The hottest brand in bowling, Storm Products, pairs up with the number one bowling shoes brand in the bowling industry, Dexter, to bring a brand new line of Storm Bowling Shoes for the 2012-2013 bowling season. Although the Storm bowling shoes are not scented like their bowling balls, they are an upgrade in the athletic shoe designs and have high performance shoe models as well. Each Storm shoe has a toe caps for longevity for the toe of the shoe, and each shoe has raised heels which slide better than the basic athletic shoe that has the flat heels. Unique styles, colors and upgrades make this line of shoes different than what is currently offered in the industry now. Storm also has 2 mens and 2 ladies high end shoe models that have similar technology to Dexter’s SST 8. Again the colors are going to be a hit in this price point. They also have an upgrade to the toe pieces that will make this shoe perform better and make it more durable. Keep a look out on our facebook page and our other media outlets to get sneak peek to the shoes styles and colors. The heels on and traction soles are also awesome bright colors. More information will be coming in the very near future. Keep checking out BowlersDeals.com for all of the latest information for these great shoes from Storm!
Release dates changed.
The world wide release date for the new Storm Tropical Heat Hybrid/Tropical Breeze Hybrid, have been pushed back to May 8th, 2012.
The release date for the new Columbia Freeze Solid/Hybrid, Ebonite Orange Maxim/Blue Maxim, and Green Cyclone/Red Cyclone have been pushed back to May 22nd, 2012. If you have pre-ordered any of these, we will get them to you as soon as we get our hands on them from the manufacturers.
Filed under New Releases, What's Hot !
End of 2011/12 PBA Tour season…
The 2011-12 PBA Tour season came to a close this past weekend in Las Vegas at the PBA Tournament of Champions. It was a decent week for myself with a win in the PBA West region member/non member doubles tournament with Steve Smith, but I do feel I let a larger payday and opportunity slip through my fingers at the ToC.
In the doubles event, Steve bowled very well all weekend long, holding me up on Saturday for the first 5 games until I got going towards the end of the 8 game qualifying block. We qualified at +163 good enough for 14th place. On Sunday I felt more comfortable on the lanes and bowled much better as Steve kept his consistent play going. Our consistency paid off on Sunday as we made our way through the elimination matches mostly unscathed. We were fortunate to eek out a couple of close games against some very game opponents in the field. It always feels good to win, winning never gets old, that is for sure!
In the ToC, I felt very confident coming in after the win from the regional. I knew the filed would be much stronger, and I had to keep up my consistent play. I did so mostly for the entire event until the final 9 game block, in which I simply could not figure out how to put strings of strikes together. I missed the top 18 finals and was very disappointed in my performance in that final qualifying round. Way too many mistakes, with too many poor decisions. You have to not only perform well at this level to advance, but you also have to be thinking at all times, and I let that get away from me.
Since I missed some events this year, I had my “worst” season statistically in a very long time. But I am not really worried about the stats. Stats do not pay the bills. I wanted to get my body healthy and my mind healthy and needed some time off during the season to do so. I feel that when the Tour begins again this fall that I will be in a better place physically and better prepared to perform well at the WSOB. I will take the summer to bowl some local events and continue working on my game. The regional events are all pretty far geographically from me and my wife and I are expecting our 3rd child in late June, so that will keep me plenty busy.
I want to take the opportunity to thank my sponsors for the past season, Valley View Casino, Brylaw Accounting Firm, and Vise Inserts.
Filed under Events, Industry News, Things on my mind
PBA Tour season concludes with the Tournament of Champions April 8-15th.
I will be heading to Las Vegas once again this next week for the PBA Tournament of Champions at the Red Rock Hotel and Casino. As always it is “THE” tournament touring players want to bowl well in.
