QUESTION: Does it pay to resurface a bowling ball? If so, how many times can a ball be resurfaced? And finally, when should a ball be considered "dead"? Adolphud Donoghue Queens, N.Y.

SALVINO ANSWERS: Yes, it does pay to have a ball resurfaced depending on how old the ball is and how many times it has been resurfaced. Your local prop shop operator will be qualified to advise you on this since they have to evaluate the age, wear and tear, etc., in order to make a resurfacing recommendation. If you throw a reactive resin, the theory is that you can throw about 100 games before the ball starts to lose its hook. This is only a general rule of thumb, and may not be true for all balls, especially today. You should be able to make your own evaluation. If you have a ball that you have resurfaced a number of times, and feel you are releasing the ball correctly but getting no hook — or anything close to its usual vigor — I would suggest that the time for its burial might be near.