May 13, 2005
ROTO GRIP SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE USBC PROPOSED CHANGES
by Roger Noordhoek
Due to the large amount of comments and questions from consumers, and
pro shop operators, we decided it was necessary to speak out about the
USBC proposed changes. I spoke with Hank Boomershine, President, last
night before he left for Storm/Roto Grip Fair in Japan. Here are his
thought and concerns on the proposed changes:
First of all the proposed changes seem to be a thumb in the dyke of
inflated averages and Honor scores. The manufacturers and bowlers should
not be punished or prejudiced against by the USBC. We have been abiding by
the rules and developing equipment based on the specifications given. We
have already been subject to recent rule changes in the past year and we
have abided by all of them. We feel that the new proposed changes have
pushed past the line of fairness to both the bowlers and the
manufacturers. We have polled several of our staff members and Star Pro
Shops across the country to see how they feel. We are still getting
feedback everyday, and we have decided to post some feedback based on
their responses as well as our feelings on the matter. Let me say that no
matter what is decided by the USBC we will abide by the rules.
1. Elimination of Weight Holes: Eliminating weight holes and the use of
bowling balls with weight holes will cost the consumers thousands of
dollars. It may cost a large percentage of our current league bowlers
because the cost of replacing the equipment they have with weight holes
may be too big of a burden to bear. As a manufacturer we do not want to
gain sales of equipment because of a rule change. We would rather see them
buy the equipment based on performance, and to replace them as needed.
Weight holes can be used to adjust the ball's performance after it has
been drilled. These changes although minor are very valuable to the player
and with the elimination of these weight holes, you take the adjustment
out of play. It would be like eliminating the use of lead tape to the back
of a golf club or the newly designed drivers with the adjustable weights
on the back of the head by the USGA. These weight holes help to level the
playing field for some players of a lesser ability. They don't make a
great player even better, but they help a player of less ability to
compete with some of these players. Much the same as the adjustable golf
clubs used on the market today. So the elimination of weight holes will
not help to better the sport, but only drive the player's with less
ability away.
2. CG With-in 1 Inch of the Center of Grip Once again this rule seems to
handicap the players who can adjust the distance of the CG away from the
center of grip to enhance ball reaction. It also handcuffs the pro shops
options to drill the ball. We as manufacturers try to keep pin distances
from the CG within a certain range. This will force us to manufacture
balls with greater variance. This will require a complete change in
research and development of our products and also in the manufacturing. It
in turn will force the pro shop and also the distributor to carry a wider
variety of pin distances and top weight. This may carry too large a burden
of cost on both parties; therefore, forcing some out of business because
of the large amount of capitol required to inventory that much product and
not be certain of the sale and the ability to use a ball with a certain
pin distance and adjust it with the movement of the CG and the placement
of a weight hole.
3. The Placement of the USBC Logo on every ball To place the USBC logo on
every ball would cost the manufacturers a large amount of money and time.
It would require an extra step in the engraving process of the ball and
therefore slowing down the production of the bowling ball and increasing
the cost of labor which in turn would increase the price of the ball to
the consumer. This seems to be another rule that will hurt the
consumer/player which in turn may cause him to quit the sport.
All in all these rule changes if in fact they do go into effect will only
cost the USBC more loss of membership of an already declining
organization.
Hank Boomershine
President
Roto Grip, Inc.
If you would like to share your comments on these proposed changes please
email info@rotogrip.com, and in the subject line put USBC CHANGES. We want
to know how you, the members feel about this. That way when we go to the
“industry forum the USBC has planned, we can best represent you the
bowlers.
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