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

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 10

573 Series: 209-194-170

X, X, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, X, 7 2, 9 / 7.
Warm-ups went well and the Zen Master Solid (ZMS) was nailing the pocket. I wasn't getting the carry I wanted, but I was picking up my single-pin spares. Really, really ticked me off when I chopped a 1-2-7. Not your normal spare leave...ended up throwing the 1-pin around the 7-pin.

X, 5 /, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, 8 /, 9 -, X, 8 /X.
Switched to the Perfect Mindset (PM) in the 3rd frame. I can't really blame "carry"...because most of the rest of the shots weren't that great. Only one open...a dang 10-pin....but I didn't feel terrible about this game.

X, 9 /9 /, X, S7 2, X, X, S7 2, 6 /, 9 -.
Switched to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP)...but the lanes were transitioning fast and I was facing 4-7-10 split every time I went through the nose. And despite doing fairly well on spares tonight...I picked a terrible time to whiff badly on a 10-pin....in the 10th frame.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.91 pins
Strikes: 43%
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (8/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 5-pin, 9-pin, and 7-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 80% (12/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 191.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 199.00

Positives
- I thought I bowled well. Made a few bad shots...but I was generally around the pocket all night.
- Even though it stung when I missed them, I was 80% on single-pins on a night when I had 5 10-pins...so I'm happy with that.
- Won the second card game...so, not bad.
- Bowled my average.

Negatives
- Open on a 10-pin in the 10th...ughhh. That's just brutal.
- Team might have only taken 1 point....maybe 2.
- Sore lower back again. Been dealing with that the last few weeks.

Our team fell from 3rd to about 8th. Standings are pretty tight. We bowled the 1st place team and they are only 4 points ahead of us. Overall, things are going well. Still have my pooper series from time to time....but at least I mentally feel like I can put up big scores every time I pick up the ball. It's a different feeling than when you're all out of whack and you're just hoping you can bowl okay.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 13

Faced off against the 1st place team tonight...and even though we had 160+ pins of handicap...there's only so much you can do against a team like their's. I think they have the best female bowler and best male bowler in the league...

580 Series: 207-183-190

It was very rainy out for the last few days...so the approaches were a bit sticky. I tried to change my soles, but a #10 just makes me slide around like crazy...so I stayed with the #9. Due to the sticking, it took me a few frames to get my approach down. Too bad I didn't bowl this game on Wednesday...coulda made $4.00 due to getting quarters when ya run strikes together. Only opens were a couple splits...including a pocket 8-9 split in the 8th. Ouch.
9 /, 6 /, S8 1, 9 /, X, X, X, S8 -, X, XXX.

Stuck with the Zen Master Solid (ZMS) until the 9th frame, when I switched to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP). What can I say? Plagued by splits...made a couple bad attempts at converting spares...managed to pick up a couple baby splits and make enough strikes to salvage a half-way decent score.
8 -, 9 -, S6 3, 7 /, X, S8 /, X, S8 /, X, XX7.

Not as bad as the score indicates. I missed a couple corner pins...but I barely missed em. And those were my only two opens.
S8 /, 9 /, X, X, 9 -, X, X, 6 /, 9 -, X 9 /.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94
Strikes: 48%
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Also left a single 3-pin and 7-pin.

Makeable spares: 63% (7/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 75% (3/4)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-10 and 2-7 baby splits (2x each).

Splits: 50% (3/6)

Average over 3 games: 199.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 203.67.

Positives
- Felt fine physically.
- Bowled my average.

Negatives
- Carry continues to be an issue.
- SIX splits!! Fortunately, 4 were baby splits and I was 3 for 4 on picking them up.
- Thought I figured out the single-pins...nope.

I can pick up 3 baby splits, but can only pick up 50% of my corner pins! Ughhh!! Oh well. I don't think I bowled badly. I had the 2nd highest series between the 4 bowlers on my team and 4 bowlers on the other team. And, the only guy that beat me was their anchor who averages around 220...highest average in the league.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 11 - Position Round

536 Series: 154-169-213

X, 7 /, 9 /, 6 1, X, 6 /, X, 7 2, 8 /, 7 -.
Kept missing right. Something was off with my timing. Every single non-strike was a miss right left some kind of 2-pin combo. I tried to adjust my line right a bit...but kept missing my mark right.

