History of Bowling Balls | Wood, Rubber, & Plastic

Inside Bowling presents the History of Bowling Balls with the Orf's from Ray Orf's Bowling & Trophy Shop in St. Louis, Missouri.
Rich Orf and Steve Orf share their bowling ball collection with you and share their opinions of the most meaningful bowling balls in the history of bowling.
This is part 1 of a 3 part series. Enjoy!
#InsideBowling #BowlingBalls
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[@joewalsh720]

Fantastic video! While your collection was amazing, I have to admit, the coolest part of the video was the footage of your Dad bowling. Thank you for including it. I still have my grandfathers Brunswick Black Diamond with his old bag, shoes, towel, etc. Like you, it’s one of my prized possessions that’ll stay with me forever.

[@usmctattooboy]

This was a very well done video lots of good history and info to be learned I especially loves the tribute at the end to your father.

[@donnafreeman6283]

Love the tribute to your dad at the end

[@bowlingbrawn3063]

Wow! This is the best video I’ve ever seen on the history of balls during that era! Thank you. Sorry to hear of the passing of your dad.

[@insidebowling]

Thanks. We would like to go more in-depth but it was already over 10 minutes!

[@slcRN1971]

@@insidebowling this is very interesting and I appreciate your presentation. 👍👍👏👏

[@thebigeasy8609]

That was really enjoyable. Thank you. I remember so many of those balls and threw a few of them. The ending was so cool. Can't wait for the rest.

[@insidebowling]

Thanks Jeff!

[@JayAyers]

35 in a row! I doubt it was because of the ball. That takes a lot of skill. Congratulations to your family on that record!

[@allglorytogod12]

Great video and glad I stuck around to watch the footage of Ray Orf. I sold my yellow dot almost 30 years ago for $10. The idea of collecting wasn't even a thought. Threw an old Manhatten Rubber as a kid. Back then, whenever I outgrew balls, I'd just donate them to the general houseball inventory wherever I was bowling at the time.

[@dannywilliams895]

Back in the early 80's, I had an Earl Anthony "Radar" ball. What a great ball. Carried a 200 avg. wish I had that one back.

[@R0adx]

I never thought LT-48 is a rubber ball, cause my dad had one for over 30 years and I'm using it as a spare ball right now. It's with Johnny Petraglia's name on it with yellow words.

[@gregk3234]

Don't forget about the Gem Tek line of balls, they might pre-date the Fabs as the first 2 piece balls or balls with non-pancake blocks

[@7pinmichael]

I watched all 3 of the segments and enjoyed them all, but the 1st 2 fell during my most active bowling time. I owned a number of Columbia balls, some of which I still throw today when conditions allow. I took about a 30 year hiatus until 2021 when I started back using my old equipment. I have a 1977 Crimson Columbia White Dot, 1986 Black and Wine Columbia u-dots, and an early Black Angle urethane. I also had a Blue Columbia P2 Pathfinder rubber ball circa 1962, but seem to have misplaced it. I do have a picture of it though. Looking forward to seeing more videos from you guys and my condolences on your father passing.

[@oldiesgeek454]

I love the look of the AMF 3 Dot. That's the ball I owned as a kid in the early 70s.

[@Zaphandyman]

Great video guys thank you for sharing. I have a couple of old balls that I kept around just so my kids and my grandkids could see the kind of balls that we used to bowl with growing up and how things change so drastically.

[@chasbari]

Thanks for sharing this slice of bowling history. So great that you had the foresight to keep some of the old stock around back then to build this collection. Makes me weep a little to think of the old stuff I eventually left on ball racks at local bowling centers to get rid of as equipment evolved. Then again, there was this original light blue Crown Jewel that made the rounds via this method. Someone would pick it up, thinking they had scored a treasure. After throwing the thing and realizing it was impossible to keep it from rolling over the thumb hole, it would then get left on yet another house ball rack. I discovered it this way and experienced the same thing. It became somewhat legendary and guys would just laugh when they saw you in possession of it. Sure wish I still had my Columbia Titeline.

[@coopergates9680]

Is the titeline more or less identical to a black knight?

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

What a great collection...thanks for taking the time to post the vids about it! I have an LT-48 I throw occasionally but thought the shell had ground up cherry pits, not walnut shells. Very much looking forward to the next vid on urethane...I only throw vintage urethane so it should contain most of my arsenal, lol!

[@insidebowling]

We will be posting part 2 tomorrow and part 3 on Thursday. Thanks for watching!

