DEL BALLARD JR. REJOINS EBONITE

INTERNATIONAL ON TOUR

Del Ballard Jr. rejoins ebonite international on tour.

Recent battle with tonsil cancer not keeping PBA legend off the lanes.

Despite his battle with tonsil cancer this summer, Del Ballard will once again join Ebonite International, Inc. on the Professional Bowlers Association Lumber Liquidator tour this season as the company’s tour representative. Ballard, 47, a 13-time PBA titlist in his own right, has been contracted by the bowling ball manufacturer to represent the company’s four ball brands during the PBA tour, which begins with the World Series of Bowling, Oct. 24, at South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas.Ballard, who found out he had the rare form of cancer after returning home from Saudi Arabia with a sore throat that would not go away, is going to have his work cut out for him as Ebonite International, Inc. has expanded its pro staff.Among this expanded staff include reigning PBA Player of the Year and PBA Senior Tour Rookie of the Year Walter Ray Williams Jr., 2010 PABCON All Events gold medalists Liz Johnson, Shannon Pluhowsky and Tournament of Champions winner Kelly Kulick, in addition to its staff from last year, which included Bill O’Neill, Mike Fagan, Jason Couch, Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes.Ballard’s treatments have gone well, according to his wife and Ebonite Brand Manager Ed Gallagher, who has worked with Ballard for many years.“The cancer has almost completely dissipated,” said Ballard’s wife, United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard. “So the prognosis is very good and his doctors are thrilled with the way his body has accepted his treatments.”Ballard has been mum on the subject of his cancer and completely focused on the upcoming World Series of Bowling, saying that the expanded Ebonite International staff shouldn’t be a problem.“I have worked with many of these guys before, so hopefully the additional players will not be a factor,” Ballard said.The PBA has changed the coaching rules this year that will allow tour reps to talk to the bowler while they are bowling, he said.“Some like to talk, some do not,” he said. “It is my job to cater to the needs of the players; however, with a large staff, I will only have a certain amount of time for each player.” Ballard still battles with a sore throat, according to Gallagher, and to be sure he does not overtax himself, Hammer Brand Manager Jeff Ussery and Track Brand Manager Paul Figliomeni are on hand during the World Series to give Ballard a hand if needed .“I really want to thank Ebonite International for giving me this opportunity,” Ballard said.Thanks are not necessary, according to Gallagher.“We are thrilled he is feeling well enough to participate in the WSOB in Las Vegas,” the brand manager said. “After his bowling days were over, Del became one of the best, if not the very best tour rep any player could ask for. He is a great coach of the physical game, lane play, ball selection and tournament strategy, and last, but certainly not least, how to cope with different players and understand how they think. He brings instant credibility, as he has been through the wars and prevailed.”In addition to the players drawing strength from Ballard’s experiences on the lane, they are now drawing strength from Ballard’s latest battle.“The players feel so much inspiration from his progress, and that does not even address the skills he possesses as the premier Tour Rep,” Gallagher said.About Ebonite International Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite,Hammer,Robby’s,Columbia 300,Track and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.