Zack 2016-17

[zacks]

I'm bowling Mondays and Thursdays this season. Booked a 203 last winter, goal is a 210 (or close to it) this winter. Here's what I've done so far.

Thursdays:
9/8/16 (633)
201 - opened first two frames but recovered
211 - 7-10 split in the 6th, missed a 10 pin on the third ball of the 10th (luckily we still won by one pin)
221 - 3 splits, converted 2 of them

9/15/16 (547) 10 Strikes all night, 2 doubles. 13 9-counts (11 converted). Overall 16/20 spares. Just couldn't find a good entry to the pocket and when I did I couldn't carry (game 2)
190 - missed a ten pin, only one double
174 - one strike all game, 6 consecutive 9 counts (only missed one, ten pin of coarse)
183 - missed the 8 off of a 2-8 and missed a washout

Mondays:
9/12/16 (682) 22 strikes, 12 leaves, 3 opens (2 splits, one 10-pin)
224 - missed a 10-pin
204 - 6,7,10 split (left the 7)
254 - 10 strike game, 4th frame had a split (open), 5th frame had a 10-pin (converted)

9/19/16 (665) Another strong showing on Monday night. 21 strikes, 12 leaves, 4 opens (2 splits, 10-pin, 3-6-10)
256 - 9 pin in the 5th frame, converted. Had a chance to close it out in the tenth but threw it way too slow on my first ball and left the 4-7. Spared then 9-count.
213 - 5th frame through 8th frame went, 10-pin, 10-pin, 4-pin (made a two board adjustment, guess that was too much), 10-pin (moved back, of coarse I left another one). Missed on of the 3 10-pins.
196 - Changed balls too late, two splits and missed the 3-6-10.

Also subbed last Wednesday with a 630: 204,210,216.

Overall composite average of 210 through 15 games, 7/13 on ten-pins. Only other single pin miss has been one fluke 7 pin. If I can cut my 10 pin misses in half I'd be pretty happy, but generally pleased with my single pin shooting (31/38). Strike percentage of 52% is lower than I'd like it to be but I think my 547 series is what is killing that.

Hopefully I'm not peaking too soon on Mondays. We'll see what happens when averages are established after next week.

[Blomer]

Nice shooting! Keep it up!

[zacks]

9/22/16:
676 Series: I now have an established average for this league of 206.
199
245
232

Lots of strikes. 26 of them. Should have had a much higher series but two untimely splits, a missed 10 pin and a chopped 3-6-10 cost me big time.

First game it felt like the lanes were flooded with oil. I was playing a more direct line than normal and knew they would transition quickly. The 8th frame I went through the nose and left the 3-4-6-7. I moved several boards and was locked in the rest of the night.

Second game I had 12 shots in the pocket, all of which I thought were good entry angles. 3rd frame I destroyed the rack, but the 4 pin jumped the 7 pin and two messengers went at the 7 at the same time and knocked each other off course. The 8th frame I threw a pretty good shot and the 7-10 stayed standing. A 245 never felt so bad.

The final game I started with my first 5, then an errant throw left the 6 pin. Another errant throw two frames later is where I chopped the 3 off the 3-6-10. 7 count on my second ball of the 10th.

I feel like I'm over the hump. I have been a 200 bowler before, booked 203 last season after taking 3 years off. I think I can get to and maintain a 210 average in both of my leagues this season and I feel that 300 coming.

On another note. I started this season tracking my stats with pinpal. I notice others do the same, but I can't seem to upload the images from my computer. Am I doing something wrong? I go through the steps to upload and I get a [!] symbol and hover over it and it says "undefined". Maybe I'm missing something.

[zacks]

I'm in trouble next week.

Monday 9/26/16:
195, 241, 255 (691)

Worked really hard for the 195. I stuck on my release in the 3rd frame and left the 1-3-6 and then chopped right through the headpin for an open. An open split in the 7th (6-7-10), spare in the 9th (2-8), open split on the second ball of the 10th (4-6) and the rest were strikes (7).

Second game: spare in the 4th (7-pin), open split in the 8th (4-9), 8-count on my third ball of the 10th, the rest strikes (9).

Third game spared in the 3rd (3-6-9-10), spared in the 6th (7) and 10 strikes.

2/2 on single pin spares (both 7-pins). 26/35 strikes (74%). 4/8 on spares (3 missed splits).

