The RLB Experience 019 - BRUNSWICK BUYS EBONITE, Fellow Bowler Questions & More!

[@chipwhite7170]

Joe im not digging the rule change again and i say again because im a 1 handed thumbless bowler, been that way since 1990 and a few years ago they outlawed my stuff if i had a thumb hole and a weight hole so i bought all new stuff for that rule change, now they are taking away the weight hole or the thumb hole in my stuff, i just get my reactions where i wont them and now i have to start all over again and im not rich where i can just go buy a ball anytime i want. In my eyes a ball that is statically legal is legal no matter how you throw it. I tried to talk to usbc about it because you can take a finger out of a hole and thats ok but not a thumb. They said taking thumb out changes roll and i said so does a finger!

[@Hardstix]

Thanks for answering the question boys! Love the podcast!

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

You're welcome brother! We appreciate your support! Thank you very much! Joe Bowler

[@mre8ballgaming842]

Hopefully nothing really changes

[@Wihp_Soldier]

Can't wait to see what they put out

[@richarddinkins6804]

Good evening guys. Glad to hear you two helping us understand what happened, so ebonite and Brunswick are trying to team up for what, are they scared of storm that much

[@MikeDomi0618]

You still dont understand though. Ebi was sold to Brunswick, the factory was closed 170 people are out a job. Doesn't sound like teaming up.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

You're welcome brother! We're not exactly sure why this happened. But this is a business and Brunswick now owns 4 of the most well known brands in bowling. It's going to be an interesting next few months and years to say the least.. Thank you very much! Joe Bowler

[@mikemullikin8942]

Last ball Brunswick made that I liked- the Tru Track back in the 70s

[@jeffladrillono2313]

I wouldn't have a problem with the buyout if they didn't move production to Mexico. EBI just lost a loyal fan this week. Will be rolling storm/roto from now on.

[@Brian_B300]

And they won’t even notice...

[@drillguy300]

I’ll be rolling the best available ball, period! I want to win!

[@johninderieden7611]

Brunswick does pour some Storm balls in their Mexico plant as well

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

I have been hearing a lot of bowlers saying that man. Being from Kentucky having Ebonite balls made here was a big point of pride for us and a lot of our local bowlers. Have a great my my friend! Joe Bowler

[@PinoyBowlerGS92]

Huge Ball Manufacturers: Brunswick Storm/Roto Grip Motiv 900 Global (Underrated)

[@rsrdevon]

What do you guys think of Mo’s 90x2 1/4x45 layout? I’m thinking about trying it on my next new ball.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

It looked pretty interesting to me as well. I've been tinkering with a few exotic layouts lately so this my be one I try myself. If you do drill it, let me know what you think. Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@daveblake3382]

I have an Intel pearl with this drilling , Real smooth with all the hitting power, Damn good on house shots and really shines on shorter sport shots. Mainly intended for solids its a drilling that every serious bowler should try

[@joshuamyers5116]

I used this layout three years ago works great with aggressive stuff I had it on the more cash got to play straighter with great hitting power

[@ed911detroit]

Brunswick did the same thing to there employees in Michigan back in 2006 or 2005 when they first went to Mexico. I'll be buying Storm & Motiv bowling balls to support American labor.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

We've been hearing a lot of our fellow bowlers saying the same thing brother. It's going to be an interesting next year or so to say the least.. Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@wrongfootbowler]

Do not forget there is some independent bowling ball companies I do believe Lane Masters Lord Field Moxy Bowling Products Pyramid Bowling

[@daveblake3382]

Visionary is out there as well

[@wrongfootbowler]

Dave Blake Yup I forgot about them my bad

[@jareddrake619]

Seismic

[@coopergates9680]

Lane #1... too bad you can't use that stuff in the PBA Lol? Never heard of this 1 123bowl.com/bowling-balls/monster-bowling/

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

All of these companies balls are made overseas or by Brunswick I do believe. Moxy is made by Brunswick, Pyramid made in China and California Bowling (Lane Masters, Lord Field) is either Korea or China. Can't remember which and I couldn't find it on their website. Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@smoothcii]

I haven’t thrown a Brunswick ball since the Johnny P

[@r.i.p.paperroutefrank3942]

Glad I throw storm!!!!!!! Although I just bought a pink hammer because I got it super cheap. I threw a brown thumb slug in it so I have 2 in the pink and 1 in the stink. Great show keep up the good work

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

That's hilarious! Wish I would have thought of it.. 😂 We appreciate your support brother! Have a great day! Joe Bowler

[@deadpolymers3416]

I'm pretty sure Brunswick only bought the brand names and the ball tech. They didn't buy the EBI manufacturing plant and real estate.

