Storm Phaze Review

Here at Storm, we're known as the Bowlers Company. We love designing bowling balls, we love building them, but more importantly, we love throwing them. And if you're like me, you've already thrown the Phase II and have been for a number of years. But with the new Phase II Pearl, we have an upgraded cover stock. We also have a different surface preparation, >> [music] >> and you're going to see some different performance on the lanes without losing the same things that you've grown to love over the years with the original Phase II.

All right, guys. Alex Hoskins here with you, and today we are going to be talking about Phase II Pearl. Now, in order to fully understand Phase II Pearl, [music] we need to take a step back and look at the Phase II. It's been one of the best benchmark balls over the last 9 years, and there's three big reasons [music] for that. You can use the Phase II from multiple parts of the lane, multiple different angles. Straighter if you need to. You can get [music] left and shape it a little bit more than you traditionally would be able to with a solid sanded ball. Number two, you can use it with a lot of different patterns. Shorter patterns,

longer patterns. The ball reads that middle part of the lane and just does the right thing off the end of the pattern. Reason three, a lot of different styles have had success with it over the last uh 9 years. Whether you have a lot of rev rate or if you're a little bit straighter and a little bit less rev rate, you're able to make this ball blend the middle part of the lane correctly and get it through the pins pretty well. Now, when we transfer over here to Phase II Pearl, you're going to see some similarities here, and we really wanted to keep as much integrity as we could of

this original Phase [music] II because it's been so good and so proven over the years. We'll start on the inside. The first thing you'll know is that the Velocity core is used in both of these. There's no density changes, low RG, high differential symmetrical bowling balls. That really puts it right into that benchmark category, and it works well for a lot of different styles. We didn't change anything there. You'll see the colors are actually the exact same. We didn't want to change any colors again, trying to keep the integrity of the original ball as much

as we could. But you'll see how much shinier this is. This has Power Edge on it, and it's also pearlized. If we go back to the original Phase II, we had TX-16. TX-16 was designed to dig in the middle of the lane a little bit more, and we've actually had a breakthrough with TX-25 on this new Phase II Pearl. This is a stronger cover stock, but it's stronger with more motion down lane. So, you're going to see this get through the front part of the lane much easier than you would a regular Phase II. It's going to create a lot more entry angle and

continuation from those different parts of the lane that I talked about with the Phase II for different styles on a lot of different patterns. We're really excited about this one. I think you're going to have a lot of success with it. We're having a bowler come in that had came to us a few months ago with a few issues with pin carry and entry angle. We just talked about how this Phase II Pearl really creates a lot more entry angle down lane, so we felt that this tester would be perfect to show how this Phase II Pearl is going to enhance your arsenal alongside that original Phase

II. All right, everyone. I'm joined here now in the test facility by Lizzie Reese. Lizzie is a two-time West Northwest PBA Regional Champion. You've been bowling really good in the last couple of months. Yeah. Uh a few months ago, you did come in here and you had some kind of issues that you were going through that we worked on. What What was going on? >> Yeah, um I just felt kind of trapped. I was getting nine a lot, it felt like, throwing the ball good, and if I stayed right, my ball would just get off line

quick, but then I'd move left, [music] and I would just flat 10 or it wouldn't finish right. >> Yeah, you felt like your ball was kind of hard to get through the pins, right? So, we kind of set everything that you had out, and the first thing we noticed you had a lot of strong balls Right. >> lot of strong layouts. And that makes sense, right? Your style, you throw it a little fast, you've got a little bit of tilt. Right. So, normally you're like, "Oh, yeah, I need these balls to be a little stronger to really read in that middle part of the lane." But what you're describing with the ball not going through the pins is all about entry angle. So, we changed some of those layouts a little bit, got you to

see more shape down lane, and you've been having quite a bit of success, right? Yeah, uh definitely. Actually, after we met with you was when I won both my titles and used some of the balls that you laid out. So, yeah, definitely seeing more shapes in my bag, which is very helpful. So. >> That's awesome, and today we actually have a brand new ball, Phase II Pearl, and what's really cool about this one is it fits right into what you were describing, creating more entry angle down lane, giving you more of that shape, Mhm. and it should give you a better look through the pins. So, we're going to drill one of these up for you

today. Perfect. >> you try it some from some different angles and compare it to the regular Phase II and see what you think. >> Okay. Awesome. All right, as we're seeing Lizzie throw

the Phase II on the fresh on this 42-ft oil pattern, you can see that the ball's digging in through that middle part of the lane really well. That's what the solid TX-16 is designed to do. Now, as she's throwing more shots here, you'll see that that ball's kind of starting to get a little bit slower, a little bit lazier down lane. That's because the ball is using more energy through the front of the lane, so it doesn't have as much uh energy to change direction down lane. And this is that issue that we were talking about with her where she