My new average for week 4 will be a 226. Yikes. One thing for sure, I'm striking like crazy right now. I've never been this comfortable and relaxed. I hope it's more than just a hot streak. I did get lucky not having to shoot 10-pins as that has been my struggle lately. I need to find a time to go practice since all I'm doing is bowling in leagues.

[Amyers]

I'm in trouble next week.

Monday 9/26/16:
195, 241, 255 (691)

Worked really hard for the 195. I stuck on my release in the 3rd frame and left the 1-3-6 and then chopped right through the headpin for an open. An open split in the 7th (6-7-10), spare in the 9th (2-8), open split on the second ball of the 10th (4-6) and the rest were strikes (7).

Second game: spare in the 4th (7-pin), open split in the 8th (4-9), 8-count on my third ball of the 10th, the rest strikes (9).

Third game spared in the 3rd (3-6-9-10), spared in the 6th (7) and 10 strikes.

2/2 on single pin spares (both 7-pins). 26/35 strikes (74%). 4/8 on spares (3 missed splits).

My new average for week 4 will be a 226. Yikes. One thing for sure, I'm striking like crazy right now. I've never been this comfortable and relaxed. I hope it's more than just a hot streak. I did get lucky not having to shoot 10-pins as that has been my struggle lately. I need to find a time to go practice since all I'm doing is bowling in leagues.

Wow your off to a hot start.

[zacks]

Wow your off to a hot start.

Thanks. I've been carrying our team the first 3 weeks, now I'm going to need them to help carry me and my inflated average.

[Tony]

Thanks. I've been carrying our team the first 3 weeks, now I'm going to need them to help carry me and my inflated average.

Great start for the season, just keep it going !

[manke]

Nice job keep it up!!

[zacks]

9/29/16: Quick update.
248, 202, 226 = 676 series

That's it. I've had enough. 1/4 on ten pins. And the one I picked up was on the third ball of the tenth frame. :mad: I've now shot 18 ten pins in 24 games and only made 8, I'm 34/35 on all other single pin spares. I'm going to practice on Sunday morning and I'm just going to throw 3 games of ten pins. If I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, I'm buying a plastic ball and a three ball bag and being done with it.

[Amyers]

9/29/16: Quick update.
248, 202, 226 = 676 series

That's it. I've had enough. 1/4 on ten pins. And the one I picked up was on the third ball of the tenth frame. :mad: I've now shot 18 ten pins in 24 games and only made 8, I'm 34/35 on all other single pin spares. I'm going to practice on Sunday morning and I'm just going to throw 3 games of ten pins. If I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, I'm buying a plastic ball and a three ball bag and being done with it.

Better idea buy the plastic ball then practice three games with it. No reason for a bowler as good as you are taking chances on what should be at least a 90% spare opportunity at a minimum.

[zacks]

Better idea buy the plastic ball then practice three games with it. No reason for a bowler as good as you are taking chances on what should be at least a 90% spare opportunity at a minimum.

You're right. I actually was just thinking after my post that I actually do have a plastic ball in my spare bedroom. It's one lb. lighter than I throw, but a better option than what I'm currently dealing with. I'm going to get it punched this weekend and practice with it.

[NewToBowling]

Those scores with bad 10 pin conversions. You're a baller

[zacks]

Those scores with bad 10 pin conversions. You're a baller

The reality is that I've been fairly lucky with the ten pin situation. I've missed ten ten-pins through 24 games, two of which were inconsequential (last ball of tenth). So really only eight of them have hurt me through 24 games. I've just been lucky not to leave them so my concern is when that luck runs out.

I have been on a bit of a hot streak and realistically see myself as a 210 bowler if I can pickup my ten pins when I do start to leave them. Right now I'm a 211 in one league and 226 in my other league. The 226 is not sustainable for me, but I'm going to have fun with it and see how long I can keep it up in that unsustainable range.

[zacks]

Okay. Got a plastic ball drilled. Didn't have time to practice with it except for a few shots before league started. Good thing I got the plastic ball, I left six 10-pins last night. It took a mental adjustment throwing a ball that didn't move, I ended up converting four of the six (miss, make, miss, make, make, make). It's a step in the right direction, and I felt more confident each shot I took. 66% isn't where I want to be, but making the last three and seeing how to line it up, I think this problem is moving behind me.

