Techonology has been a big discussion point on the competitive level since 1982, when the first urethane ball, the AMF Black Angle was introduced. Also, when polyester(plastic) was introduced in the '70s. The big jump was when Nu-Line released the XCalibur in 1992, the first reactive resin bowling ball. Who knew a no name company could change the face of the sport?

I can personally atest to the fact this ball ABSOLUTELY changed the sport, most would argue this began to mark the decline of the sport. I was the first youth bowler in our area to purchase this ball. Now granted, throwing the same balls as everyone else I would say I was usually 10 left of everyone else because I already threw a big hook. But the first night I bowled league with this ball they put out a lot of oil, for back then, and everyone was throwing the ball up the first arrow and not hooking it much. Now I started the night playing the second arrow out to about 3rd board to get to the pocket. By the end of the night, the other bowlers may have had to move to the 2nd arrow, myself I was playing 6th arrow out to the gutter and striking at will.

To sum that rant up, the new techonology has given those with lesser ability to have the same type of power that those who already had the ability to do so did. Several crankers who were top players on the PBA level no longer had much success. Pete Weber completely had to change the way he released the ball to stay competitive. Technology has caused this sport to lose respect for it's professionals because it has given the recreational players the idea that they're every bit as good as the guys on tour are. They're not, trust me. Scores and egos are inflated, and when someone puts out a difficult lane pattern a lot of competitive bowlers shy away because THEY SUCK!

If this isn't a sign of where this sport is headed, check out this link:

http//www.900global.com/remote_control_bowling_ball/web_page