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

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 17

This league is nowhere near the talent level of the Wednesday night men's league. I think our team (4-person) averages just over 500 and we had to give the opposing team 70 pins. We each had a bowler with a < 75 average. We had one, and they had two, bowlers with a 100-110 average. I think their anchor averaged around 150.

618 Series: 199-246 (clean)-173

Threw the Zen Master Solid in practice/warm-ups. First two balls in practice left 10-pins. Moved right and it went through the nose. So, in an attempt to not have to mess with flat 10s the whole entire night....I decided to start with the Perfect Mindset (PM)
9 /, 8 /, 9 -, X, X, 9 -, X, X, X, 8 / 8.

First ball in Game 2 left a 5-9 on a decent shot. So, decided to give the Endeavor a try. Moved a bit right and played a more traditional up and in shot.
8 /, 8 /, 9 /, X, X, X, X, X, 9 /, XXX.

Stuck with the Endeavor for another 7 frames into game 3. Then I switched to the Outer Limits Pearl to finish out the game. Unfortunately...that didn't help with carry and I whiffed on both 10-pins.
S7 1, X, X, 9 /, X, 8 /, 9 -, 8 1, 9 -, XXX.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.29
Strikes: 54%
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 4-pin, and 7-pin.

Makeable spares: 64% (914)
Multiple Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-5 and 5-9 (2x each)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 206.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 221.00.

Positives
- Third straight week with a 600+ series and 8 straight weeks of 550+.
- Helped the team take all 4 points.

Negatives
- Another questionable spare shooting performance.
- "Tweaked" my knee late into Game 1...so balance wasn't great most of the night.
- Still, carry is sub-par.

Overall, a good night. The opens at the end of game 3 really hurt me.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 15

Rolled against the team we beat week 1 that is composed of two of the guys I bowled with over the summer.

512 Series: 163-147-202

8 /, X, X, S7 2, 8 /, 9 /, 7 /, 7 1, 9 -, 9 /8.
Wasn't a terrible game. Made a lot of spares. Just couldn't carry and opened one too many times to score well.

6 /, 5 4, 9 /, S7 -, X, 9 /, 6 3, 9 -, 9 /, XXS5.
Had switched to the Perfect Mindset (PM) in the 9th frame of Game 1 and continued with through the 7th frame of Game 2. Used the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) the rest of the way.

9 /, 8 /, 9 -, 9 /, X, X, X, 9 /, 8 /, X 9 -.
Just couldn't find the sweet spot. Either I'd hit the pocket a little too hard and leave a 4-pin...or I'd hit it a little too light and leave a 10-pin.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.47 pins
Strikes: 26%
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (8/12)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin (2x each).

Makeable spares: 66% (14/21)
Multiple Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 170.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 181.33.

Positives
- ???

Negatives
- Trouble with carry all night (again).

I don't know. Its very defeating when you're hitting the pocket all night and can't consistently score well. And I can't totally blame it on carry...there were a fair number of shots that missed right and a few pulls. Just not a good night.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 18

Our opponents were absent and are going to post-bowl...so who knows if we won any points. Last week before a 2-week break for Christmas.

580 Series: 203-179-198

Again...threw the Zen Master Solid (ZMS) in practice and just felt like there was no carry...so I started game 1 with the Perfect Mindset (PM). After several frames (and a pocket 2-4 leave...I balled all the way down to my Endeavor (BE). Four out of five of my next first balls were strikes...so it seemed like I made a good choice. Only open was on a 6-10 in the first frame.
8 -, 9 /, 9 /, 8 /, X, X, 8 /, X, 9 /, XXX.

Stuck with the BE through 7 frames in Game 2. The line was tight, but it was two missed single-pins that killed me.
X, X, X, 9 -, 9 /, X, S7 1, 8 /, 9 -, 9 / 8.

Had to move right more than usual when switching to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP). So, it took me a few frames (Game 2) to get dialed in. But, started out with a 4-bagger in game 3. Would have likely been the front 6, but I fouled on the first ball of the 5th frame. I tried to pull back when I noticed how close I was...but that only made me almost fall backwards. Had a decent game going, but left a pocket 8-10 in the 10th.
X, X, X, X, F 7, X, 9 /, X, X, S8 -.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.00
Strikes: 51%
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (6/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 3-pin, 7-pin, and 4-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 69% (9/13)
Multiple Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 193.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 200.67.

Positives
- Almost hit my inflated average in this league (194).
- Been consistent over the last several week: 605-580-573-606-605-618-580 averaging 198 over that span.

Negatives
- Carry still an issue....too many pocket hits the left a pin standing.
- Form was a little 'off'. I need to remind myself to get lower without bending over.

I think I'm gonna switch up my arsenal for Wednesday. If the ZMS is too strong for this THS, maybe I can unretire a ball from the rack and put together something a little better for this house.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 16

Rolled the team that is tied with us for 2nd place. Decent team. One guy averages in the 170s, one is in the 190s, and the other 3 are in the 180s. Our team is very similar with one bowler in the 170s, 2 in the 180s, and 2 in the 190s.

