First Impressions
The Harsh Reality offers the latest top of the bag ball from 900 Global and I think it sticks to the theme nicely.
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 4.75 x 45
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 4.5 x 45
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 450 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”
Pattern
THS: 42ft, 23ml
Sport: TBD
Specs
The 900 Global Harsh Reality uses the Disturbance A.I. asymmetric core inside the Reserve Blend 902 solid coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48 diff of .054, mb of .019
14 pound = RG of 2.59, diff of .054, mb of .019
Coverstock finish: 2000 grit abralon
Overall
Alright let’s get into this and get to the point quickly. The new Harsh Reality brings that blocky Disturbance core from the Reality with this AI outer core technology so the numbers are ever so slightly different. Then it drops it in a new stronger cover. To be frank, I always felt the Reality core to cover relationship was a perfect blend of having a very strong ball but still allowing the ball to have motion and not feel laboring going down lane. The Eternity Pi used a stronger cover and had a more forward tumbly roll that worked quite well with less board coverage than the Reality. At first I wondered if the Pi was meant to be the replacement but along comes the Harsh Reality. The confusing thing to me is that I feel like the Harsh with the stronger cover goes more into the heavier tumbly direction as well so while the Eternity Pi and Reality might have separated more, I’m not clear how different the Pi will be from the Harsh. As mentioned in other reviews now, this house pattern is really playing more direct than previously and the new lane beds have zero track. There was a nice slot for me between the 2nd and 3rd arrow and I really liked how the ball clearly gets itself into a roll, relying less on the end of the pattern to do something. I will say I’m not fond of these big swaths of color but I did like seeing how the core transitioned into that heavy tumble through the pins. It’s the kind of ball that gives me miss room in. Miss room out is probably possible on a different condition.
For Tyler, you will see that he had a very good look. Again, the right is developing a shot on the new lane beds much quicker than the left side so while he has to play more direct than you’ve seen in previous videos, the Harsh Reality really has a very nice strong defined shape. It reads the midlane very well with the strong cover and the core revs up creating a nice strong punch downlane and through the pins. He had a look going about 15 to 7 give or take so pretty much the track. The Harsh Reality gave him miss room out without much trouble. Given how much more direct he’s playing, he had a little less miss room in with how strong the ball is. Typically Tyler doesn’t go for huge strong defined pieces as they rarely come into play for him even on the slickest conditions. It’s hard to say if he would put the Harsh Reality in the bag given that. But he had no issues with it here at all. For context, the strongest ball in his bag would be an RX1 which was a mild asym with a hybrid cover. With the look he had, it warrants consideration.
Stroker’s Stance
For Bryan you will see why it also warrants some serious consideration for a permanent spot. The Harsh Reality really made a clear impression as a strong defined ball. Bryan got lined up around 13 to 7 so not much less board coverage than Tyler believe it or not. As I mentioned in previous description now, the ball gets just enough length with excellent midlane read while still creating a very strong continuous motion for Bryan. He had above average carry for sure. It was too strong to be as direct as the 2nd arrow. You’ll see Bryan experiment with deeper and deeper trajectories to the point where he was able to still make it shape going 17 to 8. He has been hardpressed to find something that works as well as his Storm Lock. Despite the multitude of balls we’ve tested and he’s put in his bag over the years since, nothing quite lived up to the reaction he had with his Lock. Sufficed to say the Harsh Reality caught his attention.
Final Thoughts
There should be no question the Harsh Reality is a Strong Defined piece. I really want to test this on a sport condition to see if it shows off that motion. House shots really bring shapes close to each other but the motion is very clear in its intent. While I don’t love the colors, I’m still going to give this one some time in my bag.
Thanks for watching.