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

[Aslan]

Summer League

Holding on to a top 5 spot, even after losing 3 points last week.

Week 11

620 Series: 172-236 (clean)-212

8 /, S8 1, - 9, 8 1, 9 /, X, X, 8 /, X, 9 / 9.
Started with the Perfect Mindset and it was just miserable. Probably didn't help that I got there late and missed warm-ups. My bad. Once I switched to the Endeavor I had a much better line.

X, X, X, X, 8 /, 9 /, X, 9 /, X, X 9 /.
Great game. Only non-pocket shot was a pulled shot in the 5th. Other than that, a couple 7-pins and a 10-pin.

X, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 8 /, 8 1, 9 /, 8 / 9.
Started losing my line just past the midway point. Chopped a 6-10 in the 8th...exactly the same way I chopped it early in the first game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.94 pins
Strikes: 45%
Spares: 75% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (7/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (3x each)
Also left a single 4-pin.

Makeable spares: 80% (12/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

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

Positives
- Clean game
- 100% on single-pins
- Tied my 3rd highest game on the season.
- 3rd highest series of the season.

Negatives
- Guttered on the first ball...again. Thats getting old quick.
- As bad of a start that I got off to...I actually was very, very close to a clean series. The two 6-10 chops, the baby split chop, a 9-count on the fill shot after I guttered...these all coulda very easily been conversions.
- Still struggling to use anything but a weak, low-end ball on fresh...because the lanes are just too dry.

Sometimes I ask, "why do I post the Pinpal stats on here?" And, the answer is...sometimes how I feel about a night changes after I take the time to write down the pinpal stats. Like, in this case, I felt like I bowled far, far better than I did last week. And...I did. BIG difference between a 505 series and a 620 series. But, what was the difference? I striked 45% of the time this week and 45% last week. So, was this just a "luckier" night in that I was able to actually run some of those strikes together. Last week I had a few doubles and a few turkeys. Last night I had a couple doubles and a couple hambones. Doesn't seem too different.

But...the spare shooting was really the difference. I hate to say that...because it'd really make things easier on me if I could strike 55-70% of the time. I certainly can't count on a 100% single-pin conversion rate every night. But it felt good. Some nights I can barely buy a single-pin conversion...some nights I can't miss. Who knows?

The biggest issue I had last night was...well, I'll save this for another post...running long.

[Aslan]

Summer League

Holding on to 3rd place...but not for long.

Week 12

512 Series: 189-154-169

7 /, 8 /, 9 -, 9 /, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, 7 / 7.
Had to start with the Endeavor because the Rhino Gold looked like garbage in warm-ups.

X, 9 /, 3 6, X, X, 9 /, 9 -, S7 -, 9 -, 6 / 9.
Switched to the Yeah Baby Sinful. It was as abysmal as usual. Moved to the Exile in the 10th.

X, X, 9 /, S8 1, X, 9 /, 7 1, X, 9 -, X 6 /.
Just terrible. The Exile just wasn't moving the way I remember it moving in the past.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.61 pins
Strikes: 33%
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (7/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (9x)
Also left a single 4-pin and 5-pin.

Makeable spares: 66% (12/18)
Multiple Pin spares: 71% (5/7)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6-10 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 170.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 183.67

Positives
- Made more multi-pin spare conversions this week?

Negatives
- Pretty much everything...

I mean, I can't win if I only throw 1/3 of my shots for strikes. And it is absolutely insane to leave the 10-pin NINE TIMES! Now I'm questioning the arsenal change because the Rhino Gold is terrible, the Yeah Baby Sinful is garbage, and the Exile was barely biting tonight. And, because I haven't thrown the Exile in so long...It was a brutal fight to get the VISE inserts in it. Might be the surface. I put a 1000/R. Compound/polished surface on it. Usually I'll put something polished with some grit underneath it.

Lost all 4 points to a team we spotted 290 pins. Just brutal.

[Aslan]

Summer League

For some reason I forgot to post this last week.

Week 13

576 Series: 169-211-196

5 /, S8 -, X, 8 /, 7 2, 7 2, 8 1, X, X, X 9 /.
Tried to make it work with the Rhino Gold...just can't seem to find a line that works with that ball.

X, 9 -, X, - /, 7 /, 8 /, 8 /, X, X, XXX.
Kept at it with the Rhino Gold. Finally found a good line/shot near the end of the game to salvage a 200+ game.

X, 9 /, 9 -, X, 6 /, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 / 9.
Switched to the Forbear Exile in the 4th. Had trouble getting the insert in the ball. I think something has changed with it because it has a small crack between the fingers and its been sitting on my "retirement rack" for a while without being used. But, only open was on a 7-pin in the 3rd...so I kept things cleaned and salvaged the 196.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.68 pins
Strikes: 47%
Spares: 64% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leave: n/a
Left a single 6-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).

