When a person resurfaces a ball what is the proper way to do so? Compound with the grit or abralon pads/sandpaper? The T-Road Pearl was resurfaced just recently with sandpaper of grits that are not known by us and we were wondering if this is the appropriate way to go with resurfacing this particular ball.

This is the way I see it, a professional pro shop will have a Resurfacing System, have ability to find the factory finish specifications.

Proper.... well that is really a tough one to answer.
There are 3 abrasives used: Sand-paper(wet-dry),scotch brite, and new abralon pads as well as specially designed wheels with a cutting edges.

A Haus Resurfacing system has diamond cutting rings (similar to what the factories use), then sand paper - in various grits, typically expressed in microns. Scotch brite pads are common (like the kind you get in a Storm maintenance kit), and the lastest abrasive that is used is Abralon (some bowling balls manufactured by Ebonite come with these pads). And of course there is a regulated water flow as well as 3 motors that turn at a moderate speed.

Cook's Sphere machine is very similar to the Haus system.

ABRASIVES:
A CAB is a specially designed block with velcro hooks -
CAB sand pads fits on a 5" CAB. SANDPAPER CUTS FAST.
Grits are typically expressed in microns 1800-1500 grit (9 μcron) being the finest and I have seen as rough as 60 grit or 120 μcron. BE CAREFUL, I have watch labels disappear quickly.

SCOTCH BRITE:
4 varieties - Does not cut as deep or as fast as sandpaper.
RED - typically for metal 300 grit
GREEN - approximately 600 grit
GREY - approximately 800 grit
WHITE - approximately 1200 grit

ABRALON PADS/GLOVES/MITS - Newest and cuts similar to scotch brite pads.
Starts @ 180 and ends at 4000.

Like Sandpaper and Scotch Brite, Polish is available in different grit. Polishes - come in various grits applied to the ball after resurfacing, Storm has a 3 step system; 200-500 grit Step 1, 400-800 Step 2, 800-1500 Step 3. A really nice finish is some water with Lambs wool pads to bring that like "NEW" finish.

Well a new year has come, I have had a couple of weeks off from league bowling and honestly I was glad for it.... Monday Pepsi Classic I have been struggling to the point of dropping the average 12 pins in 4 weeks... The first night back I was able to post a 210 plus average, but the following week I struggled again.  I have decided to play them as straight as possible and will spend the next few weeks working on it.  Hopefully the scores will come up.  The addition of a new ball helped in tournaments but yet to pay off in the house shot league.

Our PBA Experience league started up the new season, we have expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams with a bunch of new faces, we actually follow the pattern schedule as the Tour when possible.  The first night back we bowled on the Shark pattern (1/8/08) - 161, 185, 222, & 190.  I used my Passion and played very very deep on the lane, just allowing the ball to fade back into the pocket.  I have played the shark 2 ways this year, and hooking the ball deep on the lane has provided the best scoring for me.   The following week we go from extreme to extreme and bowled on the Cheetah pattern.  I have used a couple of different balls on this pattern but went back to an old Trauma with an arcing layout that allowed me lots of room. (1/15/08) Scores of 166, 215, 195, 215 - After leaving a few splits in the 1st game from hitting up on the ball rather than rolling it off my fingers, I played the same spot on the lanes just moved the target farther down the lane as they broke down.  This last week we bowled on the Scorpion in lieu of the strips pattern. I used my Shift with pin under the fingers - (see photos for layout).  I bowled consistent with the exception of the first game. (1/22/08) 156, 182, 187, & 184.  I got into trouble in every game leaving wide splits, so I am thankful that I atleast salvaged 180's.  This week should be interesting as we bowl on the TOC pattern. 50' of conditioner.  The last time I bowled on this pattern I scored well inside.  Weber & Schafer played them that way this week.  Its a tough condition and I hope I break this 1st game slump I am having ... 

TOURNAMENTS - The CWO was held at Sparetime Lanes and I just missed the cut.  The condition was a modified Dennys World Championship pattern... which I have bowled pretty decent on .... I started out rough with 156, followed with 3 consecutive 200's then I have that dang 170 game that cost me a bunch and missed the cut. I finished with a 220 but needed another 20 sticks to make the cut.  I was pretty happy with the condition and my bowling.... I used my new Storm Shift SLT the last game and probably could have / should have used it earlier in the day.  Steve Young of Wenatchee won the tournament.

