The radius of gyration is defined as the square root of the moment of inertia divided by mass of the object. You don't have a clue what this has to do with bowling? Welcome to the club! If you would like to learn what friction, rotation, mass properties, flare potential, etc. exactly means, or just want to enhance your knowledge, you are on the right website! USBC Technical Director, Neil Stremmel, has agreed to provide a series of articles to bring some light into the global darkness and to help explain basic definitions and terminology or to translate the physics definitions. In the first article, Nick Siefers, USBC Research Engineer, explains the "Core Properties".
As earlier reported the USBC has changed its requirements for lane dressing inspections to lessen the workload of local associations. However, the current spec says that every lane in each center must pass specifications set forth by USBC for the center to become certified. Bowlingdigital has asked the USBC Equipment Specifications Department, if with the recent adjustment in lane dressing inspection requirements, USBC has also considered looking at reducing the number of lanes that has to be inspected for a center to become certified for competition. 
As part of its overall study of bowling ball motion, the United States Bowling Congress has uncovered key technical findings about how modern bowling balls act on a lane. Ultimately, these types of studies can help bowlers select bowling balls that best suit their games. "As USBC learns and understands more about the motion of modern bowling balls through this type of breakthrough research, it helps connect science and the sport of bowling," said USBC Technical Director Neil Stremmel.
The emergence and growing popularity of what is known as the "two-handed" delivery in bowling has caused the USBC to consider its impact on the rules and application of the sport's specifications. How does this style affect USBC rules related to a legal delivery? Do players violate the rules if they switch styles and throw at spares or their first deliveries in the more traditional one-handed approach? And does the style affect the application of specifications related to balance of the bowling ball and/or the allowance and use of the gripping holes? 
Beginning June 1, USBC will use a high-tech device to test the outer materials of bowling pins. USBC research engineers will use an optical instrument with a computer interface - called a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer - to measure and identify the chemical structure of wood and synthetic bowling pin sample materials sent annually to USBC by various bowling pin manufacturers.
The previous article entitled "Core Properties" described and explained a bowling ball's core dynamics as it relates to ball reaction and performance. In this article, the other half of ball reaction will be broken down and investigated. In the end, a bowler should understand the relationship between the core and cover stock. 
Imagine a future in which a small block inserted into a bowler's thumb hole could enable a coach to tell a bowler his or her precise ball path, initial velocity, entry angle into the pocket, etc. This article will cover the United States Bowling Congress' technological capabilities, thoughts on future areas of technical research and how future scientific understanding can grow bowling knowledge and, with it, the sport itself.
The deadline for submissions in the United States Bowling Congress contest to design a device to measure the amount of friction on a bowling lane has been extended to Dec. 10. USBC will award a $5,000 first-place prize to the individual or team submitting the best design for a device that can measure the amount of friction on a bowling lane. Second prize is $2,000. 
As an additional safety measure, the United States Bowling Congress will allow for an optional warning statement to be placed on lane beds to notify bowlers not to cross the foul line. This action can minimize the chance of injury to bowlers who may slip and fall on lane conditioner after going across the foul line. 