US Open

[The Mayor]

So, the US Open started yesterday in New Jersey. We all remember last year when Mika whiffed the 10 Pin to allow Norm Duke to sneak in for the win. What I consider to be the most entertaining (and awkward) match I've ever seen.

Who do you think will win this year's tournament? Actually, let's make it fun and see who you think will make the TV show.

My picks are Ryan Shafer, Belmo, Fagan and Duke with Shafer finally winning a major. No one deserves one more than him.

[ormond pro shop]

My picks are Ryan Shafer -Chris Barnes- Jason Couch- and who knows a new comer Scotty Newell. Scotty won last week not shown on ESPN it was on PBA Website xtra frame if you pay for it. The show was better then the one they showed on ESPN.

[striker12]

my pick will be- belmo, duke,barns and mika

[resstealth]

belmo, osku, what can I say, I like the 2 handed slingers.

[TheJourney]

Shafer, Fagan, Mika and Ronnie Russell (have to throw a dark horse in there to mix it up). Shafer is bowling great so far! I would love to see him to get that Major monkey off his back!

[MFein]

I'm rooting for LeClair and O'Grady to make it since they both live around my area and I've bowled with LeClair before. He's truly some bowler. As for professional bowler wise, I'm going to guess it will be Kretzer, Fagan, Shafer, and either Jason Couch or Dan MacLelland. I wish Tommy Jones was bowling better, but otherwise, I'm going to say that if MacLelland makes it, he takes it and will face Fagan in the finals. Fagan is my favorite bowler, but MacLelland is one guy I envy the most. He throws the ball so well.

[Grimthrow]

I've got Fagan, Barnes, or Duke. How do you guys stay updated with it? Are there videos anywhere?

[Timmytomma]

I'm going Duke, Rash, Mika, and PDW to keep it different

[The Mayor]

I've got Fagan, Barnes, or Duke. How do you guys stay updated with it? Are there videos anywhere?

You can follow the live updated standings at pba.com or you can watch it on Xtra Frame.

Also, look out for my buddy Chris Loschetter. Looks like he figured it out yesterday and the guy is an amazing bowler. Once he gets over the hump and wins his first title, you will see a lot of him.

[The Mayor]

Big day for Norman!

[DaveAyotte]

My absolute loathing of Schafer will not allow me to root for him. Duke is a class act, and I was there when Kretzer won his first in CT. He's a pretty cool guy too so I'm going to have to stick with those 2, and maybe Fagan as well.

I heard there is a 14 year old out there tearing it up though! That's pretty awesome.

[The Mayor]

Yeah, Camron Doyle. He's amazing, not just for his age. He's going to be one of the best in the game.

[Timmytomma]

PDW making history...love it

[glen290]

Just watched the matches on youtube today as we get no coverage over here in the UK. Great set of matches, even though PDW winds me up sometimes, I have to admit I was rooting for him all the way... :cool:

[Grimthrow]

hahaha no one picked Pete! Awesome last couple frames. So close for Fagan. Great game.

[MFein]

Huge fan of Fagan, but I'm happy for Pete Weber. He's truly some bowler.

[Timmytomma]

I personally like Pete Weber...but I can see how others dont...but love him or hate him you cant deny his skill. That last match was such a nail biter

[The Mayor]

I love Pete and even I was pretty disappointed in his actions yesterday. That being said, this very well could have been his last chance at a major title. I understand it meaning a lot to him. I just feel he could've handled the situation better. But, when he's mad he's nearly unbeatable.

[Linsolv]

I was really sad that Pete won, even though I appreciate that he did work hard to get where he was and he definitely deserved it.

I liked EVERYONE ELSE. I would've loved seeing more of Schafer, or more of Belmonte, or seeing Fagan pick up the win. But no, Pete Weber who I don't particularly care about and who I know to be kinda a jerk sometimes is the one who took it home. So I was sad.

But congratulations, Pete.

[Timmytomma]

I'm not a big fan of the 2 handers, personally and I definitely like Osku way more than belmo. Pete did get a little over the top, but eh what are you gonna do...hes PDW. The only other person in that field I would have liked to see win was Fagan...I dont particularly care for Schafer. Its all a matter of opinion...but you cant really be a bowling fan and not respect Pete Weber, even if you dont like him, hes one of those guys that you can "love to hate" because whether hes over the top or not he gets bowling recognized. Just my 2cents...but then again...I really like Pete Weber lol.

[Timmytomma]

I also totally agree with the bit about him being better when hes mad...if I were there I'd make sure I was acting like a damn statue. I love the US Open...it never disappoints.