The next tournament was held at Bowlaway Lanes in Walla Walla and honestly was the most fun I have had in some time.  This tournament had the 5 PBA conditions + the house shot + 2 PBA championship patterns.  I come out of the gate with a 245 on the Chameleon pattern using a T-Road Solid.  The next game was on the house pattern - ouch this pattern played nothing like the house shot when I bowled there previously, luckily I figured out something and managed a 160.  The next pair was the Cheetah.... the ball I had brought for this pattern cracked ... so I had to try to make a different ball work ... wish I had brought my Trauma along.  I managed to shoot a 170 and dropped below even. The next pattern was the Viper... I only shoot a 180 but not really happy about it, some fine spare shooting cost me. The next pattern was USBC Masters pattern... I managed a little deuce and was happy to move to next pair where the Scorpion pattern was laid down.  I shoot a 220 and reduced my deficit to -50.  The next 2 pairs were the Shark and the US Open pattern. I shoot a couple of 180's to finish @ -99 for 8 games.  I missed the cash by 17 pins and can count the a spare in each game.  This was a great tournament, even though I didn't make any cash.  The challenge of being able to adjust from lane to lane was grueling and required smart play and moves. 

That pretty much covers January.... A CWO was scheduled for today in Ellensburg, but I didnt make the trip.... we received freezing rain on Saturday and close to 8" of snow.. thats a lot for the Mid Columbia Basin. 

City Championships and another CWO happen this coming month and then the Regionals start up again.  I am focused on regaining confidence in me..... and not hitting the ball on the upswing, staying slow with the feet and trusting the shot.

Its only been 3 weeks but lots of things have happened.

I am going to get the SAD things out of the way. My young friend Matthew Blackketter passed just two weeks ago. I am over it now, he is in a much better place, I will still pray for the family. They will be better with the passing of time. Another death was to a senior bowler who I liked alot. Bob Cochrane passed away, he was always good for a laugh and a very smart player. Then one of my wifes friends husband committed suicide, very bizarre because you would never think of him being sad or depressed. So there has been a lot of thoughts going through my head about being thankful for so many of the blessings I have.

Now for Bowling!!!!!!

Summarizing Monday Pepsi Classic - I SUCK!!!! The last 2 weeks have been a struggle barely breaking 800 for 4 and then not even shooting a 200 this last week. I am not sure what to do about it so I bought a NEW BALL.. from the internet ... GASP!!!! Overseas release of the SHIFT. I also should be getting a new Attitude Shift.

PBA EXPERIENCE - We have been bowling well as a team. 

11/27 Scorpion - 165, 172, 188, 187

12/4 Flat Earth Society jumped into 1st place after shooting on the Cheetah pattern. I bowled ok... 169, 158, 215, 178

12/11 This last week we got wacked good by Ted, Shawn, & Ashley. We bowled on the Scorpion Pattern. In warm up I thought I was a lock, started with the PYRO and couldn't miss I played the lanes in deeper than I have in the passed. I only shoot 135 the first game and just lost the drive.. carry down. I grab my Shift and roll 191, 210, 213.

CWO DOUBLES @ RICHLAND - My partner is Will Ullom, he is a young kid who started bowling adult league a few years ago.  He asked me to bowl back in August when we were bowling a swiss league together.  He is a straighter player and I thought I would be able to help him get lined up pretty easily.  I have helped in the past and he bowled really well. We start out with a 430 - 217 & 213. I opened in the 10th to throw away 20-30 pins!  GRRRRRR The next pair plays much straighter then the last pair.... we both manage 190's and only drop 10 sticks (+20). We move to 23/24 and wow... talk about  differences from pair to pair... We both shoot bad 165 / 155.... we drop like rocks to -60 and Will just never recovered. He finishes the 6 games of qualifying with 2 160's and a 170. I made a big move on the next pair and shoot 238, followed by 267, and a 214 ... with an open in the 10th. So for 6 games I bowled one bad game. 213, 198, 155, 238, 267, 214 for 1285. It took 170 over to make the cut.....Next month is scheduled for Spare Time Lanes. I am pushing for a PBA pattern. Most likely the Scorpion if I have any say.

Happy Holidays to all.  Christmas is just around the corner so I may not have a chance to post again before then.

Greetings to all, I hope everyone has a great thanksgiving.

Heres whats been going on the last few weeks.

