Brunswick Rolls Out Mastermind™ Genius and Vintage LT 48™

The black/green/gold Mastermind Genius offers more length, improved versatility and stronger backend reaction on medium to heavy oil lane conditions. The Mastermind Genius combines the new Honor Roll Hybrid reactive coverstock and the Mastermind Ultra Low RG core to produce a more angular ball motion for more entry angle, increased pin action, and higher scores.

The Vintage LT-48™  is an old-school solid black ball that combines the new 3C solid reactive coverstock and a new Medium RG symmetric core to produce enhanced control, consistency, and carry on a variety of lane conditions. The Vintage LT-48 provides added length and improved versatility making it an excellent choice for slower ball speed and higher rev rate bowling styles.

“I am very excited about the Vintage LT–48! This ball provides outstanding length allowing me to relax and roll the ball to the breakpoint without any concern for early hook.”
–Johnny Petraglia

Ebonite Introduces The Pivot Point and a Presidents Day Promotion

The new Ebonite Pivot Point is a Purple/Gold/Black RCP Max coverstock finished with 500 then 1500 Abranet™ finally polished with Powerhouse Factory Finish polish. The core of the Pivot Point is the CB-2 Asymmetric.

Track To Unleash Three New Balls and a New Naming System

The Track LX 16 features QR-8 (Quick Response) Pearl Coverstock, the finish is 800/1000/2000/3000 Abralon®, with design to fit medium to heavy oil lane conditions, shell color is Red/Plum/Smoke.

Bowlers with lower rev rates need more help from the bowling ball than anyone, the reason TRACK developed the brand new Lx16. In order to achieve  targeted ball motion, they armed the Lx16 with Track’s latest and greatest in both core and coverstock development.
 

For the MX10, Track wanted to create a ball that offered moderate length with a strong back end reaction for those with medium rev rates. In order to achieve the targeted ball motion, they combined a brand new cover with a young but successful core design.

Utilizing the Face core, which was previously used, in their high performance line (910A), this core allows the MX10 to read the mid-lane aggressive enough to get the job done while maintaining sufficient energy for the breakpoint.

Bowlers with medium rev rates usually get lost in the mix when it comes to coverstock development. Most covers are either too aggressive or not aggressive enough for their game, which forces them to play the wrong part of the lane. For medium rev rate fans, Track developed the new MR (Mid Response) covers. The MX10 features the MR-6 Hybrid cover which offers just the right amount of mid-lane read.

The MX10 is finished with 500/1000 Abralon® and polished with Powerhouse Factory Finish. The extra bit of surface underneath the polished finish allows the strengths of the MR-6 Hybrid to shine on almost any lane conditions, especially on medium oil patterns.

Although the MX10 was engineered with the medium rev rate style in mind, Track suggests "that all styles of play will gravitate towards this beauty. The MX10 has both the looks and performance. It’s the complete package!"

The Track MX10 features: Coverstock MR-6 Hybrid, Finish 500/1000 grit Abralon® Polished w/Powerhouse Factor Finish Polish, Lane Condition Medium Oil, Color Black/Yellow/Silver Pearl

　

Today’s bowler wants to see that ball hook as much as possible. To be honest, most bowler’s really don’t need that much hook. Especially those with higher rev rates. For the HX05, Track wanted to create a ball that performed outstandingly when in the hands of such bowlers.

The new Track HX05 is covered with Purple Pearl/Gold Pearl DR (Delayed Reponse)-4 Pearl coverstock, finish is 500/1000 grit Abralon® Polished w/Powerhouse Factor Finish Polish, designed for medium lane condition to light oil.

The HX05 features one of the most successful cores in the history of Track. The Modified Kinetic core is one of those special cores that rolls good no matter how it’s drilled or who is throwing it. The low rg and differential offers unheard of control and predictability on the lanes. Controlling the friction on the lane is important to every bowler. Especially those with higher rev rates. This is why Track developed the new DR-4 Pearl reactive cover. The DR covers offer a very clean reaction through the front part of the lane. Level 4 of this cover will match up best on medium to light oil patterns.

The HX05 is finished with 500/1000 Abralon® and polished with Powerhouse Factory Finish. This finish allows the HX05 to perform on fresh and broken down patterns equally well. Those needing even more skid through the front part of the lane can achieve it by raising the underlying surface and then repolishing.

Everyone knows that guy that always seems to be hooking the entire lane when he’s bowling. Is it because he wants to or because today’s bowling ball technology forces him to? Most likely it’s the latter. This is why Track developed the HX05. Higher rev players need a ball designed for their game. One that allows them to throw the ball the way they want to.

