- Fast Pitch

First Impressions
The Storm Fast Pitch shows up in a navy blue look with green lettering, embodying a classic, old-school design. Underneath the surface works the proven Tour Block core with a 2.61 RG and a 0.030 differential in 15-pound balls. The new Controll XL urethane coverstock debuts in the Thunder line and ships with a 1000-grit Abralon finish out of the box. This ball is positioned deliberately between the Storm Pitch Black and the Storm Pitch Purple to close a gap in the Pitch lineup.
Comparison
While the Storm Pitch Black acts as a hook-and-set type and the Storm Pitch Purple is the cleaner, more angular option, the Fast Pitch combines early traction with entry angle. Compared to the Storm Pitch Black, it runs cleaner through the heads and shows a bit more shape in the backend. Against the Storm Pitch Purple, it gets a little farther down the lane but reacts earlier than that ball. The ball reaction resembles the Storm Fever Pitch with more length than the Storm Pitch Black, without polishing up too much. In a direct comparison, the Storm Pitch Purple shows almost reactive characteristics like a Storm Tropical Surge, while the Fast Pitch delivers a classic urethane reaction.
On the Lanes
The Fast Pitch is best suited to medium to lighter oil conditions as well as drier and shorter lane conditions. On completely dry lanes it reaches its limits and needs oil in the heads to play to its strengths. It shows itself to be especially effective when played into the early friction, where it comes alive and develops a controlled but assertive ball reaction. If you have a lower rev rate, it gives you the option of playing direct on short patterns and combining control with backend motion. While rev-dominant players can use it for controlled backends, players with fewer revs also benefit from being able to use it in the friction. The higher RG and medium differential of the Tour Block should ensure that the ball reads the lane exactly where it is needed, bringing the breakpoint back under control for shorter patterns.