My son's (Bizwan Jr.) bowling scores vs. stiffer competition.

[Bizwan65]

Background: 15 years old, 5'3" 100 lbs soaking wet. He has been bowling for slightly over 1 year. He bowled in a youth league last year and on his HS bowling team (all JV level). He finished the year with an average between 105-110. This year he has been bowling in an unsanctioned youth league against kids younger than him. He is also bowling in HS again this year and he just joined a youth travel league filling a vacancy on a team (hasn't bowled yet). His league and practice average prior to the start of the current HS season was 120.

Scores:
12/4/12 139-154-164=457 (anchor of JV team)

12/5/12 188-133-126=447 (Anchor of JV team)

12/10/12 143-148-152=443 (Lead Off of Varsity)

12/11/12 136-127-137=400 (Lead Off of Varsity)

So his overall HS average is 145 (150 on JV and 140 on Varsity). Small sample size but the better competition seems to agree with him. Tomorrow is youth league and Sunday is his first travel league match.

[billf]

The HS bowls three games there? In Ohio they bowl two individual games and then Baker games. A friend bowled a 597 series last year. He was stoked when I saw him a day later. I looked and said, "Only a 597. Boy you had an off day, huh?" I completely forgot they only bowled two games. I was impressed with the 297 AFTER a 300, no real drop off.

Your son has some respectable scores for his age. Are the coaches working with him? His inconsistency shows the potential for a much higher average. The travel league should be fun and a real confidence boost. Best of luck to him.

[Bizwan65]

Thanks Bill.

There's the rub. His HS 'coach' isn't a coach. She just sits there and manages the team, badly (IMHO) and writes the scores down. That really bothers me, that they no coaching on a HS team. He has been getting some help from one of his team mates and his father. They are both certified coaches. They are the ones that invited him to join the travel league.

He gets a little instruction on Saturday mornings. When he starts his travel league, he'll be getting more coaching (there is 1 coach for every 5 person team).

He mostly has figured things out on his own. I've tried to guide him as best I can, but I'm sure I've probably done more harm than good. LOL

Proud of him. I think he's come a long way in a year.

[Bizwan65]

Yes around here (South Jersey), they bowl 5 person teams. Each person bowls 3 games plus total pins for 4 possible total match points. All scratch. His team is doing good through 4 matches. They are 3-1.

[Greenday]

Yes around here (South Jersey), they bowl 5 person teams. Each person bowls 3 games plus total pins for 4 possible total match points. All scratch. His team is doing good through 4 matches. They are 3-1.

I'm pretty sure that's how it is in all of NJ. I live in Monmouth County (Central Jersey) and it's five-person teams, three scratch games.

Our coach didn't seem to care too much about helping us. Not that he really knew anything about bowling. He was also the head football coach and just looking for a paycheck doing some easy work.

[Bizwan65]

That's the impression I get. He goes to a Vo-tech school. The head bowling coach is a marketing teacher and runs the school store. The assistant 'coach' cares more about the snack bar items. They just seems to be there for the extra cash.

[Bizwan65]

Saturday Youth league today. These little kids really get in his head. Bowled a good first game, 140, no strikes but 6 spares. Second game not so much, 115 with 2 strikes and 2 spares. His opponent today didn't throw hard enough for the catch fence to come down half the time and was getting strikes. Really bothered my son. He rebounded some in the 3rd game with a 136, 1 strike and 5 spares. Overall, 140-115-136=391. Over his league average (122) but not as good as he has been bowling recently. Travel league tomorrow.

[Bizwan65]

First travel league match today. He was nervous. Meeting his new teammates for the first time. All things considered he did okay.

