Join the Track Legion
IT’S ALL 8’S WITH TRACK’S 811A
Apr 17, 2012
Bowlers are using the Ebonite International Demo Days Program as their gateway to impressive games and extraordinary series.
Bobby Kerwin Jr. attended Ebonite International’s “try before you buy” event in December 2011, and discovered that the Track 811A Special Edition bowling ball was a great fit for his game. Fast forward four months, and the 25-year-old righthander has posted four 300 games, and two 800 series, including an 888 total on April 9th.
“Our Demo Day was the beginning of some great scores,” said Kerwin, who operates Pike Lanes in Southampton, Pa. “Until we had one, I hadn’t thrown a Track ball in my life.”
At Pike Lanes’ Demo Day on December 11th, attendees were able to see the newest and hottest balls from Ebonite, Columbia 300, Hammer and Track. Bowlers were also able to bowl with the new products, and receive feedback from Ebonite’s staff on how to get the most out of their games.
“I tried a little bit of everything that day,” said Kerwin. “I threw other balls that day, but I struck the most with the 811A.”
The day after the Demo Day Program, Kerwin drilled a Track 811A, and promptly posted games of 279, 238 and 300 for an 817 series. Another 300 game came on March 1, also with the 811A.
“It’s a phenomenal ball,” said Kerwin. “It’s not too much skid flip, and doesn’t over jump on the back end.”
Kerwin and the Track 811A weren’t done just yet. The duo lit up the lanes for 34 strikes in the Monday Night Bux-Mont Firemen’s League. Kerwin opened with a 288 game before finishing the night with 24 straight strikes for back-to-back perfect games.
“For fresh oil, it’s always the first ball out of my bag,” said Kerwin, whose previous high series was 837. “I had the front 10, and missed a 10 pin. After that, I just wanted to move on, and keep making good shots.”
For Pike Lanes, the Demo Day Program has been great for its bowlers, and great for business.
“It definitely got people talking,” said Rachel Wilf, the proprietor at Pike Lanes. “People who were here raved about the Demo Day, and had people asking when the next one would be. We’ve already set up the next Demo Day for September.”
So where is the Track 811A now? Kerwin says the 888 ball has been retired.
“I started with an 800 series, and closed with 888,” he said. “I signed the ball with a marker, and I’ll probably never throw it again.”
But there’s another Track 811A in Kerwin’s bag; the second Track ball he’s ever drilled.
“When I rolled 837, I didn’t think I would ever get close to 900,” he said. “But with a ball like the 811A, 900 is definitely possible.”
-Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Track and Powerhouse™. Its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
