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

[Aslan]

Thursday Lunchtime Practice: low-oil synthetics

194-158
Went with a teammate to practice at lunchtime. First game went very well using the more aggressive Encounter up the middle. Would have been even better had I not pulled the spare shot at the 9-pin in the 10th frame. In game 2 we got moved over one lane and I made a ball change to the less aggressive (and more polished) Encounter. Still did well, but was pulling it and left, missed a couple spares, and had a split in the 8th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.62 pins
Strikes: 38% (2 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: n/a.
Only left a single 3-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin, 9- pin, and 10-pin (1x each).

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: n/a (all different).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 2 games: 176.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 182.00.

Finally a good practice. Things seemed to be working. I was spending more time coaching my teammate than really paying much attention to my game...but still.

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics

522 Series: 193-161-168
Game 1 I got off to a horrid start. I arrived late so I didn't get much practice time. Frame 1 was a 2-4-10 split. Then frames 3 and 4 I missed single-pin leaves. But striking 6 times over the last 5 frames tends to make up for bad spare shooting. Game 2, an even WORSE start! Missed a single 6-pin, chopped the 4-7, then a chopped 1-3-6-8. Frames 4 through 8 were clean including a turkey...but then choked on a single 10-pin and left a 4-6-7 in the 10th. Game 3 I started with a couple spares before chopping a 3-10 in the 3rd. But, despite a nice run in the middle...missed a 6-10 then a couple washouts to end on a sour note.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81 pins
Strikes: 40% (4 turkeys and 1 single)
Spares: 36% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 10-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (4/12)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 split (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 174.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.67.

Striking more is certainly more fun. The night isn't quite as long when you don't have to throw the ball 19x per game. Disappointed that our team only got 1 of 4 points. Even though we gained a point on first place (lost all 4 points), the team behind us in 3rd passed us by taking 4 from their opponent. We may even have fallen to 4th. We still got a shot at the league championship, but we need a LOT of help over the next 2 weeks.

Disappointed in my spare shooting obviously. I'd much rather score lower and bowl clean than score high and leave 2-3 open frames. But with my recent work on my release, it seems to be adding more power with less effort...but my spare targeting is now a bit "off" so I need to fix that. It doesn't seem like a "plastic ball" issue because my shots were mostly missing well right into the gutter on 6 and 10 pins. But it "may" be needing a plastic ball if those misses are the result of me practicing on drier lanes...playing the hook...then getting to slicker conditions and it doesn't hold. We'll see. If the single-pin spare shooting continues to be like this...a plastic ball is an easy and affordable fix. But for now I'll just chalk this up to a bad performance.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

562 Series: 137-118-150-157
Not a lot of difference in games 1 through 4 other than spare shooting. I didn't strike much so in the games I made spares I scored in the 150s and in the games I struggled to make spares it was in the 115-140s.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.77 pins
Strikes: 16% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (9/12)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (7/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4-7 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 4 games: 140.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 148.00.

Tough first morning of Sunday morning sport shot league. The Scorpion was the first pattern and with my rev rate…longer/heavier oil patterns like this one and the Shark tend to be tough. I just couldn't seem to get the ball to make it back into the pocket…and when I did it was a light hit. Statistically things weren't horrible. Just needed some more practice on this longer pattern. So…I stayed and bowled a few games with a few other league players….

523 Series: 192-146-185
Game 1 was clean until I chopped a 3-6 in the 10th. I even managed to strike some as the pattern was starting to break down just enough for the ball to get back to the pocket. We all decided to bet .25 cents each for Game 2 and I would have had a 169 had I not missed 3 single-pin spares. In Game 3 I teamed up with one of the guys to play a game of doubles. The other team gave us 15 pins since my average was about 15 pins lower than their lower average bowler. Missed a single 5-pin in the 3rd frame or otherwise would have had 8 straight spares to start and a clean game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.47 pins
Strikes: 28% (2 doubles and 5 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (6/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 3-pin and 5-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 8-pin nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 83% (10/12)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 174.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.00.

Obviously I felt better about these scores. But, it's still worrying…with Vegas on the horizon, that with fresh oil, long oil, and/or heavy oil…I have little chance of scoring well.

[Aslan]

Pre-Lesson Practice: medium oil synthetics

134-133
A couple washouts and a split in game 1. But missed 2 single-pin spares. In game 2 my foot slipped over the foul line in the 2nd frame and it sort of messed with me. Strange how a weird thing like that will mentally mess with you but it did.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.77 pins
Strikes: 18% (1 double and 2 singles)
Spares: 35% picked up

Single Pin spares: 40% (2/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (4x).
Also left a single 4-pin (1x)

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (4/12)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 2 games: 133.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 147.00.