138-127-134=399

[billf]

This is only my opinion and hopefully things will change soon! High school bowling is still relatively new. Athletic directors have small budgets for sports that don't generate income. Sorry but bowling falls into that category. So instead of paying a decent salary for certified coaches, they hire current staff with little to no knowledge. The case of my local high school, the didn't renew the contract of the previous coach. She was Bronze certified and a gym teacher at one of the elementary schools. Her release was warranted without going into details. The AD and board of education think the coach should be a member of the faculty. That and the fact the position only pays $3,000 a year kept me out of the position. They hired a new teacher for the position. He bowled in youth league so knows how to keep score. He admits that's the extent of his knowledge.
I wanted to help the kids, that was the driving force behind me getting certified. I was petrified of making them worse without the proper training. I also have this burning desire to bring the team to state. Luckily my work with the kids and free lessons for the HS team, the parents are quickly saying I should get the position, faculty or not. They like the fact that I want to win but not at all cost. Fun is always the first priority. I also spend time talking the kids into thinking about college and maybe even a scholarship if they are willing to work hard enough to get the most out of their potential.
I'm moving closer to the alley this month. Now to find a job with cooperating hours lol

[Bizwan65]

Unfortunately athletics seems to be an afterthought at my sons school. Admittedly it's a vocational school so a higher percentage of students are focused on their career majors instead of athletics. If you are going to have an athletics program you should strive to be the best you can be.

[Bizwan65]

Varsity match today. 160-133-142=435

[billf]

He did well! I can see how proud you are of him. I hope he reaizes it too.

[Bizwan65]

Thanks Bill. I am and I do tell him. Probably should tell him more. He does know that I'm his biggest fan, but I'm also his harshest critic. He gets it after 11 years of me being his coach in T-Ball, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.

[Bizwan65]

Biz Jr keeps getting better. Holiday Tournament for a bunch of area high schools. Bowled a 172-153-170=495. He best series to date. I think he has officially passed me by. LOL

[Bizwan65]

He struggled a bit today. 148-127-150=425

[billf]

Even his struggles are higher than they use to be. Progress!

[Bizwan65]

Yes they are. He got in his own head the 2nd game after a couple bad shots. Rallied with X 9/ in the 10th after 4 straight opens to maximize a bad game.

[Bizwan65]

Saturday Youth Lousy Bowlers Club. Started off really well then fell off the cliff. 177-128-113=418 He really needs to work on his spare shooting. Missed 17 out of 22 today. It's killing his scores.

[Bizwan65]

Biz Jr: 725

[billf]

I like his taste in teams!

[ArtVandelay]

Sorry... Late to this thread, had to read it from post 1!


That's the impression I get. He goes to a Vo-tech school. The head bowling coach is a marketing teacher and runs the school store. The assistant 'coach' cares more about the snack bar items. They just seems to be there for the extra cash.

I'd imagine this would be more common than you'd think. I know my HS in Texas (4A, which was considered rather large, but not the biggest. We graduated about 280 in my senior class) didn't even HAVE a bowling team. A club formed, but I think they were gone within a month or two due to lack of interest and trouble fining a reliable teacher/sponsor. I had a co-worker who went to a different school district, and they DID have a bowling team, but no coach, they just had a volunteer who would record scores. That kid...

I thought he was so full of it! hahahaha. He would talk to us at work about this Camero his brother in law bought for him, but he didn't have it for about a month, because it was having some "work done to it," and wasn't ready. Sure enough, a month later he shows up in a highly modified (engine only) 1992 Camero and he drove that every day from there on out (NOT his parents, for sure).

Then he would talk about his 230 bowling average and invite for some kind of national bowling team try out. Suuuuuure, kid... Then I went bowling with him. His low game was a 260 something on dried up house lanes during free bowl. Then he bowled one game completely through his legs. Every shot, and still registered about a 180.

Never once caught him in a lie. Actually, he was just a good kid with unbelievable stories that would later turn out to be true! hahahahaha


Biz Jr: 725

Your son is very wise! That is a great Santa hat!

[Bizwan65]

Saturday youth league vs. the little kids again. Again it's the mental game and spare shooting that trip him up. He made the proper ball choice after warm ups. Lanes were dry so he went with his Storm Tropical Breeze over his Tropical Heat. Started out with a double, then went 5 opens before a rally to finish with a 142. Second game was off the charts for him with a personal best 202. Then the mental block and poor spare shooting kicked in and he fell on his face with a 95. Overall not bad for him 142-202-95=439. Clearly still a work in progress.

