- Squatch Hybrid

First Impressions
The Radical Squatch Hybrid immediately catches the eye with its striking teal, platinum and orange color combination. Technically, this ball fills the gap in the popular Squatch series as of January 2020. It combines the proven symmetrical core (with the hard-hitting DynamiCore technology) with the Ai-39 hybrid coverstock. This cover is a blend of the original Squatch's pearl version and the solid version. Out of the box, the ball comes with a 500 Siaair finish, refined with Crown Factory Compound and polish. That treatment gives it a smooth feel that promises length. The core numbers are laid out aggressively with a low 2.482 RG and a very high 0.054 differential, which points to quick rev-up and plenty of flare potential. On the lane the ball comes across as extremely versatile: it gets through the heads cleanly, reads the midlane earlier than a straight pearl ball, but keeps the dynamic kick in the backend.
Comparison
Within the Radical family, the Squatch Hybrid sits exactly between its brothers. Where the original Squatch (pearl) often reacts very sharply and is sensitive to oil ("skid/flip"), the Hybrid offers more stability in oil. Compared to the Squatch Solid, which rolls very early and throws a smooth arc, the Hybrid provides noticeably more length and a more defined angle at the breakpoint. Set against the Brunswick Uppercut, the Squatch Hybrid shows a slightly more angular move at the end of the pattern, while the Uppercut is rounder. Compared to a Storm Hy-Road, though, the significantly higher differential (0.054 vs 0.046) makes the Squatch Hybrid more rev-friendly and lets it cover more boards when you send it out to the outside.
On the Lanes
The Squatch Hybrid is a classic benchmark ball for league bowlers. It works very well as the first ball out of the bag on typical house shots (THS), since it does a good job of ignoring the often "spotty" conditions. The hybrid cover keeps the ball from sliding out in the oil, while the polish keeps it from burning up too early. It's ideal when you want to open up the lane but don't yet need to move to extremely aggressive asymmetrical balls. If pure pearl balls feel too jumpy to you, you'll find the midlane control you need here without giving up the fun of a visible backend. The DynamiCore shell also delivers audibly solid hits and improves carry on slightly errant shots.