Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Timmyb]

Opens kill. Nice comeback in 2 & 3, though.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 25

Bowled against a team of "old-timers". They have a team average of 915 (198, 193, 167, 167, 190). Our team has an average of 927 (188, 169, 190, 183, 197). If I had to guess, I'd say our team has an average age of just over 50...where as their team (guessing) would be just shy of 70.

607 Series: 197-204-206

9 -, 7 /, 9 -, X, X, X, X, X, 7 -, X S8 1
Got upset early when I couldn't get the Rhino Gold to perform at ALL. Switched to the Endeavor in the 3rd frame and then struck 6 out of 8 times including a 5-bagger. I was happy to salvage a decent score, but wasn't bowling very well.

S8 1, 8 /, 9 -, X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, 9 / 9.
Again, started out with issues....then decided to switch to the Yeah Baby Sinful (YBS). Managed to salvage another decent score thanks to improved spare shooting and completely readjusting my line. There was no way the YBS was going to play inside...so I moved back out to 2nd arrow.

8 /, 9 -, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /X.
Switched to the Force Pearl (FP), but this change only confirmed my suspicions that my line was good...but my physical game was off. When I had good timing/form, I made great shots and the ball did great. When I didn't have good timing/form...not as good of results. The ball is great, but it can't make a bad shot perfect.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.27 pins
Strikes: 51%
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 55% (5/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Also left a single 4-pin (2x) and 2-pin.

Makeable spares: 61% (8/13)
Multiple Pin spares: 75% (3/4)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-8 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 202.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 217.00.

Positives
- The result was adequate.
- I had the highest series on my team.

Negatives
- The performance was not as good as the score indicates. Far too many brooklyn strikes.
- Single-pin spare shooting continues to be a problem.
- Team only managed 1 point.
- No card game wins tonight.

Weird night where the score wasn't bad, but I bowled terribly. My balance was off. I couldn't seem to stay behind the ball. Even my fingers/thumbs weren't always fully in the ball leading to some slippage.

Also kinda predicted it'd be a tough night for carry given that 9 of the 10 bowlers were RHers playing second arrow...all throwing reactive resin. And, as I feared...their team had a pretty strong night...I think all but one of their bowlers had one game in the 230-240 range. So, we only managed to salvage the 1 point on the night. That'll certainly bump us out of 4th place.....just not sure how far we'll fall. Best case 5th, worst case 9th (out of 14). Play the 3rd place team next week...so thats gonna be a tough one.

Disappointed in the Rhino Gold. The lanes just seem to be so dry that even that weak ball with only a 4000-grit surface seems to be unusable. And, the Endeavor...which should be a weaker ball than the Rhino Gold...is clearly reacting stronger.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 27
Still in 9th and bowling against the 8th place team. A few bowlers in the 145-155 range and one with a 185.

We got our regular bowler back who had gall bladder surgery a few weeks ago.

599 Series: 187-223-189

Had trouble finding the line with the Rhino Gold, but stuck with it. Was happy with my spare shooting...just had the misfortune of a 4-6-7 split in the 10th.
7 /, 7 /, 8 /, 7 /, X, 8 /, X, X, 9 /, S7 2.

Started with the Rhino Gold, but it only took one frame to realize it was time to switch. The Endeavor was moving much better and stayed strong until the 10th, when I switched to the Force Pearl on the fill shot. Was really ticked that I missed a single 2-pin in the 2nd.
S7 /, 9 -, X, X, X, X, 8 /, X, X, 7 /X.

Just bad shooting in Game 3. The pinsetter, on the right lane ****ped out in the 7th frame, so we had to move a pair over. A split in the 9th killed my score and missing 2 single-pins really tested my patience.
8 /, 9 -, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 8 /, S7 1, X 9 -.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.88
Strikes: 46%
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 40% (2/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin (2x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin.

Makeable spares: 78% (11/14)
Multiple Pin spares: 100% (9/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6-10, 4-7, and 6-10 (2x each)

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 199.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 208.00.

Positives
- My revised spare shooting strategy seemed to improve my single-pin conversion.
- The shot-making was pretty good.
- Team took 3 out of 4.

Negatives
- Still not sure the revised spare-shooting strategy is going to work.
- Unsure why the Rhino Gold is behaving so badly for me. Others have used that ball with great success.

Pretty much the same scores as last week (143-226-181) except I didn't completely poo the bed in Game 1. Was able to stay right of 14 (board), so I didn't get in too deep. The team should either remain in 9th or possibly fall to 10th despite taking 3 out of 4.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 25

Bowled a solid team...they are currently in 4th place. They have a 170s, 180s, 190, 200s, and 210s bowler so...a decent spread. They also have 2-3 of their bowlers on the league board...so I was trying a little extra hard not to embarrass myself. Our lead bowler was out sick, so there's 10 pins/game we'd get penalized. The left us with a 160s, 180s, and two 190s bowlers. Our team is in 8th place (actually tied for 6th).