I have been battling some injuries over the last few years, which I have mostly under control for the past few months. The by product of competing with injuries is the limitations it can place upon your physical game. It limits your practice time, and also limits the actual delivery in many cases. I have an uncommon condition with my left hip called piriformis syndrome, which has negatively affected me in the proper use of my legs. Without using my legs correctly, I get less ball speed and a steeper swing. Loss of speed/steep swings cause a lot of issues, mainly your bowling ball over reads any friction and over skids on heavier volume. As I tried to give my body time between tournaments to heal, I then developed tendonitis in my elbow because I would not bowl for weeks, then bowl 50+ games, then not bowl for weeks. Both injuries have caused me to have to miss events or W/D from events over the last few years.
My body started to feel a little bit better last Summer. I started to put in a decent amount of practice heading into the WSOB, unfortunately for me I was putting repetition into some bad physical habits. I was up and down at the WSOB, way out of it a couple days, way in it on another couple days, and middle of the pack in the others. Somehow I put a really good day together towards the end of the WSOB and made the TV show for the Elite Players Championship(you can catch it on ESPN this Sunday April 8th). Even with a few decent events under my belt at the WSOB, I felt I did not bowl up to my potential. I am usually very consistent on the tour and that has really been lacking lately.
During the USBC Masters/WTBA Open/International mini events in January I bowled horribly, and nothing worse in the world than bowling bad in a big tournaments. I had very few answers for the questions my mind was raising as I competed each day. What I finally came to realize was I need time off to work on my game away from competition. I needed to get back my fundamentals. So I talked it over with my wife and I decided to take the east coast/mid-west tour events off(Columbus, US Open, Detroit, Indianapolis). Along with not performing up to the standard I wanted, the collective prize funds in these events were not that enticing and the scheduling/logistics were a nightmare for me coming from the west coast. So I practiced, a lot. For the first time in years I started putting in 50+ games a week in. I did some video work and finally started to see and feel what I was doing wrong, which made the adjustments that I needed to make obvious. I also worked quite a bit for my friends at Bowlersdeals.com, where you will find “the best deals in bowling!”
So I will head to Vegas on Friday, bowl the PBA West Region Member/Non-Member Doubles with Team USA member Steve Smith on Fri-Sun, then Sunday afternoon is practice session for the ToC. I will try to get another blog in from the ToC, but hopefully I will be too busy bowling!!
Filed under Events, Things on my mind
Storm Releases Two!! Manic and Fringe Review
The BowlersDeals.com crew just got their hands on Storm’s newest Hot Line entries- the Manic and the Fringe. These 2 balls are designed to fit around the Frantic which has been wildly popular for many players. They feature the same cover-stock and core combination as the 2Fast and the 2Furious.
- All of our testing was done on a typical 40 foot house oil pattern.
- All the balls used in this review were drilled 5.5″ x 5″ with no balance holes.
Ball review was done using the following players-
- Storm/Roto-Grip advisory staff player and Bowlers Junction Pro Shop Manager Zack Jellsey. Zack is a medium to high rev player with above average ball speed.
- Pins ‘n Needles Pro Shop/Bowlers Junction owner Joel Ricketts. Joel is a medium rev player with average ball speed.
- PBA Tour Champion and BowlersDeals.Com‘s Official Product Testing/Reviewing Specialist Mike DeVaney. Mike is a high rev player with average ball speed.
Manic- The Manic came out of the box with slightly more shine to it than most of the other Storm solid balls we have seen recently. We would say it is in the neighborhood of 3k abralon out of box. With the Manic, we saw a strong continuous arcing motion. This solid cover allowed us to play left of the oil line and not sacrifice our carry. Good response down lane meant our entry angle was still there. It easily cleared the heads and had a nice controllable motion through the mid lane. This ball went through the pins well and keeps them low. This ball does not have nearly the oil sensitivity that we saw in the Frantic or the 2Fast. We see this ball as being the most versatile of the bunch. We saw consistent reaction on both fresh and when the lanes had transitioned.