X, 9 -, X, 8 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, S8 -, 9 -.
Stayed with the Zen Master Solid (ZMS). Missed a couple single 4-pins...BARELY...but still missed. Had a great pocket hit that left a 8-10 split in the 9th. Just jaw-dropping how such a flush hit could punish me THAT much!

9 /, X, X, 9 -, X, X, X, 9 /, 8 /, 9 /X.
Switched to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) after the strike in the 2nd. I mean, I was making good shots and left a 5-pin in frame 1 and then struck (but deflected right) on the next shot....so, I figured it was time to move a little right, increase the angle a bit, and throw the OLP. Shoulda bowled better...but Achilles was sore, my ankle was sore, and I just didn't have my "A-Game".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.90 pins
Strikes: 41%
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 64% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 64% (11/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-8 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 178.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 190.33.

Positives
- I won the 3rd game card game?

Negatives
- Team only took 1 of 4 points.
- Sore lower back again. Sore ankle. Sore Achilles.

I just haven't figured out these lanes and the interaction with my ball surface. I tried to add surface...thinking that would help with "light hits". Then I take surface away, trying not to lose energy, and I get the same results. And I was missing right most of the night...is my timing off? Is it my aim? I dunno.

And it seems like I do best with skid-flip balls. So, should I 'just' throw skid-flip balls?

I could put together an arsenal of:

- Brunswick Fortera Exile (retired...currently # 4 on my list of Top Balls)
- Radical Outer Limits Pearl
- Pyramid Force Pearl (retired...currently #2 on my list of Top Balls)

But....I'm not sure how those balls would do on fresh oil. The specs would dictate that the Exile would skid too far and over-react to dry. The Outer Limits Pearl might have the same issue. The Force Pearl would probaly work well as ball #3...but any of these would work well in the #3 position.

I found a high level coach nearby, but he's a small college coach and don't know what extra time he has to give lessons/take on new students.

[J Anderson]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League


I found a high level coach nearby, but he's a small college coach and don't know what extra time he has to give lessons/take on new students.

You’ll never find out unless you ask

[Aslan]

You’ll never find out unless you ask

True. I definitely will.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 14

I think we are in 8th/9th and we were playing the 5th place team. They got two 200+ average bowlers and a female bowler with a decent average. I think we were getting around 165 pins of handicap.

573 Series: 173-220-180

Couldn't get dialed in with the Zen Master Solid. Seemed like it was burning up on the right lane and not even making the turn on the left lane.
9 /, 6 1, 9 /, X, S8 -, 6 /, X, X, 8 /, 6 /X.

Tried another 5 frames with the Xen Master Solid (ZMS). Stuck with the ZMS on the left lane...because it was clearly behaving like a heavier oil situation...but balled down to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) on the right lane.
X, X, 7 /, S8 1, X, X, 8 /, 9 /, X, XX9.

Continued to make minor moves left, but stuck with the same ball combination. Maximum penalty...3 splits...just disheartening.
9 /, X, X, S8 1, X, S8 1, X, X, S8 1, X 9 /.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.97
Strikes: 50%
Spares: 62% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 5-pin and 7-pin.

Makeable spares: 90% (10/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5-8 bucket (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 3 games: 191.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: n/a

Positives
- Felt fine physically.
- Almost bowled my average.
- Made my spares!! Single-pins, multi-pins...no problem.

Negatives
- Carry continues to be an issue.
- FIVE splits!! And only one of the splits was remotely "make-able". And we're talking pocket hits. Just wrong.

Was struggling like hell(o)...finally figured out that the left lane was playing WAY different than the right lane. It makes sense...we were on the pair on the end...and sometimes the end line gets more or less oil...because the machine either dumps a little more when it ends or first starts out. I mean, we're talking 3:5 difference one lane to the other.

Absolutely exhausting. To bowl that well...make my spares....hammer the pocket all night...yet I can't even hit my average and the team loses 3 out of 4 points.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 12

Playing one of the few bad teams in this league...so I think we had to give them about 215-235 pins.

534 Series: 146-226-162

9 /, X, S8 1, X, 9 /, 6 /, 9 -, 9 /, S7 1, 7 2.
Terrible. Could not find my line the entire game. Tried the Perfect Mindset (PM) in the second half of the game...to see if that would help...but it was even worse. Add in a pocket 7-10, a whif on a single 4-pin, and a chopped 2-4-5 3/4 bucket in the 10th...and you got this poo festival.

