Neil Stremmel, the Director of Guidelines and Tools for the PBA, has carried out in depth tools testing throughout the 2023 PBA season. Testing has primarily targeted on the hardness degree of urethane tools.

Primarily based on these findings, the PBA has determined to elevate the minimal manufacturing hardness of conventional urethane and urethane-like tools from 73.0HD to 78.0HD for all tour ranges.

Stremmel wrote an in depth breakdown of the decision-making course of within the following letter:

Anybody who has been concerned in PBA Tour competitors or different championship occasions over the previous a number of years is aware of of the urethane hardness points which have had an influence on the trade. In reality, simply earlier final yr in March of 2022 the PBA banned any conventional urethane balls older than 2 years previous. Then in November of 2022, the USBC printed its third Hardness Analysis Report. This led to the PBA committing to a examine of their very own. Step one of this new examine required a brand new lab to be constructed – fairly the dedication. Firstly of 2023, the PBA introduced the most recent rule, all conventional urethane balls have to be made on or after August 1, 2022. This rule ensured that these balls have been made just lately (lower than a yr in the past) and should meet the brand new minimal hardness of 73.0HD. This was all because of a brand new discovery that sure balls (particularly some conventional urethane balls) have been measuring softer over time.

The PBA additionally acknowledged it could proceed to conduct exams in 2023 so as to study the tendencies of the newly made balls. Do they proceed to get softer, at what price, how low do they get, do all balls get softer and most significantly does the PBA assume that it issues for our degree of competitors?

Why softness issues

The minimal hardness rule was put in place by the American Bowling Congress (ABC) within the early 1970’s. The rationale it was carried out was sure balls had been soaked in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and/or different softening chemical compounds. Soaking a ball made it softer and thereby created an apparent quantity of further hook (it was apparent to bowlers on the time). ABC hung out wanting on the state of affairs and decided a soaked ball hooked extra. In the course of the early days of my time at ABC and USBC, I requested some folks about this case – and once more reconnected with key testing personnel over the previous couple of years. What ABC in the end did was take a look at footprint (the a part of the ball that touches the lane) after which correlate it to hardness by way of the Rex durometer. They noticed at a hardness above 72HD, the footprint had negligible/minimal change, however as soon as the hardness dropped between 72-70HD the footprint started to extend. Then, because the hardness dropped under 70HD, the footprint started to measurably improve. Due to this fact, that’s the place they drew the road. Moreover, primarily based on the gauge accuracy of the durometer, publicized by Rex as +/-2.0HD, the restrict of 72HD is sensible to make sure the readings actually stayed above 70HD. Traditionally, bowling balls didn’t get softer with use. This present state of affairs is a brand new phenomenon. Setting the minimal hardness specification at 72 within the early 1970’s made excellent sense. If something, trendy balls usually get barely tougher as they continued to remedy over time. Nonetheless, for a number of years now, we’ve been seeing conventional urethane balls measure softer with use. That’s the reason we have to perceive this case, decide if it issues to the PBA and in that case, repair it.

Information

The info from the sector and lab testing throughout the PBA 2023 season are included in Appendix B. Nonetheless, the view on the information may be very easy – there have been a number of urethane bowling balls from multiple producer which have dropped into the 68’s on the Hardness D scale whereas in use. Due to this fact, the reply to the above query of “does it matter to the PBA,” is sure and an adjustment to some of these balls have to be made. Let me be clear that in all of my exams, these balls all began above 73.0HD out of the field. The info reveals that these balls get softer with use. It solely takes 10 photographs out of the field for the ball to drop 2-3HD factors. You’ll be able to see this in Appendix B below each the Lab Information and particularly within the “Dry Lane Assessments” part of the information. As well as, with continued use they’ll proceed to drop to 68.xHD. So, in easy phrases, if a ball begins at 73HD and drops to 68HD it has dropped roughly 5 factors of hardness.

There may be additionally a lesson to study from this situation. Any kind of bowling ball that will get softer with use might turn out to be a problem with how a lot it hooks, the place it hooks and the way it impacts the taking part in atmosphere. Primarily based on this revelation, the PBA may also think about one other rule that if a ball, any kind of ball, will get greater than 3.0HD factors softer with use it is not going to be allowed in PBA Nationwide Tour competitors. The ball might be faraway from play, researched and addressed accordingly. This might be listed as one of many choices under.

Checklist of Choices

Now that we’ve decided the impacts, what the information reveals and that it issues to the PBA, we have to consider choices for these change(s) together with the professionals and cons of every. Not all choices may be carried out on their very own and will should be added to a different possibility.