[Bizwan65]

HS varsity match. Up and down today. 182-147-113=442. Spare shooting issues reared its ugly head again. Missed 7 of 8 single pin spares (only one of which was a 10 pin) among other spares missed. They beat one of the teams they were tied for first with by a score of 3-1. Tuesday they play the other team they were tied for first with. One of his team mates rolled the front 10. Finished with a 289.

[billf]

Have you noticed a particluar reason for the single pin misses? Does he throw a hook at them?

[Bizwan65]

Yes he tries to hook to most spares. He can't seem to find the right line. He usually starts with his line too far outside and slides by on the right. They he tries to flatten his line out and slides by on the left. Then the frustration kicks in and he's toast. I couldn't see how he was lining up today so I'm not sure what the problem was. I'm trying not to get to involved at this point because I don't know enough and he tunes me out, especially when he's frustrated.

The youth league coach worked a couple of weeks ago a little on his spare shooting, mostly 10 pins, and he seemed to get it during that practice session. Didn't seem to retain it by his next league match the following week. A couple of his travel league coaches saw his struggles today and are going to work with him. Just need to find a convenient time.

[billf]

733

See if his coaches have this sheet. It works pretty well for most of the kids.

[Bizwan65]

Cool. Thanks Bill. Appreciate your continued input.

[billf]

Your welcome. I enjoy seeing and reading about kids doing well in the sport. Spare shooting is difficult and frustrating enough for adults nevermind for kids.
I've used that spare system (3-6-9) for years with good results. It's why I don't even have to think about where my feet go or target is. Some people's depth perception is different so don't be afraid to try variations like a 2-4-6 or 4-8-12.
Good luck to both of you as I know you will try it too!

[Bizwan65]

Tomorrow is his youth league against the little kids. After he is finished league we'll bowl a few practice games. He can bowl his games and I'll have him shoot my spares for the extra practice using the system provided by Bill.

[billf]

I passed out that same sheet the first day of our youth league. The following week I saw several parents in their leagues with that paper on the table.

[Bizwan65]

He did alright today vs. the little kids. The lanes were dry and he made the correct ball choice (a 900 Global the Nuts drilled very weak vs. his Storm Tropical Breeze and Heat). Rolled a 135-142-158=435. Spare shooting was a little better today. We then bowled 3 games of practice. He went 179-148-128=455.

[Bizwan65]

Tomorrow is a singles/double youth tournament. Going to sign him up for the singles. It will be his first experience in a tournament. Interested to see how he reacts.

[billf]

He is making steady progress. I hope it's fast enough to keep him interested.

[Bizwan65]

He bowled singles and doubles in a tournament today. Bowled decent in singles: 147-185-107=439. His last singles game and all 3 doubles games demonstrated how much he has to learn. A lot of kids were struggling with the lane conditions. Could never fine a line/ball combo that worked for him. He also had trouble hitting his line as well. Doubles scores: 93-102-101=296. Said he had fun so overall a positive experience.

[Bizwan65]

HS match today. Did a little better with spare shooting on familiar conditions. Shot 147-178-159=484. The varsity team is now 7-1 and in first in their division (5-0 since he started bowling varsity).

[Bizwan65]

Team took all 4 points today to move to 8-1. That's basically the highlight. Bowled 128-122-148=398. Lowest series to date for his school. Back to the boards tomorrow for another HS match.

[billf]

What kind of ball is he shooting his spares with?

[Bizwan65]

Right now he is using whatever of his balls he is using on his strikes shots (Storm Tropical Heat, Storm Tropical Breeze and 900 Global the Nuts, drilled weak). He has a Brunswick TZone (From his have a ball youth league) that will be in the pro shop tomorrow. I plan on stopping by the pro shop after his match tomorrow to get him measured up. He should have it Saturday morning.

[billf]

That's good to hear. I have no problem with anybody using their strike ball for spares but it is easier to go straight with plastic. With even a weak ball, a slight rotation can cause a couple of boards of hook that wasn't accounted for where with plastic that rotation won't be enough to cause any hook.

I also understand that parent's budgets don't allow for the endless supply of bowling balls that most coaches want their bowlers to have. Rather than teach adjustments they seem to teach ball change (again, easier) but it makes me wonder how many coaches understand the adjustments themselves.

