(baseball) a fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield

Refers to the bowling ball changing its axis of rotation during its path down the lane. The result is several different oil rings being visible around the ball.

Describes the ball track progression from the bowler's axis of rotation to the ball's preferred spin axis, due to strength of core and friction on the lane.

The migration of the ball track from the bowler's initial axis (the axis upon release) to the final axis (the axis at the moment of impact with the pins). Flare is a length modifier. Flare is used to expose fresh, dry ball surface to the lane surface, the entire length of the lane. While on oil, this means little to the performance of the ball, but when the ball crosses from the oil to the dry, the dry ball surface bonds with the dry lane surface to increase friction which causes earlier hook and greater overall reaction.

Refers to the bowling ball changing it's axis of rotation while seeking it's preferred spin axis during it's path down the lane. The result is several distinct oil rings being visible around the ball.