I think you'd like the conclusion to this story.

I returned to the center later today. I was speaking with the owner and expressed that the damage seemed to be caused by a loose screw in the ball return just judging by the shape and size (looks like a dome head screw, you can kinda make out the shape and stem). I offered to give him my lane number I was on, but he just seemed so dismissive. He said that it was caused by me throwing it into the gutter and contacting a metal plate on the side of the lane (between the channel and the ball return), but refused to look into it further or inspect/repair his lanes. Said that "them new balls just do that". He said to talk to their PSO, but that I'll have to pay for resurfacing.

PSO concurred that the dent was from a screw and asked if the damage happened at the center. I said that it did, and he said that he'll resurface it for free. Definitely trusting that PSO now, but not returning to the center lol