Greetings all!  I am new to the board but have spent a lot of time over the past two weeks or so going through a slew of posts.  I am impressed and humbled at the accumulated knowledge and expertise of all you fine folks.  I would like to thank you in advance for your help, advice and friendship.

I would like some advice/input on a “benchmark” ball.

So I fit into that “coming back to the sport after a long time away” syndrome.  Through the hard-won wisdom of the years, I have decided to dedicate the effort to convert to a more of a “tweener/power tweener” from a cranker.  I do this to capitalize on consistency and accuracy, as well as maximize economy of effort.  These things were issues “back in the day”.  In this mode, I throw fairly comfortably from just about any line, am able to tweak and control ball-speed between, say 15 to 17, cant give you pap info at the moment but hope to soon.

I will be bopping around between three local houses that are all sporting relatively new (synthetic) lanes frosted with pretty typical house oil.  I will be staying within local leagues and not planning on venturing into tournaments for the foreseeable future.

My last new ball was a Storm Flash Force around 2004ish.  This ball made me fairly partial to Storm.  One of my other favorite balls is an old Roto Star from the 80s, so I am also on-board with Roto Grip equipment.

My thinking is that I should be looking for something in the mid-line as I am not asking the ball to eat that much and will not be sending it through too much soup.  Perhaps even looking for something somewhat older rather than the current flavor of the month, i.e. Hyroad or Marvel Pearl?  Does this sound viable or does anyone have any other views on this?

The fact that the pro shop guy took time to watch your game is a good thing.  That's a sign of a good shop owner.

Defiant soul. Its made by roto grip and i think it has worked better for the vast majority. Its strong in the midlane and backend, decent length, and made for medium heavy to heavy oil patterns. Or look at y he disturbed because it reads earlier, smooth roll and is also made for medium heavy to heavy oil patterns. What motion are you looking for?

Sorry tommy i meant to say strong and smooth. I do realize the r2s is significantly stronger but i feel that the reactor hybrid will provide him with the best roll.

The frantic or freakin frantic may be a good option.  I would also suggest looking at the Defiant Edge.

I don't think anybody would ever not recommend a Hyroad.  The Roto Berserk is also a pretty good option.

I would not suggest the Hy-Road to anyone.  I had one, and personally, I felt the cover died early, and the ball was very touchy for me.  Anything slightly too fast, the ball would struggle to get to the pocket, slightly light, the ball would be all nose.

If you still need to fill a gap, the Tropical Heat Hybrid (black and silver) is a must have. I have sold my vivid and hyroad. The t heat has a permanent place in the bag. It is cleaner through the front than my IQ Tour and more angular in the back.