Archive Monthly Archives: April 2018

USBC SETS NEW SPECIFICATIONS FOR BOWLING BALLS

Note: Below is a copy of the press release the USBC put out in regards to new ball specifications that will take effect in 2020.   I was at the seminar when this was announced where a lot of information was shared into the research and reasoning during the USBC National Convention.  Feel free to send me a message with any questions, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.


A video with a summary of the research presented is available below as well.


- Zach Boulanger
Association Manager
GBBA USBC BA


ARLINGTON, Texas – Following three years of research on how technology has affected the sport of bowling, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment and Specifications Committee has established new specifications designed to sustain the playing field both currently and in the future.

The new specifications, which will be implemented over the course of the next two seasons, were announced at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nevada.
 
“Technology impacts every sport, but it is our role as the National Governing Body to ensure the skill of the competitors on the lanes remains the deciding factor,” said Andrew Cain, chair of the USBC Equipment and Specifications Committee. “The research presented revealed the impact technology has made on the sport’s playing environment and the committee determined there was a need to enact these specifications.”

A new specification has been established for the oil absorption rate of bowling ball coverstocks, the first time such a specification has been set, and a specification to eliminate balance holes while increasing static weight allowances also has been approved.

In addition, new rules will be put into place to allow only a dry towel to be used to clean bowling balls during competition and to keep bowlers from changing the static weight (i.e. drilling grip holes deeper) of bowling balls during competition.

“The diligent work of the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team spurred discussions in several areas and the committee made decisions that are needed to protect our sport’s future,” USBC President Frank Wilkinson said. “Technology will continue to push the boundaries and we will continue to analyze every aspect to make certain we are doing what’s in the best interests of bowling and our members.”

The new oil absorption specification for bowling ball coverstocks will require that for a new ball to be approved, submitted ball samples cannot have a rate of oil absorption under 2 minutes and 15 seconds (2:15), and must adhere to the 0.6% non-conformance rate. 

The initial step on the oil absorption specification will begin Aug. 1, 2018, when bowling ball manufacturers are required to submit oil absorption data as part of the USBC bowling ball approval process. Manufacturers have been provided a standard operating procedure (SOP) to determine oil absorption rates.

The specification requiring a bowling ball’s oil absorption rate to be more than 2:15 for the ball to be approved will take effect Aug. 1, 2020. Also, any ball models tested where the average oil absorption rate is under nine minutes and 30 seconds (9:30) will require additional balls to be tested.

The specification eliminating the use of balance holes will go into effect Aug. 1, 2020. Balance holes, also known as weight holes, are meant to correct static imbalance in bowling balls, but more recently have been used to change the design intent of balls. By allowing bowling balls (for balls weighing more than 10 pounds) to have up to three ounces of static side, thumb and finger weight – which is up from one ounce – and up to three ounces of top weight, there no longer will be the need for a balance hole to correct static imbalance in the typical ball layout.

The specification increases in static weights take effect Jan. 1, 2020, which will allow bowlers the opportunity to plug balance holes prior to the elimination of balance holes starting Aug. 1, 2020.  

With the elimination of balance holes, bowlers may have up to five holes for gripping purposes and all gripping holes must be used on every delivery.

The change allowing only a dry towel to clean bowling balls during competition becomes effective Aug. 1, 2019. It eliminates the use of liquid cleaners of any kind during competition, which aligns with other changes to ensure equipment is not manipulated during competition. The change prohibiting a bowler from adjusting static weight during a competition by drilling grip holes deeper goes into effect Aug. 1, 2020.

It is important for bowlers to understand the specification for oil absorption will not eliminate any bowling balls from competition, as all current balls will be grandfathered in. Bowlers also should be aware that because the increase in static weights starts Jan. 1, 2020, they will have seven months to have any balance hole plugged so they will be in compliance when the specification eliminating balance holes starts Aug. 1, 2020.

The Equipment and Specifications Committee has delegated authority from the USBC Board to make changes to equipment specifications. The USBC Board fully supports the direction and action taken by the Equipment Specifications Committee.

USBC will conduct a media-only teleconference on Tuesday, April, 24 at 8 p.m. (Eastern) with Equipment Specifications Committee members and USBC staff. To participate in the conference call, media members can email terry.bigham@bowl.com with their name and affiliation for call-in instructions.

Visit BOWL.com/EquipAndSpecs for USBC’s research and more about the specification changes.