641 Series: 222-189-230

X, X, X, X, 9 -, X, X, X, S7 2, 9 /X.
Had to work in practice to find a line where the Rhino Gold would actually work...but once I found it...I found it. I was ticked that I left a pocket 7-pin in the 5th and then missed it terribly. And a 4-7-10 split in the 9th didn't help. But, overall positive game.

S6 -, 8 -, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, S7 2, X, XXX.
Thought things were gonna fall apart after a Big 4 followed by a complete whiff on a 6-10 to start things out. But, after another split (6-7-10) in the 8th, I finished strong to at least finish 'close' to my average.

X, X, 7 /, X, S7 -, X, X, X, X, X 9 /.
Was still going strong with the Rhino Gold...so I stuck with it. Only non-strikes were two bad misses right in the 3rd and 5th...and then a pocket 7-pin on the fill shot of the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.32 pins
Strikes: 67%
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (3x).
Also left a single 4-pin and 8-pin.

Makeable spares: 71% (5/7)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (1/2)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 213.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 217.67.

Positives
- FINALLY got a good series from the Rhino Gold!
- Overall single-pin spare shooting was improved.
- Won a card game.
- Team took all 4 points, against a good team, with us minus a bowler.
- Made some really good shots in Game 3...by form was back to 2017 levels...at least for a few shots.
- 600+ game and 80% single-pin spare shooting...I'll take it.

Negatives
- Gotta stay focused so I don't have those occasional misses/pulls if I ever want a perfect game.
- Game 2 was just below my average.
- 7-pins were a problem...makes me think there was a placement issue.
- My sole failed during Game 3.

A good night. Might have been a "great" night if the pinsetter was a little better with the 7-pin placement. Should probably move into sole possession of 5th place and close the gap between us and the top four. One indication that I'm going to have a good night is I didn't have to move much. I think I move 3:5 (left) from start to finish. Never had to get near 3rd arrow. Never had to change balls. Now averaging 191 in both leagues.

My S9 sole fell off my slide foot show in Game 3. It had done that once on Sunday night as well. I couldn't get it to stay on so I just grabbed another S9 that I had in my bag. I think, over time/use, the soft part of the sole loses it's ability to stick to the velcro on the bottom of the shoe. I'll have to order another one since I primarily use the S9. The second time it happened, I managed to strike despite losing my sliding sole...so it didn't damage me too much.

[Timmyb]

Nice night!

[Aslan]

Nice night!

Thanks. Short-lived...but thanks.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 28
Still in 9th place...bowling the 10th place team.

509 Series: 158-194-157

Couldn't find a line with the Rhino Gold in warmups, so I started with the Endeavor. But, I couldn't ever seem to find a decent line the entire game. Misses left, misses right, misses left, misses right. And it didn't take a very big miss. And, God forbid I can pick up a multi-pin spare.
8 1, 9 /, 8 1, 9 /, 6 3, X, 9 -, X, X, 9 /X.

Had to move to a different pair due to lane issues. So, I got the Rhino Gold out to see if I could find a line on the new pair. Missed a 7-pin to start and got penalized with some splits...otherwise it was a decent effort.
9 -, S7 2, X, X, X, X, S8 1, X, 8 /, X 8 /.

Started with a missed 2-pin and then had chopped bucket in the 6th, and a chopped baby split in the 9th. Only 3 strikes...hard to score that way.
9 -, X, 9 /, X, 8 /, 6 2, X, 8 /, S8 1, 7 / 7.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.79
Strikes: 39%
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 2-pin and 9-pin (2x).
Also left a single 3-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin.

Makeable spares: 56% (9/16)
Multiple Pin spares: 55% (5/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 169.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 180.00.

Positives
- ???

Negatives
- Strike rate stunk.
- The rest of the team didn't have a great night either.
- Our opponents all bowled above their average.
- We lost 3 out of 4 points.

It was just a nightmare of a night. Shortly after the night began, I dropped my soft drink and spilled it all over. Then I had to use my towel to clean it up...so I didn't have a towel to dry my forehead and face. And, now my faith is shaken concerning my new arsenal selection.

Looking back at my stats this season, most of my bigger scores were with the Perfect Mindset. I had a few with the Endeavor. I think I had 1-2 with the Outer Limits. I'm just second guessing my choice to move to a high RG lineup. I've been experimenting with it for 4 weeks now...averaging 193 until tonight. Now I'm averaging 190 over 8 weeks...which isn't much different than before the arsenal change.

Not much else to say. Maybe just a bad night.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 26

Team is tin 5th place (actually, 3-way tie for 4th) and only a game and a half back of 3rd. There's only about 3 teams in this 14-team league that I would say are "bad"...and this team is clearly the worst of them. Not one player even averages 160...so we had to give em about 210 pins per game.

