Interestingly enough, I think WGT has actually knowingly or unknowingly helped mobile and EA coin room players out in this regard. Sponsor Apparel allows you to play a cheaper ball in coin rooms more competitively than you could do so without it.
It just requires keeping an extra set of ball mapping notes.
Dropping down to a free unlimited ball and back to your competitive ball without apparel in effect is a bit more than I like when going back and forth, and it can cause you to get "quick" unless you play warm up rounds or easily adjust your timing. So I try to minimize that by just playing a cheaper ball that still has some meter speed. If I can keep it within a range of 2 I don't feel it messes with my timing as much. But I can't say it doesn't throw me off at times.
Ideally you would want to always play the same meter speed, but I find it worth saving extra credits over the long haul by using less expensive balls when apparel is in effect.
With cheaper balls, I also prefer to boost my iron distances as it also seems to improve the playability of lower end balls.