[@kylemoore7866]

DeadPolymers ebi plant in Michigan is closed. About 180 ppl lost jobs. All manufacturing going to Mexico

[@speedwolf5212]

DeadPolymers They just said Brunswick immediately shut down the Kentucky plant.

[@davidmarekjr1173]

@@speedwolf5212 Brunswick did not get any real estate or plants in the deal, just the IP. EBI shut down the manufacturing locations.

[@deadpolymers3416]

@@speedwolf5212 Brunswick doesn't own the Kentucky plant, and didn't employ the workers there. EBI still owns the plant, and EBI fired those workers. Brunswick shares none of the blame on that account. Brunswick can't exactly keep the Kentucky plant open, when they don't own it. If EBI wanted to keep those people employed, they would have sold to someone who was willing to buy the plant.

[@deadpolymers3416]

@@kylemoore7866 I understand that a lot of people lost their jobs, but everyone seems to be blaming Brunswick. EBI was either going to go out of business, or they were going to sell... either way everyone was going to lose their jobs.

[@dylanfry7978]

Got global 300 too thought storm owned that brand as well? And BIG bowling but that brand they just recently came out I think

[@ed911detroit]

I seen California Bowling company advertising their balls in Bowlers Journal magazine, what information do know about them?

[@johninderieden7611]

ed911detroit most of their stuff, if not all, is made in Korea. I have one and it’s a really good ball

[@ed911detroit]

@@johninderieden7611 Thanks for the info.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

ed911detroit they are made overseas. I have thrown a few and they have been hit or miss for me. I tried contacting them about sending a ball to review for ILBR but got no response. They could have at least replied with a no thank you or anything really.. Thanks man! Joe Bowler

[@webmoss]

Hammer with Dynamicore 🤯

[@Ezi0AuditoreDiFirenz]

Stop it, I only can get so erect hearing the possibility of combining the gas mask core with dynamicore

[@speedwolf5212]

That sucks. “Made in the USA” means something to me. It’s why I quit throwing Brunswick. Looks like I’ll be throwing Storm & Roto Grip from now on.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

A lot of bowlers are saying the same thing brother. Will we be seeing a lot of people who were loyal to Ebonite switching brands? Only time will tell.. Thank you very much! Joe Bowler

[@McCollum2009]

I know. Looks like I'm gonna start throwing Roto grip and unscented storm balls

[@jefferyboring4410]

Nothing like a fly in the ointment when u pull that fresh ball outa tha box- bag and see that little gold sticker that says.... honcho in Mexico! And u feel like a low life traitor for having bought that ball. It always ruins the moment for me and it should u too....

[@ianelgar6472]

How much is brunswick gonna charge and what will be the wait time for delivery.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

I do not have the answer to those questions my friend. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.. Have a great day! Joe Bowler

[@mannyperea8851]

Manny Fresh likes the new Track in2ition

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

Manny Fresh! I got to see someone throw that quite a bit yesterday. I liked the way it rolled and seemed to hit pretty well. Glad you like it brother! Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@mannyperea8851]

Bowling Knightz Garage Shop your very welcome 😊🎳🎳🎳

[@njorgnjorg6057]

Yea it’s crazy . From what I hear, EBI was shutting down no matter what. So Brunswick bought them to save the brands. Unfortunately They will be produced in Mexico which the jobs won’t be hear but they weren’t going to be anyways if Brunswick didn’t buy them. So I don’t get why so many people are upset with Brunswick. Ebi was closing there doors no matter what the jobs would have been lost no matter what. Brunswick is keeping the brands alive instead of being no more.

[@terrastallons5486]

Njorg Njorg Being a former ebonite employee one of the ones that lost their job 2 years ago we were told that we were going to buy Brunswick. So if the doors were closing we had no clue. We were treated like nothing like criminals weren’t allowed to clean out our lockers or nothing until almost 2 weeks later. Anyone commenting on this has no idea how horrible this was to so many families. We gave our all to make this company the best it could be many of us have been there over 20 years and now we have nothing. Brunswick doesn’t care about what happened to us. 171 employees lost there jobs with no noticed and a huge question marks hangs over those 171 now non-employed people. It’s a sad hard time here in Hopkinsville.

[@terrastallons5486]

I just don’t understand how it went from ebonite is buying Brunswick to hey we sold your job is going to Mexico and sorry but time to find another job 2 weeks before thanksgiving l.