10/3/16: 235,194,234 (663)
Game 1: Started with my front 7, then missed the 10-pin, threw a bad ball and missed the 9-10, strike, 10-pin spare.
Game 2: Through the nose open, strike, missed 10-pin, three in a row, spare, strike, spare, spare, strike.
Game 3: Strike, 8-10 split (miss), double, back to back ringing 10 pins :mad: but converted both :o then off the sheet.

New Monday night average: 225 (-1)

[zacks]

Thursday League 10/6/16:

166, 248, 255 (669)

3 splits in the first game, and couldn't really get lined up. Strike, open, open, spare, strike, spare, open, strike, strike, spare, seven.
Made a ball change for the second game and finally settled in in the 4th frame. Spare, strike, spare, 4 in a row, spare, 4 in a row.
As the shot broke down I balled back up and played inside for the third game. Spare, six in a row, spare, spare, double, nine.

21/35 Strikes (60%)
6/6 Single pin spares (2/2 10-pin, YES PLASTIC BALL!!)
2/5 Splits (converted two baby splits)
Only opens were in the first game: 6-7-10 (twice) and 4-9
Team moved into first place!

New Thursday Average: 213 (+2)

[zacks]

Talk about consistency.

277, 210, 161 (648)

Game 1 had 10 in a row, games 2 and 3 had 8 strikes combined. Finished the second game on a split, opened the third game with 3 splits in four frames. I didn't make adjustments/ball changes correctly last night. It's funny how after the fact it becomes so obvious but in the moment I couldn't figure it out. If I could have the last 11 frames back, I could have made a series out of it, but instead I had my best and worst games of the season in one set. Also my second 160 in back to back sets and had a 780 for three consecutive games across my last two sets.

New Monday Average 223 (-2)

[zacks]

Subbed last night and will likely be bowling more frequently on Wednesdays.

10/12/16: 200, 211, 197 (608)
Game 1 started with a 7-10 split, then went strike, spare, strike, spare, 4 in a row, then 4-7-10 split in 10th.
Game 2 started with 3 in a row, then another 7-10, chopped a spare, double, spare, double, spare.
Game 3 strike, split, strike, spare, strike, spare, spare, strike, spare, punch-out in tenth.

Never really got things going and the couple times I did string strikes I ended the run with splits. Had to really grind out the 608.

20/33 strikes
1/5 splits (5 splits was a killer)
6/6 single pins (3/3 10-pins)

On another note, i started the season 8/18 on ten pins then got the plastic ball and have been 11/13 since.

Wednesday average (6 games): 206 (-4)
Season Composite avg (36 games): 216 (-1)

[zacks]

Thursday 10/13/16:

226, 202, 223 (651)

Game 1: Front four, spare, open (10), strike, spare, double, spare.
Game 2: Spare, open (3-6-10), strike, spare, turkey, spare, strike, spare, 9.
Game 3: Spare, strike, spare, double, spare, double, spare, double, 7 (threw my buddy's new ball on the last shot of the tenth).

Generally threw the ball well tonight. Had some issues with carry, but I'm happy with the scores.

19/34 Strikes (55%)
11/13 Spares (84%)
7/8 Single pins (87%)
No splits

New Thursday Average: 214 (+1)
Season Composite: 216 (no change)

[manke]

Keep it up!!

[zacks]

Had a bit of a rough week. Monday was on lanes 1-2 which are smashed up against the wall. Thursday I really don't have an excuse other than I couldn't find the shot. I asked if the pattern had changed, the guy at the front said not to his knowledge, but there is a new mechanic oiling the lanes and he said it would be very easy for him to punch in the wrong program and lay down the wrong pattern (the mechanic doesn't speak English so who knows). All I know is once I found a line, it was very small and once it went away, I struggled to find a new one. Either way, it's always good to be challenged, even if it was just in my own head.

Monday: 162, 233, 202 (597)
Thursday: 176, 254, 162 (592)

Same story both nights. Couldn't string strikes in the first or third games. Stats for 6 games:

1/8 Splits
12 Opens
11/12 Single pins (10-pin)
3/4 10-pins
33/67 Strikes (49%)
First ball average 8.88 (I'm usually in the 9.3 area)

New Monday Avg: 219 (-4)
New Thursday Avg: 211 (-3)
New Composite: 214 (-2)

Here's to next week.

[zacks]

177,215,200 (592)

So I'm in a bit of a mini slump here. I think my timing is off which is why I'm having trouble establishing a line in the beginning of the night. My first game average in my last 3 series has been 171. I seem to come back in the second game and then fall apart again in the third. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I'm bowling a third night this week but hopefully it helps shake this spell off.

