pitches

Question
QUESTION: Tired of tearing up my thumb. Usually blisters will occur at the knuckle part of the thumb, which i'm sure is caused by gripping the ball. What causes gripping? I was reading an article and it said that u can adjust the pitches to get a cleaner release. Is this true?
How do u determine which pitch (right or left) is best for you. And how do you determine the amount of right or left pitch. Same question on the reverse pitch.
When picking up a pencil my thumb lines up with my middle finger, but points to the ring finger. I do grip the ball a little,hands get sweaty, i use rosin and dry bag.  What pitches would you recommend?
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I appreciate your help.

ANSWER: Ryan,
Pitch adjustments probably will allow for the ball to just hang from your hand (the best option for a bowler). Blisters at the back of the knuckle are caused by the bent thumb pressing the knuckle against the back of the hole, causing friction and a blister as it exits.

The traditionalist out there still drill with a lot of reverse, and as a result create thumbs that are very calloused and/or bloodied. Tearing up your thumb at the back or sides of the knuckle, typically is the result of too big a hole, too much away pitch (or not enough forward pitch), a short grip (spans) or a combination of these and thus bending/gripping with the thumb.

The pitch adjustment you might need would be less of a concern with lateral (left or right) but more likely forward or reverse.

Your hand should be flat on the ball NOT stretched across it. Let me know what the lengths of your spans are and answer a couple brief questions: what is the length of your thumb? Do you have a tight web of skin at the base of the thumb or loose? How flexible are you? (example: hold your hand in front of your face, palm down, and slowly drop your thumb down, if it goes down/back well past 90 degrees you are flexible, if it doesn't make 90 degrees you're very stiff) Put your thumb fully into the thumbhole of your ball and lay your fingers across the finger holes, where do the creases of your fingers fall (where the finger tip bends) at the holes? What are the current finger pitches?

From what you've described, the lateral pitch of the thumb should be close to zero, a little bit one way or the other won't be crucial. I determine forward or reverse from a an International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) chart, with adjustments for several things that we just asked you. I used to use the Bill Taylor recommendations but the new IBPSIA guidelines are more up to date to present techniques of delivery and drilling.

I took the IBPSIA certification class after being in business more than 15 years, what a great program, learned some nifty shop short cuts, and fitting techniques that saved me time and money and made me a better operator. Bowlers should find an IBPSIA member, or certified member for fitting and drilling. Not every one is spectacular but I've found many more caring operators among the group than out side it.

Thanks for the questions. Let me know more and we can get you a much better fitting bowling ball. Good luck and good bowling.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Warren,
Here is the information you requested. Length of thumb, 2 5/8, base of thumb loose skin, flexable, with thumb inserted finger creases fall about mid finger hole or slightly higher. I currently dont know the finger pitches.
Thanks

Answer
Ryan,
Sounds like the spans are OK but without knowing the length and finger pitches I can't give you a definitive adjustment.

Assuming your finger pitches are in the realm of normal, and utilizing the info you provided (assuming also that the thumb hole is NOT just too big), adjust the pitch of the thumbhole towards the center of your grip at least an 1/8 of an inch. That will give you a start. You will also have to UNLEARN your current delivery, which WILL take time.

Additional adjustments might be necessary, as crucial measurements are missing. If you can find the spans and pitches, or put me in touch with the driller, we can determine what you've got and what will work better. You can also do a crude edge to edge measurement with a ruler.

Many bowlers are intimidated by a ball driller offering complicated technical services that don't turn out perfect. Most bowlers are remarkably resilient and can do all kinds of fiddling to help control the ball. But people are hesitant to question what's been done, even if it is not working well.

Ball drillers work for you. If they don't explain why what is happening, is happening and offer FREE adjustments, you may want to search out a new driller. Some untrained fitters/drillers put excessive pitch in every ball because it works for them (and they have a way larger hand, stiffer thumb/fingers, or very tacky skin). Often, your service provider would gladly help with a problem, but few people think to point out the issue(s) and ask for help. People don't want to question an expert when they don't know much about what's being done. Everyone's grip is unique in many ways and their are multiple influences that should trigger changes in a "typical fit".

When people don't speak up, or just quit the sport, we all lose. Bravo for pursuing a solution to your fit issue. Let me know if you get more info or the adjustment isn't enough. Thanks again.