[@ericneff1202]

Terrific walk down memory lane. Thanks for the work gathering all the balls.

[@watson956]

My first ball, about 50 years ago when I was probably 9 years old, was a SIX-pound Black Beauty. I remember once making the 5-10 with that ball, by hitting the 5 on the wrong side, and the ball bounced into the 10!

[@DGV_Tips]

Nice video guys. Your dad was one helluva bowler to roll 890 with plastic...splitting boards! Anxious to see your next video. I have a very small collection that includes a Marion Ladewig Brunswick (I’m sure you know her legacy), and a Nu-Line Xcalibur.

[@jodysanders6445]

Grew up too with a bowling father. He bowled 6 leagues a week most of my youth...there really isn't anything that matches the bond between a father and son reached through bowling together. Great job guys

[@AdamTrautmanBowling]

I'm hoping my daughters will love bowling as much as I do

[@rclick1226]

Wow! What a Family history! Great video! Thank you!

[@cwagner4704]

Loved the video at the end ☺️

[@huginanenvelope]

What a wonderful gift from your Dad and a beautiful tribute.

[@mikec4409]

Nice collection. I was a bit surprised you didn't have a Brunswick Mineralite. From just before the Black Beauty which was my favorite rubber ball.

[@insidebowling]

It's a good one. Too hard to have them all but great suggestion!

[@danielfix7871]

Wow very informative thank you for taking the time to make this and share your cool collection with us. I watched all three videos and enjoyed them thoroughly.

[@insidebowling]

Thanks Daniel. Glad you enjoyed it. When we get more we will make a part 4 update.

[@Riz2336]

That era was way before my time in bowling but it's interesting to learn what balls were popular

[@benjaminmendenhall3104]

You guys have a lot of great information about older bowling balls

[@adrsit]

Thank you for recalling my memory of those days.

[@shylineranglin9912]

Awesome information fellas. Beautiful ending as well

[@slcRN1971]

That ‘gold’ bowling bowl is quite spectacular looking. I wonder how many of them were ever sold??

[@TheCardMan64]

Nicely done!

[@jhankemeeyer1970]

Love you guys!

[@philwhite8749]

890 in any era is Truly an Awesome Feat

[@dwaynedavis2721]

Thanks for bringing me some old memories.....Was 1 board killer back then...lol Now stand left throw right 490 rev ...lol

[@insidebowling]

Evolution right? 😂

[@FuzzykidSA]

It seems like you missed an early type of ball, when you show the wooden balls one of them has Bakelite written on it. Bakelite being a phenolic based compound. I have see a few images of some that used rag micarta as well but haven't figured out what brand or model they are.

[@dontbelievethehype156]

The golden Brunswick Rhino was my first bowling ball. Followed by a lot of Brunswick, Storm and Lane #1 balls. Still bowling Lane #1 balls today at age 46. The only vintage piece I still throw is the Ebonite skull ball as my spare ball. Those old balls were awesome, lots of stock material but not a lot of reaction. I still like that. Straighter is greater.

[@insidebowling]

You've got some gems there!

[@darthmaul0851]

Nice video. So many balls there that I had. Loved the Brunswick LT48. Had one that registered 66 softness. You didn’t mention the green Brunswick LT48 with Tommy Hudson’s name.

[@Deadflush]

WoW,, love this! I want to learn more.

[@insidebowling]

Maybe we will put out more stuff like this in the future. Thanks Kevin!

[@Jackie_Ewehere]

Wow...that was a walk down memory lane. Bowled my first 300 in 1980 with a yellow dot, and continued to bowl with my red dot all the way into the late 2000's even with all the core and coverstock innovation. White dot, yellow dot, red dot, and the rotogrip were my arsenal back in the day.

[@coopergates9680]

Oh, cool. I dropped a 290 with a yellow dot a few weeks ago; how did you like the red dot and blue roto?

[@Jackie_Ewehere]

@@coopergates9680 Rotogrip was my favorite..was always my benchmark ball. It got destroyed by a machine around 1981 and never replaced it. Red dot worked fine for me for many years, bowled a 300 with that one in the mid 90's when every one was throwing Urethane or Reactive. When I got back into bowling around 2009 after a 10 year lay off, I used the Red dot for the first couple of years until I learned how to bowl with reactive. I still prefer the smooth reaction of weaker equipment, but the hitting power is so different. So, finally put the red dot away.

