The Storm Level is a brand new ball in the new Lab series. This new cover stock, Regenerative Polymer Matrix, or RPM (solid) is a new concept. How will a polymer ball react on the lanes? Is it really a different surface, or a variation of what we’ve seen before? I’m not sure I was able to answer all those questions yet, but I have formed some thoughts on the ball. The RPM solid cover, as advertised, does seem to hold the surface longer, does not seem to lane shine very much, and seems like the cover would hold up through a block of competition. Now, for the ball motion. This ball seems to roll and continuously change direction from the moment I let it go to the pins. There is no sudden change of direction that I’ve seen with this ball. Compared to an IQ Tour 78, which is great for me when I’m going straight on 39′ and shorter patterns, the Level has a lot more shape from 20′ to 40′ where the IQ 78 tends to go pretty straight. It does look like a ball that would allow me to play a urethane-like reaction once I have to get out of the IQ 78 when the front of the lane starts to hook too much. I do feel like this ball will bridge the gap between urethane and reactive, particularly on the 35′-40′ patterns where I can get trapped. I liked the layout I put on this ball, as it did produce enough flare to avoid oil carry down, but I can see trying a stronger layout on this ball to see if I could create a little more miss room. It’s a very different ball motion than anything from Storm in recent memory!