[Grimthrow]

Some people still don't realize that Pete brings in more money to the bowlers via higher ratings. He truly is (at least to me) fun to watch. A ticking time bomb but he's gotten so much better over the years. It's a shame that their isn't more emotion in the game of bowling and even golf. When I bowl, I bowl with emotion, it's probably why I'm terrible though hahaha. Weber can somehow bowl with emotion, it's great.

[JaMau24]

Ya, Weber is great entertainment regardless what you think of him. I personally find it hilarious when he yells at people in the crowd. He wouldn't leave those one guys alone, It was awesome. What a finish too.

[Timmytomma]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKQOXYB2cd8&feature=share makes me laugh every time

[DaveAyotte]

I don't know who you guys think you are... I AM!

[TheJourney]

For those that followed along with the US Open, Kameron Doyle stole the show leading into Cashers Round being the youngest to ever get that far. Well Above180.com caught up with him after the tournament for a quick interview. Check it out here: http://above180.com/a-future-star-of-the-pba

[DaveAyotte]

"I actually have a pair of lanes in my basement..."

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! that is beyond amazing.

[JerseyJim]

"I actually have a pair of lanes in my basement..."

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! that is beyond amazing.

A friend of mine from high school is a member of a family which were the caretakers of the Kirby estate in NJ. He ended up house-sitting for them one summer, and they allowed him to bring a few of his friends to the house. They had a pair of bowling lanes down in their basement, plus a bunch of other toys. I was blown away.

[JaMau24]

"I actually have a pair of lanes in my basement..."

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! that is beyond amazing.


Wow, he must really come from a wealthy family. First off, to have your own lanes you have to be rich, but when you consider they are in his basement!? That's a huge basement and most likely huge house.

[DaveAyotte]

you need like a 100 foot foundation! that's absurd!

15' for approach, 60 for the lane, another what... 8 for the deck and machinery, and a 4 foot walkway behind for access...

::mind-blown::

[DaveAyotte]

here you go:http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=73631

summary you need 88 feet of length, 12 feet wide, and a minimum 10 foot ceiling height... but pending that you meet those requirements, you can get a bowling alley for a mere $88,000.

oh, and then you have to buy a $15,000+ oil machine.

[Linsolv]

Mind = blown.

Imagine how much less it will cost if you can score manually, and you don't need them to supply shoes or balls, and you don't need a pair (that is to say, only 1 lane, which is an option)? YOU COULD BOWL EVERY DAY.

[Grimthrow]

I don't know who you guys think you are... I AM!

hahahah greatest quote ever...and it will be going into my sig when I figure out how.

[Linsolv]

Out of curiosity, why is everyone so down on Ryan Shafer (I've been calling him Tim. Only today realized that was the guy from Double Fine Productions...)? I have only heard good things about him from commentators, and I haven't seen anything from him per se that is either good or bad.

EDIT: Excuse me. Why is DAVE so down on Shafer? :p I thought I'd heard a few voices chiming in about him, but I had been off my mark.

[J Anderson]

I can't answer for Dave, but I never cared much for Shafer either. I think its just that he doesn't present well on Television.

[Linsolv]

I can't answer for Dave, but I never cared much for Shafer either. I think its just that he doesn't present well on Television.

It wasn't originally intended to be a question just for Dave, but I realized I'd mischaracterized the first two pages.

I can definitely agree he doesn't look great on TV, and that's part of what I find charming about him. Even though I like Palermaa or Fagan, part of me keeps noticing that they're basically models. Shafer comes off as more human to me, but at the same time from what the announcers say and what little bit I've seen he seems relatively humble for a "normal guy."

[DaveAyotte]

Just finished up on this one. I know his head is a bit too big... But it's as close as I could get...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e299/thr3bx/e8de7a0d.jpg

[JaMau24]

Just finished up on this one. I know his head is a bit too big... But it's as close as I could get...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e299/thr3bx/e8de7a0d.jpg

hahahaha.. priceless

[Timmytomma]

HAHAHAHAHA that is fantastic Dave. And in response to the whole Schafer thing...idk, sometimes you cant really explain it. I guess more than anything hes a choker ...dude is 0-14 in TV appearances. He just isnt exciting to watch...he doesnt have the new flare of the 2 handed bowlers (which I really dont like too much as it is, but I like Osku and belmo better than Schafer) he doesnt have the intensity of a pdw or the charisma of somebody like a duke...idk hes just so bland. I guess thats the best I can do for a reasoning.