First night using my new strategy of bypassing my Ball #1. I think the lanes are just too dry for the Zen Master Solid with a Storm Step 1 finish.

600 Series: 211-235 (clean)-154

X, X, S8 -, X, 8 /, X, X, X, X, 9 -.
Was a good game and I was doing well. Just couldn't convert the baby split and opened on a 7-pin in the 10th.

X, X, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, 8 /X.
Stuck with the Perfect Mindset (PM) through the first 6 frames. Increased my angle slightly and switched to the Outer Limits Pearl (OLP) for the remainder of the night.

6 /, 7 /, S7 2, 9 -, X, X, 9 /, X, 6 1, 9 -.
This game was a slap in the face. Missed badly on the first two shots, then had to deal with some transition. Managed to run 4 marks together before the transition just killed me again.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.13 pins
Strikes: 54%
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 6-pin, 7-pin, and 4-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 66% (4/7)
Multiple Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 200.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 211.33.

Positives
- New arsenal approach seems to result in less pocket hits that don't carry the 10-pin.
- Accuracy was improved. A few misses left and a several misses right...but, for the most part, the shots were hitting their marks.
- Always like to see a clean game. Inching closer to my 200th career clean game.
- Team took all 4 points...should be 1st or probably sole possession of 2nd going into next week.
- Won a card game.
- Despite me not being the highest average bowler on either team, I had the highest series of either team.
- Always glad to see a 600+ series.
- Average in this league inches up to 188.

Negatives
- Stinks when you have a good night and then the last game you just step in it.
- Two games I opened in the 10th.

Rather than replace the Zen Master Solid in the arsenal, I think I'll just start with the Perfect Mindset. It gives me a nice shot into the pocket up the 8-10 boards.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 19

Last night of bowling for a 2-week Christmas vacation. Bowling against the team that has my Wednesday team captain on it...so I was a little more motivated to try and have a decent game.

524 Series: 146-206-172

Again started the night with the Perfect Mindset (PM). My timing was off, my shots were off, I just didn't feel comfortable. Trying to move right just ended in disastrous splits.
X, S6 1, 9 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, 7 /, 7 2, 9 -, S7 2.

Thought I could stick it out with the PM, but after 4 frames I switched to the Endeavor. Cost me a frame to adjust, but then ran 5 strikes together before I lost my line.
X, X, 8 -, 7 2, S7 -, X, X, X, X, X S7 2.

Started out Game 3 with the Endeavor, but...after a few frames...I moved to the Outer Limits Pearl. But...just didn't feel "right". Bad shots, etc... Stinks when you have to strike out just to get a 172.
9 /, X, 9 /, X, 9 -, 9 /, 9 -, 8 /, 7 2, XXX.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.85
Strikes: 42%
Spares: 42% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leaves: 5-pin, 9-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 3-pin, 4-pin, and 7-pin.

Makeable spares: 53% (8/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 33% (2/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 174.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 184.33.

Positives
- Had a 5-bagger that saved the night from complete disaster.

Negatives
- Physical game was off. Maybe I was just distracted with all the last minute Christmas shopping.
- Still need to iron out the details with my new arsenal approach.

The Zen Master Solid with a Step 1 surface is just too strong for the drier THS patterns I'm seeing. Maybe I need to change the arsenal moving forward...maybe I need to develop another facet to my game to improve my speed/rev situation so I can move further inside...but continuing to throw the Zen Master Solid and realizing it can't carry the 10-pin after 4-5 frames is just unnecessary banging of my head into a brick wall.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 17

Team has managed to move into a tie for 1st place going into the last night before the holiday break. Rolled against the 3rd place team...but they had a sub in for one of their regulars.

628 Series: 201-212-215

S7 -, X, X, X, S7 2, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /X.
Not a bad game. Only opens were "unmakeable" splits. And it was largely self-inflicted...because practice gave me a line that was working...but I decided to move right out of fear and staying true to my "system"...which was not the right call.

8 1, 9 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, X, 9 /, 7 /, XX9.
Stuck with the Perfect Mindset (PM) through the first 4 frames. But, after a decent shot left me with a 2-pin...I decided to move a little right and ball down to the Endeavor. Left a 10-pin in the 8th and a 2-4-8 on a bad miss right in then 9th...but it was still a good ball change.

X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, S8 1.
Switched to the Outer Limits Pearl for Game 3. Also got a little "flexible" and decided to make a slight line adjustment based on "feel" versus "system". The line was just getting too tight and I needed to open it up a little. Struck pretty much every time I hit my mark and once when I pulled a shot and struck Brooklyn. Unfortunately, couldn't keep the clean game with a pocket 7-10 split in the 10th. Darn it.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.30 pins
Strikes: 54%
Spares: 71% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (9/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 2-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Also left a single 3-pin, 4-pin, and 5-pin.

Makeable spares: 90% (10/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (1/2)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 209.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: n/a.

Positives
- I think I had the 2nd or 3rd best series of the 5 players on each team (10 total).
- Love seeing all 3 games as 200+
- Love, love the single-pin spare shooting improvement.
- Won a card game.

