First league night experience

[Pauley]

I joined a sanctioned money league already underway paired up with a team that lost a player coming out of the holiday break. To be honest I was quite nervous because I have never bowled in a league and am only a little over 4 months into my bowling career. I am going to go over a few of my preconceived assumptions that turned out to be totally wrong.

1. I probably wouldn't do very well the first few weeks until I got settled.
- I bowled 200, 162, 211 for a 573 series, not my best but I was pumped!

2. Being put on a team with strangers I have never met might not be that fun.
- I had a blast and realized if you put random people together with nothing else in common than a passion for bowling, a good time will be had and friendships will follow.

3. I have been practicing a lot and was getting good at staying ahead of transition and reading the lanes.
- FALSE! I am good with just me, or me and my buddy, on a pair. You put 8 people on a pair the game changes completely. Thats what killed me in the 2nd game. It got better in the 3rd but that 211 involved a lot of luck, carrying some questionable hits.

4. It would take a while to get used to the slower pace of league bowling.
- I actually prefer it. It allows more time to process and think.

All in all I had a great time and can't wait for next week and the 600+ series that I am going to bowl :-)
I have learned so much from this site and will continue to be sponge as much as I can. Thanks!

[Geneo2u]

Its great you found a team that you can jell with, is this a mixed league or a mens league? You will find that on a 5 man team the oil will move a lot faster, It may require 4 or 5 good moves to get thru the night. Then of course there are the social teams that are there just to screw around and talk. That's bowling, you can get out of it what you want.

[Pauley]

It is a mixed league. I was lucky to get paired up with 3 good bowlers. There is a lady on my team that doesn't have much speed or revs, but she wears out the pocket! The younger guy on my team had the front 9 strikes in the third game but hit a little high on his 10th roll, he has some serious game for sure. I am happy with my new home for the second half of this league, good competitive mood but "most" seem to have a good time as well.

[Perrin]

I have made soem good friends over the years by joining a random team.

Another great way to meet people in the bowling world is to sign up at the alley as a roving sub. For 1 or more leagues.

I started that by volunteering to sub on late leagues that are right after my early shift leagues (I'm already at the alley after-all)

[Mudpuppy]

Now once you get comfortable on the league try your hand in a tournament. Just remember at the end of the day no matter what happens don't throw your bowling equipment out. A tournament can be quite humbling.

[Pauley]

I plan on doing a few tournaments this year, I'm assuming I need to wait until summer for the first one so I will have a book average to bowl off of. I am also going to bowl in a PBA experience league this summer, between the tournaments and sport shot I plan on having my fill of humble pie this year. With that being said I can think of no better way to learn, difficulty does not equal discouragement for me it just adds fuel to the fire to practice and get better.

[Aslan]

4. It would take a while to get used to the slower pace of league bowling.
- I actually prefer it. It allows more time to process and think.

Agreed. If I practice by myself I bowl too fast. By game 3 I'm dripping with sweat. On league night...can sit down, watch other bowlers, drink...strategize....eat....then I get to bowl again!!

[Geneo2u]

I have made soem good friends over the years by joining a random team.

Another great way to meet people in the bowling world is to sign up at the alley as a roving sub. For 1 or more leagues.

I started that by volunteering to sub on late leagues that are right after my early shift leagues (I'm already at the alley after-all)

Another good thing about roving sub is you usually bowl for free, at least in this part of the world.

[Perrin]

Another good thing about roving sub is you usually bowl for free, at least in this part of the world.

That's a great point. bowling for free is always a good thing :)

[Mudpuppy]

I plan on doing a few tournaments this year, I'm assuming I need to wait until summer for the first one so I will have a book average to bowl off of. I am also going to bowl in a PBA experience league this summer, between the tournaments and sport shot I plan on having my fill of humble pie this year. With that being said I can think of no better way to learn, difficulty does not equal discouragement for me it just adds fuel to the fire to practice and get better.

Yes indeed great learning experience for sure. Go all in and have fun with it.