[Bizwan65]

His youth have a ball league ends this Saturday. The travel league resumes Sunday. He is going to join in the scratch division of the youth league that a lot of the kids from the travel league bowl in. I've been told there will be a lot of coaching available for him.

He doesn't seem to understand how to adjust to changing lane conditions and he still has some problems controlling his emotions when things start going wrong. Definitely still a work in progress. But is still having fun and keeps accepting the new challenges placed before him.

[billf]

Have hime read this:

Go ahead, throw a bad shot and get mad. Make a good shot and not strike, get mad. You have less than 15 seconds to get mad and get your act together. Why? Because when you're mad your brain can not properly process what is happening, what adjustments may be needed and mentally prepare for the next roll. Have you heard of Sean Rash? Great physical game. Won his first four times on TV then not again for years. Why? His mental game sucked, plain and simple.
It's fine to be critical of yourself. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best you can be. Letting your emotions control your game, instead of you controlling your game, there's plenty wrong with that. Take a note pad with you. Keep track of your adjustments, balls used and stuff like that. I'm sure eventually you will see a pattern and wonder why you didn't think to try _______.

[Bizwan65]

Will do. Thanks, Bill

[Bizwan65]

HS match today. Bowled a 128-164-144=436. Team lost the first 2 games and dug out of a 138 pin deficit in game three to salvage total pins and earn a tie.

[Bizwan65]

Final week of youth league vs. the little kids. Got his free spare ball before bowling. Took until the 2nd game for him to figure out his lines for shooting spares using plastic. Shot: 112-188-162=462. Missed 7/9 spares in game 1. Made 9/14 in the 2nd and 3rd games.

[billf]

That is awesome! Glad to see it didn't take him long to figure it out.

[Bizwan65]

His Junior Travel League starts up again tomorrow. Next Saturday begins his new youth league with one of his HS teammates. 3 HS matches this week. Guess I'll be spending a lot of time in bowling alleys this week. Not a complaint as I enjoy watching him bowl.

[billf]

3 HS matches, travel league tomorrow and youth league Saturday. Wow, that's five days of bowling for him this coming week. Jr will be pooped! lol

[Bizwan65]

Yup. Bowled 9 games today, Travel league tomorrow, HS matches Monday & Tuesday. Then 2 days off. Then bowling Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

[billf]

His hand might fall off but he will get better.
I would bet his spare percentage doubles after this week.

[Bizwan65]

Travel league today. Started off well but went down hill. 161-136-117=414. Said he was tired. Didn't seem like himself, not sure he was feeling 100%.

[Bizwan65]

HS match today. Started well, lost focus during the middle game, rebounded well. 159-116-152=427.

[Bizwan65]

Pretty solid today. Maintained his focus all 3 games. 158-165-171=494. One pin off his career best.

[Bizwan65]

Today's HS match was postponed to 1/31 because his school was having a homecoming dance tonight (no football team so they have a HC dance in January). First day of his new youth scratch league tomorrow.

[Bizwan65]

Interesting day today. First day in his new youth scratch league. Bowled ok: 142-167-133=442. Found out he placed 2nd in the tournament he bowled in a few weeks ago and won some scholarship money. Not sure how much, and it really doesn't matter.

Then they had a king of the hill competition after his league. He bowled a 169 in qualifying and with handicap was a 220, which was good enough for the top seed in the stepladder finals. He was overly jacked up. When he bowled in the finals match he struggled to a 126. It was a thrill of victory, agony of defeat kind of experience.

Still had fun however.

[billf]

Now he will realize that being the number 1 seed doesn't really matter. Being number 1 at the end is when it counts (after the having fun part).

[Bizwan65]

Up and down day. Think his focus was off and wasn't consistently hitting his mark. A lot of the kids were complaining about the lanes/house and scores seemed to be lower across the board that the previous weeks I've witnessed. Bowled a 126-111-175=412. Series average was 2 pins over his league average.

[Bizwan65]

Found out today that he lost the tournament by 2 pins and won $70 scholarship money.