Negatives
- Chopped 6-10 in the 1st frame was the only real makable multi-pin spare that I missed. Sort of, my only "unforced error" in tennis talk.
- The pocket 7-10 in the 10th really cost us the final point and the sweep.

Good night. And, I think starting with the Perfect Mindset is going to work. I just need to remember that the Perfect Mindset is nearly as strong as the Zen Master Solid...so I can't "over-react" by moving out to the 8-9 boards and think it'll maintain energy to strike. Gonna have to move closer to that oil line...and not be too afraid to switch to the Endeavor in Game 1 and ride that 2nd arrow.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 18

First week back. Was supposed to be Sunday night, but the snowstorm cancelled that night.

519 Series: 175-188-156

X, X, 9 -, X, 9 /, X, S7 2, X, X, 7 1, X 9 -.
Ughh. Two bad opens and a split.

9 /, S7 /, X, X, X, 9 -, S7 -, X, X, 9 -.
Switched to the Endeavor after two decent shots that left a 10-pin and then a 2-7-8 split. Disappointed that I was hitting the pocket each shot...but still couldn't carry. But, more disappointed in my spare shooting. Coulda hit a 200+ if I picked up a 4-pin and 7-pin.

9 /, 7 /, S7 1, 9 -, X, X, X, 9 -.
Switched to the Outer Limits Pearl after a pocket 10-pin in the 1st frame. Made some bad shots and missed a couple corner pins before putting a few strikes together....only to hammer the pocket in the 10th and leave a stone 8-pin...which I missed to the left...which I probably couldn't repeat in 30 tries.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.03 pins
Strikes: 45%
Spares: 29% picked up

Single Pin spares: 30% (3/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (4x each).
Also left a single 4-pin and 8-pin.

Makeable spares: 33% (4/12)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (1/2)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 3 games: 173.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 195.00.

Positives
- Made decent shots most of the night.

Negatives
- Too many splits.
- Horrible spare conversion.
- Bad carry.
- Team only managed to take 1 point.

Was gonna try to play with my wrist position...been reading Joe Slowinski's manual. Thought maybe I could use the Zen Master solid if I changed my axis tilt, but it wasn't working in practice/warm-up so I scrapped that plan for now.

[J Anderson]

Changing your axis tilt is one of those things that takes some practice outside of league, and who has the time and money to do that.

[Aslan]

Changing your axis tilt is one of those things that takes some practice outside of league, and who has the time and money to do that.

Agreed. I'm trying to at least stay cognoscente of my axis tilt...but messing with it beyond that means I have to take my focus off some of the other important aspects of my game. Better to mess with in practice.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 20

First night back for this league after getting snowed out last week. Was kinda worried after my disappointing showing Wednesday.

620 Series: 267 (clean)-205 (clean)-148

Didn't bother with the Zen Master Solid and started with the Perfect Mindset with a 1000/4000/P5000 surface. This surface (versus the royal compound surface I had on it previously) seemed to push me 2:4 left. Both non-strikes were significant misses right...so I was happy that I was making good shots and getting good carry. One pin shy of my high sanctioned game (268) which I've hit twice. This is my 6th 267 in league play.
X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, X, X, X, X 8 /.

First shot of game 2 and I missed so far right I almost dumped it in the gutter. Seemed to lost a great deal of my carry ability. 3 pocket 10s and a pocket 7. Fortunately, my spare shooting held up to salvage a clean 205.
3 /, 9 /, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, X, X, 6 /, X 9 /.

My captain from my Wednesday team came over and mentioned how good a night I was having and joked about me wasting all my good shots on Sunday. I responded that I usually finish these types of nights with something like a 138...so not to worry. Started off with a pocket 7-pin that I missed. Then the ball dove hard and I chopped a 6-10. Then I had a great shot into the pocket that left me a 7-10 split. So, it was time to switch to the Outer Limits Pearl. Took me a frame to adjust, then a pocket 10-pin in the 5th that I missed. Encountered some more transition and got stuck with a 4-6-7 split in the 7th followed by a big miss right in the 8th. By the time I got dialed in and settled down, it was already the 9th. So, I was close (148), but didn't quite hit the 138 I predicted.
9 -, 8 1, S8 1, 7 /, 9 -, X, S7 -, 7 /, X, X 9 /.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.97
Strikes: 51%
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (6/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Also left a single 6-pin and 7-pin (x2).

Makeable spares: 78% (11/14)
Multiple Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 206.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 213.67.

Positives
- Tied my 2nd highest score (267).
- Two clean games.
- Team took 3 out of 4.
- Spare shooting was improved.
- Felt good physically.
- I had highest series on our pair.

Negatives
- Could have easily had a 650+ series had I not completely collapsed in Game 3.
- Collapse in Game 3 cost team a point.

Added a little speed once I realized the PM was moving so much with the P5000 surface. Not a big increase....just into the low 15s (mph).

[Timmyb]

This series looks remarkably familiar....