Average is plunging back to reality. Mondays 216 (-3) Composite 212 (-2).

[zacks]

215, 187, 224 (626)

Not sure if I'm truly out of my first game slump, I left 3 ten pins and 2 four pins (missed a 10) and still managed 215.

Second game I had 3 splits, including a 4-count after a double, yuck.

Third game I missed the 5 off of a 2-4-5 but other than that had a pretty good look.

5 opens (3 splits, 10 pin, 2-4-5)
Strikes 20/35
Single pin spares 9/10

Wednesday average: 207 (9 games)

[zacks]

Last Thursday: 191, 221, 186 (598)

Bowled on lanes 1-2 which lane 1 is right against the wall. The lanes were playing very different from each other too. Somehow, I managed the front 5 in game 2, then a ringing 10 which I converted, then two more strikes and then closed it out with back to back splits (4-6-7 and 3-4-6-7-10). I threw way too many bad shots on the night, first ball average was 8.88. 18/32 strikes (56%), 5/5 single pin spares, 6 opens (3 splits). Too many opens which were not attributed to bad spare shooting, but too many multi-pin leaves (all 3 or more pins).

Monday: 266, 192, 237 (695)

Last night I finally felt like I knew how to bowl again. I struggled through the transition and changed balls a few frames too late which is what hurt my second game. I missed a 10 pin and chopped a 3-6 which cost me a 700. First ball average was 9.46, 23/35 strikes (65%), 5/6 single pins (1/2 10 pins), 9/11 total spares, no splits.

Thursday Average: 210
Monday Average: 218
Composite Average: 212

No more bowling until next Monday. Wednesdays I switch off with someone else and it's not my week, Thursday we have a bye. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself.

[zacks]

Monday: 224, 259, 200 (683)

First game should have been better. Went front 4, 9/, double, then 8th frame I missed the start of the transition but salvaged 9/, 9/, then I chopped the 6 off the 10 in the tenth. Ended up losing all but two of my brackets by 2-3 pins each.

Changed balls in the second game and was locked in. 2 ten pins kept me from being perfect. Strike, 9/, turkey, 9/, six in a row.

Third game the wheels fell off. Double, then I missed my first 9 pin of the season and then found carry down. Three straight light pocket hits gave me 7/, 8/, then I whiffed a 7 pin, so I balled back up and found a line for 3 in a row, then 9/8 in the tenth.

Blew yet another chance at 700. I've been tracking stats for 60 games now, first missed 9 pin (11/12, 91%) and second missed 7 pin (14/16, 87%). Both in game 3. That would have been a 700 right there. Was 3/3 on 10 pins, now 33/50 (66%). Pre plastic ball 8/18 (44%), 25/32 (78%) since getting a plastic ball.

Monday Average: 219 (+1)
Composite Average: 213 (+1)

[zacks]

Been a while since I've posted scores. I've been pretty busy. Or maybe I haven't been shooting well and now that last night I shot some good games I feel proud to post scores. You make the decision.

Wednesday 11/9: 186, 191, 183 (560)
12/33 Strikes
5/6 10-pins
11/12 Single pins
First ball average south of 9 (8.85)

Thursday 11/10: 202, 161, 202 (565)
16/34 Strikes
2/3 10-pins
7/9 Single pins (10pin, 6pin)
8 Opens

Monday 11/14: 189, 237, 213 (639)
18/35 Strikes
4/5 10-pins
11/13 Single pins (10pin, 3pin) -3-pin? Really?

Wednesday 11/16: 204, 215, 186 (605)
15/33 Strikes
4/5 10-pins
9/10 Single Pins

Thursday 11/17: 198, 248, 254 (700)
25/35 Strikes
6/6 10-pins
19 Strikes across last 2 games, missed the pocket once (4-6), the rest were 10-pins.
10 Non-strikes all night, 6 of them 10-pins.


Monday Avg: 218.50 (30 games)
Wednesday Avg: 201.93 (15 games)
Thursday Avg: 210.23 (30 games)
Composite Avg: 211.88 (75 games)

[mc_runner]

Nice set Thursday!

[Blomer]

Nice bowling.

[zacks]

Nice set Thursday!


Nice bowling.

Thank you and thank you!