[@coopergates9680]

@@Jackie_Ewehere Blue roto was almost identical to a yellow dot? I doubt I'd get one if so because I have a YD already. That is a rip off, 1981 is not that long after the thing came out. Should have gotten a lot of years out of it. Red dot goes a little longer than the blue roto? I have a few resin balls and the ones I no longer have suffered from oil absorption sensitivity. Even the ones I still have are hit or miss and I haven't broken 260 with 'em, as opposed to 278 and 290 with the YD. Oh, have you had a Brunswick scorpion? Another old pancake but Idk if it's urethane or plastic.

[@Jackie_Ewehere]

@@coopergates9680 Yes, the RG and YD reacted almost the same...I think the rotogrip just fit me better which could be why I always went to that one first. The red dot did go longer. Back then, the only way we predicted ball reaction was with a durometer, and the RD was a tad harder if I recall. In fact, when I first got it, I didn't like the reaction, so I put a balance hole in it. That changed it up to where it fit nicely between the YD and the WD. 3 ball arsenal after RG got destroyed, and that seemed to be all I ever needed for a long time. Tried the Hammer and Nail in mid 80's, but never liked them...would always go back to plastic. Never had a scorpion, so can't comment much on that one.

[@coopergates9680]

@@Jackie_Ewehere Never had the RC5 or Tra-Ker, either?

[@downinthedirt1195]

Wow nice collection.

[@hardspumoni6940]

I have my grandfathers Manhattan Rubber bowling ball which is still perfectly intact and I have even thrown it this year. It has no dot.

[@mikeday6908]

Very nice. I have owned most of those balls at one time or another. Loved the Tru Trac and Mark X! Yellow dots a plenty too.

[@coopergates9680]

Dang, so most of them are gone? I want an RC5 lol

[@johnbrandonberg4257]

I have a Brunswick Black Rubber Bowling Ball I still use today! :)

[@juanitajones7834]

Thank you for this video, I just won an bid on ebay for a AMF Volt American ball with bag and shoes for $20. I looking forward to using the ball! Love the shoes keep up the good work!!!!!

[@jimhresko9102]

Surprised to not see any mention of Jubilere or Ripley in the rubber ball section. those were great balls!

[@frioservice3040]

Columbia also had a ball called Tite line. It had quarter size white dot with “T L “ on it.

[@lylebarnard7447]

Great history lesson on bowling balls I didn't realize rubber bowling balls made a revitalization they're back in the late 70s I always thought it was plastic plastic plastic I guess we learn something new everyday

[@rodneyholcombe202]

Been wanting a bleeder and markx great video brings back memories

[@waltparrett4585]

Lt-48 and Yellow Dot. Balls that ruled the era.

[@travishanson166]

I have a 76 yellow dot bleeder, bought it for $1 and was my first ball. Also a 78 YD bleeder. It was just last week that I found out what a bleeder was. Needless to say they reside in the house now instead of the garage.

[@johnbarnett6924]

I had a Blue a roto grip, I Loved It❤ My first 700 plus series and Lots of Pot Games Winnigs ❤ on a 189 and under avarage❤ John Barnett

[@jsbald]

Great video! I have loved bowling throughout my life. I am interested in doing artwork with old rubber, vulcanized rubber is also known as ebonite, balls. Do you guys know which balls I should look for if I am looking for a solid rubber ball. One with no filler, just a one piece rubber ball. Thanks for your help.

[@tylerhammond1067]

Great video! Do you know the reason why Brunswick rubber balls were almost always drilled upside down (thumb on top, fingers on bottom)?

[@ytlas3]

The Shur D Pro, Tru Trac and AMF Pro Classic were the "Factory Soaker" balls that came out in response to the pros soaking their balls in chemicals like Acetone, MEK, and Toluene. Once ABC instituted the 72 hardness (D Scale durometer) those balls became illegal. I remember the 5P Yellow Dots being the hot ticket, then four years later the 9P's were. I still have a new 9P Yellow Dot and 9N Bonanza in boxes. Lastly, I don't see the AMF Powerball or Impact KE 21 in your collection. AMF's attempt to compete with the LT 48

[@coopergates9680]

I have the Classic S3D. Hooks less than the custom LTD, though lol (and much less than the yellow dot and OG crown jewel)

[@skategeezer1810]

The Orange dot was the first particle ball. If you flipped the ball over and had the orange dot on the thumb side of the ball and drilled in a leverage position it would have a five inch flare. I still have one drilled up like that.

