Sticky Thumb

Question
Hi Warren,
At Christmas, I just got an Evil Siege from Brunswick. I am a lefty. I had it drilled with fingertips inserts and a thumb slug. Love the ball. I just returned from the lanes where I threw a 680 for my first three games and bowled 2 more. The ball feels great. But I am having problems with the thumb releasing. It starts out fine but as things heat up I guess my thumb may be swelling and/or the oil maybe getting into the hole and then it hangs and becomes unpredictable for the rest of the night. Ive only used it a few times and usually by the 3rd game and beyond I am unpleasantly surprised by the ball not letting go of my thumb. In fact, one time it didn't come off AT ALL. That was a surprise!!. I did have sanded it once and it seemed to get better, but it happened again a few times since. The issue is once it happens, I am nervous that it is going to happen again and my scores go down. I contacted my pro shop and he said to bring it back and he would take care of it. Before I will go, I have bowled a few more times to see if its me and if I can make adjustments to get use to the thumb slug. I tried putting my thumb in first, then the fingers and it helped a bit.. but SURPRISE, in game 4 I went cross alley to pick up a spare and the thumb stuck so bad that it almost went in next lane!! It was down hill from there. I was afraid and my release became unpredictable after that.
Do you recommend steps that can be taken incrementally before opening up the holes?. I dont want it too loose and I dont want to deal with taping. I was leery of the thumb slug for reasons of stickiness. Is this a common issue?  My last ball did not have a thumb slug and I never had an issue. Can I have him chamfer an edge where the inside of my thumb sits?  

Any suggestions would be helpful. I feel once I get the release predictable, things will be great.

Thanks
Chris

Answer
Chris,
Once you hang a little in the ball, you will naturally try to help the ball off your thumb, changing where/when the ball can exit your hand (you stop it). Make the back of the thumb a little slicker with Easy Slide, Chap Stick, #1 Vise Hada Patch or the like.

Let the operator that drilled it deal with it. The slug could be a very slick urethane material and your shop operator can make it smoother (smoother grit paper, buffing pad, wet sanding, etc). If you have a moist/sticky hand/thumb you may need a pitch adjustment. Thumb grips are vinyl (if you have a grip and not a slug) and if left course or warm when you play they can be stickier than urethane, but they can also be made very smooth.

It sounds like your fit is good just a few glitches with your confidence. Let the operator that did the good fit help.  Thanks for the question. Let me know how it resolves. Bowl well.