General Info
| Brand: | Ebonite |
| Name: | Champion |
| Reviewed: | April 2013 |
| Empty | |
| Coverstock Specs | |
|---|---|
| Name: | RCS Reactive Pearl |
| Type: | Reactive Pearl |
| Box Finish: | 500 / 500 / 500 / 1500 Abralon / Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish |
| Color: | Black/Light Blue/Red |
| Empty | |
| Core Specs | |
| Name: | NA |
| Type: | Asymmetrical |
| RG: | 2.50 |
| Diff: | 0.055 |
| Int. Diff: | 0.007 |
For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.
The Champion offers a reaction we have not seen from an Ebonite product in quite a while. The polished pearlized cover is stronger through the lane than any pearl ball Ebonite has offered in the last few years.
We lined up with this one best on our medium test pattern. All three bowlers had the same motion from the foul line through the pins. The Champion cleared the front and really started to rev up in the midlane. We saw traction where other balls like the Innovate skated. Despite seeing the lane earlier, the Champion had plenty left at the breakpoint. All three testers were able to start in their comfort zones and migrate left with small two and one moves into the oil. We never even thought about touching the surface on any of the test balls with as good a reaction as we all had.
Moving to the heavy test pattern, it did not take much for Cranker to line up. A small move right and lowering his ball speed slightly got the Champion all over the pocket. Tweener and Stroker needed a little help getting the Champion to the hole on this pattern. We removed the polish with a 3000 Abralon pad. The sanded finish gave these two testers the added traction they were missing on this pattern and they were back striking shot for shot with Cranker.
The box finish was best for all three testers on our sport pattern. Usually we do not like to see the ball come off the pattern with as much angle as the Challenge did, but we were able to control the motion because we knew we had miss room right. Shiny balls usually give us wiggle when we send them too far right and we have to be really careful with them on this pattern. The Champion had no problems with anything and struck as much as any other shiny pearl for us.
The dry test pattern was the only one to slow the Champion down. We had way too much hook on this condition. We raised the finish to 4000 and re-added the Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish and it was still too much motion. We would rather drill something like a Cyclone than try and tame down the Champion to work on these patterns.
Strengths
The traction this ball creates is impressive for a polished pearl. This ball will make its mark on medium to heavy conditions.
Weaknesses
There is little the Champion would struggle on with the proper layouts. We had the most trouble on our short dry pattern.
Overall Summary
The newest Ebonite high performance release is cleaner through the front than the Challenge, with a bigger change of direction at the breakpoint. Bowlers of all styles who want to see a ball handle some oil and still have a move at the back end will want to pick up the Champion.
