Here's an example of the definition of "blem"

THIS BALL IS AN X BLEM FROM Roto-Grip. Roto-Grip RELEASES THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE BALLS UNDER THE X-BLEM LABEL WHEN SMALL NON-PERFORMANCE ISSUES OCCUR. THE CORE AND COVERSTOCK COMBINATIONS ON THIS BALL ARE IDENTICAL TO THE FIRST LINE BALL. A BALL IS LABELED AN X-BLEM FOR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

-COLOR PIGMENTATION
-SMALL PITTING CAUSED BY AIR BUBBLES
-UNIQUE PIN PLACEMENT, TOP WEIGHT, OR MASS BIAS LOCATIONS
-LABELS ARE ENGRAVED IN UNUSUAL PLACES
-SWIRL PATTERNS OF THE BALL ARE NOT CONSISTANT
-SMALL OR MINOR SURFACE SCRATCHES OR MARKS


THESE DIFFERENCES DO NOT EFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BALL OR THE ABILITY TO DRILL THE BALL. THEREFORE ALLOWING BOWLERS TO PURCHASE Storm'S TOP OF THE LINE EQUIPMENT AT A FRACTION OF THE COST.


Notice that they also note pin locations, top weight and mass bias locations. These issues abosolutely impact how you can drill the ball and its performance. In fact with mass bias balls you can have "left handed" and "right handed" balls. Its true that a blem might be just a color or logo error, but then again, maybe not. As usual, pro shops don't carry these types of balls, only the internet dumps them off at perceptively cheap prices. Remember, you get what you paid for. If you are just learning the game of bowling, you probably don't want a ball with built in inherent issues.

Erin

if you order online, spend the extra $15-20 and get a NON blemished ball. Your investing so much already, why cheap out for $20 and get a known bad ball......

If you know what the blem of the ball is, and know what you are looking at, getting a blem can be great. As Erin said if its just color issues, or logo error its not a big deal unless you are one of those people that want to have a "pretty" ball.