I know this is sometimes a topic that is avoided, but have you considered a two handed delivery? It's not that hard with a lighter ball, and it provides more power. Try it in practice, you might like it, the best bowler in the world right now is a two hander. It's becoming more popular, and on a house shot it makes you look great, lol. You can also legally switch between a two handed and a one handed delivery. You could pick up spares with one hand if you like. It might not be for you, but it is tons better than bowling with just two fingers.

No problem Brett. I will fool around every once in a while trying to throw it thumbless and I can't do it any more. My mechanics don't work for it now. Plus I have an issue staying under the ball.

I don't think this was a good week for Radical Infernos. I was using mine tonight in league as the pair I was on is known for quick transition, the last pair against the wall. Going after a gruesome 6-7 split I put the ball in the gutter three-quarters down the lane and when I go to use it the next frame I see a three inch gash in my Track of all places. So I had to leave it to get fixed, first time I've ever left a ball at a center for something like that.

Are you speaking of Jason Belmonte? I just watched him on youtube and it sure seems to work for him. The videos I saw were all shot from behind (in the stands), so it was hard to see exactly how he does it.

Sorry to hear about the damage. I think you're lucky that you've only had this happen once. In less than a year at my center I have seen at least a dozen lane-damaged balls. Twice for me alone.

When my ball got its worst gouge, the center manager sent it to the house Pro Shop and all they did was apply some clear plastic glue over the gouge. They didn't even bother sanding it and it left a bump (clear dried glue extending outside the circumference of the ball). It was worse than with the gouge. So I ended up sanding off the glue bump myself and vowed never to go to that Pro Shop again.

I hope you get your ball back in better shape than I did.

Since your left hand is intact, I would say that is the best way to go. I would begin to train yourself in how to bowl left handed. No matter what, the result will be way better than the torture you go through now. While bowling on a house shot, you might even see a huge improvement. The reason being that you won't have too many people drying up your line. If you kept at it, you would improve beyond the spaz stage. You will have to crawl before you can walk. It would take many practice sessions. You could however, begin to practice at home without a bowling ball. Practice your footwork using your left hand. Keep it simple. 4 steps. First step you push the ball away with your left hand. Keep it mechanical at first. Count out loud, 1.....2.....3.....4.
Pushaway on the first step
Ball at the ankle on the second step
Ball at the height of its backswing on the third step
ball at slide ankle on 4th step.

Eventually it will become second nature. Then you could learn how to throw a mild hook and work from there. If I were you, that's what I would do.

Brett, this isn't the first time I've had a ball damaged. Almost every ball I have has some sort of knick or gouge in them but unless its in the Track of my ball I don't worry about having them fixed. I'm not a big fan of the Pro Shop at the house it happened at. I've had several bad experiences there, as well as a few other people that I know of. If I get the ball back and its not to my liking, I won't accept it and tell them its not right.

My experience is a little different. Yeah, I have had ball damage. And, the House where it occurred refused to cover it. But, because I bought the ball new at the Pro Shop, they fixed it gratis. The Pro Shop will get my future business. The House is being eliminated. I don't buy used equipment or on the internet. To me, a long lasting relationship with a Pro Shop is most important.

My Pro Shop operates out of the guy's basement. I'm sure he would do that for free if I was having something else done, like a ball re-drilled, or getting a new ball. I've only been using him for just under a year but have a good relationship with him in those regards, not as good as a couple of other guys I know, but thats because I'm not having something done to a ball or getting a new one every month or two. The guy will give deals on drilling, the few balls he has in stock, and since we use the same weight, and our spans our close he will even sell me one of his personal balls since he is constantly getting new stuff.

I'm sure that the transition time varies from person to person, but I'm wondering how long it would take me to get back to 150+ as a lefty. And hopefully well beyond that eventually. I'd probably practice 3X a week, maybe 5-10 games per session. Does anyone here know someone who switched hands and how long it took them to get back to their average?

I know of a younger male, who is somewhere around 21 years old that a had a tip of a finger cut off a few years back while working at a snowball stand. He was bowling on a league with his father and I believe a lefty who ran a Pro Shop. He was a righty and there was some reason why his father wanted him to be able to bowl still, maybe a position round coming up. The lefty drilled equipment up for him and worked with him after the league allowed him to switch hands. I'm not sure what his average was at the time but I don't think he made it completely back to his average before he was able to switch back to his right hand. He was close though. Now when he sanctions he has to specify right or left handed. The hardest part is going to be to get the timing right and just getting the left arm used to the motion. I believe you mentioned that you have seen a coach, if you continue to see what they will be able to accelerate the learning curve for doing so.

Yes, Jason Belmonte, there are others with great success as well, Osku Palermaa is also among the world's best. There are a few rising stars from the US as well: Cassidy Schuab and Jamie Foster. Check out these links for more info:

http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=13556&f=1

This link shows a great video of Cassidy Schuab, side and back views:

http://www.bowl.com/sportbowling/articleView.aspx?i=13035&f=12

Here are clips of Osku Palermaa, the first is from the back, the second is from the back and the back/side, and the third is of the front and then the side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEi_ADzcAfo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9roQ4fy1oQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLGpmNjeRrE

Hope this helps clear up any questions you have about two handers, I found it helpful to see them in action.