[DaveAyotte]

It wasn't originally intended to be a question just for Dave, but I realized I'd mischaracterized the first two pages.

I can definitely agree he doesn't look great on TV, and that's part of what I find charming about him. Even though I like Palermaa or Fagan, part of me keeps noticing that they're basically models. Shafer comes off as more human to me, but at the same time from what the announcers say and what little bit I've seen he seems relatively humble for a "normal guy."

sorry - i uploaded that on my phone, and couldn't go to page 2. Now that I see you're question, there are several reasons I can't stand that... uh... person. (if you can't say nice things...)

I met him a while back when I was a young teen. They used to hold the ToC in my neck of the woods. So for a few years I would go down, and watch the untelevised part of the tournament when everyone was a bit more laid back. The benefit of that was that the players that lost the stepladder event would float around the arena, and you could chat with them. Parker was awesome, Voss bought my dad a beer, Walter Ray was alright, Couch was pretty cool... but Schafer! He just didn't want to be bothered, and kind of snubbed me. Like... you're an elite bowler in a dying sport - you would think that you would reach out to the fans and whatnot. He signed the autograph and when I asked him a question, he just ignored it.

I mean - don't get me wrong, when I lose, I get pissed too. But don't snub your fans.

[The Mayor]

Dave, that is amazing!! hahahahaha!

As for Shafer, he really is one of the best bowlers in the world. There's a reason he is ALWAYS in contention at majors. But, he does have issues on TV and not everyone can be a showman. He doesn't have a flashy style and it doesn't look like he does a whole lot to the ball. But when he shot 300 on TV, it was one of my most memorable moments from the PBA.

[DaveAyotte]

Dave, that is amazing!! hahahahaha!

As for Shafer, he really is one of the best bowlers in the world. There's a reason he is ALWAYS in contention at majors. But, he does have issues on TV and not everyone can be a showman. He doesn't have a flashy style and it doesn't look like he does a whole lot to the ball. But when he shot 300 on TV, it was one of my most memorable moments from the PBA.

I'm not taking away from the fact that he is a good bowler. Just like Weber. They're fantastic bowlers... they're just a-holes.

[JerseyJim]

I'm not taking away from the fact that he is a good bowler. Just like Weber. They're fantastic bowlers... they're just a-holes.

I ran into Weber about 15 - 17 years ago when they had the Johnny Petraglia Open finals at the Rutgers Athletic Center. He was walking around the back of the stands just getting ready for the telecast. I thought he was a bit of a wise guy, but basically pretty friendly.

[The Mayor]

To be honest, Weber and Shafer are two of the nicest people I've met from the tour, especially Shafer. They just have a different side of them on the lanes.

[DaveAyotte]

different circumstances, I guess.

[Linsolv]

I've always been decent at getting a read off of people. Shafer seems like the type that really internalizes stuff and I might almost say takes things personally. Weber, on the other hand, is basically the opposite: heart on his sleeve, leave it all on the lanes, etc.

As it turns out in either case you're dealing with people who are very emotional, and most people who are emotional can be REALLY infuriating if you're not on the right side of things.

But that's just my read, and it's not like I'm a personal friend or something.

[Grimthrow]

Just finished up on this one. I know his head is a bit too big... But it's as close as I could get...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e299/thr3bx/e8de7a0d.jpg

LOL...great work!

[Timmytomma]

I just got a score back on a test that I thought I failed for sure. My expression was essentially like "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE I AM"

[DaveAyotte]

anyone see his interview on ESPN last night? rather entertaining. He admitted that we was so caught up, he messed up everything he was trying to say.

[JerseyJim]

anyone see his interview on ESPN last night? rather entertaining. He admitted that we was so caught up, he messed up everything he was trying to say.

Been there, done that, just not on a huge stage.

[TheJourney]

I'm sure with all of the Pete Weber publicity, everyone has probably heard some quotes from him. Well, above180.com got a interview with him before this weekends PBA regional. Check it out here: http://above180.com/pdw-you-can-root-against-me-just-dont-do-it-outloud-so-i-can-hear-it

Some of his comments on what happened during the show were interesting for sure.

[JaMau24]

Sorry to bump this old post up again, but I saw this shirt and thought it was funny and this is the appropriate place to post it


http://www.stormbowling.com/img/products/729/729-d3d8e906461d7fb48ed677220cf14ac3.jpg


Found Here:http://www.stormbowling.com/shop/apparel/729

[Hampe]

Hahahaaaa......that's great. I might have to get one of those. I've used that line a couple of times when rolling a big strike in the 10th (usually playing for a beer against a buddy) :)