High Performance
Color: Black/Silver All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Core: High Mass Bias Gas Mask Core with Flip Block
Coverstock: Violent Bite Reactive
RG Differential: 0.049 (Medium-High Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
RG Average: 2.51 (Low) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
Reaction: Strong hook motion with aggressive backend
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
Description: Featuring the High Mass Bias Gas Mask Core with Flip Block and new Violent Bite Reactive coverstock, the Black Widow Bite is what we moderately call “aggressive”. The Black Widow Bite expands the performance offerings in the Black Widow series by offering a stronger hook motion with more aggressive backend. Take that as a warning.

Hammer Black Widow Bite DigiTrax data on oily 42′ test pattern. Black is the Cranker, Red is the Tweener and Blue is the Stroker. Ball paths represent bowlers shot average over several shots on the same pattern.

BTM Comments:

Those that have been yearning for a stronger version of the Black Widow need yearn no more. With the release of the Black Widow Bite, Hammer has created just that. This new Widow features the Violent Bite Reactive cover, which offers more friction compared to the Violent Reactive cover used on the original Black Widow. In our testing, we found it one to be three or so boards stronger overall. The stronger cover gives it the ability to handle larger volumes of oil than the Black Widow. This ball will still work on medium patterns as well, but will have to be played from a deeper line. Even though it creates more friction in the oil, it still has the same strong back end recovery that this series is known for. Those with super slow ball speeds will be limited to oilier patterns unless polish is applied to the cover. Those that never see heavy oil will definitely need some surface work and/or longer pin to pap layouts if they wish to use it on medium and lighter oil patterns. The strong continuous ball motion will come in handy on medium to oily sport patterns. The Black Widow Bite performed so well with the box finish that we recommend leaving the cover alone and possibly making this your first ball out of the bag on oily conditions.

Grip and foot pressure systems expected to have big impact on coaching, pro shops

By Patrick Brettingen
USBC Communications

Measuring pressure on specific points of the human body is becoming a new and growing focus for bowling coaching and training. The United States Bowling Congress has now developed advanced technology that can measure grip and foot pressure to improve the collection of motion data throughout a bowler’s approach.

These patent-pending biomechanics systems, which transmit body movement data to a computer via a series of pressure sensors connected to a bowler’s throwing hand and feet, are examples of new technology that USBC believes will usher in the future of coaching in the sport of bowling.

“This is the kind of technology we need in the sport of bowling,” said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, who was instrumental in developing the grip and foot pressure systems.

“These systems work together with coaching. USBC hopes that by understanding biomechanics and applying these systems to the sport of bowling, we can give our coaches the most advanced tools to analyze bowlers and help teach athletes of all ability levels.”

The grip pressure system measures the location and amount of pressure a bowler imparts on different parts of the throwing hand as it grips a bowling ball throughout an approach and delivery.

A bowler’s hand is outfitted with a specially-designed sports glove with small pressure sensors (0.07 inches thick) attached by medical tape.

The sensors, which are made up of tiny, individual sensing units, transmit pressure data from the hand through a data hub worn on the wrist which is connected to a computer. Once a shot is recorded through the system, the data is analyzed on a computer.

World-renowned bowler, USBC coach and USBC Youth spokesperson Jason Belmonte of Australia, left, tests a new patent-pending grip pressure system that was developed by USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, right. Belmonte was at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., recently for an international coach training event.

“From a coaching perspective, the grip pressure system can provide coaches with valuable information about things such as a bowler’s rev rate, if a bowler squeezes the ball in the back swing and how grip pressure changes when a bowler uses a different release,” Ridenour said.

“Measuring grip pressure can allow coaches to develop effective methods of teaching athletes different releases. From a ball driller’s point of view, this can help to learn drillings that minimize a bowler’s grip pressure.”

The foot pressure system measures the location and amount of pressure placed on various parts of a bowler’s feet during the approach and slide.

Pads with the same type of sensors used in the grip pressure system are placed underneath a bowler’s shoe insoles. As a bowler makes an approach, foot pressure is measured and the data transmitted through hubs worn around the ankles to a computer and then analyzed. Sensors are calibrated based on a bowler’s weight.

