Sore thumb, aching wrist, a ball that feels heavier than it is. Almost always the same cause, and almost never the one people are told.

What pitch is

Pitch is the angle the holes are drilled at, relative to the centre of the ball. Forward, reverse and lateral pitch each change how the hand sits in the ball and when it lets go.

Too much forward pitch on the thumb and the ball hangs on for a fraction too long, so the hand grips to compensate. That grip is what you feel the next morning.

Why dropping a weight does not fix it

A lighter ball with the same wrong angles hangs on the thumb in exactly the same way. It hurts slightly less and it also does less on the lane, so the bowler throws it harder.

That is how a fit problem turns into a technique problem.

Span does the same damage more quietly

Too long a span and the hand stretches and the grip tightens. Too short and the ball rolls off the fingers early and the release goes flat.

Neither hurts immediately, which is why they get lived with for years.

What to do about it

Get measured rather than fitted to a chart. Bring the ball you throw now — what is wrong with it is the most useful information there is.

Most balls can be plugged and redrilled, so this usually costs far less than a new ball.