- Web Pearl (2019)

First Impressions
The 2019 Hammer Web Pearl comes in an attractive Black/Silver color scheme and combines proven technology with a modern surface treatment. The ball features the Aggression Pearl coverstock, the proven Spheroid core, a 2.480 RG, a 0.048 differential and a 0.000 intermediate differential at 15 pounds. The surface is polished with 500/1000 Abralon and finished with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. The release date was September 10, 2019, and the ball sits in the upper mid-range performance category. The symmetric Spheroid core quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Hammer lineup and serves as the perfect symmetric counterpart to the famous Gas Mask core, with the low-RG design complemented by the medium differential, which should produce a strong midlane reaction.
Comparison
The ball motion of the Web Pearl can be compared to balls like the Storm HyRoad Pearl and the Motiv GB3 Pearl, though it isn't quite as strong in the roll phase. How often the Hammer Rhodman Pearl was thrown on the PBA and PWBA Tour gives you an idea of how good this core is, since both use the same Spheroid core. In a direct comparison to the Rhodman Pearl, the overall ball reaction is nearly indistinguishable, and it's assumed that the Web Pearl will ultimately replace the Rhodman Pearl. Within the Hammer lineup, the Web Pearl positions itself among other popular models such as the Black Widow 2.0, the Black Widow Pink, the Obsession and the Statement Hybrid. The defining characteristic of the Web Pearl lies in its ability to create that so-called "boomy" motion, where once the ball starts to hook, everything turns into one continuous move that keeps going.
On the Lanes
By combining the Aggression Pearl cover with the Spheroid core, the Web Pearl should be a perfect fit for medium oil patterns. The easy length and strong backend motion of the Web Pearl match up well with medium oil patterns. Strokers and tweeners like its look on fresh lanes better than crankers do, since both can stay closer to the friction and keep their angles straighter through the heads without having to get the ball as far right downlane as crankers need to. The ball works great on house shots and a variety of sport conditions and takes surface adjustments well. It gets through the heads effortlessly and has a nice sweeping backend with great continuation through the pins, which is why it's often used as one of the first balls out of the bag on medium conditions. One drawback can be the somewhat finicky reaction of the factory polish, similar to the Rhodman Pearl, and it seems ideal to break up the factory polish to get a more consistent reaction downlane.