1. Ban all urethane balls utterly. This will surely remedy plenty of points and remove some questions nonetheless on the desk. So, is that this a professional possibility? Is that this “truthful” to the entire PBA Nationwide Tour Gamers? This type of play has developed and advanced to exist with the reactive balls and a few gamers have realized the way to put it to use as a portion of their arsenal – and even as a most important a part of their arsenal. So is it truthful to take away this from them at this level? Is that this “truthful” to the entire producers? Don’t get me incorrect, we have to do what’s finest for our degree of competitors first, however it’s also necessary to be truthful to our companions as properly. As a part of the choice making course of – in the long run, since it’s identified that a few of these balls in the end get under the set minimal hardness specification (via no fault of the bowler) one thing have to be performed to remove that state of affairs. Due to this fact, it’s the place of the PBA that one in every of these choices be put in place for the 2024 PBA Tour season.

2. Ban any ball that will get softer with use. Any ball that’s examined over time and is discovered to get greater than 3.0HD softer will not be allowed in any competitors. This may require a continuous (and new) testing program to judge ball hardness over a given time. The present balls that fall into this class get 2.0+HD softer in 10 photographs (as famous in Appendix B). At that price, the testing wouldn’t be overly prolonged. But, it could be overly laborious since tons of of recent balls are launched every year. The opposite query is, what if it takes greater than 10 photographs for a ball to drop greater than 3.0 factors? A number of the conventional urethane balls examined dropped 5 factors over tons of of photographs. This will likely require continuous area testing to seek out if sure balls which can be getting greater than 3.0HD softer over time.

3. Elevate the hardness of conventional urethane to 78.0HD. The info would point out {that a} new minimal of 78.0HD could be the suitable quantity in case you wished to be fairly certain that, even after getting softer because of extended use, a ball wouldn’t go under the precise 73.0 hardness minimal. The issue here’s what balls want to begin above 78.0? Conventional urethane means one thing to me as a bowler. Nonetheless, as a chemist, phrases like urethane, resin, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene and polyester all have completely different meanings. Totally different than what bowlers assume. If a brand new ball got here out I feel we would want a clear-cut approach to verify it’s, or isn’t, what we think about “Conventional Urethane” or “Urethane-Like.” If that is the choice that we find yourself deciding on, this must be laid out and outline in higher element such that the ball producers and doubtless the entire trade understands. Our speculation/assumption with this rule is; 1. If it begins at a minimal of 78.0 it is going to keep above the minimal of 73 for the lifetime of the ball. And, 2. It’s going to have much less influence on the taking part in atmosphere.

4. Change the hardness of all balls to 78.0HD. This retains all balls below the identical specs whereas nonetheless permitting conventional urethane balls to get softer over time. Once more, is that this “truthful” to gamers and producers? Just about all balls could be eradicated in a brief time period. Ball producers would want to create and take a look at new tools whereas gamers would want the brand new tools quickly sufficient to arrange for subsequent season. Whereas this might maintain all balls below one specification, it appears far too drastic to implement abruptly presently.

5. Go away the rule as is and take a look at extensively. That is what we’ve performed the previous 2 years. The suggestions from the gamers was fairly clear that they didn’t like this case, but when we kicked out each ball that examined under 71.0HD and fined the participant, they would want to purchase into the method. A detrimental is it could make it appear as if the participant was attempting to cheat after they don’t actually have a lot management what their ball in the end exams without delay they full their squad – aside from not utilizing it. As well as, the rule that enables the ball to be examined the subsequent day would should be eliminated. To me it doesn’t matter what the ball exams on the subsequent day, it issues what it’s on the lane whereas it’s getting used. I researched the ASTM Commonplace and the Rex guide and there may be nothing in there about permitting a fabric to get better in a single day. I’ve concluded that previously each the PBA and the USBC included this rule to offer the bowler one final probability to go the specification as a result of balls didn’t used to get softer with use then get better over time. Due to this fact, the elimination of this rule could be logical and that may result in plenty of conventional urethane balls failing the 71.0HD minimal (73.0HD minimal spec minus the +/- 2.0HD gauge discrimination). So many would in the end fail for my part that it could basically remove the utilization of the ball. Basically placing us in the identical class as possibility #1 above.

6. Do nothing. Go away the rule as is, enable balls to get softer over time with no testing or repercussions. As mentioned above, this selection/conclusion doesn’t match the information for this degree of competitors. Due to this fact, for “equity” as mentioned above, the PBA place is that another choice to handle this case must be carried out.

