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Storm Matchmaker

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 7:24 am
by gbabione
Hello group. I have been away from bowling for 2 1/2 years because of work, except for going to Nationals. I had been struggling for a while. I decided to go to strictly symmetrical balls because it seemed to me the assyms were burning up too soon. I was told on these forums that I was wrong, but I had to try something. A week before Nationals last year, I had a Dare Devil Trick, a Wreckem, and 2 new switch-grips drilled. I never got a chance to practice with them. The thumbs were fine rolling on the floor. When I got to the lanes to bowl, my thumbs weren't close to fitting. I had to use a slug that was oversized which I adjusted as good as possible with tape. Before practice was over, I already had a blister and tore the skin off. OUCH! I Bowled descent and made a little money.

My shift changed at work, so I was able to go back to my team. I started with a 192 average and had it up to 206 by Christmas. I got fed up with the tape not sticking to my thumb so I quit using it. I was able to finally use one of my new thumb slugs and started coming more up the back of the ball. When I did this, I was able to throw the Trick for the time. Ever since, I have raised my average to 211.

I have struggled a little the last couple weeks. In league I needed to be able to move in. These two balls didn't have the backend strength to play in. This last weekend I Bowled in the State tournament. We had a reverse block and I was unable to get a ball to roll correctly. I did have 2 descent games at the first house. The second house I had no reaction. I had the highest rev rate on the pair by far and was the only one that couldn't get the ball to move. I decided I probably need something stronger on the backend or overall.

I did win a Jackal Ghost and need suggestions for that. I went to a Storm Matchmaker today. It was at a house I have practiced at a few times and bowled a tournament a few weeks ago. It has wood lanes so the reaction is probably different than what I would normally see. I threw my Trick to get a read. It was as in my normal house, 12 to 8 even arcing. What they had were the Code X, Idol, Hy-road Nano, Soniq, Drive, Dare Devil Danger, Hyper Cell Fused, and Hot Cell. What I liked were the Nano, Code X, Idol, and Drive. The Nano was exactly the reaction I have been looking for for a long time. It was clean down the lane, read the mids great, reacted very strong without jumping, and blew racks. The Code X was too skid floppy at first, but after the lanes burnt out and other balls were quitting, it was like the Nano with a lot sharper breakpoint. The Drive was long and strong. I liked the Nano better but I'm sure there is a condition where the Drive would be better. The Idol was a big arcing ball that was kind of oil sensitive. When the lanes burnt up, OH MY GOD! This ball was a beast. It covered the most boards and exploded the racks!

The Soniq and Fused were good balls, but I already had the same reaction. I could see using them over my Trick and Wreckem though. I did not like the Danger or the Hot Cell. The Hot Cell is a urethane with a strong core. With the right layout and condition it could be useful, but not here. The Danger was like throwing a very week reactive. I couldn't get it to roll even bouncing off the dry. My old Blade Pearl rolled better than that. I would have to try it on some really dry lanes to maybe find a use for it.

What I have been looking for for a long time is balls I can relax and throw and let them do what they want to do. I have been having to force everything and try to shape the reactions. Every ball here except the Danger and Hot Cell I was able to relax and watch. With every ball having the same layout, I could've walked out with 6 balls with 6 different reactions. That in my mind is awesome and takes a lot of thought out of how to lay them out. If you haven't been to a Matchmaker, you have to attend one just to try the Code X and Idol that come out March 9th.

Re: Storm Matchmaker

Posted: March 12th, 2018, 5:56 am
by gbabione
I was hoping for a little response. :( As I stated, the layout was the same on every ball. The pin was 1" to 2" above the middle finger and the MB on asyms was just to the right of the thumb. Without measuring, I think that would put them at about 45 x 6.5 x 45 for me. I was really surprised in the reaction I got from all of these balls compared to the Trick and Wreckem I had with me. Even the Code X that was very angular, I could see them go through the phases. I don't know why this layout worked for me. If I drill the Jackal Ghost with this layout, what kind of reaction will I get on a fresh shot? I am looking for more length and more backend than I get from the Trick so I can move into the oil when I need to.

Has anybody else thrown the Code X or Idol yet?

Re: Storm Matchmaker

Posted: March 12th, 2018, 11:47 am
by 44boyd
Sorry, when posts get super long it’s hard focus on everything. Rhino Page is supposed to be at our center tonight with the Match maker but I won’t be able to make it. As far as your post, I like having the high end stuff and have them end up too much then having something weak and play a C or D type game. Just adjust surface on one to ball down, but I don’t have a lot of hand.