Why did I join a sport shot league?

[foreverincamo]

Well, I was humbled tonite. 4 game singles league on a flat 38 foot pattern called Red Square. 1:1 ratio gutter to gutter for 25 feet, then blended out to 38 feet. 22 feet of bone dry except for some reason outside 7 would stay outside 7 and give you 3 pins. I did that 3 times. I really thought I could play up around 8 put everything went Brooklyn when I did that.
I ended up standing deep inside for me and trying to hit between 2nd and 3rd at about 45 feet. The ball would turn left like it was kicked! The stupid part was my spare shooting was horrible. No excuses for missing single pin spares. I think I averaged about 145 for 4 games. Maybe a little higher. It was interesting. 2 more weeks at that pattern and we switch to something else.
Pretty sure I lost all 4 matches. Don't know. Last two were against no-shows who are supposed to make it up. I don't care about wins/losses. Just trying to learn

[got_a_300]

Bowling on those types of conditions will help your game
more than you know as you'll learn how to adjust faster
and make better shots especially on spares.

If you only bowl on a THS you will not learn as much on
what to do when you hit some shots like that on some
tournaments if you bowl in them.

[1VegasBowler]

I'll be doing a PBA Challenge League in about 2 weeks, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of these patterns to make my game better.

[Hot_pocket]

It will get better. I came back to bowling, after being out for 2 years, to a modified sport shot. My spare shooting was horrific. I would have at minimum 2 opens a game and they were normally easy 1 pin spares. Spare making is what will win you games. Have you tried playing straight down five since there's oil from 7 out? Iv'e never bowled on that pattern but iv'e learned to try different angles to see what works best for me.

[RobLV1]

A sport shot is a truly humbling experience! One of the things that it teaches us is that the same way we take advantage of the forgiveness of a THS on our strike shots, is also true on our spares. The faster we can learn to go straight with plastic at all of our non-double wood spares, the faster our games will improve. Keep at it!

[Amyers]

Playing on more difficult conditions will make you a better bowler but it sure can do harm to the ego. Just learn, have fun, and practice throwing plastic at all your single pin spares.

[fordman1]

I have tried the PBA shot about 3 different summers in the last few years. Usually after each one I swear never to do it again. It does not help you bowl better on the house shot. You will have to start going slower or faster and move to a different part of the lane. Your timing will get screwed up as will your head. If you plan to bowl on it all the time and not bowl on the house shot go for it. If you plan on going back to the same shot you just bowled on practice on that. Learn to adjust on the house shot leave the PBA shot to the PBA. The only one pin spare you need for plastic is the 10 pin the others you should make automatically.

[Amyers]

I have tried the PBA shot about 3 different summers in the last few years. Usually after each one I swear never to do it again. It does not help you bowl better on the house shot. You will have to start going slower or faster and move to a different part of the lane. Your timing will get screwed up as will your head. If you plan to bowl on it all the time and not bowl on the house shot go for it. If you plan on going back to the same shot you just bowled on practice on that. Learn to adjust on the house shot leave the PBA shot to the PBA. The only one pin spare you need for plastic is the 10 pin the others you should make automatically.

I can see why you struggle on the PBA patterns.

[ckelly02]

I'm starting a sport league next week and the whole reason I am doing it is to become a better bowler. right now on a house shot I have a mark, or I should say an area, I like to hit. going to a sport shot, I hope it teaches me how to truly hit my mark and learn to play correct angles. Anyway, good luck and good bowling!

[fordman1]

I'm starting a sport league next week and the whole reason I am doing it is to become a better bowler. right now on a house shot I have a mark, or I should say an area, I like to hit. going to a sport shot, I hope it teaches me how to truly hit my mark and learn to play correct angles. Anyway, good luck and good bowling!

You don't need flooded lanes to learn. You need practice. Just remember you will probably end up changing how you throw the ball, how you get to the line and how you release it. Now next Sept. you will go back and be lost for a month trying to apply all the sport shot stuff to a normal league shot. Most people have to slow down because their ball don't hook on the sport shot. The one we had changed every week. It was the animal patterns. You never get comfortable with it. You wound be better off getting a few lessons with a coach and practicing what they teach you. Now a very good 230 house bowler could learn but a 180 person not so much.

[ckelly02]

You don't need flooded lanes to learn. You need practice. Just remember you will probably end up changing how you throw the ball, how you get to the line and how you release it. Now next Sept. you will go back and be lost for a month trying to apply all the sport shot stuff to a normal league shot. Most people have to slow down because their ball don't hook on the sport shot. The one we had changed every week. It was the animal patterns. You never get comfortable with it. You wound be better off getting a few lessons with a coach and practicing what they teach you. Now a very good 230 house bowler could learn but a 180 person not so much.

Yeah the league I am doing changes patterns every four weeks. And I am a 210-215 average bowler on a house shot depending on the house. And I would like to get into more local scratch tournaments that bowl on the sport shots. I think it'll help me accomplish my goal.