692 Series: 245 (clean)-201-246 (clean)

X, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, 7 /, X, XXX.
The Rhino Gold was smooth and getting me good carry. Only bad shot was a pulled shot in the 8th. Switched to the Endeavor in the 10th...which probably caused my team some heartburn. They hate when I switch balls after throwing a strike...but no sense on waiting for the 2-4-5 and THEN making the change.

X, X, 9 /, 9 /, 9 -, 9 -, 8 /, 9 /, X, XX7.
After 5 solid strikes, I just couldn't keep the Endeavor right of the pocket. After two horrible single-pin spare misses...I thought my night had flown off the tracks...but I settled back in and stuck it out with the Endeavor until the final ball of the 10th when I switched to the Force Pearl (FP). I unfortunately left the 2-4-5...but it showed me what I needed to do to adjust my line for Game 3.

X, X, X, 8 /, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 9 /X.
There's some nights where I throw the FP and I almost feel like I'm cheating. That ball has SO much backend that it isn't even fair. It scares ya because it looks like its going to slide past the break point and then it just "lurches" into the pocket.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.46 pins
Strikes: 62%
Spares: 83% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (7/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (3x).
Also left a single 4-pin, 6-pin (2x), 9-pin (2x), and 10-pin.

Makeable spares: 83% (10/12)
Multiple Pin spares: 100% (3/3)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: n/a

Average over 3 games: 230.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 237.33.

Positives
- TWO clean games! Thats what I'm talkin about!
- As well as I was striking...it was markedly improved spare shooting that really elevated my scoring.
- Won TWO card games.
- No Splits! Thank you very much.
- Team took all 4 points!
- I was far and away the best bowler on either team.
- Highest series of the season (in either league).

Negatives
- Two frames away from my first clean series....ouch.
- Eight pins away from my second, sanctioned 700-game.
- Kinda felt like "piling on" against a team that really isn't in the same "league" with us.

The new spare shooting method (thanks to Joe Slowinski's bowler's reference manual) is helping. Its gonna take some practice, but, if anything, it is improving my confidence a little. Its amazing what a bowler can accomplish when they make their spares and avoid splits.

And the Force Pearl....dang...I'm gonna have to find another ball like this one. It doesn't hit as "hard" as the Fortera Exile...but it's more predictable. And its not quite at the level of the Scandal Pearl...which was all-around the best bowling ball I've ever thrown. But dang...like I said above....sometimes it feels like I'm cheating. The ball moves like a heat-seeking missle. It doesn't "turn" into the pocket...it "dives into the pocket.

[boatman37]

Very nice!

[Timmyb]

Well done!

[Aslan]

Well done!

Very nice!

Thanks. Again...short-lived...but thanks.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 29

Tied for 10th (out of 16). Our team is kind've a joke. The other guy on the team is okay...161 average. He's capable and consistent. The younger girl is "slow"...I think she bowled in the special olympics once...or something like that. Shes about a high 80s to high 120s bowler. She just throws a plastic ball straight at the pins. And the captain/old lady on the team hurt her hip a year or so ago so now she bowls with a house ball and averages around 55. Its frustrating. I used to bowl better on Sundays....less pressure I suppose. Now its just frustrating. It seems like even when I bowl well, our team still gets smacked around.

555 Series: 199-183-173

Didn't bowl terribly, but missed a couple spares I shouldn't have missed and made some bad shots. Wasn't too disappointed with the score, but was hoping for a better Game 2 and 3.
X, 7 /, 8 /, 9 -, X, X, X, 9 /, 8 -, XX8.

Stayed with the Rhino Gold through the 7th, but after two straight 2-4-5s, I made the switch to the Force Pearl. Struck a couple times, but was too far outside and made another abysmal spare conversion attempt for a disappointing 10th.
X, 8 -, X, X, X, 7 /, 7 2, X, X, 8 -.

Was really getting frustrated. I missed the pocket ONCE...the whole game. And I left FIVE 10-pins. The only shot I missed the pocket I left a 9-10 split. Granted, I left 30 pins on the board with HORRIBLE spare shooting. But still.
9 /, X, S8 1, 9 -, 9 -, 9 -, X, X, X, 9 /9.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.12
Strikes: 48%
Spares: 40% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (7x).
Didn't leave any other single-pin.

Makeable spares: 42% (6/14)
Multiple Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (3x)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 185.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 199.33.

Positives
- Was around the pocket all night.
- Most stats improved over the miserable night I had last Sunday.
- Still had a lot of movement and power from the Force Pearl, despite the miserable 10-pin carry.

Negatives
- Team dropped 3 points....again.
- Pretty much the entire other team out bowled me.
- Just terrible, terrible spare shooting.

Such a frustrating night. And I hate when our captain comes back after bowling a 56 and says, "Well, Got my average." First, anyone able to roll a ball with even partial blindness should be able to get a 56. Second, it doesn't really matter. If me and the other guy on the team bowl well, we'll probably win. If me and the other guy bowl badly, we'll likely lose. Whether she gets a 49 or 69 is usually inconsequential.

I guess I just need to treat this league like a "fun night" and try not to care so much.