I'm currently having a lot of problems with the thumb hole in my ball. During the first game or so it fits fine, then later in the evening my thumb begins to stick in the ball. Any suggestions?
Your problem is a very common one. Depending on your diet, the time of day, humidity, and air temperature, your body can shrink and swell quite a bit. Your fingers and thumb are also affected by this and can change size up to 50/1,000 of an inch, more in some cases.
Most professionals and higher-average bowlers combat this with the use of "bowler's" tape. There are several brands of this tape currently on the market, with AMF's version the most popular. This tape is pre-cut and backed with special non-residue adhesives and is available in two textures and three sizes, as well as a variety of neon colors.
The normal procedure is to have your thumb hole slightly larger than normal, then custom fit the hole with this tape. As your hand swells, the tape is then removed individually to achieve the proper fit.
The only effective way of determining the proper size of your thumb hole is through trial and error. I suggest you consult your local IBPSIA Pro Shop technician and discuss your options. He/she should get you going in the right direction.
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I recently overheard a conversation between two top local bowlers who were discussing "break points." Could you please explain what they were talking about?
There are several operational definitions for "break point." The most common is "the optimal area on the lane, both length- and lateral-wise, where the ball begins to hook towards the pocket."
To achieve optimal scoring potential, the bowler must understand the causes and effects of break point.
First, they must be able to determine the proper break point for any given lane. The deciding factor in a lane's break point is the length of oil applied to that lane. Generally speaking, the natural break point of the lane will be five to eight feet past the last applied oil.
The position of the break point laterally will also be determined by the length of oil. The shorter the length of oil, the farther the break point will be to the right to consistently hit the pocket, and vice versa.
For example, if the oil is applied to 26 feet, the optimum break point will be between 31 and 33 feet at the fifth board. If the oil is applied to 32 feet, the break point will be between 37 and 39 feet at approximately the 10th board.
Understanding the relationship between scoring and break points sounds relatively easy on paper. However, it requires a very complex thought process and is best left alone until you acquire the necessary physical and mental skills to reproduce quality shots.
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I currently average 178 average and use a urethane ball. I tend to be a very good spare shooter, but don't throw many strikes. I'm interested in purchasing one of the new "reactive" balls to increase my power, but I've heard they can be hard to control. Could you please recommend what type of ball I should buy?
There are currently several quality reactive balls on the market that are very stable, and I am encouraged by the fact that you are concerned about retaining control of the ball.
Right now, Columbia is producing the largest variety of balls that combine hook-ability with a certain degree of control in their construction. The Beast, the PowerTORQ, the Shadow/R, and the Piranha are all possible choices, the best of which are determined by the lane conditions on which you compete.
Ebonite also offers the Crush/R, the Nitro/R, the Gyro Pro, and the new Turbo XL, one of which I'm sure would complement your game.
Other notable entries would be the CSI Blue Hypower, the Yellow Sunstorm, the AMF Ninja Master and Dick Weber Legacy, and the Brunswick Teal or Purple Rhino Pro.
The balls listed above are just a few of the possible choices. A professional ball driller, through surface preparation and pin location, could significantly broaden your options and should be consulted before making your purchase.