[foreverincamo]

Thanks for the comments, everyone! Even the proprietor said this pattern was picked because it was so tough, and the scoring would get better with the other patterns. I did bowl on another pattern once called Stockholm. It was short as well, and I killed that pattern I could play right up first arrow and at one point I had 17 straight strikes.
This pattern, Red Square, didn't play that way. I'll get better at it. Can't get much worse!

[RobLV1]

I can see why you struggle on the PBA patterns.

Me too. Well said!

[bnaidicz13]

I would love to get on a sport shot sometime. Just have to research where to roll a sport league.

[foreverincamo]

What makes this shot interesting is the lanes are original wood from 1962. Fairly maintained but each pair has its quirks. Of course I started the night on the toughest pair, and that's the owners opinion. I shot 300 on that pair ion the THS. I shot 315 for 2 games Monday on the sport shot.

[foreverincamo]

2nd day on the Sport Shot " Red Square" . I faired barely better this week. My accuracy on my first shot improved, and I brought weaker equipment and played a straighter, higher speed shot. Crushed the pocket the first 8 frames of game one and got nothing. Shot 160 and won my match.
Game two was about the same. Shot 158 and lost by a ton. Just not making my spares. Need to shoot straighter at them is all. Third game we all moved one pair right. I switched balls and go crazy. Four 9 spares and a six bagger for 248. Don't know what the difference was besides carry. Game four I fell apart and shot 148. 5 opens on spare shots.
My physical game isn't bad. My speed control is really good right now. My first ball accuracy is improving. Spare shooting needs work, and a plastic spare ball. Got my average up to 167. My goal is 190+ by seasons end.

[ckelly02]

Had my first night of my singles sport league last night. The pattern was Kegel's Winding Road. Ended up shooting 189, 191, 189 and 173. I really wish I would've brought some weaker equipment with me. I brought my Menace and Hywire and kept coming in high. I was shocked at how quickly the lanes broke down. It was a great first experience on a sport pattern and I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the season!

[Amyers]

Had my first night of my singles sport league last night. The pattern was Kegel's Winding Road. Ended up shooting 189, 191, 189 and 173. I really wish I would've brought some weaker equipment with me. I brought my Menace and Hywire and kept coming in high. I was shocked at how quickly the lanes broke down. It was a great first experience on a sport pattern and I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the season!

On sport shots when your not familiar with the pattern bring the arsenal. I'm not a fan of the guys who walk in with 6+ balls on THS leagues in a house they know but on sport shots or bowling in a unfamiliar house more = More.

[ckelly02]

On sport shots when your not familiar with the pattern bring the arsenal. I'm not a fan of the guys who walk in with 6+ balls on THS leagues in a house they know but on sport shots or bowling in a unfamiliar house more = More.

Definitely am going to next week!!

[foreverincamo]

I brought 6 balls the first night, but my weakest stuff was left at home. I brought weaker stuff the second night, but had a few issues with my hand swelling a bit and not fitting the ball I was doing well with. I switched out finger inserts from lifts to ovals, plus one size bigger. One more night of short oil and we change to something longer.

[foreverincamo]

Went 6-4 tonite for points. Shot 667 for 4 games. Just no carry. Second game I absolutely buried the first 7 shots. First frame strike and 6 nine counts. Then came the splits last game if I hit the pocket I carried. Shot 198 with one open on a tough spare. No splits.
Next week we change oil patterns to an even shorter oil pattern called Alcatraz. It's like 35 feet long.

[1VegasBowler]

I start my PBA Experience league next Wednesday, and I am looking forward to the challenge.

[foreverincamo]

1VegasBowler, enjoy the challenge. It's hard bowling with areas that are out of bounds. It's like the lane is 10 boards narrower than in league.

[foreverincamo]

Going to practice this Sunday on Alcatraz. Just might bust out my Blue Pearl Hammer I bought in 1987 and resurface it. Stuff that has that hockey-stick type shape doesn't work well on short oil. Really need something that simply arcs, or reacts quickly and then holds its line.

[1VegasBowler]

1VegasBowler, enjoy the challenge. It's hard bowling with areas that are out of bounds. It's like the lane is 10 boards narrower than in league.

Ah yes....The WRW, Jr. approach of straighter is greater.

[fordman1]

I guess some PBA leagues are different than when I tried it. Animal patterns. Different one every week for 5 weeks then start over. The last 3 weeks were drawn from a jar. A different one every week. High average paid $300 and one year a senior pro won with 190. Many 230+ bowlers were in their 180 and spares were tough unless you threw right at them. Leaving a one pin spare was the only easy :cool: one and had to be a 5 pin. You can have it. You had to change so many things that come fall you timing and everything else was messed up. No Thanks!

[1VegasBowler]

I guess some PBA leagues are different than when I tried it. Animal patterns. Different one every week for 5 weeks then start over. The last 3 weeks were drawn from a jar. A different one every week. High average paid $300 and one year a senior pro won with 190. Many 230+ bowlers were in their 180 and spares were tough unless you threw right at them. Leaving a one pin spare was the only easy :cool: one and had to be a 5 pin. You can have it. You had to change so many things that come fall you timing and everything else was messed up. No Thanks!

