Ultimate Inferno

The Ultimate Inferno has proven its versatility as the cover is very productive in all ranges. The low RG core provides the consistency I like to see and I can focus on matching up the flare to the rev rate of the given player. The characteristic of the activator cover-stock that I like the best, is how it reads transition. The moves a bowler can make as the lane goes through transition are not as complicated as they are with many balls in today's market. You can move into the oil or alter your game and stay closer to the friction. I want to make sure I have a look with this ball every week because of the way it sees transition.

Classic Zone

Activator cover-stock with a low RG core system has proven itself so how do you provide something different. The market asked for an Asymmetrical core and the R&D department gave it to us in the Zone Line. I like to use asymmetrical cores when I am looking for a pin to axis distance that would not normally create the type of flare separation I am looking for. I can use the asymmetry of the core to  further tweak the lower flaring layouts. The Classic Zone is the lowest RG core system available in the Zone line. I always like to keep the RG as low as the friction will allow. Too high of an RG tends to provide inconsistent reaction and or carry. Once the friction between the lane and the ball is high enough I will opt to increase the RG numbers or layout of the ball. I like the options the Zone Classic provides me in this area.

BVP Nemesis

The Nemesis is proving itself very quickly. I have liked this ball ever since I first saw it at the Mini-Eliminator in July. I see it reading parts of the lane that other balls can not use. I have been amazed at how this ball gets through the pins even when the ball sees early friction on the lane. The versatility of the cover-stock is another strength of this ball. I like to use the Nemesis as a med-slow response ball. I can get hook without worrying about the useless jerk reaction I see in balls that are too quick to the dry. I expect great things from this ball in this seasons PBA format

BVP Goliath

Try a Goliath out to get rid of the over/under reaction you are seeing with the quicker response balls most bowlers tend to opt for.  Many bowlers tend to pick the strongest down lane reaction they have in their bag and adjust their angles only to learn the hard way that too much down lane reaction doesn't match up to transition very well. Unless the lanes are just silly easy, you are almost always better off matching up your angles with your speed/rev ratio. Look for predictability first and pay special attention to the angles you are using. Think of the path you want your ball to go through the pins and try and match up your rotational direction and ball path with that. If that sounds like it is over your head keep thinking and watching. Learning is part of what this web site is about. Bowlers are always trying to match up their angles with their rev rate, direction of rotation and speed. You learn this by watching. The winner usually has the best match-up. Use the Goliath to solve one of two problems. Too much volume for your game or to give you another option with your angles. I like the higher load particles even better after they get some oil soaked into them so I can square up to the lane even better.

BVP Punisher

This is one I have been waiting on for quite some time. A versatile core with a cleaner cover. Not everybody throws the ball hard or bowls on heavy oil conditions. The Punisher fills the medium cover gap. When friction goes up the Punisher is ready to do the job the stronger balls are hired to do in oil. I have been playing with the Punishers surface and have found that it works best on the tour conditions with the polish knocked off. I have knocked the polish off with 800 grit sandpaper and have been able to get the ball through the heads with zero problem. Knocking off the polish keeps the ball from reading the sensitivity of the tour patterns and breakdown.

Absolute Inferno

The Absolute is quickly growing into the most wanted ball on the market today. I can see why. The combination of Activator Plus cover-stock and the Original Inferno core is a combination I have been waiting for quite some time. The quicker response time of the Activator cover-stock with the mid-lane predictability and strength of the Inferno core make this a perfect combination to the already strong Inferno line. We can still create the arc reaction when needed but it also allows us to use a break-point further down lane if desired. When the conditions ask us to move deeper and play a sharper reaction off the dry The Absolute is a very good option. I do not see this ball as a replacement to any of the other Activator cover-stocks.

Impulse Zone

We have had requests to introduce a light load Particle with a lower differential and  requests to have a light load Particle with an asymmetric core.

The Impulse is the perfect combination of the two.

The backend reaction is stronger than you might expect. The cover is versatile enough to be used on either side of medium. The asymmetry gives us more options in weaker pin positions.

The use of Activator cover-stock as the base is enough of a reason to understand this particle ball will be different. 

BVP Ambush

I am looking forward to this ball giving me a slower transition to the friction. When using Particle balls we are looking to create a more predictable smoother transition. This allows us to play different angles. On some conditions I will be able to open up the lane, especially when we are in shorter format environments. As the format environments get longer I will look for this ball to help me assist the players desire to close his angles down. I will use surface adjustments to match-up to the volumes. I like the symmetrical core option with this cover. It will allow me to maintain smoothness with a wider variety of layout options. The cover choice should allow for versatility in all but the higher volumes. 

Vapor Zone

The Vapor Zone is going to become most every players first cover core consideration when we are feeling oil down lane. The combination of the Absolute cover and the Zone core is going to be a great addition to the line. It plays as if it is a stronger ball than the Absolute but not as much surface friction as the Strike Zone. We are able to play many angle options with this ball. If I am trying to go more up the lane I will opt for a smoother transition core or cover. The reaction to the dry boards can be very quick with this ball so I will consider the angles I want to play when I am trying to decide between the Vapor and other balls. If I wanting to open my angles up the Vapor will be my first choice and I will start with a 55 degree layout with a small hole off the axis. This gives me a medium layot with more options on either side of it when I need it. When I want to use less angles through the front I will consider the Absolute, the Ultimate and in some cases the Strike Zone. All three have slower transition times to friction.