[Bizwan65]

He bowled well, but it could have been better it he ever learns to get out of his own way. 163-184-140=487. Could have easily been his first 500 series but his nemesis of spare shooting reared it's ugly head again. In game 3 started 9-,X,X,X but then didn't mark again until the 10th, but by then he needed a double and 8 to reach 500.

[Bizwan65]

HS match today. 135-106-151= 392. I had a viewing to attend and couldn't make it so I don't what the problem was. I assume the same as always. Youth scratch league tomorrow.

[billf]

Is he practicing spare shooting?

[Bizwan65]

Not really. Between all of his HS matches, school work, 2 weekend leagues and all the other things we need to get done on weekends it's tough to find the time to just practice. HS bowling ends in early February so hopefully his/our schedule will ease up.

[Bizwan65]

Youth scratch league today: 163-148-120=431. One of the girls bowled a 300 today. She carries a 206 average. First time I ever witnessed a 300 game. I was pretty cool to see.

[billf]

I'm surprised that the HS team doesn't practice spare shooting.

[Bizwan65]

His HS team doesn't practice once the season starts.

Travel league today. Only a 2 hour drive to the alley today. Today is the day I question how good of an idea the travel league is. LOL

[Bizwan65]

Worth the 4 hour round trip drive I suppose. Bowled pretty well on bone dry lanes. 147-160-158=465. Averages 19 pins over his league average and raised his average 4 pins. Some of the kids seemed to be having issues with the dry conditions.

[Bizwan65]

HS match today. 150-136-146=431. Best thing about it is he had more spares than opens. Progress I suppose.

[Bizwan65]

Penultimate regular season HS match today. 5th straight day of bowling for him.

[Bizwan65]

Bad day. Major melt down during game 2. Even his 'Coach' got off her chair to talk to him and try to calm him down. That was the first time I ever saw her do that. regrouped a little in game 3. 124-110-140=374. Worst series in a while.

[Bizwan65]

Last regular season HS match today. Not sure where this came from considering the disaster that his last series was. Bowled out of his mind today. 158-182-193=533. Career high series. made 67% of his spares (14 of 21 spares). Only missed 3 non split spares. Picked up a 4-9 split also. They lost their match against the best team in their conference (they averaged 216 as a team for the match). His team averaged 200 for the match.

[Bizwan65]

After a forgettable Team tournament this past Sunday (107-121-149=377) he rebounded with a good set in the County Scholastic Tournament today. Went 176-187-127=490. He had the highest score for his team in the second game. Think that may have been the first time this year that happened. Overall his team under performed today.

He then threw 6 games of practice while his mother and I were bowling in our practice league. Went 131-127-139-111-182-204. The 204 is his high game.

He's getting better. His low games aren't quite as low as before and he seems to rebound from bad games better as well.

[Bizwan65]

Another bad day at his Travel league. 103-118-144=365. Heavy oil. He kept getting the ball outside and he doesn't have the speed, rev's or equipment to have it recover. Moved inside and threw it harder and straighter in game three.

[Bizwan65]

Another Yo-Yo series. After the 365 series yesterday he responded with 166-152-190=508 the help his HS team finish 2nd in their sectional tournament and advance to the State finals. Couldn't be more proud of him and his teammates.

[Bizwan65]

Top 2 teams in each group at each sectional site advanced to the state tournament. They were outside the top 5 (they only announced scores for the top 5 teams) after game 1. Moved up to fourth after game 2. As a team they bowled a 1030 in game 3 to move into 2nd place and advance.

[Bizwan65]

State finals on Friday morning are held a Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in New Brunswick. Same house last years US Open and this years Masters will be held. They get to practice Thursday before the matches Friday.

[Bizwan65]

So Biz Jr was helping me prepare dinner for his mother (he is studying culinary arts in HS) and manages to cut his index, ring and pinky fingers on his hand. Looked bad to me so off to the emergency room we go. Luckily it was not his bowling hand and it didn't require stitches. Night before the State HS bowling finals isn't the best time to do that. We'll bandage and tape up his fingers and go bowling and see how tomorrow goes.

[Bizwan65]

Biz Jr, and his team, bowled well today in the State Finals.. He personally bowled 161-140-197=498. Team bowled their best series of the year, 3002 pins. Was only good enough for 4th in their group.