Had another lesson this afternoon. Wanted to get in one more lesson before the final two weeks of league play, the ASLAN/ICEMAN tournament, and Sweeps.

Lesson 1 focused almost entirely on getting my thumb out of the ball without "pinching/gripping" it.

Lesson 2 focused on my set-up/approach and my trail leg.

First 2 lessons have been very interesting. It hasn't been "comfortable". The new approach is going to take some time to master or get comfortable with. But it's interesting to look at something like your trail leg, make a small change, and then see results. It's like, "wow. normally I don't even think of THAT."

[Aslan]

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics

471 Series: 120-216 (clean)-135
Game 1 I started out with a spare and then opened every frame until the 8th. 4 splits and 2 missed single-pins. Just terrible. Game 2 was clean, things seemed to be "clicking". Thought I turned the "corner". But game 3 I didn't strike until the 8th frame and spare shooting was just "off".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.59 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin and 7-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 30% (4/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 and 3-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 3 games: 157.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 166.33.

Kind of a "good and bad" night. Good because I threw a 216 clean; my best score since late May/mid-June. Good because our team took 3 of 4 points. Good because we played a nice team. But…on the other hand, I averaged about 10 pins under my average due to the other horrible games. And the 2 teams ahead of us both swept so we're out of contention for a 1st place finish.

I can't feel too bad about it. It's a very new approach and release and I haven't had a chance to practice it. At times, it felt great. Hand came off the ball, seemed to stay behind it, and was getting good revs with more power and less energy. It's just going to take to time to get everything working. I wasn't focused on my timing much so I'm sure that wasn't perfect.

The new release generates more revs and more movement…so it appears yes, I will finally give in to Rob's advice, criticism, and article(s) and get a plastic spare ball. Also kinda bummed that I tried to make a ball change on one of the lanes and it didn't work very well. Ended up making 2 ball changes and then went back to the 1st one throwing it middle instead of outside.

So, tonight was a "glimpse" of a possible outcome where I actually might be a respectable bowler. It's gonna take some work to see if that was a glimpse into the future or a misleading mirage.

[Amyers]

Well nice to see something clicked for you for a little bit although usually I find that more frustrating when I prove I can do it and then screw the rest of it up. What's up with leaving the three pins? I noticed you left 2 single three pins and 2 3-10's I can't remember ever leaving a single three pin. Good Luck.

[Aslan]

Well nice to see something clicked for you for a little bit although usually I find that more frustrating when I prove I can do it and then screw the rest of it up. What's up with leaving the three pins? I noticed you left 2 single three pins and 2 3-10's I can't remember ever leaving a single three pin. Good Luck.

It could have been worse. I mean, my approach and release and everything looked a lot better to the point that people were kinda asking "where did this guy come from?" So I know when I get the practice in that it'll come together.

Usually when I leave a 3-pin or the 3-10 it's when I go through the head. I also left 4 splits over 6 frames in game 1 as I adjusted to having a bit more revs on the ball than what I was used to. And I missed the single-10 pin because even though the new release is smoother and more accuracte...the additional revs make hitting the 10-pin even with my lower than average rev rate very difficult. And the other single pin I missed that game was a 5-pin. Reason? Because the downside to this "easier", "smoother", getting your thumb out clean release is once every 20-30 shots I simply drop it and get very little on it. And when you're playing your spare shot to hook...you just missed your spare shot. : (

[Amyers]

It could have been worse. I mean, my approach and release and everything looked a lot better to the point that people were kinda asking "where did this guy come from?" So I know when I get the practice in that it'll come together.

Usually when I leave a 3-pin or the 3-10 it's when I go through the head. I also left 4 splits over 6 frames in game 1 as I adjusted to having a bit more revs on the ball than what I was used to. And I missed the single-10 pin because even though the new release is smoother and more accuracte...the additional revs make hitting the 10-pin even with my lower than average rev rate very difficult. And the other single pin I missed that game was a 5-pin. Reason? Because the downside to this "easier", "smoother", getting your thumb out clean release is once every 20-30 shots I simply drop it and get very little on it. And when you're playing your spare shot to hook...you just missed your spare shot. : (

Well I definitely understand the get nothing on it when your working on the release. I can't say as when I'm working on mine I actually drop it but I get those that make you think where did that straight ball come from usually followed by one I rip the cover off the ball and it heads straight left as soon as it catches some friction. Eventually I get it sorted back out but man is it ugly when its not working right.