Fringe- The Fringe comes out of the box like all other Storm pearl covers, 1500 grit polished. For us, this ball is extremely clean through the front of the oil pattern. We saw anywhere from 5-10 boards less hook on the fresh house pattern as the ball traveled 5-7 feet further down lane before making its migration towards the pocket. Although keep in mind, that when the pattern started to go away, we all saw more hook out of the Fringe. When this ball encounters any friction it really responds. It is more angular off any friction spot than either the Frantic or the Manic, and we all agree it is also more oil sensitive than those two as well. We see this ball as something for later shifts, broken down patterns, tournament patterns, and basically for the bowlers who want to see the length and snap that Storm has always been known for.
As always, look for these balls on BowlersDeals.com, where you will find the BEST Deals in BOWLING!!!! GUARANTEED!
Filed under New Releases
MOTIV introduces their first Hybrid, SIGMA HYBRID. World Wide Release Date 4/13/2012
The new Diablo Red and Charcoal Pearl Sigma™ Hybrid is the perfect complement to the award winning Sigma Tour. Featuring new Atomix Hybrid Reactive, the cover formulation has been modified to turn up the aggression factor. It carves through medium-heavy volumes of oil with ease, making it ideal for fresh patterns and sport shots. Speed dominant and rev challenged bowlers will appreciate the power of this new Motiv release!! Tournament bowlers will use it on medium-heavy volume sport patterns to destroy the rack.
While the Hybrid edition does feature the same proven core design, the cover technology and box finish provide a different zone of performance. Designed for medium-heavy oil, the Sigma Hybrid reads earlier and provides a smoother ball motion.
INNER CORE: Sigma™
COVERSTOCK: Atomix™ Hybrid Reactive
FINIS: 1000 WET SAND
15# SPECS: RG: 2.47, DIFF: .047
As always, this new Sigma Hybrid release us available at bowlersdeals.com, “the best deals in bowling”, Guaranteed!!!!
Filed under New Releases
Columbia 300 announces the Freeze Solid and Freeze Hybrid. World Wide Release Date 5/1/2012
FREEZE SOLID- New Era Solid provides a wider foot print on the lane than previous Freeze cover-stocks for more overall reaction. The Modified Messenger core core is one of the most successful cores in Columbia 300’s great history.
The Freeze Solid is finished with 800, 1000, 2000 Abralon® and then with Powerhouse Factory Polish for a great reaction on medium to dry lanes.
The Freeze Solid takes the popular Freeze line to new levels of performance for any bowler.
COLOR: Black, Purple, Yellow
REACTION: Strong Midlane
VENEER: New Era Solid
SURFACE: 2000 Polished
CORE: Modified Messenger
WEIGHTS: 10-16
RG #15lbs: 2.56
Diff #15lbs: .047
FREEZE HYBRID- New Era Hybrid is the perfect mix of solid and pearl materials and is designed for great length and strong back end. The Modified Messenger core is one of the most successful cores in Columbia 300’s great history.
The Freeze Hybrid is finished with 800, 1000, 2000 Abralon® and with Powerhouse Factory Polish® for a great reaction on medium to dry lanes.
The Freeze Hybrid takes the popular Freeze line to new levels of performance for any bowler.
COLOR: Black/Blue/Silver
REACTION: Skip Flip
VENEER: New Era Hybrid
SURFACE: 2000 Polished
CORE: Modified Messenger
WEIGHTS: 10-16
RG #15lbs: 2.56
Diff #15lbs: .047
Both of these exciting new releases will be available at Bowlersdeals.com on May 1, 2012. Bowlersdeals.com, where you will find “the best deals in bowling”, Guaranteed!!!
Filed under New Releases
Ebonite International announces two new additions to their Cyclone line. World Wide Release Date 4/17/2012
When you need great performance that is easy on the budget, the Cyclone is the ball for you. The Ebonite Cyclone Core has the same core in 10 lbs through 16 lbs.
REACTION: Length with strong backend
COVER-STOCK: GB 10.7
CORE: Cyclone
Both of these new releases will be available on 4/17/2012 at Bowlersdeals.com, where you will find “the best deals in bowling”, GUARANTEED!!!