Next Friday is their Vo-Tech tournament. If they bowl to their potential they should do really well.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Scratch league today. It was parent - child day. Too much going on around him. 157-127-118=402. Lost to his mother in game 3.

Continued his current pattern of good series followed by a bad one. Tomorrow is Junior Travel League.

[Bizwan65]

Just signed Biz Jr. to bowl in the USBC Masters Pro-Am at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes on Monday night. He is totally jacked up.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Travel League today. 155-133-140=428. Didn't bowl terrible. Did ok spare shooting. Had no carry and managed only 4 strikes. Even on solid pocket hits was leaving pins, a little of everything (7's, 10's, 5's, 6-10's, 4-7's, etc.).

[Bizwan65]

Just back from the USBC Masters Pro-Am. Biz Jr. got to bowl with Andres Gomes, John Nolen, Chris Loschetter, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Doug Kent and Ronnie Russell. Plus numerous autographs from other Pros. Bowled okay to boot. It was a 9 pin no tap format. Bowled 198 (1 no tap strike) - 187 (2 no taps) - 143 (0 no taps) = 528. He had an absolute blast, as did I.

[Bizwan65]

Final HS match of the year tomorrow. NJ Votech tournament for all the Vocational and Technical schools. His team should do well if they bowl to their capabilities.

[Bizwan65]

He was very consistent today: 158-164-169=491. The 2 low average bowlers bowled over their averages. The 3 big guns bowled under, with 1 significantly under. Finished 4th in a tournament they should have won. HS season is over. Now just his youth leagues.

[billf]

I hope he enjoyed his first season and returns next year armed with the experience and knowledge to elevate his game even further!

[Bizwan65]

Saturday youth scratch league. Bowled 217-135-204=556. Personal best high game and series. 2nd game he had 3 splits or it could have been better.

[Bizwan65]

Yes Bill, he had a great time this year on his HS team. Looking forward to next year.

[Bizwan65]

Travel league today. Out of the gate it didn't look good, but he made some nice adjustments. Backed his 556 series from yesterday with a 126-176-235=537. He raised his personal high game from his 217 yesterday to the 235 today.

Third game he started x 9/ x x 8/ then opened missing a 4 pin. He then strung 5 together and a 9 on his fill shot for 235.

3 games over 200 and back to back 500 series. Looks like he may be starting to figure some stuff out.

[Bizwan65]

Biz Jr apparently finished 96th out of 180 in the juniors division of the USBC Masters Pro-Am. The results are secondary to how much fun he had. Went in with no expectations and had the time of his life.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Scratch league today. Very inconsistent today. 140-222-127=489. The 222 included a run of 7 strikes in a row to end the game.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Travel League today. 154-145-154=453. Technically above his average in this league (143). Way below what he had been bowling but better than the last time he bowled at this house (365).

[Bizwan65]

Saturday Youth Scratch league. Bowled an easy 192-152-168=512. I guess expectations have been raised. I didn't think he bowled great but had another 500 in the end.

[Bizwan65]

Junior travel league today. Was very inconsistent with his release. Couldn't hit his line 2 shots in a row. Bowled 123-131-167=421.

[Bizwan65]

Youth scratch league today. One of the youth coaches, in an attempt to expand his knowledge base, made him bowl the whole series with 1 ball (plus his plastic spare ball) in order to learn how to adjust with a single ball to changing lane conditions, instead of just changing balls. Was having problems hitting his line in practice and early in game one, but it came together in the end. His average in this league was 157 going in to this week. He bowled a 167-221-156=544. His 2nd best series to date.

[Bizwan65]

Bowler of the Year tournament. He bowled poorly. Couldn't hit his mark consistently. All over the place. Didn't get any carry when he did find the pocket. Bowled 136-144-138=418. His tournament handicap was 78 based upon a 154 average.

[Bizwan65]

There must be something about the bowling alley he bowled at today. I went back and checked. He has bowled at that house 4 times in the past 2 months. His scores were:

161-136-117=414 (Jan. 13)
155-133-140=428 (Feb. 17)
123-131-167=421 (Mar. 10)
136-144-138=418 (Mar. 17)

His average in that house is 140 which is about 17 less than everywhere else in the same time frame. He just cant seem to get a handle on that house. Good thing he's done there until next travel league season.