[@daemontano3523]

35 strikes in a row is insane 😮

[@johnbarnett6924]

Dedicated to Fred Eastwood out of Hawthorn Cliif who drilled Mt First AMF 3 dot ,With and Off Set Thumb full finger tip Grip Circa 1967 RIP Fred❤ Dobie

[@dangershgol3298]

I love the look of the old Columbia 300 balls. I want that 73 red dot

[@coopergates9680]

You say '73 because the serial number starts with a 3? It came out too late for that so it's gotta be an '83

[@frankg.2949]

Thanks for this video. It brings back memories of my first bowling ball.... well it was my fathers. It was a Brunswick T-2 Trac-Master. It was navy blue instead of black. It rolled pretty good, and I was 11 years old when I bowled my first 200 game. From what I understand, there were three versions of that ball. I think the T-3 hooked the most, and the T-1 rolled straighter. In your opinion, was that a good bowling ball in it's time? When I was able to buy my first bowling ball, and regularly bowled in leagues, it was a LT-48. (plus Johnny Petraglia was from NJ!) I've never seen the ones with the writing "LT-48" in block letters. I've got the regular version of that, and eventually bought the LT-51 version. That seemed like the ball of choice at the time. I've had many great games with those balls, till the urethane era (which was or were "high performance" balls at that time. After that, I went with Columbia 300 balls, because I always saw Mark Roth on TV a lot and he rolled with Columbia Yellow dots. But this brings up some great nostalgia for us guys of a certain age who still loves the sport of bowling.

[@coopergates9680]

T3 doesn't cover very many boards off his hand but he's chucking it like a soft ball LOL kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5mliKR6ds6kpZo

[@joeroth3666]

I have a green lt-48 I got from my dad along with his Brunswick rhino.

[@ClappinDabbin]

I recently found a white dot Columbia 300 custom made ball made for my grandfather... and I also have a yellow dot! It's from 1976

[@Acemans]

hey i really like the look of the crown jewel 2021 and the vintage gold crown. are there any other balls now adays that look like that?

[@insidebowling]

You may be able to find something like those balls on EBAY.

[@klintonwheeler7136]

Very cool

[@OldSchoolBowler]

Very interesting video, thank you. I believe it was Louie Trears who designed the LT-48. I am surprised I can't find anything online to confirm it.

[@coopergates9680]

Trier. I thought it might be pronounced "tree-air" but Larry Lichstein pronounced it "try-ire"

[@richardewen1191]

it Richard from mississauga Ontario, left bowling 1980 using chestnut mark10 from brunswick,was wondering if there are still around

[@brianjames3740]

Can you tell me anything about the 1968 Columbia Titeline white dot?

[@wldwes]

Earl won multiple titles and bowler of the year with the Mark X

[@coopergates9680]

Rolled a 289 with a Crown Jewel but wound up giving it away because its read wasn't good enough on some lanes.... That LT-48 rolls so early, I had a hard time getting hold, saving rotation for the back end, and staying in the pocket. Your father shot 890, 898, or 899? Very nice.

[@insidebowling]

It was 890. Spare, sheet for the rest of the night of league.

[@waltparrett4585]

LT-48 and Yellow Dot. They were the balls of their time!!

[@coopergates9680]

@@insidebowling What's the difference between the Custom LTD and Black Beauty (both rubber Brunswick balls)?

[@judychen1038]

3:11 that’s a cool ball

[@2badger2]

Wasn't some Ripley bowling balls (Black) made in Sweden? It would have been in the 1960s.

[@jimhresko9102]

you also missed the Manhattan Rubber "Christmas tree" multicolored polyester ball!

[@MikeGrant-zt7uo]

What sbout the AMF KE21 ball

[@anthonyladuca8165]

I still have classic gryo white and black beauty

[@michaelcook7090]

You glossed over one Poly ball to the right of the green Gyro(from my view) and to the left of the LT48.... Was that a Star Trac?

[@coopergates9680]

Looks to be a Roto Star Tra-Ker. Can't find too many reviews of that one. If you're thinking of one spot further to your right then I think you're correct.

[@mattparisi9108]

Was that a columbia 300 red dot?

[@sprocket454]

Hey guys. I hope you read this. When I was a teen my older brother gave me a green PLASTIC LT48. It was not an LT51. I'm 95% sure it had the Johnny Petraglia signature. Not Tommy Hudson. Ever heard of this ball? I wish I would have held onto it.

