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505A to release Oct. 21
Sep 24, 2009
505A is first second generation release in Track's new Series line.
Track bowling continues its renaissance with the second generation of its Series line.
The ball company will release a second 5 Series ball, the 505A, Oct. 21.
The 505A has been designed for the bowler that likes a more dramatic hook at the backend, according to Ebonite International, Inc. ball engineer Jason Kosby.
“We have designed this ball as a compliment to the 715A,” he said. “The goal is to build an arsenal; to have a ball for every occasion and every lane condition.”
The 505A, which is the companion to the 715A, features the same MP GEN3 coverstock as the 505C, but with a pearl additive that gives the 2000 grit Abralon polished ball more length.
“The 2000 grit gives the ball more of a grip on the lane while the pearl additive keeps it from gripping the lane as much ball with this surface would normally,” Kosby said. “We’ve balanced it using opposites.”
The Series ball line debuted in May as a reformation for the Track brand. Instead of classifying balls in the high-, upper-mid and mid-performance category, Brand Manager Paul Figliomeni shunned the traditional ball naming system for a more no-holds-bar approach.
“It’s right there on the side of the ball,” he said. “The performance level, the strength and the movement of each ball is engraved on the side of each ball. There is no more guessing.”
The first number of each ball name — 5, 7 or 9 — indicates the ball’s performance level; the 5 Series are mid-performance, the 7 Series are upper-mid-performance and the 9 Series are the high-performance products. The last two numbers of the ball name attest to the amount of horsepower — or core strength — the ball has. The letter at the end of the number indicates a ball’s reaction.
No longer will the Track line carry a “product description;” instead it will bear the “manufacturer’s intent,” what the ball was designed to do. The manufacturer’s intent with the 505A is for this ball to have a more pronounced hook at the backend and a more aggressive angle to the pocket.
“You would use the 505A on lane conditions with minimal oil or several frames into a game on oilier lanes,” Kosby said. “The 505A has a cleaner coverstock so it goes further down the lane and has a cleaner entry into the heads.”
The 505A features the asymmetrical Shuttle core and will be available in 12 to 16 pounds. The black/red/green pearled ball will have great shelf appeal. Each new Track ball now comes with a microfiber cleaning pouch — another part of Track’s new identity — along with instructions on ball cleaning and maintenance so customers can get the most out of the product.
