USBC Equipment Specification and Certification Committee sets new Bowling Ball Specification
01/08/05
The United States Bowling Congress informs that on November 11, 2004, the USBC Equipment Specification and Certification Committee met to implement a change that will help control the sport of bowling for many years to come. The change involves the Radius of Gyration (RG) Differential.
This bowling ball specification changes the maximum RG Differential from 0.080 inches to 0.060 inches by Feb. 1, 2005. "In more bowling-friendly terms, bowling ball flare and entry angle will be controlled," said USBC Senior Technician Jim Jaryszak, who is charge of bowling ball testing.
All bowling ball manufacturers have been notified of this change. Previously released balls that have been approved will remain approved (grandfathered in). Any re-release of a previously approved ball will have to be submitted for testing and meet the new specifications.
"We have been looking at making this change for quite some time," said USBC Director of Research Neil Stremmel. "This is a big step for our merged organization under the new USBC, and we plan for this to be part of some big picture changes in the future."
The USBC Specifications and Certification testing facility, opened in 1977, is an 8-lane center in a climate-controlled building where team members regulate and standardize bowling equipment by concentrating on pin and product testing, research work, bowling center certifications and lane dressing inspections. The staff also provides lane-conditioning support for a variety of tournaments and Sport Bowling events. The Specifications and Certification team consists of engineers, technicians and support staff.
Since the mid-1980s, Specifications and Certification has also been approving products for international competition such as the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) and the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ).
United States
The United States Bowling Congress informs that on November 11, 2004, the USBC Equipment Specification and Certification Committee met to implement a change that will help control the sport of bowling for many years to come. The change involves the Radius of Gyration (RG) Differential. This bowling ball specification changes the maximum RG Differential from 0.080 inches to 0.060 inches by Feb. 1, 2005. "In more bowling-friendly terms, bowling ball flare and entry angle will be controlled," said USBC Senior Technician Jim Jaryszak, who is charge of bowling ball testing.
All bowling ball manufacturers have been notified of this change. Previously released balls that have been approved will remain approved (grandfathered in). Any re-release of a previously approved ball will have to be submitted for testing and meet the new specifications.
"We have been looking at making this change for quite some time," said USBC Director of Research Neil Stremmel. "This is a big step for our merged organization under the new USBC, and we plan for this to be part of some big picture changes in the future."
The USBC Specifications and Certification testing facility, opened in 1977, is an 8-lane center in a climate-controlled building where team members regulate and standardize bowling equipment by concentrating on pin and product testing, research work, bowling center certifications and lane dressing inspections. The staff also provides lane-conditioning support for a variety of tournaments and Sport Bowling events. The Specifications and Certification team consists of engineers, technicians and support staff.
Since the mid-1980s, Specifications and Certification has also been approving products for international competition such as the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) and the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ).