Ball Review: Raid - 2

Ball Review: Raid #2
Bowler: Jeff Ussery
Date: 7/15/07

What I Was Looking For In This Ball and Layout:
This ball was drilled as 1 ball in a set of 3 for Powerhouse Training Clinics class demonstrations.No ball reaction was intended when this ball was drilled. The purpose of the 3 Raid balls that I drilled was to video and demonstrate how moving mass bias location affects your ball reaction. You'll note that all 3 Raid balls are drilled with the exact same pin positions, but different mass bias positions.

What I Ended Up With In This Ball and Layout:
To start with, you're never going to have any problem with the Raid in the front part of the lane.The coverstock comes from our Angular One ball, one of the most successful balls of last year. The veneer is very clean through the front of the lane, particularly in it's box condition (4000 w/ Powerhouse Factory Finish).Furthermore, with the 5 1/2" pin positions that I used, there is simply no way I was going to get any early hook from the Raid. It glides through the front of the lane effortlessly on all conditions.

In the midlane is where I start to see some difference between these three balls. This Raid used a 75 degree layout, giving the ball the strongest downlane motion of the 3 Raid balls. I find that when this Raid senses friction, it wants to move immediately.This ball really revs quick off of the breakpoint, and makes the most angular shape in the middle to late portion of the lane.

In the backend, this 75 degree Raid creates a lot of entry angle through the pin deck. Devastating pin carry and quick movement are the signatures of this Raid. For my game, I actually tend to prefer the 45 degree Raid on most average conditions, simply because it tends to make the breakpoint a little more stable. For bowlers with weaker hands, higher speed, or slicker lane conditions, this 75 degree layout would be perfect.