[Aslan]

Saturday Practice: low oil synthetics

134-169-166-149

Game 1 I didn't throw a strike. Of the spares I missed, it was a couple splits, a couple 1-2-8 washouts, and a single 9-pin. Game 2 I also missed a 1-2-8 but also missed a 6-10 and a couple single-pin spares. But I struck 5 times to salvage a decent score. Game 3 was clean through 5 and then another 1-2-4-8 washout n the 6th. Then a missed 6-10 in the 8th and a missed single-pin in the 9th before striking out in the 10th to salvage a decent score. More of the same in Game 4. A washout, a couple splits, a couple missed easy spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.52 pins
Strikes: 34% (1 turkey, 3 doubles and 6 singles)
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 28% (2/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, and 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (10/22)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (7x).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 154.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.00.

Tough practice. Seems like I was either coming in light and leaving the 1-2-8 washout or I was coming in just a bit high and leaving the 6-10. My timing seemed better as I was focusing on it more. But the release was still ranging from dropping it to perfect. And if I dropped it, obviously it would miss right…and if the release was perfect it would hook left of the headpin. Going to have to work on consistency with the new release.

The lanes were a bit dry since it was a Saturday so I got a chance to ball down from the polished Encounter to the Frantic playing the 10-12 boards. I even got a chance to ball down to the Slingshot which is the weakest ball I have for that line.

And I reinforced my opinion to move to a plastic spare ball. 2-3 really good shots with good releases and I missed by < inch left. It won't solve every problem. A lot of those single-pin misses were left side leaves like 7-pins and 4-pins. So maybe I gotta use the plastic ball for left side leaves as well as right side leaves. Or maybe I need to do a better job of trusting my spot and hitting my target…which I struggled with on left side leaves today.

But hopefully tomorrow will be the debut of the plastic ball for spares on the PBA Scorpion. We'll see how it goes. 2 weeks of PBA experience, one position round in my Thursday league, probably a couple Mondays for practice. Thats how much time I have left to prepare for Vegas on the 24th.

[classygranny]

I admire you for all the practice you're putting in! Keep it up.

Sometimes when I don't feel "confident" on my strike line, I know I am tentative when shooting my left hand spares off that strike line. That's what made me decide that I really need to shoot all spares with plastic - altho, truth be told, sometimes I get lazy and shoot with my strike ball and occasionally live to regret that laziness.

One last thing...get your confidence back. I'm trusting you to put Iceman away in Vegas. I believe you can do it...just get that attitude we use to see back and use it to your advantage.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

607 Series: 164-148-143-152
Started out with a couple washouts trying to find an aggressive enough line to the pocket. Spare shooting with the new plastic ball was problematic as the thumbhole was a bit tight, but other than that it actually did well. Game 2 wasn't as good as I missed a couple single-pins with the plastic ball because I was worried about the thumb not coming out. Game 3 was more of the same; some tough washout spares that I couldn't pick up. Game 4 I started out clean through 5 when I then chopped a 1-2-5-8-9 in the 6th. Other than that and a couple splits (5-7 and 4-7-10), I was clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 26% (11 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (6/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (9/20)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7, 4-5, 3-6, and 1-2-4-10 (2x each).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 151.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.00.

Not as tough as the first week on this pattern, but still a challenge. I get almost no reaction and end up just throwing a straight ball over the 7-10 boards directly into the pocket. With my rev rate this pattern just has too much volume of oil in the heads and it's too long for me to get any help in the backend. The plastic ball seemed like a great fix for right side leaves but I have to fix the thumb-hole or else I tend to pull the shot worried that my thumb will stick.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

444 Series: 147-128-169
Tried working on getting my release consistent, keeping my foot down on the lane, and getting my thumb out clean. Game 2 spare shooting was abysmal. But Game 3 spare shooting improved with only 2 open frames…but not much striking either.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.94 pins
Strikes: 22% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 7-pin (2x each).
Only left single 5-pin, 6-pins, and 7-pins.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (7/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-8 and 1-2 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 148.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.67.

Glad to finish with a respectable 169. But lots of work left to do over the next 10 days!!

The struggles today were not only related to my inconsistent release that I'm still learning, and the plastic spare ball that needs some thumbhole modification, but also to ball selection. I quickly balled up to the more aggressive cover stock of the Frantic to try and get some reaction. During practice I balled up to the solid cover stock Rhythm. The problem with these balls is they are my non-tri-grip drilled balls so I was using a grip that I was wasn't quite used to. A 15lb with a different layout then a 16lb with a different layout.