consistent results I have had are when the lanes are very, very broken down and I can pull out my Columbia Yellow Dot Bleeder and play down and in from the right.
I have the pin 2 1/4" past my PAP on the Bleeder and it simply kills the pins on those burned up conditions.
I love this Bleeder look so much, if only I could find it in a modern ball that would work when there is oil.
So I took a chance on the Fever Pitch.
For ultimate control and retention of energy and to encourage a nice punch in the back of the lane, similar to my Bleeder, I laid out the Fever with the pin 1 1/4" past my PAP. This layout should allow the ball to be very clean, get through the heads and then get into a nice roll close to the pocket just like my Bleeder does.
I then took the finish of the Fever up to 5000 grit Trizact wet sand just to be sure it would be very clean and pop in the back and be able to work on drier or wetter conditions.
The result?
Home Run!
The Fever perfectly replicates the Bleeder ball motion.
I can stand right and roll to the pocket and the ball will stay on line and then get into a heavy roll and sweep right in, but not snap, just roll in hard.
And man does the Fever hit hard! It is a Two-Piece ball after all.
The big surprise was when I used it at my house that puts the 44 foot Big Ben pattern down on Pro Anvilane. These lanes are slick and hook is a hard thing to come by for a low rev player like myself.
Yet, even with the short pin to PAP layout and 5000 grit finish, I was able to roll direct to the pocket and the Fever would crush the pins!
The shot required finesse of course. I had to stand with right foot on 4 board and cross the arrows over 8 board direct to the pocket. Yet the Fever rolled up hard right in front of the pocket and went through without deflection.
I can't say enough about the Fever Pitch, it truly is a one of a kind ball that is raising my game. It has really simplified things for me. I can just stand right and roll direct on any of the lane patterns in my three leagues. The only thing I need to change from house to house is where I target at the arrows and where I stand with my feet. Other than that the Fever is ready to deliver. It gives you that confidence, if you make a good shot, you know it will be a strike. I rarely have had that.
Here is a look at me using the Fever Pitch at one of my league houses. This is the Stone Street pattern on the fresh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJxIUbFdnSU
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My favorite bowling ball of all time is my Columbia Yellow Dot Bleeder. When the lanes are dry enough and I can get right with it, look out! Down and in death to the pins... Also remember, the great Glen Allison shot the first 900 series with a Bleeder while drinking Crown Royal.
Alas, on modern lane conditions, the amount of oil in normal league is too much for this vintage ball. So my quest was to find some way to get the same reaction and ball motion of the Bleeder, but on modern conditions. A tall order to say the least. I have tried urethane and it does not roll like the Bleeder, too early and strong. I have tried resin and it also does not roll like the Bleeder, too late and jumpy. Remember, the Bleeder is “Soft Polyester†which produces a very unique motion on the lane. My Bleeder has the pin 2 ¼†past my pap, so it gets up the lane clean and then rolls up hard in the back going strong across the lane in a smooth continuous motion.
Enter the Fever Pitch, not really urethane, not really resin, “something else.†Also, like my Bleeder, the Fever has no core, it is just a big sphere, so like a pancake weight block ball, I could expect my Bleeder layout on the Fever to produce a similar ball motion. I have had two other Fever’s with different layouts and these balls taught me a lot about the Fever’s potential. So when the Fever was discontinued, I bought one on discount for $80 and put the same layout on it as my Bleeder. I then wet polished the Fever to 5000 grit Trizact and dry sanded “just my track†with a 5000 grit “Creating the Difference†pad. I did this because one of the properties of the Bleeder’s soft polyester is that it will dull out in the track and stay polished everywhere else. I wanted this same effect in my Fever.
The result?
The Storm Fever Pitch is the modern day Yellow Dot Bleeder! It rolls exactly like soft polyester. Same length and strong sweep across the lane. I can get it right and watch it peel back time and time again. This ball hits hard, real hard! And like my Bleeder, the Fever is also good for all spares. It’s a shame the Fever did not make a hit, but for an old school Full Roller like myself, it is like being back in the 70’s!
Also, this may be the most lovely looking ball ever made. Thank you Storm.
Here is a link to a video showing two full games with the Fever: https://youtu.be/6FFszAIvIgE