[@njorgnjorg6057]

terra stallons I understand where your coming from and it dose suck that those people lost there jobs including yourself. I never wish that on anybody and wish the best of luck in the future for those who have. But about not being told about the buyout and being treated like criminals like you said, wouldn’t that be on ebonite not Brunswick. Ebonite should have told there employees and made arrangements with them not Brunswick. There the ones who didn’t keep there financials In Order and had to close down not Brunswick. That’s isn’t Brunswick’s foult. So to say they don’t care is a little harsh. It takes way longer for a company to buy another then Two weeks so ebonite has plenty of time to take care of there employees rather then keeping them in the dark. I hope they received a severance from ebonite. So I don’t understand why people are pissed at Brunswick. What did they do other then buying a company that was going to unfortunately shut there doors. Like I said before it sucks that these people lost there jobs and I hope them the best.

[@edtellier3635]

May inform everyone that if you bowl league next year and you are a 2 handed bowler that uses 2 fingers and use a house ball with 3 holes will have to buy a ball to bowl and not able to use house ball.

[@smoothcii]

Had two of those emerald zones

[@ilikebowling6080]

What does bud think of the Covert Tank now

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

He polished it up and threw it for a couple more weeks but has moved on from it. He liked it better with the polish on it for sure though. Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@smoothcii]

Hey you wanna drill for me. Tired of seeing my equipment not being done to my likings. I’ll show you next time I see you what an unspecified driller here in town does to my stuff.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

I appreciate it man but I don't drill for other bowlers out of the garage. I only have a few bits and our drill press is pretty old. I'm always glad to take a look at your current equipment and make recommendations on layouts and what balls I think would work best for you though. Thank you brother and see ya soon! Joe Bowler

[@smoothcii]

Bowling Knightz Garage Shop all good. I used an old press years ago

[@polarbearchad5871]

The ball I throw now is a roto grip show off. Given to me by a righty , all I had done was moved the thumb to fit my span.not sure what kind of layout that gave me being a lefty. But my average is up about 10 pins. #only ball in my bag

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

As long as it's working for you and you're happy with it that's the most important thing. As you continue to improve and start looking for new equipment, it will be important to get balls laid out and drilled to suit your style. Have a great day brother! Joe Bowler

[@Sproutt]

Dang you buy a "made in USA" ball ...so that why I guess you buy. A storm... then storm moves to Mexico. At some point. I Think I'll start buying motiv balls.

[@bowlingknightzgarageshop7593]

Yup. Made in the USA bowling balls are going to be limited to only a few brands now. We've been a fan of Motiv for a while not only for their equipment but their customer service as well. Good people over there! Thank you! Joe Bowler

[@larryschlutt7211]

I'm not happy about this at all. most of my arsenal is hammer. I've been a fan because of the reaction I get with hammer and also that they are US now mexico.. I will be switching to storm roto grip and motive when I have to buy a new ball. I buy American only.. MERICA!!

[@davidmarekjr1173]

There is a lot of hate and blame directed towards Brunswick. Please read this article, Brunswick did not buy or shut down any plants. www.bowlersjournal.com/brunswick-ceo-corey-dykstra-on-ebonite-acquisition/

[@joshuamyers5116]

Thank Hillary Clinton for alot of things that has moved out of the country (GM) 28% sales TAX american made. Or 5% import tax with american designed and this is for many companys thanks hillary

[@Brian_B300]

Great move by Brunswick. Yeah yeah yeah people lost their jobs hashtag Sadface blah blah blah... face it kids, business is about making money, not making friends. They will get full pay for 2 months which is more than enough time to find another job if they are skilled workers. It’s not like those 170 people are now homeless. Happens everyday. Harsh reality

[@emberton24]

I'm sorry but have you been to hopkinsville. There is not much there as in the way of jobs in that line of work. I'm sorry but you seem a bit heartless. Enough said!

[@Brian_B300]

emberton24 No I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting that area. Yes, I am in fact a cynical bastard at times.. but also have the ability to be realistic about the situation as I also own 2 small businesses. These things happen every single day all over the world. Life goes on

[@emberton24]

Yea you sure are. No argument about that from me. 🤣🤣

[@Brian_B300]

emberton24 🤷‍♂️

[@coopergates9680]

Switching to cheap labor and ripping the workers off is bad enough but what's irritating me is the butt hurt patriots leaving the brands just because the stuff won't be made in 'MURICAAA.