World-renowned bowler, USBC coach and USBC Youth spokesperson Jason Belmonte of Australia, left, tests a new patent-pending grip pressure system that was developed by USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour, right. Belmonte was at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., recently for an international coach training event.

“Foot pressure provides coaches with important data about a bowler’s tempo, consistency of the approach, timing, power step, the slide and posting a shot,” Ridenour said.

“Foot timing is one of the critical aspects of a bowler’s physical game, and we can actually measure within one hundredth of a second the amount of time a bowler takes on a single step and how long a bowler will stay posted in the finish position. Both grip and foot pressure measurement can be synchronized with video footage of bowling students.”

USBC plans for this and other new technology to be integral features of its planned 12-to-16-lane combined equipment testing and international training center in Arlington, Texas, if a deal is finalized, as expected, to move the headquarters of the sport’s national governing body from Greendale, Wis.

In addition to grip and foot pressure systems, USBC is applying for a patent on another new technology system. These new technologies will be the subject of newly-named USBC Vice President – National Governing Body Neil Stremmel’s seminars May 7-8 at the USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo., and June 24 at International Bowl Expo in Orlando, Fla.

Coverstock: Traxion Reactive 0.45
Weight Block: Spike Symmetric Mass Bias Version 1B
Ball Color: Purple/Blue/Silver Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Mass Bias Rating: 0.022
Length: 23
Hook: 48
RG Differential: 0.043 (Medium) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
RG Average: 2.51 (Low) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium to Heavy Oil Conditions
Description: It’s Complete NV. And no wonder. This ball performs even in high oil conditions. That’s because its new Traxion Reactive coverstock and Spike Core, Version 1B work in tandem to bring better performance in the backend. So get one. Have it drilled to your specs and watch it perform. Then check out the looks you get

Ebonite Complete NV DigiTrax data on medium 40′ test pattern. Black is the Cranker, Red is the Tweener and Blue is the Stroker. Ball paths represent bowlers shot average over several shots on the same pattern.

BTM Comments:

With the Complete NV, Ebonite has kept the same user friendly ball motion that both the Total NV and NVS offered. This NV offers a stronger ball reaction in the oil with the Traxion Reactive .045 cover. The core was modified slightly, giving us version 1B of the Spike Symmetrical Mass Bias design. This core/cover combination matched up best with our fresh medium pattern. The tester that had the most unbelievable reaction was Tweener. It literally didn’t matter where he had this one at the breakpoint. When he missed wide, it roared back and when he got it inside a pinch, it held the pocket. His ball speed and rev rate were a perfect match up with the Complete NV. Stroker and Cranker had a great ball reaction, but no where near what Tweener had. As this pattern broke down, Stroker’s and Cranker’s pin carry suffered slightly as they moved deeper. Tweener’s ball reaction and pin carry never lessened. The only thing that would have stopped Tweener from striking would have been a power failure. Our reaction on the heavy oil pattern wasn’t near as good as it was on the medium pattern. We experienced an extra foot or two of skid from this pattern, creating a much smaller pocket…making it harder to strike. As this pattern broke down and the track area opened up, our ball reaction improved immensely. Cranker had the best look after we broke the pattern down. He was able to bump the track and get the Complete NV back to the hole with ease. The dry pattern, which is the shortest as well, offered more hook than the Complete NV could handle. This ball doesn’t need as much help as the dry pattern offers. Balls like the Clash or Bash would be better suited for this type of condition. The Complete NV offered an excellent reaction on our sport pattern. This pattern requires a ball that is consistent in reaction shot after shot, which is what the Complete NV gave us on this condition.

Color: Purple/Blue/Red Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Core: Ti Boss
Coverstock: “Bring It Back Pearl” Reactive
Surface: 4000 Abralon with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish
Reaction: Skid/Flip
Hook Rating: Oil – 18, Backend – 30
RG Differential: .035 (Medium Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
RG Average: 2.55 (Medium) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Dry Oil The Wrath Dead Flush gives consistent performance on any medium to dry lane condition. Our proven Ti Boss core, surrounded by the new “Bring It Back Pearl” reactive veneer gives more length through the front and a strong backend motion.