Hammer Unvails a New Black Widow and a Significant Ball Warranty

Put today’s toughest bowling ball in your hand with Hammer’s new Deadly Aim!

Deadly Aim features a new flex-resin poured Dead-center core system that positions a super dense mass near the center of the ball, creating better energy flow throughout the ball.

Then we reinforced the outer core with one of the most durable products in the world, carbon-fiber, to create extreme energy recoil upon impact at the pins.

With that increased reinforcement, Hammer’s been able to set the industry standard on quality and durability by introducing a new 3-year manufacturer’s warranty best in class.
The Hammer Deadly Aim features: Red / Orange / Yellow Primer Reactive Solid Coverstock, finished 500 Abralon®/1000 Abralon®/ 2000 Abralon®/4000 Abralon® with Powerhouse™ Clean N’ Sheen, Wrapped around the Dead Center Core, Best for Medium-Heavy Oil.
Hammer’s Black Widow Assassin

Black Widows are the most popular series of bowling balls ever produced by Hammer, and now they’re back to bite medium to heavy oil lane conditions. Black Widow Assassin pairs up two of their most popular components ever - the Widow core and the First Blood coverstock. Sanded in a 1000 grit polished finish, the Black Widow Assassin is one of the most aggressive and continuous hooking balls in the market today. Combine that signature Widow core motion with today’s coverstocks, and you’ve got one of the TOUGHEST rolling products in the marketplace!

The Hammer Black Widow Assassin features: Red / Navy / Purple
NBT Solid Coverstock finished 500/500/500/1000 Abralon® with Powerhouse™ Factory Finish Polish, wrapped around the legendary
Gas Mask Core, Designed for Medium-Heavy Oil.

900 Global Introduces the Network

The Network is latest High-Performance release from 900 Global featuring the re-engineered CFT2 core and new XPT74 shell. With a newly developed coverstock blend and their strongest asymmetric core to date, the Network has strong elements.

The new XPT74 coverstock is chemically engineered to have more uniquely shaped porosity structures that extend deeper in the shell, allowing for quicker oil absorption yet maintaining responsiveness down the lane. "The Network is designed for a strong midlane read, powerful backend motion and endless continuation," reports 900 Global.
 
Look for the new ball February 5^th, 2014.
 

Yuya Katoh Round 1 Japan Cup Champion

Japan Professional Bowlers Association journeyman Yuya Katoh pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Round1 Japan Cup history, defeating countryman Kazuaki Watanabe, 243-235, in the title match to become the first Japanese player in 25 years to win the popular international event.

 

The finals of the 27th Round1 Japan Cup, which included 16 PBA members who qualified based upon a year-long competition points race plus special invitees and additional Japan, Korean and PBA players, were televised live in Japan and aired Sunday on ESPN.

 

Katoh, a 10-year Japan PBA Tour veteran who had never won a title, became only the third Japanese player to win his country’s most prestigious title title after Watanabe failed to convert a 10 pin in the ninth frame. Katoh’s strike on his first ball in the 10th sealed the win. The only previous Japanese title winners were Ken Taniguchi, who defeated fellow JPBA member Kiyoshi Nakarai to win the inaugural Japan Cup in 1985, and Takeo Sakai, who defeated PBA star Wayne Webb to claim the 1988 title.

 

Katoh, a married father of two who works as a teaching pro in a Japanese bowling center, was aware of his country’s 25-year title drought, but didn’t want to think about it.

 

“I didn’t concentrate on anything other than thinking ‘one shot at a time,’” he said. “I knew it had been a long time since a JPBA bowler won, but I didn’t want to think about that.”

 

He also used the same philosophy to avoid the increasing pressure in the final frames.

 

“I knew if I watched the other bowler, I’d get nervous so I just closed my eyes and went through my routine,” he said. “I didn’t pay attention to anything else around me - not how long it’d been since a JPBA player had won, not going for my first title and not how the other bowler was doing. I only thought about my game.

 

“I’m very happy. This is a huge tournament to win for my first title,” he beamed. “I’m just very happy.”

 

The three JPBA players dominated the eight-player finals field. Katoh, who will make his American debut when he bowls in the United States Bowling Congress Masters in February in North Brunswick, NJ, advanced to the title match by eliminating Finland’s Osku Palermaa in his first match, 258-226, and defeating countryman Shinichi Horie in the semifinal round, 236-195.

 

Watanabe eliminated Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 278-239, in the Round of 8 and ended any PBA hopes for a title when he ousted PBA rookie E.J. Tackett of Huntington, IN, 249-190, in his semifinal round match.