Makeable spares: 68% (11/16)
Multiple Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 192.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 200.00.

Positives
- Only 2 opens in the last 2 games.

Negatives
- Struggled in Game 1.

This was a weird night because I didn't really feel like I bowled much better than last week...just a "little" better in each category. So, it was the sum of little improvements that ended up being a solid night (versus an abysmal night last week).

Lost a few more points...so we're pretty much out of contention for 1st/2nd. And, we're a long shot to take 3rd or 4th.

[Aslan]

Summer League

Week 14

603 Series: 197-235-171

X, 6 /, X, S7 2, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, X 9 /.
Again, tried to make it work with the Rhino Gold. Carry wasn't 'great'...but I converted all my makable spares to salvage a decent 197.

9 /, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 8 /, 9 -, X, XXX.
Dialed in my shot with the Rhino Gold and was a missed 7-pin away from a clean 246. But, carried my team to a close win...so thats a good thing.

X, 9 /, 7 /, 8 -, X, 9 -, 8 /, X, 9 /, X 8 /.
Just stopped making good shots...for some reason. Switched to the Forbear Exile in the 8th...but two opens and intermittent 4 strikes isn't a recipe for a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.21 pins
Strikes: 52%
Spares: 75% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (7/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 80% (12/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 77% (7/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 201.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 208.33.

Positives
- Only 4 opens and one was a split.
- Nearly every statistic was improved.
- Teammate shot a 300.
- We took all 4 points despite spotting the other team about 260+ pins.

Negatives
- Just fell apart in Game 3.
- Still not sure if this new arsenal approach (weaker, higher RG) is the way to go.

One more week until the competition round which they run like a qualifying/stepladder type tournament...but its like a Baker's format where players alternate frame-to-frame. Also gotta work on my mental game...brining negative work thoughts into the alley needs to stop...because it distracts me form putting all my concentration into making good shots.

[Aslan]

Summer League

Week 15

Final week of regular play. Playoffs next week.

578 Series: 212-206-160

X, S8 -, X, X, X, X, X, 9 -, X, 9 / 9.
The Rhino Gold cracked earlier this week...probably left in the dehydrator too long. So, my next best choice for my leadoff ball is to go back to using the Perfect Mindset. Made me rethink my plans for a high RG arsenal next season because the Perfect mindset was killing it! Should have had the front 7, but I pushed my shot badly in the 2nd frame. Started to lose my line a little in the 8th.

7 /, 9 /, 3 /, 6 3, 9 -, 9 /, X, X, X, XXX.
Just could not find a line once I lost it. Made the switch to the Forbear Exile in the 6th frame and suddenly my line was playing well again.

9 /, 7 2, 9 /, X, 8 1, 6 /, 9 -, X, S7 /, X 8 -.
Lost the line and just never got it back...but it was mostly bad shot-making. Pushing shots right, pulling shots left...just a terrible performance.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.85 pins
Strikes: 47%
Spares: 52% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x)
Also left a single 3-pin and 7-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 53% (8/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-5-8 (2x).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 192.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 204.00.

Positives
- Two 200+ games.
- Shot my average.
- Picked up a 6-9-10 split with a ball thrown back-up.

Negatives
- Fell apart in Game 3...AGAIN.
- Team lost all 4 points.

Had an opportunity to move into 3rd place...but we'll likely be in 5th...if we're lucky. Might have fallen down further. Next week we have a playoffs where we get paired up based on the final standings and then have Baker's doubles sort of team qualifier and then a stepladder finals. I think it's one game and double elimination. The following weekend into the week I'll be back to fall leagues and bowling twice a week.

[J Anderson]

The 6-9-10 is a split?

[Aslan]

The 6-9-10 is a split?

Oops. Meant a 3-9-10.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 1

Back with the same team. An old lady that averages about 60, a young gal with a learning disability that averages around 100, me, and an older gentleman that usually averages in the 135-155 range.

597 Series: 214-204-179

Struggled with the Perfect Mindset early, so I switched to the Brunswick Endeavor in the 2nd frame. A missed single 7-pin away from a clean game.
9 /, X, 9 /, 8 /, 9 -, X, X, X, 9 /, XX9.

The Endeavor was hitting well, right up until the 8th/9th frames where it clearly showed me I needed to make a move left. Granted, an open in the 9th is a rough way to find out.
X, S8 /, X, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 /, S8 -, X S8 1.

