Storm Pitch Black Bowling Ball

COVERSTOCK: CONTROLL™ SOLID URETHANE WEIGHT BLOCK: CAPACITOR™ CORE FACTORY FINISH: 1000-GRIT PAD BALL COLOR: PITCH BLACK DUROMETER: 74-76 REX D-SCALE FLARE POTENTIAL: 2” (MEDIUM-LOW) FRAGRANCE: N/A WEIGHTS: 12-16 LBS. SKU: TUB My layout: 3 x 5 x 2 My PAP: 4 1/2 over 1 1/4 up The Pitch Black is a solid urethane ball from Storm. This is definitely not a ball for everyone in my opinion. The fact that I throw the ball fairly straight makes any urethane ball almost useless for me. There honestly aren't very many conditions, which I run into in the course of the year where I say to myself I wish I had urethane. I bowl a lot more than the average person does also. I would say there would be a high probability if I actually ran into a condition where I needed urethane, the ball probably wouldn't be in my car anyway. In short I believe bowlers that throw it straight should spend their money on a good resin ball instead. I just couldn't hook the ball enough to put this ball in my tournament bag. Keep in mind that I am just one guy who doesn't really have a big need for urethane. The ball has created a lot of buzz since it first came out. The touring pro guys actually did pretty well with the ball on shorter patterns. Another bowler even bowled a 900 series with the ball. If you search the storm website there is even a video of his last few shots. High rev rate guys that still use urethane once in a while would probably really like this ball. The Pitch Black might even work well for bowlers who still bowl on wood. In conclusion I didn't like the Pitch Black because I couldn't hook it enough. Please keep in mind that doesn't mean the Pitch Black is bad, it just means this ball isn't for everyone. If you thinking about buying a Pitch Black, do some research, and I am sure you will someone that liked the ball a lot more than me.

I set up this Pitch Black with a 30x5x70 layout. Ball really does what I need it to do on some super burn or some short sports patterns leagues. What I really like about this ball is how it rolls where you need it to and still finishes down lane. It starts that roll early in the mid so that it doesn't overpower itself at the end. The out of box surface was just right on this ball, I didn't feel like it needed any extra help from some surface or less surface to push further down. This is the one ball I'll always be able to get to the right with and really trust the ball.

The new storm pitch black bowling is a definite home run piece for me on shorter patterns like cheetah and wolf. I stacked mine with a 3x3 layout and is a great bail out ball for trickier conditions when you're trying to not give the pocket away. The pitch black is a lot closer movement to an original urethane ball from the 80s, as opposed to any of the natural series, which were still really good by the way... This is a must have for every tournament bowlers arsenal especially whenever resin is a hair to strong, and you're looking for the more traditional urethane smoother motion down lane. Bowl Up A Storm Erik Ramos Storm/Roto Staff

Storm Pitch Black Layout: 70 X 4 1/8 X 65 Box Finish Bowler Info: 325 Rev Rate Speed: 16 - 17 MPH The Pitch Black uses an enhanced urethane coverstock that allows it to be used on medium or lighter oil lane conditions. The Capacitor core allows it to still have a good bit of entry angle when used on the right lane conditions, which can sometimes be difficult for urethane bowling balls to achieve. The Pitch Black, with the dull finish, can be used to go down-and-in on fresh medium oil. Lower rev players can use it on dry conditions. And it is a killer to use on Cheetah, or other short oil patterns. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2hvzaZkJMU Mike LeViner Bowlers Mart

When you need Urethane the Pitch Black has it covered. For a while I felt like there was a hole in my bag, urethane options that weren't so skid snappy were not easy to find for Storm. Well they gave us all a answer for that. This ball rolls early and strong like the Urethane of the older days however they also found a way to make it hit like a truck. My corner pin leave percentage is much less with this ball than any other urethane I have thrown. Plus did I say it looks awesome? Solid black and neon green logos... Whats not to love lol? If you are looking into the Urethane market this is a winner for sure! Ball speed: 15-16mph Rev rate- 250-300

