IT LOOKS as though '97 will go out quietly, with only two new releases as this was written in November. But by the time this month's article hits print, look for a flood of new releases. We will probably start the new year behind in reviews, but hey, that's what BJI pays us the big bucks for. So without any further adieu, let's get busy with the new ball reviews.

Columbia Pearl Boss - This blue-green pearlized version (with white logos and pin) of the Steel Blue Boss uses the same aggressive Super-Flex Resin II as the original Boss, but the pearl cover is factory-polished. This cover can be sanded or scuffed and polished to the necessary level for your game. But why sand a pearl ball if you have the original Boss for heavier oil?

The core of the Pearl Boss remains unchanged from the Blue Boss with the Ticor system. The heart of the core is Titanium Ceramic Core (some really heavy stuff), with an elongated (read: bullet-shaped) high-density flare core and a low-density outer stabilizer core. Pin distances, weights (and construction in lower weights) and pricing match the Steel Blue Boss.

This low Rg ball is designed to produce the same quick revs and heavy roll as the Blue Boss, but with more length and a slightly sharper heavy arcing back-end reaction.

A thank-you to Dale and Dave at Columbia for the timely arrival of a Pearl Boss to shake out for this month. We duplicated the original Boss drill with this pin out (21Ú2") 15-pounder. The label drill placed the pin about 1" outside and even with the ring finger. Ball for ball on the same conditions, the Pearl delivered about 2' (on drier heads) to 41Ú2' (on fresh-oiled heads) more length than the Blue Boss. This may not sound like much difference, but the Pearl Boss will project farther to the right through the heads than the Blue Boss, even when the Blue Boss has been polished.

On light to medium heads with hookin' backends, the Blue Boss wanted to go left just past the splice - and we mean go left right now. The Pearl Boss would go straighter through the heads, which means the ball went farther out to the right on a straight line and then made a heavy arc back to the pocket. The back-end roll and hit on this Pearl Boss are as impressive as the original Boss - in their design environment, these balls are murder on the pins.

On the pass-around, the heavy hitters preferred this one for "normal" house conditions over the Blue. On heavy head oil and tight backends, attention to speed is critical; it can be thrown past the breakpoint, whereas the Blue Boss is more forgiving. The Pearl Boss is strong on lighter oiled heads, a condition on which the Blue is way too much ball. The only negative feedback we heard was that on dry (as in toasted-out) heads, the Pearl Boss has a tendency to want to go to work too early; even the heavy hitters had a hard time getting this one to go long enough on dry heads. Put the Pearl on any trace of head oil, though, and it is one fine ball.

While we are on the subject of ball reaction, a word of caution: the Boss balls use one of the lowest Rg rated (2.47) cores on the market today. These balls will spin-rev quick, and roll and arc very heavily. If you are looking for massive skid and a big bungee flip on the back end, either move your alignment to play one of the heaviest rolling, massively smooth hooking balls on the market, or look for another ball. Both Boss balls can be drilled and surface prepped to deliver length, but heavy hitting low Rg balls like these will not go 50' and jump sideways.

Columbia has put a little heat on the competition with the Pearl Boss bad boy.

Faball Striking Red Super Hook Hammer - Whenever we hear a claim of "hook" on a ball, we suck it up and put on the "Show Me" hat. Well, the hat came off very quickly with this one. This new Striking Red (with neon yellow logos and pin) Super Hook Hammer does hook. The hook comes in part from the new motor (more in a bit) and the new tires on this Hammer. This Hammer used Faball's new Microflex reactive cover. Microflex is Hammer's newest, most aggressive oil-eatin' cover material yet. The dull box finish is treated to a 3M 6448 pad before leaving the plant. This surface looks, feels, and polishes like 320 (give or take) grit. The Microflex cover stands and accepts polishing very easily.

For the motor (core), Faball has stuck with its tried and proven Hammer Offset Technology. This one uses the Hammer 3D Offset core with modified densities from the HiRev and the Super Flip. The Super Hook utilizes heavier densities on the top and bottom to increase dynamic properties, which result in a higher Rg Differential for more flare and hook potential.

This one can deliver up to 9 inches of flare, with the maximum being between 6 and 9 inches based on the release strength of the player. Compound core two-piece construction will be used on the 13-16 lb. Super Hook Hammers, while 10-12 lb. lightweights utilize Hammer's lite elliptical core construction. Box drills will be provided for specific condition performance, or drill the heavyweights as any two-piece high performance ball.

A tip of The Bowler's Shop hat to Brian, Jim and Larry at Faball for a pair of Super Hooks to check out. One received a 1-inch pin out finger and hot spot 11Ú2-inches out center line drill. The other Super Hook (31Ú2-inches pin out) had the pin placed above the bridge and the CG just right and above Grip Center. By coincidence, these balls arrived the day we bowl on what is probably the slickest condition in the area - second day leftover strip with two separate double-oil head runs.

We used the strong drill for the entire first game before retiring it for the night. For these old bones, the Super Hook was still too much ball, even lining up with the left edge of the lane and targeting inside the 4th arrow out to the 8-board. We spent the entire game shooting spares involving the headpin and other pins to the right.

We used the pin-up ball the next two games with quite a bit more success. This one gave us playable length in box finish with a nice snap to the pocket and very hard hit. Any ball that sends messengers for the old guy impresses the bowling buds. We applied a light polish to both balls, played a fresh "house" shot, a late shift league, and passed the balls around to 6 different players.

All users were impressed with the pin-up ball (with proper approach adjustments), while the weaker-handed players liked the "label" drill on all conditions short of toast; crankers preferred the pin-up ball on any kind of condition with backends.

With a new Super aggressive cover, a big motor and hot technology, the Super Hook Hammer is sure to be a big hit and a big winner. Look for a retail in the $230 range on the 13-16 lb. Super Hooks and the $150 range for the Super Hook Hammer Lites.