Columbia Wrath Dead Flush DigiTrax data on medium 40′ test pattern. Black is the Cranker, Red is the Tweener and Blue is the Stroker. Ball paths represent bowlers shot average over several shots on the same pattern.

BTM Wrath Dead Flush comments:

The Wrath Dead Flush features a pearl version of Columbia’s “Bring It Back” reactive cover with the proven Ti-Boss core design. This core design has always had the ability to store lots of energy for the back end. Then, when you put it in a polished pearl cover it takes this characteristic to the max. As with the Wrath High Flush, this ball will perform best on medium patterns, which includes the typical house shot. This new release also has the ability to handle some drier lane conditions as well. We gave it our highest marks on our medium test pattern. The length and strong back end was perfect for this type of condition. This ball’s ability to retain energy for the back end allowed us to stay with it as the pattern broke down. All three testers were able to chase the shot inside without loosing the ability to carry the corners. On the drier pattern, we were about an arrow or so deeper than we were playing on the medium pattern. As long as we didn’t bump the track area too early, we were able to hit the pocket and carry with a rather high percentage. Just be wary of hitting the friction too early. Doing so will cause the Dead Flush to jump dead flush into the headpin, leaving some creative spare shots. The length created by this Wrath was too much for the heavy and long pattern. The Resurgence and Rival would be a better choice when facing this type of condition. The Wrath Dead Flush would be our first choice on sport type patterns. This ball will find some playing time on medium sport patterns that have opened up a little. Other than that, it will probably stay in the bag on all other sport shots.

Coverstock: Cytoplasmicâ„¢ Solid Reactive
Weight Block:Nucleusâ„¢
Ball Color:Turquoise / Navy / Black All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Ball Finish:2000 Abralon
Hook Potential: 7″ + (High) on a scale of 1-10 Low-High
RG Differential: 0.048 (Medium-High Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
RG Average: 2.52 (Medium-Low) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
Recommended Lane Conditions: Heavy Oil
Description: The all-new Cellâ„¢ is an evolutionary design infusing our highly advanced asymmetrical Nucleusâ„¢ core with our Cytoplasmicâ„¢ solid reactive coverstock. This combination sustains high differential throughout the lanes and produces continuous hook on the heaviest oil patterns.
Allow your game to evolve…

Roto-Grip Cell DigiTrax data on oily 42′ test pattern. Black is the Cranker, Red is the Tweener and Blue is the Stroker. Ball paths represent bowlers shot average over several shots on the same pattern.

BTM Cell Comments:

Everything about the Roto Grip Cell is new. The Cytoplasmic Reactive Solid cover is Roto Grip’s newest coverstock. It offers an ideal amount of friction in the front as well as the back end of the lane. The Nucleus core is a new design as well. This core and cover compliment each other extremely well. The overall ball motion is both strong and versatile giving it the ability to handle a wide variety of lane conditions for all styles of play. Those with above average revs rates will have the best look on oilier conditions while Stroker types will like it best on medium patterns. On our oily test pattern, both Tweener and Cranker were able to play small swing shots…experiencing a strong continuous ball reaction. Stroker’s ball reaction was almost as good as the other two with the box finish. His lack of revs required a touch more surface on this pattern to give him the same reaction as Tweener and Cranker. On the medium pattern, Stroker had the best look. He was able to start the Cell closer to the track area giving him a strong angle on the pocket with excellent carry. The other two testers were playing deeper on this pattern. The only time their carry suffered was when they didn’t trust the Cell enough. As long as they sent it to the dry, the corners fell every time. Cranker types might want to look into a 4000 Abralon finish so that they are able to stay with the Cell after this type of pattern breaks down. Even though this new Roto Grip release is very versatile, it isn’t going to work for most on dry conditions with the box finish. This type of condition will require weaker layouts with a good coat of polish. We found the Cell to work exceptionally well on our sport pattern. With the right layout and surface, the Cell has the potential to be a winner for sport like conditions.

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209-249-6023