swingset
01-02-2015, 03:32 PM
Just moved to a new area, and during the week, daytimes, you can bowl unlimited for $10...which is great for practice. I've been going 2x a week to keep sharp for leagues. There are usually a few odd folks in there casually playing, a few guys who seem to be there practicing like me, and the random work/office party.
There's a dude that's there most every day. He's in his late 40's, early 50's, clean cut and silver haired...just looks likes your normal guy. But, it's how he bowls that's just weird. He brings 12-16 balls every time. 2-ball bags, makes several trips to bring them all in. All nice equipment, mind you. He wears SST8's, nice brace, carries a notebook and logs everything he does. Nothing super weird about this, I guess for a really serious bowler or staff guy.
Here's where he's a mystery. He doesn't bowl in leagues, the counter folks told me he doesn't bowl their tourneys...no one's really seen him anywhere but practice. He is really good, if I had to guess his practice average is 220-230. Speed dominant lefty with a decent hook, and very consistent. And, to further add to his oddity, at least 10 of the balls he brings and throws are except for color and make, really just the same ball. I watch his line & breakpoint closely - they're all just the same ball. Same drilling from what I can tell, similar surfaces, he never moves either. Whatever line works, he sticks with and throws all 10 balls at it all day long. Switches back and forth a lot too (why? I have no clue...they're all behaving alike).
He furiously takes notes, examines and goofs with his balls, and bowls some lights out games - apparently entirely for his own amusement.
Part of me is totally cool with this, I mean if that's what the guy likes doing then God bless him, but I just want to shake his tree and figure out what he hell he's doing. It's like his hobby isn't bowling so much as getting a dozen balls to all roll interchangeably, and doing really great at practice...playing games against himself. If he weren't super anti-social and quiet, I'd have an answer for this already...but the dude hardly looks up from his "work".
I call him "Rain Man"...I think he's maybe on the spectrum or something and just wants to bowl in his own little universe.
I'll bet people think I'm weird too. lol
There's a dude that's there most every day. He's in his late 40's, early 50's, clean cut and silver haired...just looks likes your normal guy. But, it's how he bowls that's just weird. He brings 12-16 balls every time. 2-ball bags, makes several trips to bring them all in. All nice equipment, mind you. He wears SST8's, nice brace, carries a notebook and logs everything he does. Nothing super weird about this, I guess for a really serious bowler or staff guy.
Here's where he's a mystery. He doesn't bowl in leagues, the counter folks told me he doesn't bowl their tourneys...no one's really seen him anywhere but practice. He is really good, if I had to guess his practice average is 220-230. Speed dominant lefty with a decent hook, and very consistent. And, to further add to his oddity, at least 10 of the balls he brings and throws are except for color and make, really just the same ball. I watch his line & breakpoint closely - they're all just the same ball. Same drilling from what I can tell, similar surfaces, he never moves either. Whatever line works, he sticks with and throws all 10 balls at it all day long. Switches back and forth a lot too (why? I have no clue...they're all behaving alike).
He furiously takes notes, examines and goofs with his balls, and bowls some lights out games - apparently entirely for his own amusement.
Part of me is totally cool with this, I mean if that's what the guy likes doing then God bless him, but I just want to shake his tree and figure out what he hell he's doing. It's like his hobby isn't bowling so much as getting a dozen balls to all roll interchangeably, and doing really great at practice...playing games against himself. If he weren't super anti-social and quiet, I'd have an answer for this already...but the dude hardly looks up from his "work".
I call him "Rain Man"...I think he's maybe on the spectrum or something and just wants to bowl in his own little universe.
I'll bet people think I'm weird too. lol