- Attention Star S2

First Impressions
The Roto Grip Attention Star S2 presents itself as a worthy successor to the extremely popular Attention Star. As the name suggests, this is the second sequence (S2) in the Attention Star line, designed to carry on its predecessor's legacy while developing its own unique character. The ball stands out with its eye-catching Berry/Silver/Black Aqua color combination, which not only gives it a distinctive look but is also easy to track down the lane. At the heart of the Attention Star S2 is the proven Elements Air Core, the same core that created such a stir in the original Attention Star. The decisive difference lies in the coverstock: while the first version came with a polished pearl surface, the S2 uses the eTrax PLUS hybrid coverstock with a light sanded finish. This hybrid cover is meant to combine the advantages of pearl and reactive materials, providing sufficient traction through the midlane without losing the characteristic responsiveness to friction at the end of the lane. The technical specifications point to a ball with medium to high flare potential, a fairly mid-range hook length with a slight tendency toward the early phase, an oil volume rating between medium and heavy, and a medium to longer pattern length. These traits suggest a versatile ball that should work particularly well on fresh to transitioning lanes.

Comparison
Compared directly with the original Roto Grip Attention Star, the S2 shows an earlier ball reaction and a somewhat smoother motion at the end of the lane. The original Attention Star was known for being extremely clean through the front part of the lane and for creating a pronounced angle, while the S2 grabs a bit earlier and offers a more controllable finish. Compared with the Ion Max, a model from the Storm line designed specifically for fresh lane conditions, the Attention Star S2 positions itself as the more versatile option. The Ion Max tends to roll earlier and crosses fewer boards overall. It's also worth noting that the Ion Max goes through the pins somewhat straighter, while the Attention Star S2 shows more "pop" through the pins and could therefore potentially offer better carry. Together, the Attention Star S2 and the original Attention Star make an excellent pair for longer tournaments, with the S2 and its sanded hybrid coverstock suited to the earlier phase, while the polished pearl Attention Star can come out when the lanes dry up and a stronger reaction at the end of the lane is needed.

On the Lanes
In practical use, the Attention Star S2 appears to shine especially on longer oil patterns with a bit more volume. Typical test conditions, such as the 44-foot Titanium pattern, show the strengths of the asymmetric design. The ball should read the lane well and provide a continuous motion through the pins. If you have to play from the left, or when the lanes change over the course of a tournament, the Attention Star S2 offers a more controlled option with good midlane traction. While the original Attention Star was particularly popular on the PBA Tour when the lanes got a little drier and players had to move inside, the S2 could serve as the more versatile option for various phases of the block. Even on slight misses to the right, the ball recovers well at the end of the lane, which leads to light hits rather than problematic washouts. That speaks to good midlane traction, which could give you more forgiveness on shots that aren't perfect. In the subjective assessments of various testers, the Attention Star S2 seems to address some of the original's issues. One tester who wasn't happy with the original, because it lost rotation too quickly and rolled forward too early (resulting in a lot of 10 pins), found the S2 more continuous and less prone to deflection. That may come down to the stronger hybrid coverstock, which provides a better start down the lane and more continuation.