High Scores (4/11/2018)

Riviera Lanes

Ashley Homestore Green Bay Major

Jake Ziebarth: 701 - 299

John Schermetzler: 696

Jack Siharaj: 692

Brian Laurent: 691

John Vanlangendon: 674

Bryler Herubin: 667

Tanner Jepsen: 652

Golden Guys

Rory Johnson: 782 - 277 - 279

Ben Selner: 771

Mike Matzke: 759 - 279

Zak Francois: 741

Scott Daniels: 724

Craig Hoppe: 710

Dave Seiler: 705

Jim Steiner: 704

Keith Jahnke: 693

Joel Doell: 692

Pete Vanremortel: 690 - 277

Ed Connors: 690

Joe Felton: 679

Mike Piontek: 672

Eric Rytilahti: 672

Corby Litke: 666

Shane Doell: 662

Scott Korth: 661

Bruce Dantoin: 650


High Scores (4/10/2018)

Riviera Lanes

Tuesday Morning Seniors

Ken Englebert: 738 - 290

Wayne Englebert: 709

Felix Vanenkenvoort: 676

Riviera 973

Alex Young: 804 - 289

Troy Nockerts: 800 - 287

Ken Englebert: 792 - 290

Wally Georgia: 775

Eric Nolan: 772

Jon Koltz: 759 - 288

Wayne Teske: 751

Chris Robinson: 745 - 300

Kue Vang: 741

Lee Xiong: 735 - 285

Jack Siharaj: 728

James Feng: 727

Mike Trombley: 724

Kelly Dombroski: 722

Eric Puyleart: 718

Jeff Lee: 709

Mike Piontek: 700

John Francois: 697

Wade Bisick: 687

Jerry Melotte: 684

Tom Karman: 682

Jeff Smits: 681

Jeff Sass: 679

Rick Sass: 679

Ken Tedford: 677

Randy Jones: 677

Dennis Farmer: 673

AJ Schmid: 672

Corby Litke: 672

Bill Harris: 670

Chris Spychalla: 670

Glen Borley: 670

Dave Janssen: 669

Steve Schramm: 667

Aaron Johnson: 665

Nick Stanzione: 660 - 278

Matt Martin: 660

Jon Lundquist: 659

Tim Basten: 658

Paul Hendricks: 655

Wade Harris: 653

Erv Psenicka: 653

Drew Melotte: 652

Dan Bourassa: 652

High Scores (4/5/2018)

Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley

Ashwaubenon 800 League

Jeremy Hill: 740

Adam Schmit: 728

Nate Painter: 720

Matt Orvis: 694

Oral Billington: 673

Dennis Schmit: 657

Westside Businessmen

Ronald Brudnicki: 742

Todd Bolssen: 741 - 290

Todd Mielke: 732 - 300

Terry Clark: 729

Barry Roff: 720

Gerald Sinclair Jr: 717

Eric Buergi: 716 - 277

Chris Mercier: 706 - 289

Scott McKinnon: 703 - 277

Barry Peters: 698

Jake Ziebarth: 696

Chad Frappier: 691

Andrew Leitzke: 690

Lee Smith: 687

Brent Baeten: 686

Antwon Polk: 685

Patric Hogan: 684

Daniel Norton: 679

Zachary Mielke: 679

Dave LeGreve: 677

James Boucher: 676

Terry Metoxen: 676

Brian Blohowiak: 675

Andy Compton: 671

Devin Perock: 668

Antohny Olesewski: 666

Kevin Kempf: 665

Robert Demro: 663

Brian Bolssen: 657

Brett Simons: 656

David Lundy: 655

Randall Thiele: 653

Keith Nelsen: 650

Girls Nite Out

Trina VandenElzen: 592

Karla Dequaine: 579

Cindy Klimek: 576

Georgia Pacific

Jason Becher: 761 - 280

Nate Becher: 749 - 278

Kevin Olsen: 725

Shawn Krueger: 721 - 288

Matt Morgan: 709

Derric Drella: 705

Brad Skenandore: 690 - 286

Brandon Basinski: 666

Riviera Lanes

Thursday National Oldtimers

Stan Grall: 730

Earl Vandenheuvel: 707

Todd Kraynik: 699

Rick Sass: 695

Dave Barribeau: 690

Al Johnson: 681

Charlie Schoenung: 672

Steve Larsen: 665

Jerry Smet: 659

Tod Olson: 658

Thursday American Oldtimers

Tom Karmen: 670

Larry Seidl: 655

Ten High Hardball Busters

Scott Piontek: 773 - 289

Troy Nockerts: 755

Scott Huncosky: 745

William Durfey: 745 - 280

Eric Puyleart: 745

Jim Delvoye Jr: 740

Cullen Wilde: 736 - 279

John Khal: 735

Jeff Lee: 721

Dick Francini: 712

Mark DeChamps: 704

Butch Miller: 703

David Seiler: 701

Dann Horkman: 684

Scott Sidwell: 683

Tim Laning: 678

Dan Boncher: 677

Marc Jackson: 672

Chad Cardinal: 671 - 277

Andre Crawford: 667

Dale Zimmerman: 665

Ron Wilde: 663

Jeff Cayo: 663

Eric Pecard: 661

Micah Bootz: 658

Russ Dorff: 657

John Schmitz: 652

David Schlough: 290

High Scores (4/4/2018)

