Reverse pitch = you squeeze the ball to hang on to it

Forward pitch = ball hangs onto you so you don't have to squeeze

My old span was 4-9/16, 4-11/16 with thumb at 1/4 reverse, 3/8 under. My new span is 4-5/16, 4-8/16 with thumb at 1/4 forward, 3/4 under. So, it is about 1/4 inch shorter with the 1/2 inch change in forward pitch.

I have no special flexibility in my thumb to suggest the pitch under. It just feels good and works for me. It may have something to do with my release. I don't know. My point in mentioning it was that you can't always go by the charts, or what you think might be normal.

The reason I changed the pitch is the general rule of thumb (no pun intended) when you have irritation in a particular area to move the pitch in that direction. I would have done it sooner if I did not have a mental block about what I thought were extreme pitches.

Thanks Joe. I've been playing with lateral pitches on and off and it almost seems like I could do something similar to you and use some under pitch as well. Just by the way my thumb looks to be exiting the hole and the fact that I get some irritation on the right side of my thumb(pointing up looking at the back) like it's catching the upper part of the hole as it comes out.

My span is only 4 1/4 and 4 1/8. I couldn't see going longer because doing the span test seems to have me really close to the right spot, but shorter probably isn't out of the question. I have 1/8 forward in my ball now and tried 1/4. Thinking about trying 1/2 forward because it's pretty difficult to trust that I won't lose the ball a little early if I relax and it might improve my release.

By the way, concerning various pitches, Robert Smith has 3/4 reverse on his fingers AND thumb.

See http://www.bowlingknowledge.com/tips/tedthompson/tt200109.pdf

I'm not sure how he holds onto the ball, let alone rev it like he does, but that is what works for him.

3/8" reverse on his thumb, and that's an old article. I wouldn't be surprised if it has since changed - he spent some time learning how to modify his release with a full fingertip grip a few seasons back. His pitches probably changed at that point.

The illustration shows 3/4. The article says 3/8. Which one is correct? I don't know. The point is at one time an unusual grip, the Sarge Easter grip, along with reverse pitch in his thumb, worked for Robert Smith. And, unless you know him or his ball driller personally, I don't think you can just assume something changed.

My suggestion to the reader is, if you think something will help improve your game, try it. Have your regular equipment that you use, and at least one test ball that you can experiment with. If your test(s) succeed, then update your regular equipment.

Get ideas by listening. Learn what works best for you by trying it yourself. Don't be pressured into thinking there is only one right way for everybody.

In this case, plugging and redrilling a thumb might cost you $5 - $10 at a Pro Shop. Some Pro Shops even have a guaranteed fit program in which case it would be free. You will be amazed what happens to your game when your ball fits properly.

I don't think it's a bad assumption

But from the horses mouth:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCK/is_3_20/ai_88575248/pg_3/

My point exactly. Whether it be more or less, forward or reverse, under or away, you won't know unless you try.

... and then if your fit isn't perfect you can't get out of the ball or your thumb comes out too soon. I had a guy (who is a heck of a bowler) tell me all that stuff about not squeezing the ball a little to hang on to it is hogwash. Ever since I stopped worying about that I've been bowling WAY better with a much more consistent release.

I agree that you shouldn't give the ball a death grip, but I don't think there's anything wrong with a little squeeze.

Now CoachJim I know your opinion is respected on this forum. That's why I am directing this at you. I am a relative noob at the sport. That said, my experience has been that a little squeeze isn't a big deal. Not being able to get your thumb out of the ball is.

Muckypops:you imply that a perfect fit is desired. If the fit isn't correct then it doesn't matter much what the thumb pitches are, within reason of course. If you keep your thumb straight and don't bend it you should be able to come out of the ball with little difficulty with forward pitch. Conversely, if you bend your thumb you can hang up in a hole that has 1/2" reverse. The whole point of this is to have folks understand that the pitch is not something that is standard for everyone and is not something that is written in stone. Many pitch problems result from slavish adherence to older thoughts. Mamy writers have said that they experimented with pitch changes and had a positive result. If your fit is correct then you shouldn't have to squeeze the ball to hold on to it. And, just because a Robert Smith can do something doesn't mean that the rest of us can do the same.