There are as many bowler styles as there are physical shapes. Like snowflakes, no two are ever alike. In creating its next great high performance ball, Ebonite has always looked to find the one product that will satisfy all bowlers - an impossible feat.
Much like tires, you would never put racing tires on a monster truck, and you would never put tractor tires on a Maserati. Bowling balls are no different. For example, a bowler with a high rate of revolutions struggles with an asymmetric core with too much power. A bowler with a lower rev rate gets little action from a symmetric core ball.
And because no two bowlers are alike, Ebonite’s Brand Manager, Ed Gallagher, decided it was time to stop trying to make a bowling ball be something it is not.
“There’s no one ball out there that fits every bowler,” said Gallagher. “It’s foolish for us to assume there’s going to be one great ball that serves everyone. Our bowlers deserve better. The real key to their continued success on the lane is having the equipment in their hands that best fits their game.”
Gallagher went to the on-site chemistry lab and asked the scientists there to forget about trying to make a one-size-fits-all ball. Once they were challenged to think beyond the usual one-ball offering, they reached a breakthrough – in core, in cover and in surface.
Their quest for the perfect ball led them to the next high performance ball in the Ebonite stable, the Pursuit… and the Pursuit-S!
“The Pursuit and Pursuit-S challenge the thought that one ball serves all,” explained Gallagher. “With the Pursuit, you have a high octane, super performance ball that bowlers with a down-and-in style are searching for. These bowlers pride themselves on accuracy, and Pursuit will respond well to their low to medium rev rate. The Pursuit has an asymmetric core that will give a down-and-in bowler the action he needs on the lane.”
The Pursuit-S was designed specifically for another style of bowler – the guy who likes to hook the ball across the lane, creating as much movement as possible.
“The coast-to-coast type of player needs a different type of core in his ball,” continued Gallagher. “This bowler prides himself on his ability to not only hit a mark, but to create an ‘area’ of play on the lane. Because of his high rev rates, he sometimes struggles with controllability in the usual high performance offering. The Pursuit-S offers him a symmetric core for the control he needs on the lane, without taking away from the performance he expects.”
Once the prospective balls were chosen, they were sent through rigorous testing, not just once, but five times.
“We wanted to make sure that we had the best product we could offer with the Pursuit,” explained Gallagher. “We really put the test team through the ringer on this one.”
The unusual cores are just the beginning. When you look at the cores for the Pursuit balls, you’ll see similarities in shape. The process used to create the similar cores resulted in a Mass Property Modulation Design Core, which means, the Pursuit-S Empire Symmetric core is symmetrical in nature, but slightly off-center. The Empire Mass Bias Core (.008) is used in the Pursuit, with a large slice removed from one side and definitely asymmetric in nature.
The unique shape of the Empire cores allow for advanced drilling stability. Whether drilling the Empire Symmetric or the Empire Mass Bias, the RG and Differential values will change at the same rate.
Finding the right cover chemistry for these balls created the real thrill. Ebonite’s scientists were able to use Hyper-Branched MDI Technology to create a new and previously unused base material. This material was versatile enough to be used on both the Pursuit and Pursuit-S to achieve the same type of reaction for both styles of bowlers.
The finish on the Pursuit series balls is also new. Experimentation with new surface changes to high performance balls allowed for a new grit of Abralon® pad to be used with success in the new Pursuits. The application of an 800 grit AbranetTM pad, followed only by a 1500 grit Abralon® pad, gives the ball the length it needs to cut through medium to heavily oiled lanes with ease, while maintaining a strong backend motion.
Perhaps the most exciting factor in the finish of the Pursuits is the chemical treatment applied to the surface of each ball as it comes off the finish line, opening the pores of the ball for maximum oil absorption to achieve optimum performance. This treatment will also allow for increased performance throughout the life of the ball.
“The dual introduction of the Pursuit and Pursuit-S is an opportunity for bowlers to find the ball that best fits their game,” added Gallagher. “We’ve introduced these balls to pro shops with a special display that helps them to educate their customers on which ball is best for them. In addition, bowlers who have questions about how to find their rev rates, and other bowler info that’s crucial in ball selection, can visit powerhousebowling.com for instructional videos.
“It’s time for bowlers to get what they deserve. Great high performance equipment customized for the bowler.”
The Pursuit and Pursuit-S will be available at pro shops and online worldwide on March 6, 2012.
— Ebonite Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Ebonite is a brand of Ebonite International, Inc. Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. In addition to Ebonite, the company’s consumer product brands include Hammer,Columbia 300,Track, Robby’s and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
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