Ebonite

I'm hoping this isn't right, but and thought it was just the bowler, but after trying this ball at 3 different bowling alleys, I doubt it's the bowler. So hopefully someone can shed some light on this.

I had the Mission X punched up as something that can handle the carrydown to compliment my Domination/250K. But every time I've thrown the ball, the Mission X is struggling to turn the corner, and faces up weakley, compared to my Domination/250K, Undefeated Fire, and probably even my original Mission (I haven't tried that yet, but I suspect it). So I'm guessing that it is the layout, but I'd like some assistance.

First, pics of the Domination/250K (Pin up, OOB, with PAP 5" over, 1.5" up)

http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0745&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0746&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0755&bgcolor=black

Now, the Mission X (Pin Up, tried also with OOB, same PAP)

http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0749&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0750&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0753&bgcolor=black

And just for kicks, here's my Undefeated Fire (Pin up, OOB, same PAP)

http://gallery.me.com/tyketto#100052/IMG_0764&bgcolor=black

The guys at my pro shop were saying that it is underperforming because it's losing its energy half way down the lane, so they took it up to 500/2000 Abralon, then factory finish... same result, if not slightly worse. As I've tried this on 3 different houses with 3 different shots, and getting no-where near the hitting power I would expect (while the Domination/250K hits like a truck), does anyone here see anything wrong with the layout on the Mission X? This has me really stumped, as I would be expecting a lot better performing ball (roughly 3 - 4 boards left of the Domination/250K at the same finish on the demo video), and not having to bring my target closer to me and slow the ball down to get anywhere near the same reaction.

Thoughts??

BL.

First I have to say I had to shelf my MissionX because it is too strong and can't keep it right of the pocket.

By comparing the two layouts, your 250K has the pin higher above the brifge than the X is. the X has it above the ring finger and also the Mass Bias is in a stronger position on the 250K than the X is. I am not a big fan of weight holes in a ball and this could be taking away from the reaction also. What I suggest is taking oth balls to your pro shop and have them weigh both for side weight, top and bottom weight and finger and thumb weight and compair the two. I think you will fine the MissionX being the weaker of the two just by comparing the ohotos.

BubbaRay wrote:

First I have to say I had to shelf my MissionX because it is too strong and can't keep it right of the pocket.

By comparing the two layouts, your 250K has the pin higher above the brifge than the X is. the X has it above the ring finger and also the Mass Bias is in a stronger position on the 250K than the X is. I am not a big fan of weight holes in a ball and this could be taking away from the reaction also. What I suggest is taking oth balls to your pro shop and have them weigh both for side weight, top and bottom weight and finger and thumb weight and compair the two. I think you will fine the MissionX being the weaker of the two just by comparing the ohotos.

That's what I am hoping. thanks for having a look!

Funnily enough, there is a Demo days at my pro shop TODAY, so I'm going to see if I can make the trip up there to have them take a look at it. If not, I'll definitely head up there this weekend.

BL.

So I took the ball back to the pro shop, and fortunately, they were doing a Demo day at the time! I talked to both the pro shop owner and the Western regional Rep for EBI, and finally got the ball figured out!

This definitely was a case of being the bowler, but that was because the Mission X goes against everything I've been taught and coached, from Juniors up through Collegiate. Most people are told that if the lanes are heavy oiled, either get around it by moving right and squaring up. Doing that gets the ball in to the try and turns. This ball burns out in it and fades away. It NEEDS the oil, so you need to move further left, into the heavy part of the lane so it can save its energy for the back end. That's what I was missing with this ball.

I took the heaviest oiled lane during the demo, moved in, squared up against it, and the X turned like a truck. I was indeed 3 boards right with the 250K, and swinging. The Domination/250K is a much cleaner rolling ball, but now the X turns like a truck for me. I just need to remember that when the lanes dry up, the X goes back.

So definitely the opposite with this ball, and pays off WELL.

BL.

It is good to hear you got it fingured out bradl. Now go out and have some fun with this ball.