HAMMER GETS VICIOUS WITH BALL RELAUNCH Wednesday, 07/24/2002 HOPKINSVILLE, Kent. -- More and more bowlers are going to get 'Hammered' now that Ebonite International, Inc. is introducing the first high-performance bowling ball under its Hammer brand since its acquisition of Hammer in February, 2002. The new Hammer Vicious is a solid reactive ball, which has been engineered to clear the fronts extremely quick, and provide a Vicious 'in your face' reaction at the breakpoint. The Vicious reactive ball is the first introduction in the new Vicious series. "We are excited to be relaunching an entire new product line within the Hammer family," said Ed Gallagher, product manager for Hammer. "Hammer products and bowlers were known for their attitude. With the new Vicious series, we are putting the attitude and performance back into Hammer." The Vicious reaction is achieved by utilizing the Black 2001 Inner Core shape, wrapped within an outer core, and capped with a 'pancake' style flip-block. The addition of the 'pancake' style flip-block to the core design improves the angularity of the Vicious Hammer at the breakpoint. The Vicious features the PowerGrip SF32 Reactive coverstock, which is a completely new veneer that Hammer has designed. The PowerGrip SF32 will allow players to open up the lane on a variety of environments, as the veneer exhibits tremendous continuation at the breakpoint. The Vicious reactive ball comes in a combined navy/purple color with a factory finish of 800 grit, then polished. Available in 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 pounds, the Vicious will be in pro shops in June.