X, 9 -, 7 2, X, 9 /, X, X, X, X, XX9.
Switched to the Brunswick Endeavor in the 3rd frame. Took a frame or two to get the line figured out...since I don't use that ball very often. But, it seemed a lot less affected by the transition and had "just enough" pop left in it to carry some strikes.

8 -, 9 -, X, X, 8 /, X, 9 -, 9 /, X, 8 1.
I think carry down played a part in Game 3...just lost the "pop" at the end. Probably should have made the move to the Outer Limits Pearl midway through...but I didn't. Then I chopped a 2-5 in the 10th to put a poo flavored cherry on top of this debacle.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.03 pins
Strikes: 43%
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 55% (5/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 46% (7/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 33% (2/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 178.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 192.00.

Positives
- I won the 2nd card game.
- My 2nd game helped us take that point.
- My shots were pretty good...at least on the first ball...as is evident by the improved first ball average.
- Team got 3 points.

Negatives
- Spare shooting was abysmal across the board.
- Trouble with carry all night.
- Average in this league has officially dropped below 190 (189).

So many pocket hits that left 7-pins, a 7-10, 10-pins, etc... The Perfect mindset was an abysmal failure tonight. Maybe I need to use weaker equipment because the lanes are so dry on the outside? Maybe I need to move 1:2 right...maybe I'm just too far inside to start? I dunno. Similar series to last week...so at least I'm consistent week-to-week.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 15

Tonight we bowl against the only team in the league with a lower average than us...so our one time in the season where we have to give away some pins.

606 Series: 185-231 (clean)-190

Couldn't get dialed in with the Zen Master Solid in practice so I scrapped it and went with plan B...tried to use the Perfect Mindset (PM) to start. That lasted all of 5 frames until I realized I needed something weaker. Moved outside and started throwing the Endeavor. Took me 2-4 frames to readjust my line (never used the Endeavor in Game 1 before)...but managed to strike out to stay within 10 pins of my average.
9 /, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, S8 1, 9 -, 9 /, 9 /, XXX.

Stuck with the Endeavor for the first 5 frames...but with almost half of the bowlers throwing house balls...it just seemed like there was too much carrydown...so I switched to the Outer Limits Pearl. (OLP) in the 6th.
X, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, 8 /, X, X, X, 7 / 8.

My shots weren't as great in Game 3. Seemed like I hit the pocket most of the time with no carry to show for it. Like Game 1, I managed to strike out to salvage a score within 5 pins of my average.
9 /, 9 /, 8 1, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, 8 -, XXX.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.26
Strikes: 45%
Spares: 77% picked up

Single Pin spares: 92% (12/13)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (6x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Makeable spares: 82% (14/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (2/4)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 202.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 205.33

Positives
- Felt fine physically.
- Almost bowled my average.
- Made my spares!...for the most part.
- Clean game!
- Won $40 in the 50/50.

Negatives
- Carry continues to be an issue.
- The team only took 1 point (again)

Gotta figure out this carry issue. I can't keep shooting 10+ corner pins a night. I was hitting the pocket shot after shot after shot and one pin would remain standing. Frustrating.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 13

Playing the highest average team in the league. All 5 of their bowlers are over 200 averages and one has the highest average in the league at 237. I've personally seen two different bowlers on their team shoot a 300.

536 Series: 182-159-195

X, X, 9 /, X, 3 6, X, 8 1, 9 /, 9 /, 9 / 9.
Started out great. Nailed the pocket on the first 4 shots. Then, I had to go to the bathroom...washed my hands...no paper towels in the dispensers, wiped my hands off on my towel (the one I wipe my face with, not my bowling towel). Then my thumb stuck and I pulled the ball across the lane. Then I "over-powdered" my thumb and 2 frames later the ball slid off my hand and missed right. Made my single-pins to salvage at least a half-way decent score.

8 -, 7 /, X, 9 -, 9 /, 7 2, 8 /, 9 -, X, X 9 /.
Switched to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) in the 8th frame...but by then it was too late to salvage a decent score. 4 opens and two missed single pins just killed me.

X, X, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, X 7 -, X, 8 -.
It was a solid game until I pulled a shot in the 8th and whiffed on the 3-6-10. Coulda still salvaged a 200-game...but whiffed on a 6-10 in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.91 pins
Strikes: 40%
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (8/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 10-pin.

