First Impressions
The Radical Beyond Ridiculous Pearl was released in June 2018 as an addition to the Ridiculous series. It stands out with a striking color combination of blue, violet and silver. Technically, the ball uses the innovative Beyond Ridiculous symmetrical core with a Scoop Technology design. The specs list a 2.54 RG and a 0.050 differential. This combination of a relatively high RG and a high differential is designed to let the ball glide long through the heads and then produce a very powerful, wide move on the backend. The coverstock is Ai-30 Pearl Reactive, prepared at the factory with a 500 Siaair pad and polished with Crown Factory Compound. This surface should provide minimal friction through the first boards and store all of the energy for the hit into the pocket.
Comparison
Compared to the original Radical Beyond Ridiculous (solid), the pearl version offers a noticeably longer skid phase and a considerably sharper angle at the breakpoint. While the solid version reacts to the oil earlier and describes a more even arc, the Beyond Ridiculous Pearl is optimized for an angular reaction. Compared to the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, the Radical ball shows greater flare potential due to its higher differential, and therefore more total hook capacity in the back part of the lane. Compared to the Brunswick Melee Jab Blood Red, the Beyond Ridiculous Pearl responds somewhat more violently to friction, which makes it a more aggressive option for longer paths to the pocket. Against a controlled ball like the Radical Intel Pearl, the Beyond Ridiculous Pearl is clearly more unruly and dynamic, which makes it a ball for lots of movement rather than a control piece. These comparisons place the ball firmly among the reaction-happy pearl balls built for maximum side angle.
On the Lanes
The ideal application for the Radical Beyond Ridiculous Pearl is medium to lighter oil patterns that call for a clean look through the heads and a strong change of direction on the backend. Its construction predestines the ball for the transition, when the oil in the middle of the lane breaks down and players are forced to play deeper angles over the inside boards. It helps reach the pocket with high energy even from wide angles, which improves carry on corner pins. If you have a lower rev rate, you'll benefit from the built-in dynamics of the core supporting the hook, while power players can use the ball as an ideal option when their stronger solid balls "check up" too early and lose steam. On freshly oiled lanes with high volume, however, the polished surface may react too sensitively to the oil and cause too much skid. In such cases, a surface adjustment or a ball change is advisable. For bowlers looking for a spectacular backend reaction and an aggressive move into the pocket, this ball is a powerful tool.