Had to switch to the Fortera Exile in the 3rd frame. After a small adjustment to my line, things seemed to go well. But another open in the 9th killed me.
7 /, 9 -, S8 1, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 8 -, 7 / 9.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.26
Strikes: 50%
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (6/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 2-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Makeable spares: 72% (8/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 25% (1/4)

Average over 3 games: 199.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 206.33.

Positives
- A 550+ series...can't complain too much.
- Finished with the 2nd highest series despite bowling a team with a few solid bowlers.
- Bowled above my average.

Negatives
- WAY too many splits.
- Opening twice in the 9th isn't a recipe for success.
- Team lost 3 out of 4 points in the opening week...so might be another long season.
- The Fortera Exile doesn't seem to have the same life in it as it used to.

Still using my previous arsenal, but I had to swap out the Vintage Rhino Gold because it cracked. So, back to using the Perfect Mindset as ball #1. Still plan on moving to a new, higher RG arsenal...but haven't gotten around to drilling the new balls yet.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 1

First night of the men's league. 3 of the same 5 guys as last season and the season before. Two new guys this year. Usually finish 2nd-5th in this league.

484 Series: 159-188-137

X, S8 1, X, 8 -, 9 /, 9 /, 9 /, 9 -, 6 /, X S8 1.
Started with the Brunswick Endeavor because the Perfect Mindset wasn't carrying in warm-ups. After 6 frames I switched to the Yeah Baby Sinful (YBS).

X, S6 /, X, 7 2, X, 6 1, 9 /, X, X, X 6 /.
Switched to the Fortera Exile in the 8th and managed to run a few strikes together.

X, 8 1, 6 2, X, 8 /, 9 /, S8 1, S8 -, 7 2, 9 / 8.
All around terrible performance. Missing left, missing right, carry was garbage, and a couple splits thrown in for good measure. One of the worst games I've bowled in a while.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.52 pins
Strikes: 33%
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 8-pin and 10-pin (2x each)
Also left a single 4-pin, 7-pin, and 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 56% (9/16)
Multiple Pin spares: 33% (3/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5-8 and 6-10 (2x each)

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 3 games: 161.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 164.00.

Positives
- I guess its better to bowl like this early on than later in the season.

Negatives
- Pretty much the entire body of work was a negative. Absolutely abysmal.

Not too upset given its the first week. Just disappointed that I bowled all summer and came out in week 1 as if I took the summer off.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 2

634 Series: 267-158-209

Got lucky on about half the shots...but this might be the first time I've had the front nine in sanctioned play.
X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, X, 9 -.

Stuck with the Perfect Mindset through six more frames, then switched to the Fortera Exile. Decent game until I ended it with 3 terrible frames.
9 /, 7 /, 8 /, X, 7 /, 9 /, X, 6 2, 7 2, - 9.

Decent score for having two opens.
X, X, 8 1, X, X, 8 /, 9 -, 8 /, XX7.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81
Strikes: 56%
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (2/4)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x)
Also left a single 6-pin.

Makeable spares: 53% (8/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 55% (2/3)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: N/A

Average over 3 games: 211.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 218.67.

Positives
- Obviously, coming relatively close to shooting my first sanctioned 300 was great.
- 600+ series is always great.

Negatives
- To shoot a 625+ and not have even one clean game is disappointing.
- Relied a lot more on luck and good carry than I'd like.
- If the Perfect Mindset is the right Ball #1 at this house, I may be making the wrong move going to a higher RG arsenal.

This is my first sanctioned front 9. According to Pinpal, I this is my 3rd 9-in-a-row...although I can only recall one other time...and that was the 2nd frame through first shot in the 10th. I actually opened in the 1st frame and finished the 10th with a spare. One of my 268 sanctioned high games. But I don't recall ever having the front 9. I think I had the front 8 once before and maybe the front 7 a couple times. So, I was excited at the prospect of finally...after over 4100 games...finally getting that sanctioned 300. But, not tonight.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 2

536 Series: 156-211-169

9 /, 8 1, X, 6 2, X, S8 1, S8 1, X, X, 9 / 7.
The Perfect Mindset (PM) looked good in warm-ups...but I just couldn't maintain the line as the game progressed.

X, X, S7 2, X, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, X, 9 / 8.
Only a split away from a clean game...but a frame away is a frame away. Continued with the PM, just trying to make better shots.

X, 9 -, 8 1, 9 /, 7 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, 7 /, 8 / 9.
Moved to the Fortera Exile for Game 3, but just could not find a line that would carry.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.85 pins
Strikes: 36%
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (8/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (4x)
Also left a single 4-pin, 7-pin (2x), and 10-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 73% (11/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (3/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 178.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 182.00.

Positives
- Much improved stats over the first week.

Negatives
- Leaving four 5-pins isn't indicative of hitting the pocket.

Not as much of an embarrassment as the first week, but still very much below par.