Long Island's coolest bowling balls
The price: Costs range from $150-$250 on the top-end balls such as the Ebonite Mission 2.0, Storm Anarchy, Track 916 and Hammer Taboo.
Cheaper plastic balls go for $70-$80.
Low-end resin balls: $100-$140.
Balls, bag and shoes often total more than $1,000.
The quote: "Bowling is similar to golf," said East Islip boys coach Rick Papandrea, who also runs the Right Approach Pro Shop. "Nobody would have one club for every condition. In bowling, you need 3-5 balls to be a good player and deal with lane conditions."
Scented balls? The fragrance is implanted in the shell of the ball. Storm manufactures the scented balls and their fragrances include: aromatherapy, mulberry, pear berry, warm maple syrup and more.
-- STEPHEN HAYNES
Credit: James Escher
Arianna Dumas, a freshman at Massapequa High School and member of the girls bowling team, poses for a portrait with her custom bowling ball at Farmingdale Lanes. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Steven Harris, a senior at Farmingdale High School and member of the varsity boys bowling team, poses for a portrait with his custom bowling ball at Farmingdale Lanes. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
East Islip High School varsity girls bowling teammates pose for a group portrait at East Islip Lanes. Appearing are, from left, Nancy Baione - junior, Tara Ernst - senior, Lena Sorrentino - sophomore, Nichole Baione - freshman and Amanda Schilling - freshman. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Zack Monette, a senior at Longwood High School and member of the boys bowling team, poses for a portrait with his Budweiser Americana-themed custom bowling ball at AMF Sayville Lanes. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Smithtown East High School senior Crystal Johnson, left, and varsity girls bowling teammate Victoria Bontempo, a senior from Smithtown West. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Steve DelGrudio, a junior at Sayville High School and member of the boys bowling team, poses for a portrait with his tire-themed custom bowling ball. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Henry Bogner, an eighth grader at Northport Middle School and member of the boys bowling team. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
John Echel, a sophomore at Sachem North High School and member of the boys bowling team. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Robert Pepe, a senior at Newfield North High School and member of the Middle Country boys bowling team. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: James Escher / Freelance/Photo by James Escher
Sayville, NY - January 21, 2011: John Echel, a sophomore at Sachem North High School and member of the boys bowling team, poses for a portrait with his skull-themed custom bowling ball at AMF Sayville Lanes, located at 5660 Sunrise Highway. (Photo by James Escher)
Credit: James Escher / Freelance/Photo by James Escher
Farmingdale, NY - January 20, 2011: Steven Harris, a senior at Farmingdale High School and member of the varsity boys bowling team, poses for a portrait with his custom bowling ball at Farmingdale Lanes, located at 999 Conklin Street. (Photo by James Escher)
Credit: Michael Gavin
Chaminade bowler Anthony Zangrillo.
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Sewanhaka District High School bowler 14-year-old Kristina Genova lefty bowler and owner of a right handed bowling ball. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Sewanhaka District High School bowlers Kristina Genova who is a lefty bowler and owner of a right handed bowling ball and brother Tommy owner of a grape scented bowling ball. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Sewanhaka District High School bowler Tommy Genova owner of a grape scented bowling ball. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Holy Trinity bowler Tom Jakubowsk. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Holy Trinity bowler Tom Jakubowsk. (Jan. 21, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Sewanhaka District High School bowler Tommy Genova owner of a grape scented bowling ball. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Sewanhaka District High School bowler 14-year-old Kristina Genova lefty bowler and owner of a right handed bowling ball. (Jan. 20, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Zulfiye Bademci, a varsity girls bowler from Patchogue-Medford High School. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Crystal Johnson, a varsity girls bowler from Smithtown East High School. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Melissa Sherwin, a varsity girls bowler from Newfield High School. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: James Escher
Victoria Bontempo, a varsity girls bowler from Smithtown West High School. (Jan. 19, 2011)
Credit: Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy
Levittown - January 21, 2011: Holy Trinity bowler Tom Jakubowsk (Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy )
Credit: Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy
Mineola - January 20, 2011: Sewanhaka District High School bowlers Kristina Genova who is a lefty bowler and owner of a right handed bowling ball and brother Tommy owner of a grape scented bowling ball. (Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy )
