Boatmans 2024-2025 season [Archive]

J Anderson

08-26-2024, 10:01 PM

We had our league meeting 2 weeks ago. Only 9 of the 13 teams showed up but another said they were definitely in so sounds like 10 teams, possibly more. Not buying any new balls either. Have my Eternity Pi and Xponent. Have a few other older ones if I need something else but dunno. Ever since I started getting coaching I just can't seem to strike anymore but he did help my spare game

We have our meeting this Thursday. Got a call from one of my teammates saying she was definitely going to bowl even though she won’t be at the meeting, but her dad who didn’t take the summer off is having problems with his thumb. May need a sub for a few weeks or maybe find another bowler for the first half.

I plan to get to the pro-shop and get at least one new ball before we start the season

boatman37

08-27-2024, 10:07 PM

Welp...here we go again. We bowled pretty good, above our average. But the other team was on fire. Story of my bowling life. I was throwing pretty good but couldn't string anything together. Spare shooting was decent. Struggled with strikes but not to the point of it being a bad night. Just couldn't string anything. Had 16 strikes in 3 games but only had 3 doubles and the rest were singles. I had a 550ish series but felt much better than that so not unhappy with my bowling. Lanes were very dry. Started with my Eternity Pi. Game 2 switched to the Xponent. Both balls were coming across the nose but at least I could shape the Pi. The Xponent had no shape and wouldn't come back if I bellied it out so game 3 switched back to the Pi.
Game 1 we were 3 pins below our average but they were 111 over their average. They won by 116. Game 2 we were 54 over our average and they were 13 over their average but we won by 39. Game 3 we were 19 over our average but they were 92 over their average and they won by 75. Just the story of our bowling.

Game 1: 171 (5 strikes, 2 spares, 3 opens-2 splits)

Game 2: 180 (4 strikes, 6 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 203 (7 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open)

Series: 554

Average: 184.67

Running average: 184.67

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.00

Strikes: 50% (16/32)

Spares: 68% (11/16)

Single pin spares: 87% (7/8)

7 pins: 100% (2/2)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

https://i.postimg.cc/qRq46vJQ/2024-08-27.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

08-29-2024, 01:06 PM

Frustrating...because you were only one frame away from a clean game in both of the last two games.

Hey...it always takes me about 3-9 weeks to get my form back after taking a break...which is why I try not to take summers off...I just lose my game SO fast...and it takes SO long to get it back.

boatman37

08-29-2024, 10:07 PM

Oddly I'm the opposite. I bowl better after a layoff then slowly degrade. Right now I have forgotten some of my bad habits and my form feels good. I figure in a few weeks those bad habits will start creeping back in

boatman37

09-03-2024, 01:36 PM

Well our center just posted on Facebook that the new oil machine arrived today. Its a USBC Atlas Walker. Maybe the old one was broke and thats why the lanes were so dry last week? Will find out if its any better tonight.

boatman37

09-03-2024, 10:33 PM

Overheard the owner say he did not use the new machine for league tonight.
Well my game is getting worse. Luckily nobody from the other team showed up so we automatically got all 7 pts. Started with the Zen Soul. Yep. Hadn't thrown it in about a year but after last week I was willing to try anything. Wasn't doing too bad with it but had to get it out there or it would go through the nose. Spare shooting was pretty good again but still couldn't strike. 6 games in and still no 3 bagger. Used the Soul the first 2 games but then left three 7's in a row. Made an adjustment after the 2nd and 3rd but game 3 tried the Pi and was able to carry the 7 pin then. Overall this is the worst start I have had since my 1st year back after a 16 year layoff.

Game 1: 185 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens)

Game 2: 160 (4 strikes, 3 spares, 4 opens-2 splits)

Game 3: 184 (6 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-2 splits)

Series: 529

Average: 176.33

Running average: 180.5

Last years average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.97

Strikes: 46% (15/32)

Spares: 52% (9/17)

Single pin spares: 80% (8/10)

7 pins: 85% (6/7)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

https://i.postimg.cc/L64VPP6K/2024-09-03.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

09-04-2024, 07:46 AM

boatman37

09-04-2024, 11:31 AM

You automatically get the points? Every league I have bowled in required the team that shows up to beat a minimum score, usually the sum of each bowlers average less ten pins per person, in order to earn the points being forfeited by the no shows.

If we have a bye we have to be within 50 pins of our team average but pretty sure when the other team doesn't show up we automatically get the points. Either way we bowled good enough to get all points anyway. I had a teammate text me at 6:15 last night (we start at 6:30) and told me he wasn't gonna make it and was quitting the team. There was a guy there looking for a team so we grabbed him. Game 1 we were 50 over our average, game 2 we were 90 over and game 3 we were 30 under.
The rules are in my bag but they are at the center so can't look it up to verify it but pretty sure we automatically get them.

boatman37

09-10-2024, 10:24 PM

Finally may have figured something out. But tonight my spare game struggled but I at least strung strikes together. Until tonight hadn't even had a turkey after 6 games. Tonight I think I had a 4 bagger and a 5 bagger. Started tonight with the Zen Soul up the 9-ish board. Switched to the Pi. Finally switched to the Xponent about 6th frame and moved out to the 6-7 board. First frame with it stayed behind the ball and it rolled out so started coming around the ball a little and that did it.
First game we were right at our team average but the other team was 130 over their average. Game 2 we were 30 over but the other team was 50 over their average. game 3 we were 130 over our average and they were right at their average.

Game 1: 172 (4 strikes, 3 spares, 3opens-1 split)

Game 2: 205 (6 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens)

Game 3: 246c (8 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open)

Series: 623

Average: 207.67

Running average: 189.55

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.48

Strikes: 58% (18/31)

Spares: 53% (7/13)

Single pin spares: 50% (5/10)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 0% (0/2)

https://i.postimg.cc/Dyft4dNt/2024-09-10.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

09-11-2024, 07:49 AM

If we could string strikes and make our spares we’d be tempted to go on the PBA tour.

Judging by how few 7s you left it looks like your strike ball was doing the right thing.👍

boatman37

09-12-2024, 10:22 PM

yeah i don't usually leave too many 7's but yeah...i had been staying behind the ball but started coming around a little and it started driving through after that

boatman37

09-17-2024, 10:23 PM

Had a pretty good night. Used the Eternity Pi all 3 games up the 2nd arrow. Had a bye but have to be within 50 pins of our average to get the points. Lost game 1 by 21 pts but won the next 2 so went 5-2 on the night.

Game 1: 214 (8 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 2: 214 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens)

Game 3: 242c (9 strikes, 3 spares, 0 opens)

Series: 670

Average: 233.33

Running average: 198.00

Last years average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.31

Strikes: 65% (23/35)

Spares: 75% (9/12)

Single pin spares: 66% (4/6)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 66% (2/3)

https://i.postimg.cc/pLrDS25C/2024-09-17.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

09-19-2024, 05:54 PM

Great carry! From the 10th of the first game and 4th frame of the 3rd game...you either knocked down 10 or 9. And good spare conversion to boot!

Timmyb

09-19-2024, 08:01 PM

Well done!

boatman37

09-19-2024, 10:15 PM

Great carry! From the 10th of the first game and 4th frame of the 3rd game...you either knocked down 10 or 9. And good spare conversion to boot!

Yeah didn't notice that. And we were on a pair that I'm not great on.

boatman37

09-24-2024, 10:20 PM

Another decent night. Started out a little rough but kept making adjustments until I got it but still missed a few easy spares that I shouldn't have missed. But we took 2 of 3 from a team that usually smokes us. They are alot of fun to bowl against and we always have a great time with them. They did smoke us 1st game but we won the last 2 and won total pins by 5.
Threw the Pi again all 3 games up the 2nd arrow. Tried moving out to about the 7 or 8 but was leaving corner pins so moved back in. Tucked my pinky and started getting nice carry so stuck with that. Game 3 started with the front 5 but then fell apart. Had a shot at a 700 but settled for a 651.

Game 1: 191 (5 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens ) - was actually a 193 but i didn't see the scoreboard until a couple frames later so let it go

Game 2: 248c (8 strikes, 3 spares)

Game 3: 212 (6 strikes, 2 spares, 3 opens)

Series: 651

Average: 217.00

Running average: 201.8

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.41

Spares: 61% (8/13)

Single pin spares: 66% (6/9)

7 pins: 100% (2/2)

https://i.postimg.cc/zXLrzSVg/2024-09-24.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Timmyb

09-26-2024, 07:32 PM

Eerily familiar....

boatman37

10-01-2024, 10:06 PM

Struggle is back. I was on a pair that I have been struggling on. The first 2/3 or so of the games I was tracking lanes from I was averaging 206 but the past 12 games I'm only averaging about 173. Not sure what the issue is but tonight I couldn't strike. Tried the Pi, the Zen Soul and the Xponent. Left alot of 7 pins tonight but luckily made almost all of them. Whole team struggled. Lost 2 of 3 and went 2-5.

Game 1: 200 (5 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 162 (3 strikes, 6 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 200 (6 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Series: 562

Average: 187.33

Running average: 199.38

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.94

Strikes: 42% (14/33)

Spares: 73% (14/19)

Single pin spares: 90% (10/11)

7 pins: 85% (6/7)
BTW-just looked at my stats and so far this year I am 78% (18/23) on 7 pins. Much better than last year.

https://i.postimg.cc/ryxJj7k8/2024-10-01.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

10-03-2024, 11:06 AM

Struggle is back...Not sure what the issue is but tonight I couldn't strike.

Seems like a lot of that going around. Some nights you're pounding the pocket and striking, and scoring...the next night you're still hammering the pocket...but leaving corner pins like mad. Frustrating. :mad:

boatman37

10-08-2024, 10:22 PM

Rough night. Was in the pocket most every shot but couldn't carry the 7 pin. Left 9 of them. I usually only leave maybe 2 a night. The only upside was I made 7 of 8. I say 8 cause the 9th 7 pin was in the fill in game 3. Tried the Pi, the Zen Soul and the Xponent. Tried pinky tucked and untucked. Tried coming around and tried staying behind. Tried from the 5 board to the 12 board. No matter what couldn't trip the 7 pin. Only had 9 strikes all night. The other team struggled too but did just enough to beat us. Our high man tonight was 564 and he has a 201 average. The other team only had 1 guy over 600. They have 2 guys right around 200 average and they had 554 and 533.
On the season after 21 games I'm shooting 80% on my 7 pins (25/31) so that's an improvement from last year

Game 1: 192 (4 strikes, 6 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 2: 180 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 167 (1 strike, 7 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Series: 539

Average: 179.67

Running average: 196.57

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.79

Strikes: 27% (9/33)

Spares: 78% (18/23)

Single pin spares: 84% (11/13)

7 pins: 87% (7/8)

https://i.postimg.cc/LsPmg4YJ/2024-10-08.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

10-10-2024, 11:29 AM

Rough night. Was in the pocket most every shot but couldn't carry the 7 pin. Left 9 of them. I usually only leave maybe 2 a night. The only upside was I made 7 of 8.

Are you a lefty?

It's weird, because I've been leaving more 7-pins than usual as well. And I'm a righty....so it shouldn't be a big problem. The 'problem" is....generally I've been told a 7-pin (for a righty) is just a bad pin spot. I mean, it can be a weak hit...or high hit...but you'd usually leave something else with the 7-pin. And thats frustrating because there's very little you can do about a bad pin spot.

boatman37

10-10-2024, 08:01 PM

I'm a lefty but thought about a bad pin spot but I had the same issue in both lanes so not as likely to be the rack I wouldn't think.
p until 2 weeks ago I only had only left 16 7 pins in 15 games. In the last 6 games I have left 15 7 pins (13/15). And I have been in the pocket most shots. Have tried multiple balls, 2 different hand position, and about 4 different lines and no difference.

Aslan

10-14-2024, 03:41 PM

One thing I'm starting to notice is the age-old surfacing issue that I have spoke about many times on this site...(yet, I still screw it up).

I've been noticing that, even when I'm pounding the pocket...it won't carry. Your mind immediately sees that and thinks, "dang it....it's turning too late. I need to move right!"

You move right and it goes solidly though the nose and leaves you a nice split. So, you move back left...pound the pocket again...and leave another 10-pin.

In that case, it's the ball losing energy. There's nothing wrong with the line...its the ball has too much surface on it and the lanes are too broken down. So...?

So, you actually have to ball down...go to a ball with less surface...even if ya have to move right a little to correct your line.

I'm going through this now....having to go back and take surface off my balls because of this very issue. Your natural instinct is to put more surface on the balls to make them hook "more" or "harder"...and it ends up having the opposite effect.

boatman37

10-14-2024, 09:39 PM

Actually I was planning on throwing my Raw Hammer pearl tomorrow night if I am seeing the same issue. If that fixes it then you are right on

boatman37

10-15-2024, 10:36 PM

Well back to carrying the 7 pin better but struggled with spares. Tonight was another one of those nights where we bowled good but the other team bowled phenomenal. Game 1 we beat our average by 53 and they beat theirs by 53 but we won by 1 pin. Game 2 we beat our average by 8 but they beat theirs by 109. Game 3 we were 59 below our average but they beat their average by 27 so we went 2-5. 3 weeks in a row we have got smoked by the next to last place team.
Used the Eternity Pi all 3 games. Left 2 pocket 7-10's so that sucked. Struggled with 7 pins too.

Game 1: 199 (7 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 186 (7 strikes, 0 spares, 4 opens-2 splits)

Game 3 228c (7 strikes, 4 spares, 0 opens)

Series: 613

Average: 204.33

Running average: 197.54

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.39

Strikes: 63% (21/33)

Spares: 50% (6/12)

Single pin spares: 50% (3/6)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

7 pins: 33% (1/3)

7 pins season: 76% (26/34)

https://i.postimg.cc/SQ15HKRt/2024-10-15.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

10-16-2024, 01:39 PM

Used the Eternity Pi all 3 games.

Nice set...and a clean game to boot!

It seems like I do best when I use the same ball (or at most 2 balls) the entire night. I have a tendency to over-think (news flash, I know)...so if I start making minor adjustments....and then ball changes...and then more adjustments...pretty soon I'm on my 3rd ball and can't find my line.

Unfortunately, the Zen Master Solid is just too strong to keep using once the lanes start to transition. Since I'm NOT a lefty...I usually can't stay in my comfort zone for more than a game and a half before I've moved too far inside and need to ball down to something that won't react as much to the transition.

boatman37

10-16-2024, 07:38 PM

yeah when i go through my bag of balls its not gonna be a good night

boatman37

10-22-2024, 10:30 PM

Struggle tonight but it was an odd night. We have 6 bowlers on a 5 man team but 2 couldn't be there tonight so my wife went to sub. She hasn't bowled since the 20-21 season. The other team had 2 bowlers roll-off and a new bowler with no average so scoring was difficult. Started with the Pi as it looked good in warm ups. By start of game 1 I started struggling. Made a few moves but the ball stopped hooking. Moved out a little and it overhooked so grabbed the Xponent and it was overhooking from 7 board too so moved it to the 2nd arrow. Finally found a good line if I kept my speed on the lower side. Biggest issue was spare shooting. Very poor tonight.
Still not sure how we did as a team but think we won 2 of 3 and went 5-2.

Game 1: 162 (3 strikes, 5 spares, 3 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 222 (9 strikes, 1 spare, 2 opens)

Game 3: 192 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens)

Series: 576

Average: 192.00

Running average: 196.92

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.94

Strikes: 50% (17/34)

Spares: 58% (10/17)

Single pin spares: 71% (5/7)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 50% (2/4)

7 pins season: 73% (28/38)

https://i.postimg.cc/5y8WcSPd/2024-10-22-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

10-29-2024, 10:15 PM

Not a bad night overall. Bowled one of the best teams in the league. They have 1 guy at 199 and 2 at 27ish and 2 at 227ish. Their team average is 1080. We only had 4 tonight so had to use a blind score which is average -30. It was a last minute thing. Next week is position round and we were in 7th of 11 teams. First game we were 60 below average and they were 7 over their average. We lost by 87. Game 2 we were 36 below our average and they were 37 below their average. We lost by 20. Game 3 we were 28 over our average and they were 13 below their average. We won by 20. Went 2-5. Their guys had 717, 676, 647, 590, and 567. We had 637, 557, 487, 417, and 403. Looks like we held on to 7th place tonight.
Started with the Xponent partially because I checked my notes and I have had a few good nights on that pair with that ball. It was weird tonight. We had 7 7-10's on our pair tonight (I had 2 of them). If I put any speed on it it wouldn't hook so had to slow it down bu then had to belly it way out so speed and mark had to be perfect. Tried moving out to get straighter, tried staying more behind the ball and that helped but still struggled. Half way through game 2 I balled up to the Eternity Pi. Thought process was it might tame the back end down a little by burning up more energy earlier. Seemed to have worked. Was able to play straighter right up the 2nd arrow. Missing outside wasn't good as it wouldn't come back so had a few light hits. On a positive note I was 2/2 on 7 pins. 4/4 if you count my 7-10's where I targeted the 7 pin both times and made them. Game 1 I missed a 10 pin in the 9th. Screwed up by throwing my Pi at it but lined up as if I was throwing my spare ball. Mental error there.

Game 1: 206 (7 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Game 2: 196 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 235 (9 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Series: 637

Average: 212.33

Running average: 198.46

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.22

Strikes: 58% (21/36)

Spares: 71% (10/14)

Single pin spares: 85% (6/7)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

7 pins: 100% (2/2)

Season 7 pins: 75% (30/40)

https://i.postimg.cc/fb9HCMW5/2024-10-29.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

11-05-2024, 10:49 PM

2 decent games followed by a horrible one. Game 2 couldn't miss. Game 3 couldn't hit the pocket. Used the Pi all 3 games. Oil was a little heavy. Spare shooting wasn't very good tonight. Timing was a little off too.

Game 1: 203 (8 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 244 (8 strikes, 1 spare, 1 open)

Game 3: 160 (4 strikes, 3 spares, 4 opens-1 split)

Series: 607

Average: 202.33

Running average: 198.81

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.11

Strikes: 57% (20/35)

Spares: 46% (6/13)

Single pin spares: 60% (3/5)

Splits: 50% (1/2)

7 pins: 50% (2/4)

7 pins season: 72% (32/44)

https://i.postimg.cc/8cCLFZmF/2024-11-05.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

11-07-2024, 10:43 AM

I hate ending with a bad game. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth until you bowl again. :(

boatman37

11-12-2024, 10:29 PM

J Anderson

11-13-2024, 09:54 AM

Well another 80+ pin swing in 1 game. Went from 255-164. Heard alot of people struggled tonight but not sure. I threw the Pi all 3 games up the 7 board. Seemed to be pretty oily tonight. Won 2 of 3.

Game 1: 255 (8 strikes, 1 spare, 2 opens-2 splits)

Game 2: 164 (3 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens-2 splits)

Game 3: 204 (6 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Series: 623

Average: 207.67

Running average: 199.55

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.18

Strikes: 51% (17/33)

Spares: 60% (9/15)

Single pin spares: 77% (7/9)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

7 pins: 80% (4/5)

7 pins season: 73% (36/49)

https://i.postimg.cc/zBYRJCbL/2024-11-12.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Your spare shooting wasn't too bad. you left a bunch of tough splits and at least got some count out of them. The washout in the tenth frame of game two, I'm debating is it harder to make or harder to take a single pin out of it.

You say that you threw the same ball all three games in the same spot. Were you just trying to throw it better when game two was falling apart?

boatman37

11-13-2024, 03:26 PM

Game 2 was me, not the ball or lanes. I could feel I was getting lazy on my approach. I think my speed crept up a little too. I had trouble all night getting the ball out wide enough. Kept tugging and missing inside. During that streak in game 1 I was dialed in but like has been happening I just fall apart. It's like a light switch. Takes me awhile to get it back then

Aslan

11-18-2024, 10:24 AM

Looks like the splits killed ya. :(

boatman37

11-18-2024, 06:03 PM

yep. Hopefully tomorrow goes better

boatman37

11-19-2024, 10:33 PM

Well that was a bust. On one of my least favorite pairs tonight. Tried the Pi and Xponent in warmups and struggled to hit the same spot twice but there was no hook unless you swung it really wide. Ended up throwing the Pi but kept coming in light. Got lucky carry game 1 for a decent game bu game 2 that luck went away. We had 6 of us there tonight so I pulled myself and sat out game 3. We lost all 3 games, getting blown out games 1 and 3.

Game 1: 205 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens-2 splits)

Game 2: 169 (5 strikes, 2 spares, 4 opens-1 split)

Series: 374

Average: 187.00

Running average: 198.89

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.91

Strikes: 45% (10/22)

Spares: 50% (6/12)

Single pin spares: 60% (3/5)

Splits: 33% (1/3)

7 pins: 33% (1/3)

7 pins season: 71% (37/52)

https://i.postimg.cc/CxnskrKR/2024-11-19.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

11-26-2024, 10:20 PM

wow. 7 pin mania. I hate having nights like this where my form and accuracy are on point but i can't carry the 7 pin. Thankfully I was able to make 6/7 7 pins. The 1 miss was barely inside. But only had 14 strikes where I average 19 or 20 a night. My spare game saved me tonight. But if I had been able to strike I could have had a really good night. Started with the Pi staying behind the ball up the 10 board with minimal axis rotation. Started leaving 7 pins so tried moving a little with no luck so added a little axis rotation to try to store a little energy for downlane but still no luck. Switched to the Xponent but took a few frames to find a line. Ended up throwing up the 6-7 board staying behind the ball again. Ended up working out.
We won 2 of 3 but lost total pins. We won the lat game by 4 pins. Their anchor is a 225 average. I'm a 200 average. We went into the 10th about even and both working on a strike in the 9th. He left a 10 pin so I knew if I struck out we would win. I struck in the 10th then he missed his 10 pin so I just needed a good count. Ended up leaving a 2 pin but covered it so we won by 4.

Game 1: 213c (5 strikes, 6 spares, 0 opens)

Game 2: 183 (2 strikes, 8 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 224 (7 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open)

Series: 620

Average: 206.67

Running average: 199.46

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.21

Strikes: 42% (14/33)

Spares: 89% (17/19)

Single pin spares: 92% (12/13)

7 pins: 85% (6/7)

7 pins season: 72% (43/59)

https://i.postimg.cc/wjY2K0fW/2024-11-26.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

11-27-2024, 06:01 PM

Always feels good to come through in the clutch when you’re the anchor!

boatman37

11-27-2024, 08:15 PM

Yeah I like being anchor. I like the pressure. I usually wait and let their anchor go first but their 4th bowler was just finishing when I was up. Their anchor rarely misses but he did miss a few 10 pins last night. He commented a few times that he couldn't wait to go home and after his last miss he said he must have been standing in the wrong spot all night for his 10's...lol. He still had a 671 (212, 245, 214) so he still bowled his average.
I'm anchor solely cause there are only 2 of us that have extensive experience and the other guy likes to be lead off. He is 68 and averaging around 195 now. He was a 205 bowler but I think his age has started taking a toll. He is still in great shape but his speed is only around 11.5-12. The rest of our bowlers are my 2 boys, each with less than 2 years of bowling experience and average about 165 and 160, a girl that has several years experience but only bowled league as something to do with friends and averages 140 and a new guy that is a 170 average. So not too much of a choice but again, I like the pressure.
That said, I think I need the pressure. If I need a strong finish I usually get it. If I don't need it thats when I have a bad 10th.

boatman37

12-03-2024, 09:05 PM

Well today is my wifes birthday and was planning on staying home. Wife kept telling me to go. We have 6 bowlers so if everyone is there someone has to sit out. So I told my team if I didn't break 200 game 1 I was going home. I was anchor and the other teams anchor has a 226 average. He was making it a friendly competition and 5th or 6th frame I was beating him by 1 but then I fell apart. Finished with a 180 so I sat out and left. The other team was on fire (of course, every team that bowls us always is). Their team average was 1052. Their guys had 258, 258, 233, 223 and 204. Beat us by 110. My kids texted me that they won game 2 by 46. All 5 of our guys beat their average game 2. On a good note I was 100% on 7 pins (1/1...lol).
Oh, BTW, their anchor only had 204 game 1 so he didn't beat me too bad.

Game 1: 180 (4 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Running average: 199.00

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.82

Spares: 66% (4/6)

Single pin spares: 66% (2/3)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 100% (1/1)

7 pins season: 44/60 (73%)

https://i.postimg.cc/jSShrwW2/2024-12-03.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

12-06-2024, 04:57 PM

Only 2 opens isn't bad...its just one of them was in the 9th which seems to always be a bit more of a kick in the *** than when you leave it in frames 1-8.

boatman37

12-06-2024, 09:42 PM

My hope is only 2-3 opens a night. I had 2 in 1 game the other night....lol

Aslan

12-09-2024, 12:17 PM

My hope is only 2-3 opens a night. I had 2 in 1 game the other night....lol

I'm at the stage in my bowling development where I 'm trying to go from 2 opens per game to 1 open per game.

boatman37

12-10-2024, 10:00 PM

Rough night. Had to work hard for a 599. I tried everything. For starters when warm-ups opened up me and another guy each threw shot and both balls got stuck. Took them 15 minutes to fix it so that was all the practice anyone got. Luckily we had a bye so as long as we were within 50 pins of our team average we would win the points. Started with the Pi and by mid game my ball stopped hooking. Started moving around, changing wrist positions, tucking pinky...nothing worked. Balled down to the Xponent and same thing. Could not get back to the pocket. Grabbed my Raw Hammer pearl out of my bag and same thing. By now it's game 3. Went back to the Pi and threw up the 6-7 board coming up the back of the ball. Did good for a few shots then it stopped hooking so tucked my pinky the last 2 frames. Seemed like the ball was hook-stopping on me and no matter what I did I couldn't figure it out. Spare shooting was pretty decent. Picked up the 2-7 and the 4-5 splits tonight. 2/3 on 7 pins.

Game 1: 206 (5 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Game 2: 182 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 2 opens-3 splits)

Game 3: 211 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Series: 599

Average: 199.67

Running average: 199.04

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.91

Strikes: 42% (14/33)

Spares: 77% (14/18)

Single pin spares: 88% (8/9)

Splits: 66% (2/3)

7 pins: 66% (2/3)

7 pins season: 73% (46/63)

https://i.postimg.cc/3rZWkF0Z/2024-12-10.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

12-15-2024, 06:11 PM

Had to pre-bowl tonight. My son did too. His average was 160 and he is in his 2nd year of league bowling. The past 4 weeks he is probably averaging about 180. Tonight he threw 211-229-180 for a 620. Got his highest game ever and before tonight his high series was 538 so he crushed it. On to me...I re-surfaced the Pi and Xponent this week. Pi is at 3000 and Xponent at 5000P. Threw the Pi all 3 games and was able to strike again. I had been having trouble striking the past few weeks. Game 2 I struggled to strike. Kept hitting light so kept inching back then moved back up and arced it out to about the 6 board. The end of game 2 I moved left and threw it straight up the 6-7 board. G1F6 I stuck pretty bad and almost fell and dropped it right in the gutter. Picked that up so technically 1 more strike...lol

Game 1: 181 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens)

Game 2: 203 (5 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 3: 206 (6 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Series: 590

Average: 196.67

Running average: 198.89

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.14

Strikes: 47% (17/36)

Spares: 76% (13/17)

Single pin spares: 78% (11/14)

Splits: 100% (1/1)

7 pins: 50% (2/4)

7 pins season: 71% (48/67)

https://i.postimg.cc/ZK4SRvVv/2024-12-15.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

12-18-2024, 09:05 PM

So team bowled last night and crushed it. My son got his first 600 Sunday when we pre-bowled. Another guy on our team had never had a 600 and he bowled a 650. Our team had the highest handicap series last night and 3rd highest handicap game. My son had the 2nd highest handicap series and our other teammate had the 3rd highest handicap series. We won all 3 games to take all 7 points and moved up to 3rd place

Aslan

12-19-2024, 10:58 AM

So team bowled last night and crushed it. My son got his first 600 Sunday when we pre-bowled. Another guy on our team had never had a 600 and he bowled a 650.

I miss those days. When I first started bowling back in 2014, I averaged in the 160s...but the scores were all over the place. But it was great because when you bowled all 180 games, or your first 200 game, or your first 600 series...it was just really, really exciting and special.

Then...you get to the point after a decade where you're almost expecting to get all clean games, 650 series, and an honor score...or you're ready to throw your equipment in the garbage and take up a new hobby! I have to come in here and post my scores and stats...just so I can take a step back and realize things weren't as bad as they "felt". I shot a 600 series a week ago...over my average (187)...the team took 3-4 points, I had one clean game...but I was completely dejected because my last game was a 154!

So...good for your son and the other player and their new milestones. I'm jealous. I miss that feeling. Hopefully it keeps them motivated to keep bowling!

boatman37

12-19-2024, 09:41 PM

Yeah thats what sucks about being at this level. 600 is nothing. I have had a few 700's but they are still exciting but still not a first. I have not had a 300 so I still have that for a first but the way I'm bowling I won't see that anytime soon. I guess the next goal for me to hit would be to finish the season with a 200 average. I finished summer league at 206 a few years ago but only bowled like 30 games in that league. I'm at 198 now after 45 or so games

Timmyb

12-20-2024, 09:33 PM

boatman37

12-22-2024, 06:41 PM

No bowling for us for the next 2 weeks.

boatman37

01-07-2025, 10:38 PM

Pretty decent night. Could have been better but happy with the series. missed a couple of easy spares that I shouldn't have. We won game 1 by 13, game 2 by 58 but lost game 3 by about 56 I think. The other team had finished and I was the only one left to go. We were down by 106 and I had struck in the 9th but my head math wasn't good enough to figure out if we had a shot. We had a 71 pin lead for total pins so had to make up 36 or so pins to win total. I just knew the only chance we had was for me to throw at least 2 strikes in the 10th. So I decided to just throw all 3...lol. Won total pins by 15. I like the pressure. I bowl better under pressure. Threw the Xponent all 3 games.

On the bright side I was 6/6 on 7 pins tonight!

Game 1: 221 (6 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Game 2: 204 (6 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 208 (7 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Series: 633

Average: 211.00

Running average: 199.60

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.34

Strikes: 54% (19/35)

Spares: 80% (12/15)

Single pin spares: 83% (10/12)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 100% (6/6)

7 pins season: 73% (54/73)

https://i.postimg.cc/FKV0kzP1/2025-01-07.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

01-14-2025, 10:30 PM

Very ugly night. The only bright spots were we won all 3 games and we all picked it up game 3 after a horrible start. We are now in 1st place by 1 game. My son has a 164 average and rolled a 157, 192, 223. My step-son has a 162 average and rolled 176, 156 and 236. A girl on our team has a 147 average and rolled 182, 168 and 148.
Based on my notes on that pair I usually bowl well on them and use my Pi up the 2nd arrow so started out with that. Had snow and the carpet had wet spots so changed my heel to a little slicker heel but then slid a little too much. Started with the Xponent around the 7 board and nothing. Switched to the Pi and one shot light next shot high. Went through 2 games doing that. Only had 3 strikes in game 1 3 in game 2. Fill frame in game 2 I moved out to the 5-6 board with the Pi which I can usually never do. My coach was on the pair next to us and said I was putting in way too much axis tilt so changed my wrist position and started the 3rd game with 2 strikes then tugged frame 3 and left a 6-8. Then struck the next 6. 7 pinned in the 10th then left a 10 in the fill. So happy with how I finished the night but not happy that it took me 2 games and help from my coach to figure it out.

Game 1: 179 (3 strikes, 6 spares, 2 opens)

Game 2: 161 (3 strikes, 5 spares, 3 opens)

Game 3: 242 (8 strikes, 1 spare, 1 open-1 split)

Series: 582

Average: 194.00

Running average: 199.29

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.18

Strikes: 41% (14/34)

Spares: 66% (12/18)

Single pin spares: 72% (8/11)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 75% (3/4)

7 pins season: 74% (57/77)

https://i.postimg.cc/Cxw2KQB8/2025-01-14.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

01-16-2025, 03:17 PM

Had snow and the carpet had wet spots so changed my heel to a little slicker heel but then slid a little too much.
Seems like thats what always happens. You stick too much and then go up one level and its like you're bowling in your socks.

My coach was on the pair next to us and said I was putting in way too much axis tilt so changed my wrist position
I've recently been trying to develop 3 different wrist positions. I need to practice though....trying to mess with them in league hasn't worked out. I tried to change to a 30-degree with my strongest ball and it was like throwing a straight ball.

So happy with how I finished the night but not happy that it took me 2 games and help from my coach to figure it out.
Been there. But, its definitely a nicer feeling to end on a high note.

boatman37

01-16-2025, 09:01 PM

Yeah I was thinking the same thing on the way home the other night. I'd rather finish strong cause now I look forward to next week.
And I have 2 wrist positions. One that more up the side of the ball with my wrist 'cocked'. Threw that way for years then about 18 months ago this coach got me staying more behind it. I didn't realize the other night how much I was around the ball and he said it was spinning like a top down the lane. After I fixed that I threw the 242 and started getting carry.
Oddly, the coach is on the team that was in 1st place before the other night. They won 2/3 and we won 3/3 and passed them for 1st...lol. Doubt I get much more help from him this year...lol

J Anderson

01-16-2025, 09:24 PM

boatman37

01-17-2025, 02:33 PM

I told you guys before that I took a break from 2002 till 2018? Well my 2nd or 3rd week back another lefty that had about a 215 average comes up to me at the end of the night after we just finished bowling them and said 'hey, wanted to tell you you are doing this and that wrong but didn't want to say anything until after we were done' lol

boatman37

01-21-2025, 10:30 PM

Wow. I really need to start off better. We were on a pair that I don't do great on. Tried both the Pi and the Xponent but I was struggling hitting my mark. Started with the Pi for a few frames then switched to the Xponent. Ended up going back to the Pi about 5th frame. Problem wasn't the ball or lanes. Threw the Pi the rest of the night but couldn't hit the same spot twice. I was focusing on my release then late game 2 realized my footwork wasn't great so started focusing on that. Game 3 was strong. I seem to either focus on my release or my footwork the first 2 games then game 3 finally think about both. Need to work on that.
We lost game 1 by 17 thanks to me. Won games 2 and 3 so went 5-2. Going into tonight we were in first by 1 pt. 2nd place team went 7-0 so now they are 1 pt ahead of us with 1 week left before position rd for 2nd 3rd. Problem is they bowl a lower tier team next week while we bowl a good team. Very likely they go 7-0 and hopefully we go at least 5-2 but then they will have a 3pt lead going into position rd so if we went 5-2 against 1st place in position rd then we would end tied with them. But these guys are all good bowlers who rarely have bad games so very unlikely we can get 2/3 from them.

Game 1: 161 (2 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 180 (4 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens)

Game 3: 227c (7 strikes, 4 spares, 0 opens)

Series: 568

Average: 189.33

Running average: 198.77

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.00

Strikes: 38% (13/34)

Spares: 68% (13/19)

Single pin spares: 80% (8/10)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 75% (3/4)

7 pins season: 74.07% (60/81)

https://i.postimg.cc/RZYwHH0J/2025-01-21.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

01-28-2025, 10:31 PM

Well tonight was a bust. The final week of the 2nd 3rd. We were 1pt behind 1st place. Those guys are good so odds of them losing 2 of 3 are pretty low. Well they did. So we only needed to win 1 game of 3 to pass them then face them next week in position round. Well we couldn't do anything. Granted our team bowled bad but when we did hit the pocket it was either a split or a corner pin. The other team struck if they were anywhere near the pocket. They crushed their average all 3 games. First game we had 1 guy on our team bowl good. Games 2 and 3 I think I was the only one that bowled good. But it gets frustrating seeing them hit dead on the head pin and strike or go Brooklyn and strike. Not just occasionally, like 75% of the time. I hit the pocket consistently and struggled to strike.We lost all 3 so now we dropped to 4th and bowl the 3rd place team next week. We could still make it back to 2nd but 1st is out of the question. The 1st place team lost 2 of 3 and they were telling us the same happened to them. The team they bowled are all around 160 average and they said they all bowled over 200 every game. I didn't see the scores so not sure.
I started with the Pi up the 2nd arrow. 1st 2 frames were great then couldn't hit the pocket again. End of game 1 I switched to the Xponent up the 7 board and was money. Pretty sure this was the first time this season we lost all 3 games.

Game 1: 169 (3 strikes, 6 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 237 (8 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 211 (6 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Series: 617

Average: 205.67

Running average: 199.11

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.26

Strikes: 51% (18/35)

Spares: 75% (12/16)

Single pin spares: 81% (9/11)

Splits: 100% (1/1)

7 pins: 66% (2/3)

7 pins season: 73.80% (62/84)

https://i.postimg.cc/xC5Zv2D6/2025-01-28.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

02-04-2025, 10:19 PM

Well we bowled decent again except for 1 of our guys. He struggled the last 2 weeks. His average was 199 3 weeks ago but it's probably about 192 or 193 now. He had a 469 tonight. We lost all 3 again. the other team bowled pretty good. Game 1 they were 55 over their average, game 2 they were 12 over and game 3 they were 26 over. We lost all 3 2 weeks in a row. 3 weeks ago we were in 1st. After tonight we are in 5th.
On to me...I had been starting game 1 with the Pi up the 2nd arrow then usually ending up moving out to the 7 board with the Xponent. First game has been bad then 2nd and 3rd better. Tonight I started with the Xponent up the 7 board and stuck with that all night. Strikes weren't a problem but spares were. Should have been an easy 700. Game 2 I finished with 3 opens. Game 2 I was on pace for a 279 and finished with a 213. But I was happy to have figured out my game 1 woes.

Game 1: 225 (8 strikes, 1 spare, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 213 (6 strikes, 1 spare, 3 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 224c (6 strikes, 5 spares, 0 opens)

Series: 662

Average: 220.67

Running average: 200.14

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.41

Strikes: 58% (20/34)

Spares: 58% (7/12)

Single pin spares: 62% (5/8)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

7 pins: 50% (2/4)

7 pins season: 72.72% (64/88)

https://i.postimg.cc/VkbFcwP7/2025-02-04.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

02-11-2025, 10:16 PM

Well we struggled tonight. Son was sick so wasn't there. Step-son hurt his back but struggled through it. We bowled the best team in the league. Their team average with their 5 bowlers tonight was 1023 and they had a sub with a 193 average. If they had their 5 regulars their team average would have been 1051. We bowled against my 'coaches' team. I started with the Xponent the first 2 frames and couldn't get back to the pocket so switched to the Pi. Spare shooting was horrible again. 5/6 on 7 pins but keep missing 6 and 10's. Not good for a lefty. Step-son struggled bad until game 3. He barely broke 100 in game 1. We lost all 3 by alot.
Game 3 I started struggling with carrying corner pins so switched back to the Xponent and started striking again but couldn't make my spares. Spare shooting has been rough for a few weeks now. My coach worked with me for a few minutes after we were done and gave me a few ideas. Really need to figure out this spare shooting thing. Giving up way too many pins.

Game 1: 214 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens)

Game 2: 213 (6 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 3: 183 (5 strikes, 3 spares, 3 opens)

Series: 610

Average: 203.33

Running average: 200.28

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.39

Strikes: 51% (17/33)

Spares: 62% (10/16)

Single pin spares: 66% (8/12)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 83% (5/6)

7 pins season: 73.40% (69/94)

https://i.postimg.cc/YSQkwZTW/2025-02-11.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

02-12-2025, 06:55 PM

Standings were updated. The team we bowled had 686, 690, 631 and 567. But their 5th bowler had an emergency and had to leave after 2nd game and he rolled 268 and 212.

Correction...the team we bowled is 2nd highest average. Another team has higher averages. They have about 8 or 9 on their roster with full time subs. Last night the one guy had a 300-794 but his average is 242. Their other guys last night had 676, 708, 704 and 697. They have another guy that has a 223 average and another with a 232 average. Most teams don't even have 1 guy with a 200 average. I'm the only one on our team.

Aslan

02-13-2025, 09:32 AM

...and another with a 232 average.

Damm. Once you start getting > 230...thats essentially pro-bowling numbers. Hard to beat that.

boatman37

02-13-2025, 05:41 PM

He is only about 27 or so so has plenty of time but he doesn't even enter that many tournaments. He was on the team that set the PA state scratch record. Him, my PSO, Mr 900 (Stephen Kosela, a guy that works at our center and another guy that bowls with us. I think the lowest average guy was maybe a 225 of those 5...lol

boatman37

02-13-2025, 05:50 PM

Here are their scores from that state tournament. Devin is the 242 average. Matt is my PSO. And Stephan bowled the 900 a few years ago

https://i.postimg.cc/PrLbTMVw/IMG_7884.jpg (https://postimg.cc/vcsxv5sY)

boatman37

02-18-2025, 10:23 PM

Put a decent night together but a little frustrated that it didn't end better but did hit my high game and series for this season. Threw the Xponent all night up the 7 board. Started game 1 with the front 10. 11th frame came in just a hair light and ring 7. Covered it for a 289. Game 2 I struggled to strike and left a 3 pin which should have never happened. Game 3 started coming in high so had to adjust but never found that sweet spot after that. On a good note got a few tips last week from my coach on my 6 and 10 pins. Been struggling with them. Tonight I was 2/2 on 6 pins and 2/2 on 6-10's. That stupid 3 pin cost me 30 clean...lol. We won 2 of 3. I won't be there next week but my last 16 games my average is 216 so hopefully I can keep this up. That first game of this 16 game stretch was a 169. After that game I started focusing more on my release and it seems to be working.

Game 1: 289c (10 strikes, 1 spare)

Game 2: 203 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 214c (5 strikes, 5 spares, 1 split)

Series: 706

Average: 235.33

Running average: 201.81

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.42

Strikes: 63% (21/33)

Spares: 90% (9/10)

Single pin spares: 83% (5/6)

Splits: 0% (0/0)

7 pins: 2/2 (100%)

7 pins season: 73.95% (71/96)

https://i.postimg.cc/T1z208vx/2025-02-18.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

02-19-2025, 12:43 AM

That stupid 3 pin cost me 30 clean...lol.

Nice series!

I'm still waiting for my 1st clean series. I don't know if I ever came that close...maybe a couple opens...but (crossing fingers) someday!!

J Anderson

02-19-2025, 08:00 AM

Nice series. When you say you struggled to strike the second game you actually struck every time on one lane. The struggle was the other lane with only one strike. Game three it reversed, 4 strikes on the ‘bad’ lane and only one on the ‘good’ lane.

boatman37

02-22-2025, 07:10 PM

Well had to pre-bowl today. Wasn't planned but me and my step-son will both be away Tuesday so he said he would pre-bowl. He went down today but they only had 1 open lane so me and my wife were out so on the way back we stopped and they had an open pair for me. Luckily I keep my arsenal at the center so had everything there. My concern was bowling on fried lanes but they weren't bad. I was rushing cause my wife was sitting there patiently and wasn't feeling great so probably could have done slightly better if I had slowed down but overall I did pretty good. Threw the Xponent all 3 games. Left 6 7 pins but covered all of them. Spare shooting was good. Left 4 splits but covered 2 of them. The 2 missed splits were my only opens.

Game 1: 223 (8 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 2: 202c (4 strikes, 7 spares, 0 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 223 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Series: 648

Average: 216.00

Running average: 202.40

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.30

Strikes: 54% (18/33)

Spares: 86% (13/15)

Single pin spares: 100% (9/9

Splits: 50% (2/4)

7 pins 100% (6/6)

7 pins season: 75.49% (77/102)

https://i.postimg.cc/B6XV7X5f/2025-02-22.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

02-22-2025, 09:08 PM

A great example of why the average person doesn’t understand how bowling is scored. If you were to tell someone ‘I had 8 strikes and only one open in the first game and six strikes and only one open in the third game’ they would probably think the 1st game score was much higher than game 3, instead of being the same.

Aslan

02-24-2025, 11:41 AM

Nice job. Good and consistent.

boatman37

02-26-2025, 02:03 PM

So the team bowled last night. Every one of us bowled above our average and still lost 2 of 3. I'm pretty sure the team we bowled will have the highest handicap series and good chance at least one of the highest handicap games. Every team in the league seems to have their best night against us but this team especially.

Here was teams results (current average followed by last nights series):

our team:
191 - 597 (about 24 over average)
177 - 564 (about 30 over average)
142 - 480 (about 55 over average)
201 - 648 (about 45 over average)
164 - 584 (about 90 over average)

Their team:
195 - 707 (about 120 over average)
165 - 522 (about 30 over average)
153 - 452 (about 7 over average)
178 - 577 (about 45 over average)
200 - 678 (about 78 over average)

So yeah, we bowled really good but they smoked us.

Team scratch per game:

Us (team average - 875)
Game 1 - 1013
Game 2 - 969
Game 3 - 891

Them (team average - 891)
Game 1 - 996
Game 2 - 994
Game 3 - 946

We won game 1 but lost 2 and 3

boatman37

03-04-2025, 10:22 PM

Well I had this horrible flu over the weekend. The worst I have ever felt. Tonight my son had a work thing so he couldn't be there. Ended up my step-son pre-bowled then me and 2 other guys were there so we had to use a blind score which is average - 30 pins and we have to use the missing person with the most games so tonight that gave us a score of 113 for that person. We bowled one of the better teams so knew we were in trouble. I wasn't sure how much energy I would have or how it would go. Started game 1 with the Xponent but was struggling to get back to the pocket. Being as stubborn as I am it took me till about the 7th frame until I decided to ball up to the Pi. Struck out in the 10th for a 167. Games 2 and 3 were much better but game 2 the other team was on fire. They won that one by 159. We won game 3 to salvage 1 game as the other team just fell off the rails that game.
So for feeling the way I felt I'm happy with this performance, especially considering it's one of my worst pairs.

Game 1: 167 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 3 opens)

Game 2: 226c (7 strikes, 4 spares, 0 opens)

Game 3: 231 (7 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-2 splits)

Series: 624

Average: 208.00

Running average: 202.62

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.24

Strikes: 52% (18/34)

Spares: 68% (11/16)

Single pin spares: 77% (7/9)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

7 pins: 50% (2/4)

7 pins season: 74.52% (79/106)

https://i.postimg.cc/nc3H9ZXh/2025-03-04.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

03-05-2025, 09:28 AM

Nice bowling the last 2.1 games.
I believe it is a good practice to keep track of how different lanes play in centers where you bowl a lot. For example I know that at Nutmeg on lane 50 I have to stand a board left of of where I stand on 49. On the other hand I do not keep track of what lanes I shoot my lowest totals on. For most of us that kind of data sets us up for failure. It’s the old self fulfilling prophecy…’this is my bad pair,I have to be perfect’…your body tenses up and you make poorly executed shots.
Doesn’t always work this way. I bowled doubles in a few tournaments with my friend Lou. Lou would make me draw the lane assignment and every time he would say ‘you drew the worst effing pair in the house!’ He would then proceed to shoot well over his average. I suspect he was taking the pressure off of himself, if he went on to bowl poorly it would have been my fault🥴

Aslan

03-06-2025, 10:12 AM

Nice bowling the last 2.1 games.
I believe it is a good practice to keep track of how different lanes play in centers where you bowl a lot.

I did this when I was in Anaheim. I lived right next to a bowling alley and would bowl there 3-4 times a week. So, I kept track of my starting line on each lane for all 40 lanes. It was fairly consistent, but there were slight variations lane to lane and one side to another (this house had 20 lanes on opposite sides).

I've been thinking of doing the same thing at the lanes I'm at now....because I won't likely bowl leagues anywhere else (nearest other centers are 45min-1 hr from home).

There's going to be adjustments you'll need to make due to other factors....but at least you know your starting line is a line that worked last time and you can adjust from there.

boatman37

03-12-2025, 09:12 AM

well stuck at home with pneumonia so didn't bowl last night. Wouldn't have mattered. We bowled the best team in our league and they crushed us. Lost game 1 by 171, game 2 by 227 and game 3 by 57. The kid with the 242 average bowled against us last night and had 278, 246 and 260 (784). Another guy on their team had 739 and another had 702. Their 2 'slouchers' had 681 and 639. My team didn't bowl that well so that didn't help. Next wek we have a bye but we are in last place now so don't think it really matters.

J Anderson

03-12-2025, 09:01 PM

I hope the pneumonia clears up completely. Two of the kids I coach had it this winter, I think one of them had to spend time in the hospital.

Aslan

03-13-2025, 03:28 PM

You're like the 3rd person, that I personally heard got pneumonia this year.

Usually its like one distant, older family member that gets it. Probably just coincidence...hopefully (God forbid) not the start of some kinda outbreak!

I'm still recovering from when Covid shut down bowling!! :rolleyes:

boatman37

03-18-2025, 10:42 PM

Well I'm recovered from pneumonia but have no energy at all. My plan was to go sit and hang out with the team if all 6 of us were there. But one guy couldn't make it so I had to bowl. We are like the bad news bears this 3rd...lol. We had a bye and still lost 2 of 3...lol. My son bowled a 94. My goal tonight was to just not fall down. At first thought the lanes were very dry however I realized my speed was down about 1 MPH. Used the Xponent all 3 games until the 10th frame of game 3. Ball was struggling to hook so threw the Pi in the 10th for XX9. Game 1 left a pocket 7-10 in the 10th and we lost that game by 17 pins. Rule is we need to be within 50 pins of our average per game.
In the end I had a pretty good night even though I missed a few easy spares. I shouldn't have bowled based on my energy levels but got through it.

Game 1: 204 (5 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 2: 245 (8 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 212 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens)

Series: 661

Average: 220.33

Running average: 203.30

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.48

Strikes: 57% (19/33)

Spares: 61% (8/13)

Single pin spares: 70% (7/10)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

7 pins: 100% (4/4)

7 pins season: 75.45% (83/110)

https://i.postimg.cc/vHYbYfT3/2025-03-18.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

J Anderson

03-19-2025, 11:33 AM

I have often noticed that some people bowl better when they’re much less than 100% physically.

boatman37

03-19-2025, 08:59 PM

I have a bad shoulder and back and there have been days where I went in thinking I'd struggle cause I was hurting so much, only to end up bowling great. I think it ends up helping you relax and not muscle the ball

Aslan

03-20-2025, 11:37 AM

I have often noticed that some people bowl better when they’re much less than 100% physically.

Yeah. I remember having a really good night after getting the flu shot one year. My shoulder hurt too much for me to pull shots I guess. :(

boatman37

03-25-2025, 10:22 PM

Well weird night. We were on a pair I'm not great on. Started with the Xponent and in warm-ups couldn't hit the pocket. Ball was jumping off the spot hard. Remember I'm trying to keep my average below 204 with 2 weeks to go counting tonight. So about 3rd frame switched to the Altered Reality which I haven't thrown in about a year. I recently re-surfaced with 1500 and polish. Surprisingly that ball was able to hold the 6 board right to the pocket. Worked great in games 1 and 2 but game 3 started coming in too high. I was at 450 after 2 games so my only concern was winning and still keeping my score down so I didn't panic. Moved in but struggled to hit the pocket. Towards the end of game 3 I moved back to my original spot and just moved my feet 1 board and added a little speed. Seemed to work a little better but it was too late. Teammates struggled in game 3 too so we ended up losing that game. We only have 1 week left before the tournament so I can bowl up to a 671 next week and still be under 204 so should be ok. So ended up uing the Altered Reality all 3 games.

Game 1: 227 (7 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 2: 223 (9 strikes, 1 spare, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 156 (2 strikes, 5 spares, 3 opens-2 splits)

Series: 606

Average: 202.00

Running average: 203.25

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.09

Strikes: 54% (18/33)

Spares: 60% (9/15)

Single pin spares: 80% (4/5)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

7 pins: 0% (0/0)

7 pins season: 75.45% (83/110)

https://i.postimg.cc/VkD7Y0y2/2025-03-25.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

03-27-2025, 02:55 PM

So ended up uing the Altered Reality all 3 games.

Game 1: 227 (7 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 2: 223 (9 strikes, 1 spare, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 156 (2 strikes, 5 spares, 3 opens-2 splits)

Series: 606

Average: 202.00

I think we had 2-3 bowlers using Altered or Harsh Reality balls last night.

And...not to scare you...although, I guess it should at least motivate you to improve...my Sunday scores were: 206-223-145.

And my 223 game...7 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open (stupid 5-pin) and a split (on the 3rd ball of the 10th).

Granted, you outbowled me in Games 1 and 3 and managed to hit that 600 mark...so advantage you. And you didn't miss a friggin 5-pin...which I'm 85% at picking up...strongest % of my single-pin spares....ahead of single-3s and single-9s...both 82%.

boatman37

03-27-2025, 10:07 PM

Yeah if it wasn't for keeping my average below 204 I would have switched balls in game 3

boatman37

04-01-2025, 10:16 PM

Well my worst night since back in October. Last week the Xponent was hooking hard off the pattern and the Altered Reality was smooth. Tonight the Xponent wouldn't hook at all and the Pi was snapping off the end of the pattern. Didn't try the AR. BTW-this is one of my worst pairs only averaging 195 on them. I had no miss room at all but if I hit the pocket I was striking. Lots of splits tonight by both teams. Gonna guess maybe 20 splits combined. One frame 4 of the 5 bowlers on the other team split. We lost 2 of 3.
My first sub-600 in 2 months.

Game 1: 171 (4 strikes, 4 spares, 3 open, 2 splits)

Game 2: 211 (6 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 167 (4 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens, 1 split)

Series: 549

Average: 183.00

Running average: 202.53

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 8.91

Strikes: 42% (14/33)

Spares: 61% (11/18)

Single pin spares: 77% (7/9)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

7 pins: 50% (1/2)

7 pins season: 75% (84/112)

https://i.postimg.cc/j5Wn1Sx1/2025-04-01.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

boatman37

04-06-2025, 05:44 PM

Well county association end of year tournament today. Only bowled at this center once before. Wood lanes with wood approaches. Approaches were very slick. Lane transitioned very quickly. Entered both squads. Same thing both squads. Couldn't miss first game then couldn't find the pocket. Started with the Xponent but had no miss room. Miss inside 1 board and through the nose. Switched to the Pi and was better for a few frames then same thing. Games 2 and 3 couldn't keep it on the left side. Games 2 and 3 just got worse. 1st squad 227, 184, 161. 2nd squad 233, 183, 184. Top 23 made the field. After my 2nd squad I was 23rd with a 697...lol. First round I was throwing the Raw Hammer pearl. First 4 or 5 frames was right in the pocket but then started going through the nose. Finished with 163 (195 with handicap. Cut was 222. My 'coach' threw 250 then 2 160's and left. Guy I bowl with regularly has a 229 average. First squad he had a 490 or so. 2nd squad he qualified 22nd. First round he rolled 128.
#1 was 803. #10 was 729. #15 was 718. #20 was 701. Handicap was 90% of 230. Game 2 in first squad I was 0/3 on 7 pins. So ended up spending $160 with brackets and entries and made $95 with brackets and winnings so down about $70 for the day

J Anderson

04-07-2025, 09:34 AM

Sounds like it was tough on every one.

Aslan

04-07-2025, 11:07 AM

Bowling on wood lanes, when you're not used to them, can be horrific.

When I used to bowl on wood lanes regularly, I recall some guy showing up one evening (while I was practicing) and he was LIVID and yelling that he was never bowling on wood lanes again. I though he was just a complainer until I started bowling at a nearby center on synthetics. My high/long loft technique was tossing the ball past the fronts...the ball never hooked. I was throwing a ball 19-21 mph with very low revs and the ball would not move. Might as well have been plastic. I had to "re-learn" (with help from RobM), how to "roll" the ball versus "tossing" the ball.

I recall former member MWhite coming and facing me on wood lanes...and I beat him scratch. Now, for perspective, I was a 165-170 average bowler who had just started learning how to bowl and MWhite was a very experienced, pro shop owning, bowler that averaged over 200. He just couldn't keep his Storm Mix right of the headpin on wood lanes.

In 2021 I was subbing in a league at a small, rural house that still had wood lanes. I averaged 156. I was averaging 182 in my usual league (synthetics). Just couldn't figure out the wood lanes. It was abysmal.

boatman37

04-08-2025, 10:17 PM

Well another rough night. We were in next to last 2 pts ahead of last and were bowling the last place team. We lost game 1 by 17. Lost game 2 by 53. Needed to win game 3 by 71 to get total pins which would put us at 3-4 for the night. Last game I left a 6 pin so needed to cover it and get 4 or 5 in the fill to get total. Missed the 6 pin...ugh.
Couldn't string anything together. Started with the Xponent but started coming in light. Made a few adjustments but nothing was working. Switched to the Pi and was good for a few frames then it started going through the nose. Switched to the Altered Reality near end of game 2 and still coming in high. Moved in and arced it more and had some success just no consistency. Not sure what the problem was but went 2-5 on the night. We hit our team average all 3 games. Game 1 we beat it by 37 or so then game 2 beat it by 4 then game 3 beat it by 50. Problem was the other team beat theirs by 50 both games 1 and 2 but were 20 under game 3.

Game 1: 236c (6 strikes, 4 spares, no opens)

Game 2: 179 (5 strikes, 4 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 3: 193 (6 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Series: 608

Average: 202.67

Running average: 202.54

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.31

Strikes: 53% (17/32)

Spares: 71% (10/14)

Single pin spares: 77% (7/9)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

7 pins: 100% (2/2)

7 pins season: 75.43% (86/114)

https://i.postimg.cc/8CYwpJFr/2025-04-08.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

04-14-2025, 11:20 AM

Opens in the 9th and/or 10th are just brutal. :(

boatman37

04-14-2025, 08:55 PM

yes they are.

We have our last night tomorrow night then next week position round then the following week the end of season tournament

boatman37

04-15-2025, 10:14 PM

Well not too bad of a night but missed too many spares. Lanes were very wet. Threw the Pi up the 8 board but struggled to get it back to the pocket. Started moving out but still too light. Moved out to the 4-5 board but then it was coming in too high unless I threw pretty hard so switched to the Xponent and slowed my speed to normal. That was pretty good but had to have my speed just right but late in game 2 started coming in light. Switched back to the Pi for game 3 with a little speed up the 5 ish board. Worked great until I left 3 opens in a row...ugh. I was standing so far left that I threw at a 3 pin but had to loft the gutter and missed it. After that started keeping my feet where they were and moving my target for right side spares and that didn't work either. Then missed a 7 pin...ugh.

Regular season is over. Position round next week but we are in last place of 11 teams so have a bye next week but last time we had a bye we lost all 3...lol. Son and step-son both bowled pretty good too. Both almost broke 600 with 165 averages. Won 2 of 3. Only lost game 2 cause a 170 average guy on the other team threw 279.

Game 1: 199c (4 strikes, 8 spares)

Game 2: 201 (6 strikes, 1 spare, 3 opens)

Game 3: 236 (8 strikes, 1 spare, 1 open)

Series: 636

Average: 212.00

Running average: 202.85

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.15

Strikes: 52% (18/34)

Spares: 71% (10/14)

Single pin spares: 60% (6/10)

Splits: 0% (0/0)

7 pins: 66% (2/3)

7 pins season: 75.21% (88/117)

https://i.postimg.cc/P5N4vMrK/2025-04-15.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

04-16-2025, 09:35 AM

Games 1 and 2 were a good example, for "new" bowlers.

"Here's 2 very different ways to get to the same score."

Timmyb

04-17-2025, 08:05 PM

Games 1 and 2 were a good example, for "new" bowlers.

"Here's 2 very different ways to get to the same score."

Better than me. I'd about give my left one to not bowl in the 150's again....

boatman37

04-22-2025, 10:18 PM

Horrible night. Again the other team bowled way over their averages and crushed us all 3 games so we finished in last. No friction at all. Threw the Xponent early in warmups and it went straight. Started game 1 with the Pi up the 5 board. First 5 or 6 frames were great but then struggled to get back to the pocket. Step-son is also a lefty and was also throwing a Pi but no hook for him either. Switched to the Altered Reality game 2 then finished game 3 with the Xponent. At that point didn't really care. I moved out then moved in, backed up on the approach. Step-son had the same issue all night. Talked to my PSO and he said they were complaining last night of the same thing.
Next week is our end of season playoffs.

Game 1: 225 (8 strikes, 3 spares, 1 open)

Game 2: 195 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 166 (4 strikes, 4 spares, 3 opens-2 splits)

Series: 586

Average: 195.33

Season average: 202.61

Last seasons average: 194.74

First ball average: 9.12

Strikes: 47% (16/34)

Spares: 70% (12/17)

Single pin spares: 81% (9/11)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

7 pins: 75% (3/4)

7 pins season: 75.20% (91/121)

https://i.postimg.cc/Fs08GKrk/2025-04-22.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Aslan

04-24-2025, 02:58 PM

I like to stop in here and see all the single-pin leaves...makes me feel better after a night of a poo ton of single-pin leaves. :rolleyes:

boatman37

04-24-2025, 04:07 PM

Well glad we are done except for our end of season tournament next week. Was notified yesterday that my last day at work will be 4/30. My whole team is gone. Unemployment is only gonna cover about 25% of my current take home salary so gonna have to cut back on spending and be living off of savings until something comes along.

Aslan

04-25-2025, 09:14 AM

Was notified yesterday that my last day at work will be 4/30. My whole team is gone. Unemployment is only gonna cover about 25% of my current take home salary so gonna have to cut back on spending and be living off of savings until something comes along.

1) That sucks.
2) On the bright side, you have some savings.
3) At least it wasn't the Friday before Christmas when companies usually tend to 'notify' you.
4) Its still a worker's market...unemployment is relatively low...so finding something might be easier. Unlike 2008-2009 when jobs were scarce.

I was hoping you'd stick around and solve this single-pin problem so you could tell me how ya did it. Your last night you left 12 single-pins with 9 of them being corner-pins (7s or 10s). My last night I left 10 single-pins with 7 being corner-pins. I left out 6s and 4s...even though they are technically corner-pins...just because a pocket hit usually doesn't leave those. Usually you're practically going through the nose or going through the nose to leave those. I'm more concerned with leaving pins when I'm hitting the pocket. I could even add 8-pins and 8-10s to the list....for the same reason: you hit the pocket and the ball doesn't carry through the pin deck for whatever reason.

As a righty, I'm slightly less concerned about 7-pins because leaving those on a flush hit could just be poor pin placement...which is outside my control. But leaving flat 10 after flat 10...as you know well...is just frustrating to the point of defeating. Then some numb**** goes up and throws a straight ball and the pins fall forward and he strikes....which only adds to the irritation.

And everyone from pros to casual bowlers all have different "sure-fire" tricks/techniques to fix it. Yet, probably 4/5 of those suggestions are just "wive's tales" that some pro shop guy told their buddy back in the mid 90s with no reasoning attached. And pros all have their own methods...usually based on the advice of their ball reps. Well, league bowlers don't have ball reps and a van full of balls with multiple drillings and surfaces. You can tell a fair amount from where the ball leaves the pin deck...but there are still at least a few potential "reasons" for why it could be doing what its doing. Too far left, ball is too weak, ball is too angular, ball isn't angular enough, you're too far forward, you're too far back, you need to open your angle, you need to close your angle, etc... It'd be nice to look over at the guy that just rolled a 298 and mimic him...but he's throwing 2-handed or with a 400rpm rev rate...so good luck mimicing that on the fly. :mad:

Ughhh. Frustrating. Not "job loss" frustrating...I've been there...but "bowling frustrating".