Strike Zone

The perfect compliment to the Ultimate Inferno when the Ultimate doesn't seem strong enough off of the break point. This cover has proven itself and so has the core. I will still use the Ultimate when I am looking for a particle reaction with a Reactive cover. But when I need to fill the gap between them the Strike Zone fills it extremely well. Many bowlers are seeing this ball as being longer than the Ultimate Inferno but all of them see it as being stronger down lane. I have had a look with this ball every week and it is one of those balls that bowlers want to have in their bag no matter what they are bowling on because it is smooth enough through transition with a cover-stock that has proven versatility. Even shined this ball is providing a strong enough reaction without being too sensitive.

Smokin Inferno

This will become my bad surface option on tour. Back home in Topeka it matches up on everything no matter what surface they are bowling on. If a bowler is competing on anything considered medium I would suggest they take a look at this cover/core combination. Notice the lower diff/higher RG (not high just higher) version of the Inferno core. So the gap it will fill on tour is when the stronger balls are burning up or when slower speed bowlers feel stuck with balls that are too rolly.

 

BVP Rampage

I have had too many comments about how good this ball is to not spend more time with it. Every body is telling me that this ball gets through the fronts exceptionally well and makes the corner very strong. This describes a reaction that everybody needs when they are bowling on any broken down condition. When I hear that this is a PowerKoil 18 cover-stock I assumed it was going to be a higher friction cover. I am in the 5th week of the 2005-2006 tour swing (just after the Chicago Classic) and will have to get back with you on this one. I plan on spending the next couple days working on a couple arsenal questions I have and this is the one I am really looking forward to. If it is half as good as everybody tells me it is I will be using it more than I am now.

Radical Inferno

I can hear the trumpets blowing, announcing the grand entrance of a highly respected warrior preparing for battle.

I spent much of the summer working with the Radical because it is our first ball made at the new manufacturing plant.

I pulled it out of the box and said wow this is beautiful but how am I going to use it with this much shine on it.

What I was looking for is a ball that allowed us to move left with our feet and gain an board or two to the right in comparison to our existing arsenal.

Out of the box I got way too much skid. No surprise really with today's slick oils and surfaces. The real test would be when I knocked the surface off.

I started playing with the surface and found just what I was looking for. I have never had a ball in my Brunswick arsenal that does what the Radical does.

I have found that taking the surface down to 220 and bringing it back up is the best way to alter the surface. Just hitting it lightly works for some, but knocking off all the shine and then bringing it back up has been very special.

BVP Wizzard

It looks like I have been given a gift over the summer. I have been needing a strong arc ball that I can shine up. The characteristic that I like about the Wizzard is that I can use it as a roll ball that I don't have to worry about making a quick jump move. Having a ball with this type of reaction is very important in every bowlers arsenal.

I don't have to use a layout to smooth out the reaction of this ball. I can do it with cover prep. I see patterns all the time where bowlers get in trouble because their ball reaction is not controllable. They are forced to try and overpower the dry or move to the oil where everything is very speed sensitive. The Wizzard is a ball that will blend all of that out.

As usual surface alteration is very important. Match the cover and look for control the Wizzard can be magical with today's sensitive transitions.

 

Scorchin Inferno

The timing of the Scorchin did not match up to the tour. The tour was in a period of all the conditions transitioning into the same thing. We had five different patterns that all played really tight down lane but the middle of the lane and heads played very thin. This is not the right environment for a ball with the reaction characteristics of the Scorchin Inferno.

I do still have a few on the truck this year and am going to try an experiment with one this year. We seem to have more head oil this year with more taper towards the back part of the lane. Of course this is only the third week and I am still absorbing.

The Scorchin provides a lot of cover and the RG numbers match up to a bowler who struggles with early revs. This would be a good matchup for a med to slower speed bowler on oil. This would not be a ball you want to open up the lane with. Use it to minimize your projection by altering the surface and looking for a cleaner arc shape.

Total Inferno

Come on boys hurry up I am wanting this ball, I can not wait to see it. R&D does a great job of listening to the needs of the bowlers and the message was sent loud and clear.

 We need a ball that can deal with oil and sensitivity to transitions.

I totally agree

 

 

 

 

 

BVP Mammoth

Who, What, When, Where, and Why comes to mind when I think of the Mammoth.

Who... is going to take this ball out of the box

What...do they expect it to do

When...they look at it

Where... does it fit in their arsenal

and

Why...do I need it

This is one of the most miss-understood ball reactions in today's market. These balls are not meant to be used to move left and throw right (at least not for very long) The Mammoth does what no other ball can do. It gives a bowler mistake room in a different way.

Prepare the surface to play less angle through the front not more and you will have all the answers you need and no other ball in your bag can give you that. The ball gets better with age not worse. Smooth all the way down the lane

Red Zone

A sigh of relief. I was concerned that our arsenal was losing the original Activator cover-stock.

Marketing likes to hear and use the term back end reaction. Pro Shops still sell balls using the concept that more backend sales. I can not worry about all the challenges the sales department has to deal with.

But in today's game...good ball reaction is about a balance of predictability and power. It is so easy for a bowler to find a ball that allows them to play angles that just do not match up to the pattern or their physical game. Bowlers with med rev rates should use med projection angles. Bowlers with low revs should use less and bowlers with high rev rates should learn that hooking the ball on today's oils and surfaces don't match up to transitions.

Bowlers are learning that angles are more important than hook. The Red Zone is a great balance and needs to be in every bowlers bag. It will be in all of our staffs bags at every tournament.