[zacks]

Monday 11/21: 205, 253, 255 (713)

After not bowling a 700 for the first 24 series to start the season, I have now bowled two back to back.

3rd game started with front 8, then threw it too soft and went through the nose for a 4-6-7 split. Then a wobbly 9-pin and strike to finish.

Stuck with the Ridiculous Asym all night. Interesting because I bowl in 3 different leagues in the same house. They claim the shot is the same each night, but lately the Asym hasn't been any good for me after the first few frames in the other leagues and I switch to the Ridiculous Solid early. I think the pattern is the same, but maybe they lay down more volume on Monday night. Right now my plan (subject to change) is to go with the Asym on Mondays and the Solid on Wednesday/Thursday.

Monday Avg: 220.24 (+1.74)
Composite Avg: 212.87 (+0.99)

[baker]

Nice set, strong finish in both 700's!

[zacks]

Nice set, strong finish in both 700's!

Thank you!

Monday 11/28: 188, 215, 193 (596)

Feels like I bowl on lanes 1-2 a lot. Maybe because I do, 18 out of 81 games so far. Thursday league is small and only lanes 1-10 so those lanes will be bowled on more frequent (Wednesday is 1-20 and Monday is 1-24). Looking ahead I'll bowl 1-2 two more times through the end of January. I've shot well on 1-2 before, but I honestly can't stand this pair. Not only because of the wall being so close, but the lanes play very inconsistent of each other.

Didn't strike much, couldn't find the pocket. 2-pins, 2-8s, a 2-5-7 and a bucket on lane 2; 4-pins, 6-pins, a 3-pin, a 9-pin, a 3-6, 9-10, and a 3-6-9-10 on lane 1. Basically came up weak on 2, through the nose on 1. I tried different balls, different balls on each lane, different lines, different speeds, and came up with nothing. At the end of the night I'm not sure how I managed a 596. Tonight and tomorrow I'm on 9-10, which I've shot fairly well on 3 out of 4 sets this season. Looking forward to moving on.

Monday Avg: 218.44 (-1.80)
Composite Avg: 212.35 (-0.52)

[zacks]

Wednesday 11/30: 248, 203, 191 (642)

First game left a combination of 10-pins and 6-pins in the first, third, seventh and third ball of tenth. Moved on in scratch bracket by a stick.

Second game I missed a 10-pin in the second frame and a 3-6-10 in the tenth.

Third game started well, four in a row, then I missed right... too far right... so far right it ended up in the gutter. I can't remember the last time that happened. Missed the full rack spare. The rest of the night I was obviously afraid of getting the ball out. Missed another 3-6-10 to close out the tenth.

For the severity of my mistakes, I guess it could have been worse. Somehow I won a couple of my brackets including the scratch bracket that I advanced in by winning game 1 by a pin. After league fees, beer, and side pots, I made money on the night. :D

Wednesday Avg: 203.94 (+2.01)
Composite Avg: 212.40 (+0.05)

[zacks]

Thursday 12/1: 201, 216, 158 (575)

Never really got into a groove. Third game was frustrating. Three opens in a row, 5 opens in the game. Only one of those was a split, the rest were very make-able. Lowest game of season.

Thursday Avg: 208.55 (-1.68)
Composite Avg: 211.69 (-0.71)

[zacks]

Monday 12/5: 206, 149, 202 (557)

Couldn't throw the ball well all night. Struggled to get the ball to my mark and never got comfortable. Tried my new Fanatic BTU for a few shots, but results were skewed because my mechanics were off all night.

Wednesday 12/7: 212, 217, 206 (635)

Team we were bowling was late and missed warm-ups so I took advantage and tried out all three of my balls to try and see how the BTU stacked up compared to both my Ridiculous balls. I was quite surprised how much the BTU hooked. After warm-up I wasn't sure whether to use my Ridiculous Asym or my new BTU and I didn't decide until I stepped up to throw my first shot. I went with the BTU and stuck with it all night. Played inside with it, which I didn't think was an option, and never moved my feet all night. My only adjustments were very slight speed and slight target adjustments. I shot much better than my scores showed, made four mistakes in the first 2 games that resulted in massive splits and the last game couldn't carry the left lane. Happy with the ball and how I threw it, just wish I would have caught a couple more breaks to have a good scoring night.

Monday Avg: 215.92 (-2.52) Ouch.
Wednesday Avg: 205.05 (+1.11)
Composite Avg: 210.85 (-0.84)