loses some of that entry angle. >> [music] >> It's exactly where we put it, this Phase II Pearl into the line while maintaining as much integrity from the Phase II as possible with Power Edge and a pearlized cover stock with that new TX-25 additive, [music] you can see how much faster that ball wants to change direction down lane. She actually gets a couple of these going right, and you can see how [music] fast that change in direction is and how much more that ball wants to go through the pins. That's exactly what we want to see with a one-two punch out of two balls in

the same line. They're good from different parts of the lane, and it really opens up what you're able to do with both of these Master Line releases. All right, Lizzie, you've thrown both Phase II and Phase II Pearl now quite a few shots down the lane. What are you seeing on the lanes that uh that you like? Yeah, so I started with my Phase II, um and it was much smoother shape a little sooner than my Phase II Pearl. But then, once I threw some shots for up a little bit, and I moved left, and it wouldn't make the corner, switched to Phase II

Pearl, little cleaner, little more angular down lane for me. Uh just finish through the pins better overall. And my Phase II is a really good benchmark ball for me. I throw it a lot. And so, this will be perfect when, like in tournaments, I need a transition. I can go to my Phase II Pearl after Phase II for a little different look. Perfect. Yeah, they played You could see they played off of each other really well. Yeah. And we actually drilled these the exact same, but if you go to your local Storm VIP Pro Shop, you're going to be able to dial in your specs, what you're bowling on at the particular house that

you're at, and get that layout dialed right in for you. And we're going to go look at that here next. Hey, Storm Nation. Uh Rob Gotcho here. Uh you just saw the balls [music] go down the lane. I'm now joined by Mikey Tang from one of his pro shop locations in Ohio. And we're just going to kind of talk through, you know, the the new ball and everything and and how it relates to today's lane environment, and get Mikey's perspective on things both as a

bowler, but also [music] as a pro shop operator. Uh Mikey, it's great to see you. How are things going for you out in Ohio? Yeah, good to see you, too, Rob. It's going great. Um obviously, league season has just kicked off, so perfect time for customers to come in and check out the new stuff. You know, we have some heavy hitters coming out this season, so excited to talk about them. Yeah, I I I can imagine uh you know, things are very busy. You obviously have some of the busiest shops in your area. Uh lot of bowlers rely on your advice.

Uh so, I just kind of wanted to chat with you, you know, about uh first of all, ball that's been a staple in in many people's bag, and and and that's the original Phase II. Um you know, when bowlers come into your shop, and they're looking for that first performance ball, what do you usually ask them, and and how does that kind of lead them uh you know, into a Phase II? Yeah, so obviously, the first thing is trying to gauge the bowler's level. Um typically, the people that are asking for Phase IIs, you know, they might have um [music]

maybe an entry-level ball or something like that, but um obviously, they're looking for that next step. They want a ball that's going to hook. Yeah, they're they're looking for a ball that's going to going to pick up a little bit stronger for them than maybe a Tropical or Hustle, so um a lot of people just by their own natural uh you know, their own research, they they find the Phase II by themselves, but it's not a very hard sell. >> [music] >> Um but I feel like what makes it so special is that it kind of encapsulates what I think a lot of people think about a benchmark ball, where it's something they can start with. A lot of league

bowlers can just use it all throughout all three games. Or if you're a tournament bowler, you find that you can use it quite a bit longer than a lot of your other balls. So, I think that's just what makes the Phase II so special. That's perfect description. You know, Storm here in the Phase II Pearl, we're taking the same trusted core, you know, in the Velocity core, and now we're pairing it with a pearlized cover. Uh we've upgraded the cover to the TX-25. Um you know, some of the intent um is [music] for today's higher friction lane

surfaces and lane conditions. Um do you think uh this version uh in the new cover in the TX-25 is going to accomplish, you know, that target. Absolutely. Um you know, obviously lane surfaces don't get newer. They're going to get older. They're going to start hooking more. Track's going to build into them. So, um having that other option when, you [music] know, uh here at HP Lanes, a place like this, where we're bowling on older HPLs, um maybe something like a Phase II with that dull solid cover is not going to get through the front part of lane as

consistently and um you know, hook on the back end as a lot of people would like. So, having an option like the Phase II Pearl, you know, not really messing with the recipe too much, keeping the colors the same, sticking with that TX blend, um [music] just pearlizing it and putting that Power Edge on it, I think um is kind of the sweet spot for a lot of league bowlers. They like to see that clean get through the front portion of the lane with ease, but then a bigger weight block to slow it down, which really I feel like gives a lot of league bowlers that that area they like to feel, you know, when the ball gets right, it's not going

