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Author Topic: Illegal drilling  (Read 1833 times)

PopPop200

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Illegal drilling
« on: November 30, 2004, 02:50:38 PM »
Exactly what constitutes an illegal drilling? Is a drilling illegal just because the ABC says so? How much advantage is going to be gained by having an extra ounce or two of sideweight, or whatever weight parameters are transgressed? I remember that before all of the exotic weight blocks were introduced, there were some bowlers who had one pound blocks of lead put into their balls, and gained a distinct advantage. Aren't the weight blocks of today making the balls hook a lot more than ever before, and don't these weight blocks actually weigh a lot more than one pound? If so, how can that extra ounce make so much of a difference? I would like to actually see an illegally drilled modern ball, because to the best of my knowledge, I have never seen one. How could I tell if someone was throwing an illegally drilled ball? What would I have to look for? I assume that unless a bowler goes to a tournament where his equipment is examined, he could probably bowl forever in house leagues with whatever type of ball he desired to throw. I have been bowling for over 40 years, and I have never seen anyone's equipment checked by either a league official or someone from the local association.

 

Overhand

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Re: Illegal drilling
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2004, 11:19:09 PM »
let me try to field some of these...

 
quote:
Aren't the weight blocks of today making the balls hook a lot more than ever before, and don't these weight blocks actually weigh a lot more than one pound? If so, how can that extra ounce make so much of a difference?

even with 'exotic' weight blocks and such, they have to be centered to your grip within 1 oz.  remember that one lb wight block is centered (balanced if you will) in the middle of the ball.  even with these restrictions, you can make a ball do a number of tricks.   physics, you know...

 
 
quote:
How could I tell if someone was throwing an illegally drilled ball? What would I have to look for? I assume that unless a bowler goes to a tournament where his equipment is examined, he could probably bowl forever in house leagues with whatever type of ball he desired to throw.


yep just like sand bagging, only your conscience to keep you honest...



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TWOHAND834

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Re: Illegal drilling
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2004, 11:34:42 PM »
Boy....this brings back memories.  Kind of a touchy subject, but going to share anyway.  I had a Triton Heat drilled up years ago with an exotic drilling (pin under ring, but when looking down at the grip, the label faced towards the right).  I threw it a few games and did not like the reaction I was getting.  So I give it to a friend of mine to try out for awhile since he was a Track freak at the time.  He kept the layout the same just plugging the ball to fit his hand.  He had it for a month and decided to give it back to me.  I pulled it out about a year later for giggles and fell in love with it.  It seemed to read the midlane better and still got great continuation on the backend.  I used it in league for 30 weeks.  I was averaging 241 with 2 300s and 3 800s (800, 836, 843).  I took it to Knoxville last year for the Nationals and when the weighed it, they said it had 3/4 ounce too much finger weight.  I almost cried (not literally).  So, I finished up the league with another ball (being somewhat honest about not using an illegal ball without telling the league I bowled all season with that ball) and finished the year at 238.  With the naked eye, you really may not be able to tell whether someone is using an illegal ball.  Thats the risk you take bowling in leagues.
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