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

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 30

Team is tied for 5th with one other team. No 'real' shot at #1-#2 finish, but we still got a shot of #3-#5 if we can keep from totally collapsing.

566 Series: 179-201-186

Switched to the Fireball after 3 frames. I mean, when you start out with a couple pocket 10s and a 1-2-8...not gonna fight that uphill battle. Finally settled in and salvaged at least a 'non-disasterous' score...but fortunately the other team faltered in a major way.
9 -, 7 /, 9 /, 8 1, 9 /, 7 2, X, X, X, 8 /X.

After a minor miss left me a 2-8, I decided to ball down to the Endeavor. It wasn't "smooth sailing", but at least I ran a few strikes together early. Switched to the Force Pearl in the 10th.
8 /, X, X, X, 9 /, X, 7 1, 9 /, 8 /, 9 /9.

The Force Pearl was just crushing the pocket (as it usually does). I pushed my shot in the 6th and left a 1-2-8-10. Then it was a combination of me self-destructing and slight transition. Managed to at least salvage a 186.
X, 9 -, 9 /, X, X, X, X, X, X, X 9 /.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.00
Strikes: 42%
Spares: 55% picked up

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

Makeable spares: 58% (10/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 188.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 198.00.

Positives
- It wasn't terrible...not good, but not terrible.
- The team took 3-4 points from a team of youngsters.

Negatives
- Gotta relax. It's hard when I can't buy a corner-pin spare and leave far too many of them...but getting all ticked off just makes it worse.

Front 5....this year I've had my first two 290+ games and 2-3 700+ series...so it just feels like I'm "almost" there...its gonna happen. As long as I don't blow out a knee or a shoulder...I 'should' eventually get that first sanctioned 300.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 29

Still holding onto 1st place, by a slim 4 points (other team still needs to make-up bowl one week).
This week we bowled the last place team and they are either the only or one of the 1-3 teams in this league that aren't competitive.

669 Series: 190-212-267 (clean)

9 /, X, X, S8 /, 8 /, 9 -, X, X, 9 -, X 9 -
Once again, questionable carry and abysmal spare shooting.

X, 9 -, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 9 -, X, X 8 1.
After yet another pocket 10 in frame 2, I decided to make the move to the Ebonite Fireball, which I had just resurfaced to 360/2000/Step 2. Was able to string some strikes together to mask the continued spare struggles.

X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, X, X, X, X 9 -.
Stuck with the Fireball for game 3 and it was performing perfectly with the new Step 2 finish.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.55
Strikes: 63%
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 33% (3/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x)
Also left a single 6-pin, 8-pin, and 7-pin. (2x)

Makeable spares: 36% (4/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (1/2)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 100% (1/1)

Average over 3 games: 223.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 229.33.

Positives
- Clean game in Game 3.
- A 600+ series is always acceptable.
- Gained confidence in the Fireball.

Negatives
Despite some great hands, could not win even ONE poker pot.
The team lost Game 3 despite my solid performance.

Next week its #1 vs #2...so, with only a handful of weeks left...a split or better would go very far in our race for 1st place.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 31

We come into this week tied for 6th. We're bowling the 3rd place team, which is probably the highest positioned team we have a chance to catch by season's end. They only have one bowler that is any good, and he's an older guy, 200+ average, but he he thinks he's a lot better than he actually is. So, my goal was just to have a better series than their "ace". And if the rest of my team can just do 'okay', that'd give us a chance to take 2-4 points.

617 Series: 209-174-234

I started with the Fireball out of the gate. I just wasn't going to deal with the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0 making it nearly impossible for me to stay right of the headpin. Wasn't the greatest game, but I managed to run just enough strikes together and pick up just enough spares to salvage a 200+ game.
9 - 8 /, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, 6 /6.

Stayed with the Fireball for Game 2...but probably shoulda balled down to the Endeavor. I mean, I hit the pocket 8 times and only had 4 strikes to show for it. And it wasn't just the number of strikes...it was the spacing. Never ran two together and thats not good given the way bowling is scored.
X, 9 -, X, 9 -, 8 /, 9 /, X, 9 /, X, 9 / 9.

Once the Force Pearl gets unleashed...its probably gonna be a bad night for whomever we're bowling against and tonight was no different. This ball is INSANELY good. I was leary of it given its higher RG...but its just a beast. It is so smooth through the fronts and mid-lane and just takes an aggressive dive into the pocket right at the perfect moment. The backend reminds me a lot of the Melee Jab but it has the length and front end performance of the Scandal Pearl. Only mistakes were a couple pulled shots...and those were the only ones that didn't strike.
X, X, X 8 /, X, S6 3, X, X, X, X 8 /.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.12
Strikes: 51%
Spares: 71% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Also left a single 2-pin, 3-pin, and 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 76% (10/13)
Multiple Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 205.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 216.00.