Walla Walla NW Regional: November 10th

16 Lane of older Brunswick Pro Anvil synthetics. Condition "Cheetah"

I was really bummed because originally the tournament was listed for the Chameleon which I had been bowling well on. Practice session was a practice session, the volume of oil was heavier than the cheetah pattern in our PBA league. I used weaker coverstocks and cores for this pattern due to the short oil. I thought I had a pretty good look. Again I was asked to bowl one of the Pro-Ams and gladly accepted. Others players that bowled the Pro-Am were Chet Rogers and Ernie Schelegel. The pro-ams were on the house pattern, so scores were high, I was high PBA player for the squad with a 740. Confidence was pretty high when I left. I was crossing with Chet, Craig Tohulski, Erik Hohlbein and Evan Nash. As the norm the lanes were a little tighter in the mid-lane. I didnt have the same look as the day before with T-Road Pearl - 1000 abralon surface. I ended up starting with a Roto Grip and struggled the first game only shooting 150. 2nd game bowled better 200+ to getter closer to even, I ended up 20 under. A poor performance score wise... overall I don't think I played them bad just not the right angle to carry. My scores: 151, 222, 170, 199, 236, 214, 178, and 210 8 game blk series =  1580. There are 3 games Id like to have back, those were because of my fine spare shooting.  It took +161 to make the top 12.

11/12 Monday night - Pepsi Classic league was horrible... started with 2 160's and then shoot 2 230's to make 800.

11/13 Tuesday night - PBA Experience - Shark pattern.

I played them deep... feet 35-40 and let my Paradigm Passion fall back to the pocket. The 1st 2 games were good 203 and 223 then 179, 150 something.

11/14 - Birthday.. 42 now.... wow....

11/18- Central Washington Open in Sunnyside WA, Valley Lanes - modified house pattern - 44 players 14 to finals pay 15 spots.

197, 201, 250, 236, 196, 201 - 81 over for 6, qualified 14th and advance into match play. I just did make to many mistakes and played the break down pretty good. Sure Fire, Spit Fire were the balls used most. I was eager to see if I could continue my match play record this year perfect. I bowled three consecutive matches against Matt Descoteaux from Spokane; win the 1st match 170 to 168 (15&16) lose 2nd match 247 to 211, win the 3rd match 248 to 185. Last match against Compo from Yakima. Lose big 248 to 170. Ended up 14th. Match play record is 6-2 .. I pretty happy with that. Next month is the classified doubles event at Atomic bowl and my partner is Will Ullom.

11/19 Monday Pepsi Classic - got wacked again in my matches started with 160 somethin then 200, 240, and another 200 to get to average (830 series) .... time to get my self back in the groove on Mondays.

11/20 - PBA Experience - Cheetah pattern.

I played them out tonight from 3 to 7 board and moved my eyes and feet to shoot 200, 198, 183 and 234 for 815. I used my Thunderstruck pearl - 1000 abralon - over the label drilling, pin by ring finger (pin 3 1/2 from PAP). Spare shooting was very good tonight 20 clean frames - missed spare on fill ball in 10th frame. I am pleased with the the way I read the break down tonight. Sure could have used some of those games in the WW regional.

Well... thats a wrap for the last couple of weeks..... plus a bunch of Pro Shop work done.... ready for the Christmas rush to begin.

Well after Monday night I was feeling pretty damn good about bowling. Then came the PBA Experience league. We bowled on the Chameleon this week, I did not have the same look I did a couple of weeks ago, but I blame that on me. Scores of 181 (opens in 9th & 10th frames), 150, 210, and 164.

I practiced a little during the week just to keep the swing loose and not hitting up on the ball. On Sunday I bowled the local USBC mixed tournament with Rose Hudson. Rose bowled awesome! She came in with a 156 average and bowled 234, 194 and 209 for a 637, this is her first 600 series, I helped out a little bit. I came in the tournament with 216 average and bowled scores of 237, 222, & 279 for a 738 series. I used my Special Agent all day. This ball has been really good for scoring the last 2 weeks.... 3 279's 1 277 and a 289. We took 1st place by over 100 pins. I am just really proud of the way Rose bowled. She said she was nervous... LoL.... couldnt tell by the way she scored.

I am prepping for the Regional in Walla Walla, we are now bowling on the Cheetah pattern so I am punching up a Spitfire with a weaker layout. It should go good with the 3 of 4 other balls I plan on taking.

Well off to the Pro Shop! Good luck to all this week and may strikes be plentiful.