7. No balls manufactured below the 73HD minimal rule might get softer with use. By means of spot-checking within the area at PBA occasions, any balls, of any type, which can be discovered under 71.0HD (by way of Discipline take a look at) might be eliminated and/or banned. Particular person balls might be eliminated, total ball strains might be examined and investigated to find out if they’re softening over time, with use. Notice, if after acceptable testing, analysis and analysis, they’ll fall below the “urethane-like” class, it/they might be moved below that rule. It could embody further exams relying on the particular state of affairs for that ball(s).

8. All balls have to be made since 8/1/22. This can guarantee all balls are made to present requirements and confirm all balls have been manufactured above the 73HD minimal rule. This may not remedy the urethane state of affairs by itself and must be carried out together with one of many different choices. Initially, this might most certainly be performed on the Nationwide Tour solely. It might observe on the opposite PBA excursions at a later date. This may not be required as a part of PBA LBC leagues or tournaments.

9. What ought to be performed for the PBA Regional, PBA50, PBA50 Regional and PBA Youth excursions in addition to the PBA LBC program? For equity and consistency throughout the board, these modifications could also be wanted to cowl all excursions, instantly or ultimately. This may not have an effect on the PBA LBC leagues or tournaments. 

“Urethane-like”

Whether or not we create a separate specification for urethane-like balls or ban them altogether, we must have a approach sooner or later to find out what a urethane ball is. A chemistry definition can not simply be decided or verified within the lab. After discussing a number of choices, I imagine one of the best ways to explain and take a look at for the class may be very gradual or no oil absorption price. If a ball absorbs oil pretty shortly, it could be thought-about a reactive ball. If it takes for much longer, it’s thought-about a urethane-like ball.

We’ve a present listing of conventional urethane balls which might be the preliminary “Urethane-Like” balls. If any of those are higher than 78.0HD and made since 8/1/22 they’d be authorized for PBA Nationwide Tour competitors after 1/1/2024 (all balls on the listing made after 8/1/22 are authorized for the remainder of this 2023 PBA season). For the longer term, we’d take a look at any new ball for oil absorption and something higher than 45 minutes could be thought-about “Urethane-Like.” Any ball within the urethane-like class would then should be a minimal of 78.0HD. New polyester/plastic balls will principally possible fall into this class as properly, however shouldn’t have any challenge being above the 78.0HD minimal. Any new ball with an oil absorption of lower than 45 minutes would then fall into the usual class and be allowed to make the most of the 73.0HD minimal. New balls on this class will want a singular identifier, like a pin or marking on the ball.

Resolution

The PBA choice is to lift the minimal manufacturing hardness of conventional urethane and urethane-like tools to 78.0HD for all tour ranges efficient 1/6/2024. Information from testing as proven in Appendix B highlights a number of conventional urethane balls for multiple producer testing within the 68’s for hardness. This drop of 5 factors would merely be added to the present minimal hardness of 73.0HD to get 78.0HD as the brand new minimal. The info signifies that 78.0HD could be the suitable quantity in case you wished to be fairly certain that, even after getting softer because of extended use, a ball wouldn’t go under the precise 73.0 hardness minimal. The class of “Conventional Urethane” and “Urethane-Like” would have a brand new minimal hardness of 78.0HD. Something in that present class (listing connected in Appendix C) would should be verified as assembly that minimal hardness earlier than it could be allowed in PBA Excursions. I acknowledge that we didn’t wish to create an extra, separate degree of specs. Nonetheless, amongst all of the choices, this has been decided to take advantage of sense and has probably the most assist. Notice: The date of 1/6/2024 is getting used to permit an in-progress RPI occasion to conclude by 1/5/2024. Additionally be aware: this has no influence on the present urethane balls and their eligibility for use in all different competitions. 

Moreover, no balls manufactured below the 73.0HD minimal rule (reactive balls) might get considerably softer with use. By means of spot-checking within the area at PBA occasions, any balls, of any type, which can be discovered under 71.0HD (by way of Discipline take a look at) might be eliminated and/or banned. Particular person balls might be eliminated, total ball strains might be examined and investigated to find out if they’re softening over time and/or with use. Notice, if after acceptable testing, analysis and analysis, they’ll fall below the “urethane-like” class, it/they might be moved below that rule. Extra exams could also be required relying on the particular state of affairs for that ball(s).

Lastly, beginning 1/6/2024, we’ll implement that every one balls for use on the PBA Nationwide Tour have to be manufactured on or after 8/1/2022. This can be certain that all balls on the Nationwide Tour will all be made at a minimal of 73.0HD. This can solely be on the PBA Nationwide Tour. 

The up to date Guidelines and Specs that can take impact on 1/6/2024 because of these modifications are listed under in Appendix A.

Respectfully introduced,

Neil Stremmel
PBA Director of Guidelines and Tools

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