Guys and Gals, The Rookie has another ball review for you all to enjoy, the Rule Delta 1.
I have a video from a different practice session than the one I am reviewing here, done by SteveAustin2808. Here's the link:
http://media.putfile.com/MBs-Rule-Delta-1-VideoRule Delta 1Weight: 15#
Layout: 4 3/4" Pin Below Ring, CG stable with MB Extremely Strong(5 o'clock), no X-Hole needed
Surface(s) tested: 900 grit OOB restored, currently at ~800 grit sanded(grey scotchbrite applied)
Lane Conditions Tested: Fresh THS, THS with carrydown, and 2nd shift THS I was offered this ball by SteveAustin2808(famous Track video guy with mad skills and a 210+ average) earlier last month, and I decided to take it off his hands. I had always admired this ball but never got the guts to purchase it. Either way, I realised how good this ball was when I first starting throwing it.
This ball has the Goo LS coverstock, same as the Arsenal Artillery. This coverstock has been quite good to me with the Artillery, giving me great backend reaction. This ball has more early roll and a more even reaction than I expected, which is a good thing. Also, with the sanded finish, it has some teeth on the freshier, heavier oiled shots I see out there. Also, the backend was more continous than snappy, which makes it more readable on the fresh than any ball I have seen since the Slash.
Lines played(compared with the
Arsenal Artillery), on a THS with slight carrydown and a few games on the condition
25(on the approach) to 15(at the arrows) to 12(breakpoint): Delta 1: Earlier roll, continous backend reaction, a solid 10 stood up
Artillery: Later roll, very strong backend reaction, dead flush strike
^Here I moved left with the pattern as it broke down for me. The heads breaking down and the carrydown caused the Delta 1 to grip sooner, losing some of its strong backend that makes it famous, resulting in a solid 10. The Artillery delayed its roll long enough to finish very strong in the pocket.
15(approach) to 5(at the arrows) to 3(breakpoint):Delta 1: Early roll(at the arrows), very strong backend reaction, 4-6-7 split
Artillery: Later roll(at the breakpoint), strong backend reaction, flush strike
^Here I switched lines and moved outside, where more dry was present. I moved my target much further down lane, almost 40 feet down lane. I targeted my breakpoint on the dark boards outside first arrow, where I knew friction was present. This line wasn't played at all, so I decided to give it a whirl and see how both balls would perform.
The Delta 1 grabbed the dry immediately and jumped off the breakpoint so quick it wasn't possible to keep it in the pocket playing this line. Too much teeth for this particular line, to say the least. The Artillery, on the other hand, delayed its roll until it hit the breakpoint where I was looking at.
Grades:Heavy oil: The Delta 1 wasn't made for the really slick stuff, for the particle equipment out there handles the Slick 50 better. But, the Delta 1 can be played on this pattern going direct up the boards, but make sure you have some surface on this ball. OOB on heavy oil will not do the trick, for it is too high of a finish unless you have a rev rate that can pull it off.
Grade: C+Heavy-Medium oil: This ball shines for me on this pattern, b/c the houses I have bowled at put this down as their house shot. The Delta 1 grabs at around the 30-35 foot mark, and with clean backends, it has a strong backend motion that finishes extremely well. Great ball for the first game in league for me, for it does very well on the fresh.
Grade: A+Medium oil: On this condition, the Delta 1 grabs sooner for me, around the 30 foot mark. The backend is stronger, and sometimes is hard to control if I am not careful. As the shot dries up, I have to go the Artillery b/c of the coverstock finish on it. This is where I either move deeper on the approach, change my breakpoint and target downlane, or just change balls.
Grade: BMedium with carrydown: As the shot transitions and the oil carries downlane and the heads dry up, the Delta 1 goes down on performance for me. It grabs too soon, and the backend is not nearly as strong as the Artillery or even the Arsenal Reactive. I have to switch balls here, b/c game 2 in league usually has this condition.
Grade: C-Medium-Light, and Light oil: I wouldn't even try this ball on this condition, for the surface I have the Delta 1 is far too strong for this shot. I would have to loft it, and I have less room for error with this ball, and that is putting mildly.
Grade: F-Overall Conclusion: Track has produced a gem in the Rule Delta 1. The assymetrical core and the Goo LS coverstock produce a combination that killer on the lanes. The Delta 1 compliments my Arsenal Artillery very well, and make a dynamic 1-2 punch for league. Now I see what the buzz on this ball was all about, and it was worth all the hype.
Overall Grade: AGod Bless You all and Thanks for reading this review!
--------------------
What are you waiting for?
Take the FastTRACK to victory with Track bowling balls....no doubt the fastest, most hardhitting speedsters on the road!
Track....you just can't beat that!
Name: Michael Bradford
Nickname: "The Rookie"
Ball Reaction: "99% Ball, 1% Bradford" - Evolution Tag Team Member #3 Dain Stewart, "The Beast"
"98% Ball, 2% Bradford"- Evolution Tag Team Member #1 "The Franchise" Michael Price after witnessing "The Rookie" shoot 650 on May 28th, 2006 with his Rule Delta 1
Evolution Tag Team Member #2 since 1/06