I'm not sure how they're going to do ours as far as patterns go.

Since I throw a plastic ball for spares extremely straight on, I should be ok on that end.

As far as timing goes, I will also be bowling in a regular league as well so my timing doesn't get FUBAR.

[foreverincamo]

I'm just hoping that my accuracy improves from doing this league. My goal is to hit a 190+ average. Once I get my spinner and Abralon pads, I'm going to play with my surfaces and see what I can do. Many of my balls are at a 500 finish. Some are polished, others are a matte finish. I'm going to add polish to my Brunswick Melee Cross after taking it to around 3000 grit and see how it changes the ball. This summer is all about experimenting.

[fordman1]

After our league was over I was told that most keep the same pattern for 3 weeks then change. We changed every week and it was brutal. Walk in off the street change your shoes and good luck. Not only that but they would change after a few frames. Take a couple of shots to get close to lined up and it was gone. Not a little gone but a lot gone.

[1VegasBowler]

After our league was over I was told that most keep the same pattern for 3 weeks then change. We changed every week and it was brutal. Walk in off the street change your shoes and good luck. Not only that but they would change after a few frames. Take a couple of shots to get close to lined up and it was gone. Not a little gone but a lot gone.

That just gives you an idea of what the pros go through during qualifications, match play and the step ladder finals.

While we certainly complain about how our THS has its breakdowns and transitions, the sport shots do so even more so.

I'm doing the sport shots for a couple of reasons. I'm doing a Pro Am here in on the 28th, and I'm going to do the Xtra Frame Regional here at the end of November, and any preparation I can get for those events will be helpful.

I also play in the 9 Tap Tour here where they use a modified house shot (they never say what the pattern is) and the only oiling is just before the first squad. 3rd squad is as dried and fried as they come and I plan on using the VDZ this Saturday on the 3rd squad.

Should be interesting, the say the least! lol

[ckelly02]

I'm just hoping that my accuracy improves from doing this league. My goal is to hit a 190+ average. Once I get my spinner and Abralon pads, I'm going to play with my surfaces and see what I can do. Many of my balls are at a 500 finish. Some are polished, others are a matte finish. I'm going to add polish to my Brunswick Melee Cross after taking it to around 3000 grit and see how it changes the ball. This summer is all about experimenting.

Sounds like you're doing the league for the same reason as me. I hope to average 220+ next fall, a 5-10 pin bump in average. Tall task but I think I can do it!!

[Amyers]

After our league was over I was told that most keep the same pattern for 3 weeks then change. We changed every week and it was brutal. Walk in off the street change your shoes and good luck. Not only that but they would change after a few frames. Take a couple of shots to get close to lined up and it was gone. Not a little gone but a lot gone.

Changing after every week is insane. The reason most houses keep the same pattern for 3 to 4 weeks is so that you can adjust your equipment and learn how to play the pattern. If your changing every week your not learning anything. I think I understand why you feel the way you do about PBA leagues. I would suggest trying it again sometime at a different house. It can be a good experience that teaches you how to adjust your physical game, learn to play different parts of the lane, and get an understanding of how your equipment works. Bowling on sport patterns really lets the differences in balls shine where on THS everything works it's just a question of carry.

[1VegasBowler]

Changing after every week is insane. The reason most houses keep the same pattern for 3 to 4 weeks is so that you can adjust your equipment and learn how to play the pattern. If your changing every week your not learning anything. I think I understand why you feel the way you do about PBA leagues. I would suggest trying it again sometime at a different house. It can be a good experience that teaches you how to adjust your physical game, learn to play different parts of the lane, and get an understanding of how your equipment works. Bowling on sport patterns really lets the differences in balls shine where on THS everything works it's just a question of carry.

The one thing I noticed about the house I currently bowl in, is, that the sport patterns do change every week. And in some cases they have 2 different patters on the lanes.

I agree with your point about changing them weekly isn't really a good thing, I can also see why they do that as well, because there are a couple of occasions when the pros have 2 different patterns to bowl on during stepladder finals and the PBA Experience leagues probably do that for that very same reason.

When I do my sport shot league next week I plan on taking notes for each pattern I play on so that I have a decent reference as to how to play the pattern.

Yes, I know the pattern will play differently from house to house. But as long as I have some sort of reference to work with I can start from there and make adjustments.

ALSO...Did anybody notice that the USBC is not going to post what patterns they are using for their opens until after the competition has been completed? THAT should be interesting to watch! lol

[foreverincamo]

After 4 games of practice Sunday to get a read on Alcatraz, I narrowed it down to my Hammer Black Legend. First game in league play tonite it was like being in my winter league. Shot 221 and that could have been a 250 game easily.
Then game two, for no reason, my ring finger decided to swell up until I couldn't fit the ball anymore. With thumb and middle finger I managed a 156. Switched to my Brunswick Gold Pro Vintage but it didn't match up at all. Only ball I could use with my finger acting up. Shot 121, 161 last two games.
No bowling for two weeks because of the holiday so to everyone reading this- Happy Memorial Day!