Banned Balls In The PBA

[Spider]

Hi Everyone, recently they announced the discontinuation of the SD 73 Rotogrip ball, the most controversial ball in the history of bowling being banned from PBA competition, so does anyone know why it was banned and if any other balls have been banned at all?

 

[micky_macca]

There are limit to how soft a ball can be and the SD73 was softer or as soft as the limit.. im pretty sure it was something along those lines as to why the ball was banned.

 

[Buzzer]

There appears to be several un updated links regarding this ball on the Net and its banning on the PBA tour but according to the PBA website and some forum threads this ball has been approved for use on the PBA tour since January 5th 2001

http://www.pba.com/sponsors/Approved_Equipment.asp?ID=22



why it was banned originally I do not know nor can find any publishings on the net.

 

[Graham]

There have been a number of other balls that have not been approved for use in competition - im pretty sure the Brunswick Web Ball was one of them, the Quasar (one with lights in it) is another ball not on the approved balls list. I think even the AMF Michael Jordan ball isnt approved (i could be wrong on that one) but there are plenty out there if you go digging.

I might be wrong on the above, so please let me know if I am.

 

[griggsy]

your right graham, the web ball from brunswick and the ebonite zebra series were banned due to the pattern on them,cause when they went down the lane it actually caused people to have epeliptic seisures. the quaser was banned cause of the same reason with the lights and cause it had moving parts. the michael jordan was banned cause it tore at the lanes due to the engaved surface on it

 

[Spider]

Haha, amazing, I'm a well above average bowler and i wouldnt have a clue about things like that

 

[-~JB~-]

Roto Grip Inc. has taken advantage of a quirk in the rules which dates back to the early '70s to fashion its newest ad campaign. It is ballyhooing its new SD-73 as a ball that was "banned from the PBA Tour," and "The first 'true' cheater ball." After fielding several questions, like "What's that all about?" and, "Has it really been banned from the Tour?" we decided an answer was necessary. And it's this: The PBA has a 75 hardness rule, created as a cap in the wake of all the super-soft "soakers" which were used on Tour back in 1973, while the ABC reacted to the same phenomenon in coming up with its own rule, capping the hardness at 73 on the durometer scale. The SD-73, as its name implies, passes ABC's hardness rule, but not PBA's.

Yeah your are right there micky_macca it was banned due to its softness.

 

[androooo]

Here is a list of conforming and non-conforming balls from the ABC website.

Non-Conforming

Conforming

Note..... Conforming list is in PDF format and is 34 pages long!

 

[RONALD C]

Spider,
Someone told me the other day that you told them that you where working for Rotogrip now. Surely you would be able to get the exact answer to this question from your boss wouldn't you?

 

[Hammer]

hey spider well above average?? just how high is it????

 

[Spider]

Haha everyones got a question dont they, Firstly to ronnie, soon ill be doing the same for roto as you do for lane 1, being a rep, and to steve the hammer hampson, despite the fact, i dont know what i was doing at twin tours, my average at richlands on a serious basis is around the 205-210 mark, and bowling 728 for 3 games on friday with a 289, and greenslopes is 207, and mt gravatt is about 210-215, no league average, but i have printout to prove it,as i keep a record of my progress and as I train at centres as opposed to bowling league,oh well thats all from me, see ya round guys

By the way steve, you seem very anxious, about my scores and averages either a) you think im a liar, if i was i would only be cheating myself anyway, or b)You are a little insecure that a 20 year old youth bowler who's been bowling for 2 years will eventually deck you off your feet

Haha Like I said EVENTUALLY, not for another year or so at least

The eventual consequences of bowling 6 times a week

 

[Hammer]

no mate happy for ya. Just saw your post about 300 is your highest game and i just wonder where it was thats all. Isnt your league average at Richlands 176??, also if you beat me good luck since im the worst bowler in Australia 8) 8) other than that go for gold son

 

[*'TOPHER*]

If the brunswick web ball was banned, why hasnt that zebra one been banned? there is a guy at my centre that uses one and it is so annoying...


COSHEA

 

[pulse-tech]

to quote pete webber 'if they let me use this ball(sd73) i
would win every tournement'

roto grip sd73 there is not much softer

 

[RobbieB]

IIRC, the Brunswick web ball was banned because the joins were not smooth. ABC regs ban anything with a patterned surface. I know this was why the Michael Jordan Basketball thing was disallowed, and I think the web ball was the same. Pity, cos it looked quite cool.

 

[GeorgeF]

The SD73 was just a marketing tool purposely released to take advantage of the PBA softness rule. It worked a treat at the time, really got their name out there. It's been quiet since then, maybe their marketing department went on holidays??

 

[jedi_bowler]

The Brunswick Web Ball was banned due to Medical reasons!

Parker Bohn III used it for a while, but it was then banned due to the flashing patten it created going down the lane possibly inducing Epileptic Fits.

 

[Graham]

The Brunswick Web Ball was banned due to Medical reasons!

Parker Bohn III used it for a while, but it was then banned due to the flashing patten it created going down the lane possibly inducing Epileptic Fits.

Thats got to be close to the stupidest thing ive ever heard. The ball was released with the "Approved By ABC" logo on the box, however it was never approved by the ABC.

From http://www.bowlingfans.com/news/april2000.shtml

The specification states, "The surface of the ball shall be free of all depressions or grooves, of specific pattern, except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification lettering and numbers, and incidental chipping or marking caused by wear. Engraved pictures are not considered grooved of specific pattern."

Brunswick disputed the ruling based on its belief that the ball's design did not violate the intent of the ABC rule. However, Brunswick officials noted that they would abide by the ABC's decision and offer comparative replacement product for those wishing to make an exchange.

Exactly what Rob Buckley said ...

 

[jedi_bowler]

Yet again graham you show how unprofessional you are, not only are you quick to jump on people who post in your forum, but you chose who you jump and who you don't.....

I quote "griggsy" earlier in this forum

"your right graham, the web ball from Brunswick and the ebonite zebra series were banned due to the pattern on them, cause when they went down the lane it actually caused people to have epileptic seizures. the quasar was banned cause of the same reason with the lights and cause it had moving parts. the michael jordan was banned cause it tore at the lanes due to the engraved surface on it"

Now whether we are right or wrong He obviously read what I had read, but you didn't jump on him did you!!!
No not a word...

 

[Graham]

Unfortunately I dont have the time to read every single post on this forum.

You are right though, I shouldve said that post and your post were tied for the most stupidest things ive ever read.

Where does it say that I have to be "professional" ?? This site is somewhere people can come and discuss issues and give an opinion, and im not allowed to give one myself ??

You are taking it too personally .. i have no idea who you are nor do I care, I was commenting on your statement. If you don't want people telling you that what you are saying is stupid perhaps research what you are saying before opening your mouth (or typing here) and the world will be a better place. I think there is something in that for all of us.