[@Rhyno430]

Hey that one bowling ball isn't wood, it's Bakelite. It's an early polymer, one of its most famous uses was in Russian AKM magazines during the cold War, the magazines were orange. No idea when they used them in bowling balls

[@dwaynedavis2721]

sorry getting old It was oak Ridge Tn....lol

[@sprocket454]

When I was a kid I had a green plastic LT-48. It was definetly plastic and definetly not an LT-51. I've never seen one or heard of one since. I wonder how rare it was?

[@robertwinzer6285]

bought a vintage viola Columbia 300 with a white dot for around 30 bucks , can anyone tell me if its was a good deal ?

[@coopergates9680]

If you get a white dot, you want the caramel or scarlet ones. Lol

[@WilliamCrawfordMDM]

The way I bowl I use rubber balls to hook. I love it

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

My father has an old brown colored Roto Star ball he won from someone in a cash game. It was his favorite ball for many years despite the drilling not fitting properly. My mom bought him a new black Hammer but he quickly went back to the Roto Star and handed the Hammer off to me. He continued to throw that Roto Star averaging high 90's to low deuce up until 2006 when he finally caved in and got a reactive to stay competitive in his Senior scratch league. I've tried digging up info on the Roto Star but I've had little success. Any idea on the year or anything else about it?

[@coopergates9680]

What else does that Roto star say on it? X-2? RC5?

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

@@coopergates9680 I'm not sure. I'll call and ask him tomorrow.

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

@@coopergates9680 He said X4

[@coopergates9680]

@@theinsaneshecklador6598 Huh. I knew about the X-2 (rubber) and X-3 (urethane on top of plastic). Can't find out much about the X-4

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

@@coopergates9680 Any idea when the X-3 came out? I'm guessing the X-4 would have been at the same time or newer. I doubt it would be older.

[@Kurobuta35]

35 in a row.. wow! i am happy with the occasional turkey!

[@cameronheidelauf9623]

There is a bowling ball in Australia here AND it's made from a stone ball it's at the Bendigo bowling Center in Bendigo Victoria Australia here guy's cheers from cameron here In Australia

[@bdgf06]

Amazing display. Great to see Mr Orf’s Black Beauty!

[@harrybrinck5305]

What was the weight of the pins? I have bowled with all the balls with exception of the wood ball. I am 72. Bowling is fun.

[@coopergates9680]

How'd you like the yellow dot, red dot, and polyester blue roto?

[@tomy5868]

Got black beauty thst i bought off rack for $5.00. Shot 300 on old wood in troy Missouri...outside of st Louis. (1995). Keep forever.

[@joebaumgart1146]

I'm 27 and I use a 13 lb. Manhattan Rubber bkwling ball from 1959. I score 250 avg. With her too!

[@virtualblackface3009]

I smell bullshit...

[@daflyinhawaiian2]

WOW 890 SERIES

[@aydengianes2515]

13:25 makes me sad to see that ball see it's owner with pictures that passed

[@dejabowler873]

What is the ebonite pro line is it a plastic ball

[@yendor302]

There is an AMF pro classic on ebay right now. $45.00

[@philwhite8749]

As much as I love it, it's the Only Sport that when you put the Ball in the Target, that you don't always get what you deserve

[@tylerstrain907]

I have a black and blue original tank from the 80s

[@eduardorr77]

Hello I just bought one brand new gold crown but looks more orange, less golden

[@ebocortex]

So Brunswick made the most beautiful bowling ball. That is unique for sure and looks like Hollywood material for a villain bowler.

[@insidebowling]

It was in Kingpin!

[@doomusrlc]

12:40 controversial due to when it happened?

[@insidebowling]

It was never sanctioned and there was a lawsuit that settled out of court.

[@tomy5868]

Still throw white dot. 300 several yrs sgo in adult jr bowling.

[@italianforu1]

It is not hard to believe your dad had 35 in a row with that style!

[@insidebowling]

Too kind Tony. Thanks for watching!

[@TyPhenirW0LF]

If rubber is so durable, why don't Bowling Alleys keep more rubber balls on hand these days? Going in to my local alley and seeing the same plastic balls they have had for over 2 decades... With gouges galore... They either need a way to resurface those things or a product less likely to suffer such horrible damage. Then again, what do I know? I still bowl with those balls, but the prestige off it isn't the same as when I was a kid. Are there any balls alleys object to patrons using?

[@MetProduct-td4rz]

I did some research and it said the first bowling balls were made in 1862

[@insidebowling]

Thanks for the insight!

[@MetProduct-td4rz]

I also have the rare clear storm Belmonte spare ball

[@MetProduct-td4rz]

Overseas version

[@Fred-nz9dp]

Think you forgot about mineralite