Filed under New Releases
Ebonite’s newest additions, Pursuit and Pursuit-S
Ebonite is pleased to introduce a great new High Performance Series, the Pursuit! With the all new Pursuit and Pursuit S, the Ebonite brand is able to offer bowlers of all styles, the very best in High Performance Bowling Balls! Both balls are ready and available now at Bowlersdeals.com, where you will find the “best deals in bowling!!”
The Pursuit Series is a Dual introduction, with a very unique perspective on marketing and merchandising to Pro Shops and, most importantly, to the bowling consumer!
Core: The Pursuit is a Mass Bias bowling ball, with a Mass Bias Rating of .008. The Pursuit core is named the Empire Core. The Pursuit S is the Symmetric version of the Pursuit core, with a Mass Bias Rating of .000 and will be named the Empire S Core design.
1) Mass Property Modulation Core Design – This allows Pro Shop Technicians the opportunity to change Mass Bias properties in the drilling process to match the shape the bowler is looking for on the lane.
2) Advanced Drilling Stability – As a result of the unique shape of the Empire core, you will change the values of RG and Differential at the same rate when drilling.
Cover: This is the most exciting part of the new Pursuit Series, the new chemistry! When discussing the Ebonite Brand, there are a few known qualities . . . the large negative quality the brand has had to deal with for years is longevity. We have a few items that we know will positively address this:
1) Chemically Treated Surface – As each Pursuit ball makes its way off of the finish line, each ball is treated chemically in order to open the pores and achieve optimal performance.
2) Ultra Robust Surfacing – Through the testing phase, we worked on multiple surface options that would allow the Pursuit balls to maintain length, but still offer strong backend continuation. The best possible surface that we tested is 800 Abralon and 1500 Abranet.
3) Hyper Branched MDI Technology – This new cover system offers more performance, longer than any other industry MDI covers currently used.
4) All New Components – The Ebonite Pursuit Product Line is using materials that NO OTHER BOWLING BALLS are currently using!
Concept: In bowling, we all know that there are bowlers that are able to take advantage of the latest and greatest cores each Brand releases to the market. At Ebonite, we have long been known for developing some of the very best cores the industry has ever used . . . but, as we all know, the cover is the most important part of the equation when we talk about creating ball motion. With Rev Rates of some players being so high, they really have been a segment of the market that has been neglected. That is where the Pursuit S comes into play! Finally, Players that have High Rev Rates have a ball with the absolute latest cover technology! So, the question becomes; are you “Down and In” or are you “Coast to Coast”???? Either way, the Ebonite Pursuit or Pursuit S will offer you the absolute best performance in the market to date!
Filed under Uncategorized
Brunswick Nexxus f(P+R), C~(System) Versa-Max, Purple/Pink Karma Pearl
February 20th, 2012, Brunswick is introducing (3)three balls to add to their already potent arsenal. Pro performance line- Nexxus Solid f(P+R), High Performance line- C~(System) Versa-Max, and the Affordable performance line- Purple/Pink Karma Pearl. All three balls are ready and available at BowlersDeals.com, where you will find “the best deals in Bowling!!!”
NEXXUS f(P+R)
ADDAPTIVE ƒ(P+R) SOLID COVERSTOCK
The Addaptive ƒ (P+R) Solid cover-stock is Brunswick’s newest innovation in performance enhancing additive chemistry. ƒ (P+R) describes our latest formula that combines our new (P)rojection and our new ®ecovery additives together to create our most aggressive cover-stock to date. The Projection additive easily pushes the super aggressive cover-stock down lane where the Recovery additive connects with the lane for an extraordinary back-end hook motion. Being able to combine multiple additives in a cover-stock allows Brunswick to effectively fine tune the length, mid-lane and backend characteristics of the ball.
NEXUS ROTOR CORE
The new Nexus Rotor core integrates a center stabilizing capsule and two vertical flip claws. The center stabilizing capsule revs quickly to control the mid-lane. As the axis migrates and the core lays down, the vertical flip claws take over maintaining the rev rate for a strong continuation through the back-end and powerful drive through the pins.
