In this one, Gootz and Brando switch it up and we throw a new ball from each other’s brand—Hammer Full Effect versus the Ebonite GB5 Hybrid—then settle it with an intense one-game match. We’re on 42 ft Gateway Arch, which is a typical challenge pattern: a little more oil and a bit tougher than league. Right away you’ll see what I mean about “if Barker drilled it, it’s going to be good,” because the Full Effect shows that nasty move when it gets off the pattern—can’t explain it… it just strikes. We also talk through what we’re seeing and how we’re adjusting: moving boards, squaring up, keeping speed up, and trying not to dump it dead right. The GB5 Hybrid looks cleaner and a bit weaker than the GB5 Solid (and yeah, the original GB5 is still one of the best balls I’ve ever thrown), but it’s a piece that should live between the solid and pearl once the lanes transition. At the end we do ratings—hook potential/ability to handle oil, response time, and shelf appeal—and we get into brand loyalty too. I’ll throw whatever works, because pigeon-holing yourself to one brand is doing yourself a disservice if you’re not getting free stuff.