Village Lanes

Homewreckers

Wally Georgia: 802 - 277

Lee Schroeder: 759

Jim Delvoye Jr: 736 - 278

Dustin Peters: 725 - 297

Jerry Stordeur: 712

Mike Laurent: 708

Adam Polarek: 687

Matt Powless: 685

Justin Huben: 679

Jim Gilmet: 672

Shawn Sell: 671 - 277

Casey Cook: 670

Don Waligursky: 668

Jerry Polarek: 663

Dick Diener: 663

Jamie Courchaine: 652

Roger Huben: 650

Riviera Lanes

Ashley Homestore Green Bay Major

Jake Ziebarth: 750

John Schmetzler: 731

Brian Laurent: 711

Jack Siharaj: 704

Justin Doxtater: 655

Jason Becher: 652

Golden Guys

Mike Adams: 796 - 276 - 299

Eric Nolan: 740 - 278

Bryan Schauer: 708

Zak Francois: 705

Ben Selner: 699

Brent Selner: 698 - 279

Russ Dorff: 696

Mike Piontek: 694

Craig Hoppe: 685

Corby Litke: 680

Mike Matzke: 678

Pete VanRemortel: 677

Shane Doell: 674

Bryan Maccoux: 673

Joe Felton: 670

Jamie Seidl: 666

Mike Wickman: 666

Todd Jahnke: 659

Joe Munoz: 657

Kyle Walter: 653- 276

Jim Steiner: 651

High Scores (4/3/2018)

Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley

Odd Balls

Antwon Polk: 780 - 290

Jed Blohowiak: 765

Dan Pflugradt: 745 - 277

Zach Boulanger: 731

David Brunner: 692

David Lundy: 690

Bob VanLanen: 683

Scott Miller: 683

Tim Springstroh: 670

Tony Olesewski: 666

Paul Schmit: 664

Pat Krepline: 658

Nate Bork: 657

Matt Becher: 655

Riviera Lanes

P&G Matinee

Tim Herlache: 693 - 279

Lee Schroeder: 678

Riviera 973

Seng Lee: 791 - 278

Jeff Lee: 787 - 280

Alex Young: 782 - 300

Aaron Johnson: 778 - 278

Austin Ly: 757

Chris Robinson: 756

Craig Hoppe: 747

Scott Krause: 738

Corby Litke: 737

Nick Stanzione: 732

Wayne Englebert: 730

Mengie Vang: 727

John Hooyman: 727

Wade Bisick: 723 - 289

Dan Bourassa: 722

Dave Janssen: 721

Jeff Bisbee: 718

Scott Karlin: 715

Dean Debroux: 710

Tom Karman: 709

Bill Harris: 707

Jon Koltz: 704

Wally Georgia: 699

Drew Melotte: 695

Ryan Nuthals: 689

Al Koltz: 687

Jamie Phillips: 687

Eric Nolan: 686

Gary Burkart: 685

Justin Swette: 685

Todd Brien: 682

Jeff Desjardins: 681

Jack Siharaj: 660

Rick Sass: 675

Mike Piontek: 675

Dennis Farmer: 673

Jake Kozup: 668

Erv Psenicka: 667

Chris Spychalla: 662

Shawn Nolan: 662

Bill Heling: 660

Sen Vang: 660

Steve Lor: 659

Wade Harris: 659

Jake Ziebarth: 651


High Scores (4/2/2018)

Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley

3 Man Classic

Ron Wilde: 761

Justin Doxtater: 747 - 279

Brian Laurent: 729

Scott Weber: 714

Randy Wilde: 704

Reggie Doxtater: 702

Andy Compton: 697

Sean Martin: 692

Nick Berken: 687

Mike Whiffen: 686 - 290

Mark Simonet: 683

Jake Ziebarth: 673

James Feng: 670

Cullen Wilde: 666

Steve Lor: 662

DJ Christensen: 662

Wayne Teske: 661

Mike Schmit: 654

Keglers Klassic

Dan Ostrenga: 677

John Broskovetz: 674

Kevin Moseng: 665

Pat McCaughn: 664

Rod Brosig: 659

Greg Vaughn: 655

Green Bay Tavern

Nate Nelson: 712

Jeremy Wittala: 696 - 279

John Reiman: 689

Mark Wyrd: 678

Brock VandeVen: 673

Chris Campbell: 663

Luke Matuszak: 654

Joe Felton: 653


High Scores (3/30/2018)

Village Lanes

Pinbusters

Shawn Rogers: 734

Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley

T.G.I.F.

Scott McCartney: 666

High Scores (3/31/2018)

Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley

Saturday Nite Odd Couples

Chad VandenLangenberg: 653

Transfers

George Manders: 724

Scott Piontek: 651

Riviera Lanes

Golden Niners Couples

Dave Norgren: 674