Storm Pitch Black Ball Review by PJ Haggerty Urethane balls are definitely a limited use option, but when they are needed, there’s nothing else that compares. More and more, we are seeing shorter patterns with lighter volume. We are also seeing more flatter patterns which urethane balls can also look decent on. Sometimes the high performance balls are too strong and cleaner, faster responding balls change direction too hard and create too much angle on sport patterns. This is where urethane balls come in. They provide a smoother, more predictable motion. I will use the Pitch Black on extremely short patterns (36’ or less), flatter patterns where there isn’t much hold, and for spares when I have limited space in my bag. Typically, I like to put a weight hole in urethane balls to try and create a bit more flare. The one I drilled is 5 x 3.5 with a 7/8 hole under my axis. It’s difficult to cover a lot of boards with urethane, so for the most part, I will be using this with more closed angles through the front part of the lane. Also, once some oil gets down lane, urethane can have a hard time striking. At that point, I typically go to a bigger core, slower response time ball. There are times when urethane looks really good and times where it’s definitely not in play. This is where urethane can be used as a spare ball and a strike ball. For anyone traveling on a plane and has limited space in their bag, I would definitely recommend bringing urethane. It goes straight enough for a spare ball and can be a very powerful piece to have when the lanes call for it. For any youth bowlers going to Junior Gold or bowlers who will be bowling on the PBA Wolf pattern, the Pitch Black will definitely come into use. I’d recommend it for anyone missing that shape in their bag wanting to control the short patterns. If you see some flat patterns as well, urethane can definitely come into play until the pattern blends out. With the Hyroad core inside of it, this creates even more hitting power as it goes through the pins. I like to think of the Pitch Black as a diversified Hyroad! Go drill one for a multi-purpose piece in your bag! #StormNation

The Pitch Black is a one of a kind ball! I had to admit at first I had my doubts about it, because I haven’t had much luck with urethanes in the past. But the Pitch Black is so much different than the Natural series. For me the Pitch Black is a good deal stronger than the Natural series. At least 5 boards I’d say. You could easily expect to play an arrow deeper compared to other urethanes. But even though it’s much stronger, you still get the same smooth predictable urethane backend. The Pitch Black would be a great ball for short patterns, playing near the gutter, or patterns with a lot of friction. It’s a versatile piece with endless uses!

The Pitch Black is the latest release in the Thunder Line of bowling balls from Storm. It uses a new core called Capacitor and a solid urethane cover called Controll. The Capacitor core offers an Rg of 2.57 and a differential of 0.022 in the 15# ball. The Pitch Black is obviously black in color, and has a sanded 1000 grit abralon finish. The Pitch Black is a little closer to “old school” urethane balls as it has less flare potential than the Natural series of balls. The Conroll cover seems to be more aggressive than the U2S cover that was on the solid Natural. I drilled my Pitch Black with a 4x4x2.5 layout with a small X hole 2” down from my PAP on my VAL. This is a little bit different than the 4.5x5x2.5 layout I used on the Natural that I will be using as the comparison piece. The weight block in the Pitch Black seems to retain its motion longer through the lane than what the Natural does, even though the layout would suggest it would read earlier. The cover of the Pitch Black reads friction earlier than the cover on the Natural. The Pitch Black has more continuation through the backend of the lane than the Natural. If there is a small trace of carrydown, the Pitch Black will roll through it easier than what the Natural does. Once the oil pattern gets long, or shows any real amount of carrydown, then it is time to go to a ball with a reactive resin cover. One other note that needs shared, is that the Pitch Black allows me to chase breakdown in a little better than what the Natural did. I can get the 7 pin to still snap out, with moderate moves right, as the outside oil dries up. The bottom line is, the Pitch Black is the ball to use for slow speed players who want to play closer to the dry part of the lane. The Pitch Black will also help high rev players control the back end of the lane of those short tournament patterns that are becoming all too familiar these days. Low rev, speed dominate bowlers would need a lot of dry boards for this ball to be real useable in most cases.