BALL MOTION
The Nexxus ƒ (P+R) is so strong it extends the limits of our Ball Comparison chart. With its 1500-grit Siaair micro pad finish, the Nexxus ƒ (P+R) offers our highest hook potential and most continuation of any Brunswick ball to date.
With an extraordinary ball motion the Nexxus ƒ (P+R) skids through the front, saves axis rotation in the mid-lane and grabs the back-end for unbelievable continuation on medium to heavy oil lane conditions.
REACTION SET UP
The Nexxus ƒ (P+R) can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for asymmetric bowling balls.
VERSA-MAX
COVERSTOCK
CFT versa-max solid is our newest breakthrough in Chemical Friction Technology. The CFT versa-max solid cover-stock uses a combination of all the CFT cover-stocks to create the ultimate cover-stock. By using less mechanical friction to produce hook, the CFT versa-max solid cover-stock provides enhanced projection down the lane while saving axis rotation for more energy on the back-end and through the pins.
CORE
The new Dual Flip I – Block symmetric core incorporates a top and bottom flip block over a centered mass. The centered mass creates stability while the dual flip blocks keep the core revving to the back-end all the way through the pins for improved pin action.
BALL MOTION
With its High Gloss Finish, the C•(System) versa-max skids effortlessly through the front, saving axis rotation for the back-end with a strong continuous break-point. The C•(System) versa-max is the most versatile ball motion from fresh to extremely broken down lane conditions on light to medium-oily lane patterns.
REACTION SET UP
The C•(System) versa-max can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for symmetric bowling balls.
Purple/Pink Karma Pearl
COVERSTOCK
Activator Plus is a more aggressive version of the original Activator cover-stock formulation and features enhanced durability and performance longevity and is one of the most recognized cover-stock names in the bowling world. The pearlized version of Activator Plus cover-stock used on the Karma Purple/Pink Pearl is factory-finished with High Gloss Polish to create extra length on lighter oil conditions.
CORE
The Karma Purple/Pink Pearl incorporates a familiar light bulb shape Medium RG Performance core that provides easy length through the heads, mid-lane stability while maintaining axis rotation for a strong continuous back-end motion.
BALL MOTION
With its High Gloss box finish, the Karma Purple/Pink Pearl will provide excellent length with a medium to quick response to friction at the break-point. The Karma Purple/Pink Pearl is a great ball for rev-dominant and slower ball speed players on light oil conditions.
REACTION SETUP
The Karma Purple/Pink Pearl can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for symmetric bowling balls.
LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINEERING
At Brunswick, the unique core shape of each individual ball is used for weights from 12 to 16 pounds. This approach to lightweight ball engineering provides bowlers with consistent ball reaction characteristics across this weight range.
Filed under New Releases
Newest Premier Line Ball From Storm is the Vivid
March 1st 2011 Storm hit a home run with the Virtual Gravity Nano, it was a hot seller for a full year, and this year March 1st, we have Storm Vivid, Storm call it “Technology in HD”, and this time it glows in the dark also. Let’s see what Storm has to say…
Design
Starting at the center, the heart of the bowling ball, the technical team developed a new asymmetrical shape known at the M.A.D.™ core. Maximum Accelerating Disc technology optimizes the shapes of the RG planes to allow you to perfectly dial in your desired reaction.
Moving to the shell, the NRG™ solid reactive coverstock utilizes nanotechnology to create additional contours and surface texture. Proven in the original Storm Virtual Gravity Nano, this coverstock allows bowlers of all skill levels to hook the ball like a pro. Just give it a little side roll and watch the Vivid do its magic.
Prepped with a 2000-grit finish, the Vivid can be smoothed with Xtra Shine™ if you find it has just too much teeth. But know that with the Vivid you’ll be sure to see a true heavy roll with increased break point responsiveness like no other.
VIVID – BEYOND IMAGINATION™
This ball is available now right here- Vivid and for a limited time USBC members get a $20 rebate!
Filed under New Releases
Neil Lau
Joel Ricketts
Will Kolbow
Mike DeVaney