[tommyd2107]

What house is it if you don't mind me asking. Being from south jersey as well there are some houses where I have always shot bad and others where I shoot really well.

[Bizwan65]

30 Strikes in Stratford.

[tommyd2107]

That used to be called La Martinique lanes right? I have always bowled poorly there.

[Bizwan65]

Correct. I bowler there for 1 season back around 90-91.

His home house is BZ Deptford. He seems to bowl well there.

[Bizwan65]

Have had anything to post lately as all his leagues finished up. His HS had there sports awards ceremony today. He received his JV letters for soccer and baseball and his first Varsity letter for bowling. He was also given the "Coaches" Award for boys bowling. Proud of him. He made tremendous strides in his bowling this year.

[billf]

Hopefully he is still practicing, even if it's just shadow bowling at home.

[Bizwan65]

Yup. Watching a lot of bowling stuff on You Tube as well.

[Bizwan65]

First time in 7 weeks he touched his bowling stuff. Bowled with an ex HS teammate today. No practice throws. Went 182-158-157=497. I thought it was good considering he was trying different lines with his equipment. I kind of expected him to have regressed some. Still continues to prove me wrong. LOL

[billf]

Maybe he should wait 7 weeks between all his games lol

[Bizwan65]

Week 1 of his youth scratch league. Bowled 157-182-187=526. Seemed like he could have/should have been much better. Needs to work on his spare shooting.

[striker12]

Week 1 of his youth scratch league. Bowled 157-182-187=526. Seemed like he could have/should have been much better. Needs to work on his spare shooting.

nice job you son beat me by 103 pins today was my first day i could not find the pocket at all and kept leaving 9pins and 2 pins but missed a few of them.

[Bizwan65]

First his scratch youth league from this morning (warm up for his first Junior Bowlers Tour tournament in the afternoon).

Started strong ended so-so. Bowled 209-142-142=493 for a 164 average. Missed 1 split in game 1. Was doing ok game 2 until he lost focus and went gutter-gutter in the 10th. Game 3 score was effected by a gutter after a spare and a 1 pin after a spare. Made both spares though. LOL

[Bizwan65]

Now on to his Junior Bowlers Tour tournament today. 5 games of qualifying to determine the first cut (40% advance). There were 27 kinds in the handicap division. His starting average was 154 and his handicap was +46 (100% of 200).

Game 1: 169 (+46) = 215, net +15. 2 open frames (missed 10 pin and 10th frame split). So far so good.

Game 2: 120 (+46) = 166, net -34 (-19 total). Tough game. thought he hit that wall. 6 opens. Was preparing to initiate damage control. Still not sure what happened in this game.

Game 3: 171 (+46) = 217, net +17 (-2 overall). Nice rebound game. 2 open frames (1 split). 3 strikes and 5 9/. Feeling better about his chances to advance.

Game 4: 213 (+46) = 259, net +59 (+57 overall). No idea where this came from. He was feeling it now. 1 open (missed 10 pin) all strikes or 9/ except the open and 1 8/. He was +17 above the cut line at this point. He didn't know this. We purposely didn't tell him where he stood.

Game 5: 161 (+46) = 207, net +7 (+64 overall). Solid game 3 opens. 2 single pin misses and a nasty split (4-7-6-9).

+64 got him into the semifinals.

Too be continued...

[Bizwan65]

Now the semifinal round. 3 games aggregate score including qualifying round. 11 kids advanced. Not sure exactly where he stood, but i assume towards the bottom of the 11 qualifiers. He was at +64 for the tournament.

SF Game 1: 147 (+46) = 193, net -7 (+57 overall). He was hitting the wall both physically and mentally. The lanes were drying up fast and he was having trouble adjusting. 4 open frames ( 1 split). Only 1 strike. The rest were 8/ and 9/ so he was mostly around the pocket.

SF Game 2: 135 (+46) = 181, net -19 (+38 overall). 1 strike, 4 spares, 3 splits and to 3's on the 1st ball. Figured he was done after this game' but he never gave up and kept fighting. Mostly kept his frustration level in check.

