How would Earl Anthony bowl today?

[rv driver]

Here's an interesting thought. In another thread we were discussing ball speed, and somebody brought up Earl Anthony. It set me to wondering, if Earl were alive today, and somehow magically in his prime, would he change his game to match people like Barnes and Rash, throwing a powerful hook? Or would he continue his game of throwing a down-and-in finesse game? Granted, he was throwing rubber on wood lanes with oil of that era. I wonder how he would approach modern conditions and equipment? Here's another interesting question: would Earl be a top contender today?

[jab5325]

Great thoughts/thread. Earl was the master of consistency, and making slight adjustments.

Given this, I have no doubt he could adjust his game to compete today. But, he would definitely have to adjust.

Being a lefty, he's my favorite of all-time. I used to love watching him throw, and still love pulling up the old YouTube videos. Check out "Earl Anthony Teaches Bowling" sometime--it's pretty awesome.

[Aslan]

I think he'd still be quite successful on the PBA50 if he was still around. I'm not sure if he'd develop a shot more like WRW or Mika...or if he'd stick with what he knows...but he'd be too good to just fade off into annonymity. Unlike most bowlers in history...I think Earl and Mark Roth would be able to compete at the highest levels today if it weren't for their death/health problems...they were so much better than everyone else....kinda like how Parker Bohn, Norm Duke, PDW, WRW, and Mika....how even though the PBA is pushing the Russells and the Belmos and the Tacketts...the old guys still show up in the finals and still win.

[NewToBowling]

I think he'd still be quite successful on the PBA50 if he was still around. I'm not sure if he'd develop a shot more like WRW or Mika...or if he'd stick with what he knows...but he'd be too good to just fade off into annonymity. Unlike most bowlers in history...I think Earl and Mark Roth would be able to compete at the highest levels today if it weren't for their death/health problems...they were so much better than everyone else....kinda like how Parker Bohn, Norm Duke, PDW, WRW, and Mika....how even though the PBA is pushing the Russells and the Belmos and the Tacketts...the old guys still show up in the finals and still win.

I LOL'd

[rv driver]

I LOL'd
Yeah, that made me wonder if there was a "DeceasedPBA?"

So, Aslan, what's your guess? Do you think he'd stick with the down-and-in game? or would he develop another style to meet the demands of today's conditions? Or would he be good enough to make his game work well? And, while we're at it, do you think Roth would have to change his game to match, or do you think he'd just keep on cranking as he did? Was his release significantly different from, say, Rash or Barnes?

Bonus question: if Anthony weren't dead, what kind of ball do you think he'd use?

[FireCapt782]

On that note, How many of the Sr bowlers like PDW, WRW & Norm Duke have drastically changed their game?They seem to throw pretty much the same as before.

[rv driver]

On that note, How many of the Sr bowlers like PDW, WRW & Norm Duke have drastically changed their game?They seem to throw pretty much the same as before.
They've changed some -- but not drastically that I've noticed. But those guys are all "second gen" from Anthony, too.

[RobLV1]

On that note, How many of the Sr bowlers like PDW, WRW & Norm Duke have drastically changed their game?They seem to throw pretty much the same as before.

Actually PDW and Norm Duke both had to change their games significantly to accommodate modern equipment. Both had to learn to take the "fingers" (lift) out of the release. Pete accomplishes this by finishing his release with his fingers fully extended, while Norm actually leaves sharp edges on the holes in his bowling balls (no bevel) so if he grabs, he bleeds. WRW was one of the few bowlers that reactive resin balls actually helped because of his unique style.

[NewToBowling]

PDW does have one of the if not most fluid forms. So effortless.

While WRW's form is kinda funky. Looks very forced. But works for him.

[rv driver]

Actually PDW and Norm Duke both had to change their games significantly to accommodate modern equipment. Both had to learn to take the "fingers" (lift) out of the release. Pete accomplishes this by finishing his release with his fingers fully extended, while Norm actually leaves sharp edges on the holes in his bowling balls (no bevel) so if he grabs, he bleeds. WRW was one of the few bowlers that reactive resin balls actually helped because of his unique style.
There's some fun trivia! Thanks!

[RobLV1]

PDW does have one of the if not most fluid forms. So effortless.

While WRW's form is kinda funky. Looks very forced. But works for him.

Despite his success, Walter will be the first to tell you that he would never encourage anyone to emulate his style!

[Aslan]

So, Aslan, what's your guess? Do you think he'd stick with the down-and-in game? or would he develop another style to meet the demands of today's conditions? Or would he be good enough to make his game work well?
As the authority on this and every other subject...I'd guess Earl's game would be most similar to what you see out of guys like Jack Jurek and those older guys on the PBA50. I don't think Earl would change his style other than slight modifications. You dance with the one that brought you.

The great thing about the modern technology is I think it would have made Earl even better. He had a low rev rate....very little angle...and that was a hard way to play to get consistent carry. With modern technology, he could play a little further inside, open up the lanes, like a PDW, yet still play his same style/strengths. Had he not died...and thats a big deal in terms of it's impact on your bowling ability...I think Earl could have easily won another 7 titles or so...and thats low end estimate. He couldn't have added another 30...the tour was dying...and his health and age were catching up to him ...but he never LOST it. He was at an elite level throughout his career.


And, while we're at it, do you think Roth would have to change his game to match, or do you think he'd just keep on cranking as he did? Was his release significantly different from, say, Rash or Barnes?
Roth WOULD have had to change his game. I think reactive resin would have hurt him more than anyone on the tour. Roth's ability to make the ball just rotate like mad....it gave him an edge at the time alot like Belmo nowadays. But as equipment gets stronger...the balls start doing that for you and the less effort you need thus the less of an advantage you have. Roth was so talented...maybe the most talented ever in the sport...that I think he could have found away to dial down his release...maybe make it more like what we see from a Wes Malott or a DJ Archer or a Raymond. But unfortunately, I don't think he'd have had the same "edge" and wouldn't have been hugely successful the way he was before.


Bonus question: if Anthony weren't dead, what kind of ball do you think he'd use?
Ebonite Energy Source and Ebonite Salute

[Aslan]

Despite his success, Walter will be the first to tell you that he would never encourage anyone to emulate his style!

Maybe if he'd stop winning all the time, people would pay attention to his non-encouragements.

The problem with NOT emulating WRW is...then WHO? Why would a player want to emulate the guy that qualified 77th? That guy 'may' have the best form ever witnessed EVER in the history of EVER....but who cares? He lost and WRW won. And everybody wants to win.

I've personally sort of given up on emulating WRW. He's just got MAD accuracy to deliver the ball that way consistently. And it's hard to emulate Earl Anthony due to the era being so very different. That led me to try and emulate Parker Bohn III....and I think thats a good guy to emulate. I'd like to develop a style that is a combination of WRW, Earl, Parker, and Mika. Maybe throw in just a tad of Chris Barnes and just a smidge of Dick Allen.

[RobLV1]

If you want to emulate Parker, you had better be left handed!

[Aslan]

If you want to emulate Parker, you had better be left handed!

Yeah. Thats the downside to emulating Earl and/or Parker.