 

In the other two Round of 8 matches, Horie struck on his last five shots to slip past reigning PBA Player of the Year Sean Rash of Montgomery, IL, 225-224, while Tackett eliminated two-time Japan Cup winner Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, SC, 226-224, when Jones left the 2-8-10 on his fill ball in the 10th frame after Tackett missed a 10 pin in his 10th frame to give Jones a chance to win.

 

PBA coverage on ESPN continues next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET with three hours of coverage of three important aspects of PBA competition involving regional, senior and youth bowlers. The telecast will include the PBA Regional Players Invitational Finals, the PBA50 Tour Finals (the final two events in PBA World Series of Bowling V from South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas), and the Teen Masters Grand Championship finals.

 

The RPI Finals will feature six PBA Regional Tour qualifiers: Brian LeClair, Athens, NY, representing the East Region; Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, FL, South Region; Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, Central Region; Dave Beres, Waukesha, WI, Midwest Region; Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, Southwest Region, and Ben Laughlin, Chandler, AZ, West/Northwest Region.

 

The PBA50 Tour Finals includes three PBA Hall of Famers who qualified based on 2013 PBA50 Tour competition points. Pete Weber of St. Ann, MO, will bowl in the opening match against Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli with the winner facing Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, FL.

 

The Teen Masters Grand Championship finals will feature outstanding youth bowlers including defending grand champion Greg Young of Viera, FL., and defending girls’ champion Ashley Dunn of Palmdale, CA, in a battle for a $64,000 scholarship package.

 

ROUND1 JAPAN CUP

Round1 Minami Suna, Tokyo, Japan

 

Championship:

Yuya Katoh, Japan ($57,250) def. Kazuaki Watanabe, Japan ($30,525), 243-235.

 

Semifinal Round (losers earned $14,300):

Katoh def. Shinichi Horie, Japan, 236-195.

Watanabe def. EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 249-190.

 

Round of 8 (losers earned $7,250):

Horie def. Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 225-224.

Katoh def. Osku Palermaa, Finland, 258-226.

Tackett def. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 226-224.

Watanabe def. Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 278-239.

PBA to Test Additional Refinements for Regional Program in 2014

by Jerry Schneider January 9, 2014 05:58

Based on the input of players who compete in the PBA’s more than 160 regional tournaments annually, the PBA will introduce new programs on a trial basis in 2014, including allowing re-entries in selected events, conducting additional tournaments exclusively for non-title winners and expanding its one-day, reduced entry fee tournament schedule.
PBA’s regional program was created in 1969 as a proving ground for bowlers who aspire to compete at the Tour level as well as providing accomplished players who are unable to compete on the national tour with close-to-home, affordable competitive opportunities.
Beyond its original intent, the current total of roughly 160 regional events in its East, South, Central, Midwest, Southwest, West and Northwest Regions gives the PBA and its host bowling center partners an ongoing showcase for the sport’s most talented players. The regional program, which consists of regular and PBA50 division for players 50 years of age and older, is reviewed annually and changes are introduced to meet current demands.
For 2014 revisions include:
● Each region will conduct at least one re-entry tournament, allowing bowlers who have a bad round additional opportunities to cash and advance to match play rounds.
● Each region will conduct at least three non-champions tournaments, which will be titled Challenge tournaments. Challenge tournaments will be open to PBA members and non-members who have never won a PBA event and will offer reduced entry fees. A non-member who wins a Challenge event will not be eligible to bowl any additional Challenge tournaments as a non-member, but will be allowed to bowl additional Challenge events if he/she joins.
● Based on the popularity of one-day, reduced entry fee events – introduced on a trial basis in 2013 to help reduced travel expenses for players – each region will offer one-day tournaments in 2014. The number of one-day, reduced entry fee events will be at the region’s option.
● Each region will conduct at least two tournaments that will offer a 1:4 prize fund ratio instead of the standard 1:3, providing more prize money for those who cash.
● Based on the popularity of doubles format events, each region will have the option to conduct a variety of doubles events, such as Over 50/Under 50, member/non-member, open doubles (any combination of partners) and mixed doubles.
“The PBA regional program not only provides a wide variety of competitive opportunities, but it also provides the PBA with an opportunity to examine new ideas and changing needs,” said PBA Director of Regional and PBA50 Tours John Weber. “We will be monitoring the new programs we’re introducing for 2014, and considering other ideas that will enhance or improve opportunities for PBA members.”
For PBA regional schedule and entry information click on http://www.pba.com/Tours/Regional.