Legal?

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Viper
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Legal?

Post by Viper »

For those who might know,

Pic is of a 13 lbs. Storm Mix which I used with a Turbo SG. I'm giving the ball to a new bowler who only uses the finger holes. In lieu of plugging the ball, I installed a undrilled slugged inner sleeve and then tooled it down to the surface of the ball. Is this ball legal? Or will I have to plug the hole with resin?

Thanks,

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bowl1820
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Re: Legal?

Post by bowl1820 »

No it's not legal.
The unused hole is considered a weight hole and you can't have a "IT/Switchgrip" in it. You have to plug it.
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Re: Legal?

Post by EricHartwell »

What if you glued the slug in?

I think this would be legal as it is not removable.
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Re: Legal?

Post by bowl1820 »

EricHartwell wrote: September 24th, 2020, 11:55 pm What if you glued the slug in?

I think this would be legal as it is not removable.
I don't believe it would be legal, because there would be a void at the bottom of the hole (the void is why you have to drill the thumbhole all the way through a slug) which is illegal. So If you left the Outer Sleeve in with a slug glued in the void would still there and if you removed it there still would be a void at the bottom of the hole below the slug.
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Re: Legal?

Post by Viper »

1820 and Eric,

Thanks. I figured as much. Since I've used the slugged innersleeve (IS) what if I removed, pour resin into the hole to fill the void and then re-install the IS? The resin will glue the IS to OS. No voids, solid throughout the depth of the hole.
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Re: Legal?

Post by 44boyd »

You can’t have a sleeve if you’re not putting a digit in it
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Re: Legal?

Post by bowl1820 »

Viper wrote: September 25th, 2020, 5:18 pm 1820 and Eric,

Thanks. I figured as much. Since I've used the slugged innersleeve (IS) what if I removed, pour resin into the hole to fill the void and then re-install the IS? The resin will glue the IS to OS. No voids, solid throughout the depth of the hole.
I don't think that would be legal either.

Given if you were going to the trouble to mix resin to fill the void, Why not just plug the ball properly? Don't try MacGyvering in some iffy sleeve plug combo.
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Re: Legal?

Post by EricHartwell »

I would have filled the void with polyurethane glue then install the slug into the glue at the bottom of the hole.
bowl1820 wrote: September 25th, 2020, 8:54 pm Given if you were going to the trouble to mix resin to fill the void, Why not just plug the ball properly? Don't try MacGyvering in some iffy sleeve plug combo.
Probably the best advice.

Outer sleeves have been known to come lose. I have needed a repair done.

I was just trying to get clarification around the plugging rules. I have 7 balls that need plugging.

So, is installing a slug in a balance hole legal?

USBC does not make finding the regulation very easy.

I found this document...

http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net ... Manual.pdf

I remember reading something about minimum density and of like material, but did not see it when I read quickly through it.
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Re: Legal?

Post by bowl1820 »

EricHartwell wrote: September 26th, 2020, 2:22 am So, is installing a slug in a balance hole legal?
Neither manual (Rulebook or Equipment ) really directly address's using a "Slug" to just plug a hole. I would err on the side of caution and say no it wouldn't because of the section in the rulebook that say's : b. A ball plug or slugs may be used for the purpose of re-drilling a ball. When a slug
must be a hole drilled completely through the slug leaving no void at the base .
This section seems to just refer to redrilling thumbs or finger holes not "plugging".

The problem area is the "void", while you could fill it and then slug it how could you prove you filled it if you had too?

Another problem would be cost, Here a Slug is $10 and plugging a weight hole is only $5. So for 7 balls it would be $70+void fill cost lets say 5 bucks for a total of $75 vs $35 for 7 plug jobs.
I remember reading something about minimum density and of like material, but did not see it when I read quickly through it.
This would be the sections in question:

Equipment Manual:
Plug and Designs
1. Ball plug or slugs may be used for re-drilling a ball. When a slug is used, there must be a
hole drilled completely through the slug leaving no void at the base.
2. In all cases, there shall be no interior voids.
3. Plugs and designs must be made of material like, although not the same as, the original
material out of which the ball was made. Plugs and designs must comply with other specifi-
cations of a bowling ball.

4. No foreign material may be placed on the outer surface of the ball or in the balance hole,
including but not limited to paint, marker or whiteout.
5. Density must be within a range of 0.9 g/mL and 1.5 g/mL.

RuleBook:
5. Ball Plugs, Inserts and Slugs.
a. Removable devices must be approved and on the Approved Removable Bowling
b. A ball plug or slugs may be used for the purpose of re-drilling a ball. When a slug
must be a hole drilled completely through the slug leaving no void at the base

c. Plugs, inserts, tape and slugs may not extend beyond the surface of the ball.

To know for sure you'd would have to contact the rules dept. for a ruling.
"REMEMBER, it isn't how much the ball hooks, it's where."
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Re: Legal?

Post by Viper »

Great discussion guys, and much appreciated. I'm going to let the guy practice with the ball and wait for his reaction. If he likes it, I'll let him know he needs to take it to a pro shop and have it plugged just so there is no doubt that it is legal. I can plug a ball, but I cannot do it as efficiently as a pro-shop. Besides, he'll need to get to know a pro shop operator as he gets more serious with the game.
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