to over jump cuz the ball's slowing down the right way. And then when it gets into the oil, big weight block's going to pick it up. So, I think the Phase II is kind of that you know, the the league special. It's perfect. Okay, now we're going to take the pro shop operator hat off. We're going to go back to Mikey Tang, the the well-accomplished bowler. You you bowled on tour for several years. Um you know, was the Phase II always in your bag? Yeah, I always had to carry one around. Um obviously I was bowling at the same

time that we had the solid [music] Idol as well. They had They kind of did the same job but two different ways. There was actually one of the tournament I had one of my better finishes at. Um I think it was the 2019 Luby's Sports Open. Uh came in fourth or whatever. I actually kind of used those two back and forth. >> [music] >> Um On one lane we had the Scorpion, which was like a longer 43-ft pattern with some bars of oil in the gutter. Um so, I would start out with the Idol and then when I would need a little bit more in the back end, I would use the Phase II

like we were talking about. It has that that unique shape to where it's solid and it's a little bit slower, but it kicks on the back end a little bit more. So, um Phase II has always just been around in my bag. Just you never know when you need that shape. It it tends to just the lane seems to come to the Phase II eventually. You'll see a bunch of them start to go down the lane at the same time for a lot of people. So, um you were always kind of hindering yourself if you didn't have one in your bag with you. Yeah, it's great. The uh the tagline, uh you know, kind of on the ad sheet for this ball is finally, right? Uh you know, the Phase II has been out [music]

for a long time. And so, Yeah. from a two-part question as we close here, uh as a pro shop operator, how long have you been waiting for this ball? And then as a bowler, how long have you been waiting for the Phase II Pearl to be released? Yeah, I think we can uh finally put it to rest as a pro shop operator. You know, people are are saying that we've had many renditions of this ball, but we really haven't, right? So, the Phase IV and the Phase V, they were both a different cover with that R2S, I believe. Um so,

pretty much a different ball. And then Phase AI, um TX cover, but we had that AI core. So, we finally, you know, like I said, aren't messing with the recipe too much. We're just making it a pearl, the same color as well. So, people can finally have that uh that Phase II Pearl finally that they're waiting for. So, I think it'll be an absolute hit in the shop. And then as a bowler, again, just getting that Phase II shape, but, you know, when you finally get to that spot where the Phase II is bogging down just enough, you have the natural

ball down. I'm actually going to throw it for the first time um after we we finish this up. So, I'll really get to see what it's looking like. I actually have it right here. I mean, I didn't think it was possible, but it looks better than the original Phase II. I will say that. Yeah. It It's great that they incorporated the, you know, original colors, added the pearl element, uh you know, just to kind of you know, put a bow on the whole thing as you kind of said that it's it's kind of not messing with the recipe and and

just, you know, here it is. It's finally here. So, Mikey, I want to thank you for your time today. Uh I hope you enjoy the Phase II Pearl. Hope all your customers enjoy the Phase II Pearl. And you know, Storm Nation, uh get yours at your local VIP pro shop. Now, the original Phase II, I don't leave home without them. I mean, I bring [music] at least two of them with me every tournament I go. It gives me really that confidence in understanding

[music] and knowing and reading the ball motion on the lane and what the oil pattern's doing. And I'll use two different layouts and two different surfaces. [music] And for me, this is really a must when you're looking at building a proper arsenal. You got to have that baseline covered. Now, if you want to take a trip down memory lane, there actually was a PBA major event called the USBC Masters back in 2018. I actually bowled against Alex Hoskins [music] on TV.

And it was a tricky pair. The two lanes [music] played different from each other. And I actually used two different Phase IIs. One on the right that had a little stronger drilling with an extra hole. And then one on the left that was a little bit more stable that I was really keeping in front of me and playing quite straight.

>> [screaming] >> But it was a ball back then, quite some time ago, that gave me a good read and I just knew that I was going to hit the pocket [music] with this bowling ball. And was able to kind of get matched up under the pressure of the, you know, the big lights, TV lights, [music] and stuff. Was able to get matched up and still hit the pocket on that real demanding condition. Now, the Phase [music] II Pearl is going to be one that I would use when I want to move my feet a little bit more inside, open up the break point, and

[music] just play a little bit more of the back ends rather than the middle lane. Again, this core shape, this cover stock matches up wonderfully [music] for me, variety of different layouts and surfaces. And it gives me [music] the confidence that I need when I execute that I'm going to hit the pocket.