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2.2.8 Display Pitches in — 16S+, 64TH, Decimal options

Display Pitches in — 16S+, 64TH, Decimal options

2.2.8   display

When

entering

a pitch value on a spec sheet, Spectre Cloud presents a dropdown list of selectable values. This setting controls the precisionspacing and format used to display pitch measurements on spec sheets and throughout the app. Pitch — the forward, reverse, or lateral angle of a finger or thumb hole — is a finer measurement than span, which is why Spectre Cloud offers an additional option here not available for spans: 64thsprecision of anthe inch.values in that list — coarser settings show fewer values and less scrolling, finer settings show more values with greater precision. The fouravailable options are 16ths+16S+, 32nds32ND, 64ths64TH, and Decimal.

Note: This setting applies specifically to pitch measurements on spec sheets (forward, reverse, lateral, and combination pitches for finger and thumb holes). It does not affect span measurements or any other values. Span measurements have their own display setting — see page 2.2.7.

📐 What Is Pitch?

Pitch describes the angular tilt of a drilled hole relative to the centre of the bowling ball. It is expressed as a distance measurement — the amount of offset at the surface — rather than as a degree angle. Pitch values are typically small (often under ½") and must be recorded precisely, since even a 1/32"small difference in pitch can noticeably affect a bowler's feel and release. This is why 64ths are available for pitch but not for spans.

  • Forward pitch — hole tilts toward the bowler's palm.
  • Reverse pitch — hole tilts away from the bowler's palm.
  • Lateral pitch — hole tilts toward or away from the thumb hole.

📏 Understanding the Four Options

16ths+16S+ (— Sixteenths and halves)

Pitches are expressed as whole fractions to the nearest sixteenth of an inch, with half-sixteenth (thirty-second)notation

The dropdown lists pitch values usedspaced in sixteenth-inch increments, with a + value added between each pair representing a half-sixteenth (one thirty-second). For example: 3/16", 3/16+", 1/4" — where the3/16+ is a shorthand way of expressing 7/32". Values are displayed as simplified fractions. This gives 32nd-level precision in a format that is easier to read and say out loud than a thirty-second fraction.

32ND — Thirty-seconds

The dropdown lists pitch fallsvalues betweenspaced twoin sixteenththirty-second-inch boundariesincrements (e.g. ³⁄₁₆" forward, ⁷⁄₃₂" forward). This is— the formatsame mostresolution familiaras 16S+, but displayed as simplified fractions throughout rather than using the + shorthand notation. The list will contain the same number of values as 16S+, just expressed differently. Choose this option if your drillers prefer to USread drillersstandard trained32nd onfractions paper spec sheets and isover the traditional industry standard for pitch+ notation.

32nds64TH (Thirty-seconds)— Sixty-fourths

PitchesThe dropdown lists pitch values spaced in sixty-fourth-inch increments, displayed as simplified fractions. The most values in the list, requiring the most scrolling. Pitch tolerances are expressed consistently to the nearest thirty-second of an inch (e.g. ⁶⁄₃₂" forward). Finerfiner than 16ths+span andtolerances, uses a consistent denominator throughout — every pitch value looks the same structurally, making it easier to compare values at a glance across multiple bowlers or balls.

64ths (Sixty-fourths)

Pitches are expressed to the nearest sixty-fourth of an inch (e.g. ¹²⁄₆₄" forward). Thiswhich is thewhy finest64TH fractional optionis available andhere is unique to pitch display — it isbut not offered for span measurementsmeasurements. becauseBest spansuited tolerances do not require this level of resolution. Useful forto shops fitting high-performance or highly customised bowlers where small pitch differences are intentional and meaningful.

Decimal

PitchesThe aredropdown expressedlists aspitch avalues in decimal numberformat (e.g. 0.1875" forward)). No fractions are used. Preferred by shops using digital pitch gauges or calipers that output decimal readings, and by Canadian and international shops where decimal measurement is standard practice.

⚙️ Changing the Pitch Display Format

  1. Open Spectre Cloud at cloud.spectrebowling.com and log in.
  2. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner to open the Profile menu.
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown.menu.
  4. Navigate to the DisplaySystem PreferencesDefaults section.
  5. Locate the PitchDisplay DisplayPitches in field and select 16ths+16S+, 32nds32ND, 64ths64TH, or Decimal.
  6. ClickChanges Save.are Thesaved change takes effect immediately across all spec sheets.automatically.

🎳 Which Format Should You Use?

Situation Recommended Format Reason
USShop shopwanting 32nd precision in a readable format16S+32nd-level precision expressed in a shorthand that is easier to read and communicate than thirty-second fractions
Shop recording pitches in thirty-seconds, prefer standard fractions32ND32nd increment with values shown as simplified fractions — experiencedfamiliar drillers,and legacy paper sheets16ths+Matches the pitch notation most US fitters have used for decadesclean
Precision fitting, competitive or high-performance bowlers 64ths64TH Maximum fractional resolutionprecision — captures intentional small pitch adjustments accurately
Shop wanting consistent denominators across all measurements32ndsUniform format makes spec sheets easier to scan and compare
Canada or international shopDecimalStandard outside the US; eliminates fraction-to-decimal mental conversion
Shop using digital pitch gauges or calipers Decimal Enter and read the same format your measuring tool outputs — no conversion needed
New shop, no established convention32ndsConsistent denominator is easier to learn than mixed 16ths+ for new staff

🔄 Relationship to Other Display Settings

PitchThis displaysetting works independently from — but alongside — the other measurement display settings in Spectre Cloud:Cloud but applies only to pitch values on spec sheets:

  • ✅ 2.2.3 — Decimal vs. Fractional sets the global measurementDecimal format.vs. Fractional preference. If set to Decimal, pitches display in decimal regardless of what is selected here. Choosing Decimal in this setting overrides the global fractional preference for pitch fields only.
  • ✅ 2.2.7 — Span display governscontrols span dropdown precision independently. Your pitch and span display formats do not need to match — some shops prefer 32nds for spans and 64ths for pitches.match.
  • ❌ There is no per-sheet override — this setting applies shop-wide to all pitch display.dropdowns.
  • ✅ Changing this setting is non-destructive — stored pitch values do not change, only the dropdown list presentation.

Tip: If your drillers work from a printed pitch reference card or pitch gauge that uses a specific format, match this setting to that format. Eliminating the mental conversion between the card and the screen reduces errors during fitting.

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