SF Game 3: 170 (+46) = 216, net +16 (+54 overall). Ended up just throwing his plastic straight and hard after the 2nd frame. Tripled then 8/, open, 9/, 9/, open.

He was toast after this game.

Overall he acquitted himself quite well in my opinion. He did better than I was anticipating. Very proud of him.

[Bizwan65]

Saturday morning Youth Scratch league. 166-180-155=501. Okay, but could have done better, as always. Game 1 - 3 strikes and 3 opens, two of which were splits. Game 2 - a missed 5 pin spare to miss his first ever clean game. Game 3 - 4 strikes but also 4 opens that he should have converted. 8.67 1st ball ave. 9/33 strikes (27%). 14/22 spares (63%). 8/11 single pin spares (72%), missed 2 ten pins and a 5 pin.

[Bizwan65]

Junior Bowlers Tour tournament #2 today at Holiday Bowl in Oakland, NJ. 24 lanes. Found it strange that there was a Sunday morning league before the tournament and they didn't re-oil the lanes in between. So anyway on to the scores.

Entering Average was 157 (up 3 from last week). Handicap of 43.

Game 1: 145 (+43) = 188 for a -12. Not a great start but didn't bury himself in a giant hole. Up and down game with 2 strikes, 4 spares and 4 opens. He was definitely less nervous this week. Converted a 1-2-4-10 spare.

Game 2: 167 (+43) = 210. Now at -2. Started very shaky with 2 opens. Got it together with only a missed 10 pin. 3 strikes, 4 spares (including a 6-7-10 conversion) and 3 opens.

Game 3: 216 (+43) = 259. Now at +57. First ever clean game. X X X 9/ 8/ 9/ X X 8/ 6/ 6 = 216 One of his best games ever. Looking good to advance.

Game 4: 168 (+43) = 211. Now at +68. Up and down again. 4 strikes, 2 spares, 4 opens. 1 open was a 3-10 split and 2 others were missed 10 pins. Needs to work on his 10 pins.

Game 5: 160 (+43) = 203. Now at +71. 3 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens. +71 qualified him for the Semifinals as the 7th seed of 7.
Semifinal Round. 3 games cumulative total including qualifying round. Entered as the 7th seed with a +71.

SF Game 1: 159 (+43) = 202. Now +73. 2 strikes, 6 spares (5 9/). Not a terrible game but he was starting to get tired and frustrated with all the single pin leaves.

SF Game 2: 130 (+43) = 173. Now +46. 1 strike, 4 spares, 5 opens. The lanes were fried and he was frustrated which was a bad combination. Any realistic chance of advancing to the finals evaporated in this game. He has trouble adjusting when the lanes dry out. Told me he wants to get his lead youth coach to help him address this deficiency in his game. Progress.

SF Game 3: 156 (+43) = 199. Now +45. 4 strikes, 2 spares, 5 opens. Emphasized to him he needs to regroup and try to find something that works. Slowed his ball down a little and something. Finished 9- 9/ X X 6.

All in all, another mostly positive experience. Spare shooting, keeping his frustration in check and stamina are the things he needs to work on. Still proud of my boy.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Scratch League. First day with his 14# bowling balls.

193-173-178=544. 2nd best series ever and could have easily been so much better. Ball speed didn't seem to be significantly slower. Pin carry was noticeably better. Spare shooting was a little shaky as he learns the dynamics of his new equipment. Missed a lot of left sides spares that he would have made with his lighter stuff. 19 strikes, 8 spares, 8 opens. 2nd frame of the day he gets a strike on a friendly kickout of the 10 pin and he turns to me and says he wouldn't have gotten that kickout with his lighter balls. So it didn't take long for him to notice the difference.

[Bizwan65]

Youth Travel League today. Opening match of the season. Bowled in a familiar and comfortable spot in the team order, leadoff. He bowled leadoff for his HS Varsity team last year. 2nd time out with his 14# bowling balls.

Bowled 164-157-223=544. The 3rd game was clean. Had the high game and series for his team.

The transition from 12# to 14# is going very well.