Makeable spares: 55% (10/18)
Multiple Pin spares: 25% (2/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: N/A

Average over 3 games: 178.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 186.33.

Positives
- I won TWO card games!
- My spare shooting was improved over last week.
- Team got 3 points.

Negatives
- Not a great first ball average.
- Trouble with carry all night.
- Consistency...usually a "positive"...but after 3 weeks of 536, 534, 536...I'm starting to wonder if my ceiling might be lower than I had hoped.

Kinda depressing. I was thinking I was finally starting to live up to expectations of being a 190s average bowler....yet the last 3 weeks would suggest I'm more of an upper 170s bowler.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 16

Tonight we bowl against a solid team that, for some reason, is in last place.

605 Series: 200-223-182

Touched up the surface on the Zen Master Solid (ZMS) and it was working well in Game 1. Switched to the Perfect Mindset (PM) on the 3rd shot of the 10th. Stupid 10-pin cost me a clean game.
X, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, 9 -, X, 7 /, 6 /, 8 /X.

The PM was doing fairly well in Game 2. Can't say all the strikes were "perfect"...but the PM was a little more forgiving than the ZMS. Unfortunately, I missed a little "too" right in the 7th and it deflected a little too much leaving me an 8-10 split. Ooops. There goes clean game #2.
X, 7 /, X, X, X, X, S8 1, 6 /, X, X 8 1.

Switched from the PM to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) in the 4th after leaving (and chopping) a 2-4-5 that really shouldn't have been that weak of a hit given I pretty much hit my mark.
X, 9 -, 7 2, 9 -, X, 9 /, 8 1, X, X, XX9.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.06
Strikes: 52%
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (3/6)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 5-pin, 6-pin, and 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 57% (14/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 and 2-4 (2x each)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 201.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 212.33.

Positives
- Felt fine physically.
- Consistent (606 last week, 605 this week).
- Helped the team take 2 points.
- First multi-200-game night in about 10 weeks.

Negatives
- Spare shooting sort of failed me tonight.

Over the last 5 weeks I've shot 605, 580, 573, 606, and 605. I haven't been sub-550 in this league in 8 weeks. Average is up to 193. The problem with me averaging in the 190s is that I really gotta be"on my game" all the time or else I cost the team. I thought for sure we were gonna lose 3 points tonight. In Game 3, their better female bowler had the front 8...and going into the 10th they had the lead. Fortunately, their best bowler opened and then their best female bowler opened. I had already struck in the 8th and 9th...then struck two more times before leaving a 10-pin on the final shot. The game 3 score wasn't great, but I made the shots when they counted.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 14

Playing a team made up of 3-4 guys that work at the center and 1 guy who I think is related than of them. They only spotted us about 20 pins, so it was pretty even.

557 Series: 182-203-172

X, 9 -, 7 2, 9 -, X, X, X, X, 9 -, X 9 -.
Hit the pocket almost every shot...but carry was hit or miss. Switched to the Perfect Mindset (PM) in the 5th frame which gave me a little better line to work with. Obviously, when you are 0% on spare conversions...probably not going to score very high. Two weeks in a row with a 182 game to start.

9 /, X, 9 -, X, X, X, X, 7 /, X, S7 2.
Finally made a spare...so thats good. It was a decent game...until the lanes transitioned just enough for my shot in the 10th to go through the nose and leave me 6-7-10 split.

9 -, S7 2, 9 -, 9 /, S8 1, 8 /, 9 /, X, X, X 9 /.
After starting out with 3 frames of poor carry with the PM, I figured it was time to bring out the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP). Better carry, but my shot-making started to wane.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.16 pins
Strikes: 46%
Spares: 35% picked up

Single Pin spares: 36% (4/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin (2x each).

Makeable spares: 42% (6/14)
Multiple Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 185.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 206.67.

Positives
- I won a card game.
- I made most of my non-split, multi-pin spares.
- Team took all 4 points.

Negatives
- Trouble with carry all night.
- Just terrible single-pin spare shooting. And most weren't even close.

I gotta figure out the single-pin spare shooting if I'm ever gonna have a chance of being a 200+ average bowler. Also gotta figure out the carry situation. It may be that these lanes are just too dry to continue starting with the Zen Master Solid...even with a Storm Step 1 finish...it seems like it can barely last a game most nights before I lose the ability to carry the 10-pin.