Storm Pitch Black PAP-5 over and ½ up Ball Speed: 15-17mph Rev Rate: 300-500 Right Handed Layout: 4x4x2 Surface Preparation: OTB Bowling Hand Right Handed Experience Advanced (I have bowled in a league and PBA) League Average 220 Ball Speed Medium Style Cranker What I wanted from this ball: A strong urethane ball that will read the lane well without at big over under reaction and still hit hard where past urethane balls do not for me. Result: A ball that I had to move right with of course, but I actually had a few boards room that I havent had in the past with most urethane balls. I tested this ball on the house pattern that we use at SuperBowl, the new center located in Metropolis Illinois where my pro shop is also located. Our shot is a modified top hat with heavy midlane oil and a graduated decrease towards the gutter. 41ft from 10-10 boards. I started far right playing right up the 5 board. I was able to stay in this area for about 7-8 games without a drastic move. I expected this since this ball is urethane. I found that the Pitch Black rolled well off of the outside for me, but didnt carry when I sent it a board or two right, but did recover pretty well which I didnt expect. Over the course of 10-12 more games, I made a move left with my feet and continued to play around the 5 board. When I tried to move deeper and slow up, the pitch black made it to the pocket but didnt hit strong. I ended up moving back right and throwing harder. To sum this ball up, it is a great urethane ball and probably the best urethane I have thrown in years. I have seen a urethane hit the pocket this hard in a long time. Bowlers must remember that this is urethane however and it will act like urethane. Overall, its a great ball for dryer conditions and I will take it with me for the just in case shot when the lanes are hooking alot or boned up. Pro Shop Reaction: 50/50 on the sales end of the shop. Lots of high rev bowlers wanting this ball for the burned up condition and the hitting power, but not alot of excitement from the average bowler as expected. Recommendations: I would say to use this ball on a dryer pattern and dont purchase it expecting a big hooking ball of course. I think it is a must have for storm fans though. This urethane ball hits like a truck when it hits the pocket unlike other urethane balls I have thrown in the past. Storm/Roto Grip Staff Sean Baker Bowl Like a Pro Shop 1107 E. 8th Street Metropolis, Illinois 62960

<b>My Initial Pitch Black Layout:</b> 3" x 5 3/8" x 2" The Storm Pitch Black is the newest urethane ball from Storm. The Pitch Black is in the Thunder line and is intended to be a step up in performance from previous urethane releases which is why it was placed in the Thunder line rather than the Hot line where you'll find the previous urethane releases. The Pitch Black combines the new Controll solid urethane cover with the new Capacitor core. The cover is finished to a 1000 grit abralon. Compared to the solid Natural, the RG is higher (2.57 vs. 2.53) and the differential is lower (.022 vs. .040). This combination produces a smaller flare potential and a more controllable ball reaction on the shorter/lighter patterns. I found the Pitch Black to be a lot of fun to throw. When shooting the ball demo video on Wolf (32') or during my sport league on Boardwalk (35') I never felt like I had to be careful not to overhit the ball or worry about throwing it hard enough. The Pitch Black let me just throw the ball like I was bowling on 40' feet with resin. I guess to put it simply the Pitch Black just let me bowl on those short patterns without having to try to change my game. <b>Conditions I have used the Pitch Black on:</b> 32' Wolf and 35' Kegel Boardwalk. <b>Where the Pitch Black fits in my bag:</b> The Pitch Black is a condition specific ball for me. I have not tried it on anything longer than 35' and don't feel I need to based on my game. It is a step down from my Black/Cherry Tropical Breeze for when I need less hook than that provides. <b>When I use the Pitch Black:</b> Whenever I bowl on a short pattern it will be the first ball out of the bag. If I need more on the fresh I would go to something like that Hy-Road Solid or another smooth rolling/reacting solid. Overall the Pitch Black is a heck of a lot of a fun to throw, there's no other way to put it. It doesn't quite have the same energy as resin when it hits the pins but the ability to go straighter and stay out of trouble on the shorter patterns makes it worth using without a doubt. Anyone who bowls on sport patterns and will run into short pattern from time to time should seriously consider drilling a Pitch Black.