Positives
- Easily defeated their 'Ace' 1:1.

Negatives
- Carry continues to be an issue at this 'dry' house.
- No clean games.
- Once again, if I have a bad game...the team can't carry me.

Next weekend no bowling (Easter), then position round. We'll likely either bowl this team again or the team we bowled last week.

[J Anderson]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 29
Splits: 100% (1/1)

Average over 3 games: 171.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 180.67.

Positives
- Clean game in Game 3.
- A 600+ series is always acceptable.
- Gained confidence in the Fireball.

Negatives
Despite some great hands, could not win even ONE poker pot.
The team lost Game 3 despite my solid performance.

Next week its #1 vs #2...so, with only a handful of weeks left...a split or better would go very far in our race for 1st place.

How do you average 171 with a 668 series

Nice scores. Always frustrating when you make the splits and miss the single pin spares.

by the way, a number of sport league bowlers insist that if you only strike on the first ball in the tenth you need to make the spare for it to be a clean game.

[Timmyb]

Well done.

[Aslan]

How do you average 171 with a 668 series

Either because I wanted to see if anyone actually reads my post...OR...it was a copy/paste error. Almost certain it was the second option.

by the way, a number of sport league bowlers insist that if you only strike on the first ball in the tenth you need to make the spare for it to be a clean game.

That means a number of your sport league bowlers don't know what they are talking about...which is not uncommon in bowling or any other sport/hobby/life in general.

A clean game is defined...in all USBC related guidelines, manuals, coaching documents, etc... as a Game where there was a mark in every frame. Technically, a X - - is still a mark in the 10th...therefore it is, always has been, and always will be a "clean game". It, however, is not a USBC "rule" (because the USBC doesn't define a "clean game") so leagues can, theoretically, use a different definition if they choose to do so...technically...

The problem is, requiring a XXX or ? / X or X ? / is essentially requiring more from someone who doubles in the 10th. If you throw two strikes and then get a 9-count, someone could say you opened. Yet, if they get a 9-count on the first or second shot...they still could have a clean game. Its also consistent with bowling scoring. A second strike in the 10th doesn't count for the subsequent shot. It simply counts for the 9th frame strike (if you strike in the 9th) and first shot in the 10th frame. A strike on the 3rd (12th) shot (in the 10th) doesn't add an additional 10 pins because you strike on the 11th shot.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 30

In 1st place with a 5-point lead over the 2nd place team (who we were playing tonight) but their team still has one night they need to make up, so they can theoretically make up 4 points. Gotta admit, I had some butterflies driving to the alley because a split or better really will help us stay ahead of them and a 0-1 point performance could make things difficult. And, as I've mentioned before...this team in 2nd has 6 players (5 regulars and a sub) and 5 of them average over 200...versus our team with only 1 player over 200.

619 Series: 194-222-203

8 -, X, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 9 -, 7 2, X 9 /.
Stuck it out with the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0, but it was challenging to keep it right of the headpin.

X, X, X, X, X, 8 /, 8 /, X, S8 -, 9 /X.
The Fireball was just dominant for the first half of Game 2. Then the lanes started to transition a little more. I stuck it out until the fill shot when I switched to the Force Pearl.

8 /, 9 /, X, 9 -, 8 /, X, S6 2, X, X, XXX.
Wasn't able to dominate, but it was largely because the team we were playing had really tore up the middle of the pattern. I ended up having to play my "C-Game" where I was essentially lofting 1/3 of the lane...causing a much bigger arc...with a speed that was down in the 12s. But, it worked. Get the ball out on the lane...and just let it come back.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.26
Strikes: 58%
Spares: 57% picked up

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

Makeable spares: 66% (8/12)
Multiple Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 (3x)

Splits: 100% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 206.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 212.67.

Positives
- Team took 3 out of 4 points.
- Finally won a card game.
- Gained confidence in that inside/loft shot...which I've always struggled with.

Negatives
Actually LOST a card game with 5 '7's.
Spare shooting was better, but still struggled with the 10-pin.

That puts us up 85-78 with 3-4 weeks left. Granted, they have to make-up a week, so it could be 85-82...and this team is so talented that they are capable of taking 4 points every single night. So, we're not out of the woods, but I'd rather be ahead by a few points with 3-4 weeks left than tied or trailing.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 31

After facing down our main competition last week, it was time to square off against the team captained by my summer team captain...except they didn't show. So, we bowled okay against the absent team...hard to say how many points we won. However, we were 7 points ahead of the second place team, still waiting for them to makeup a 4 games from some time ago. If we can avoid an epic collapse, looks like we'll get that league title...and thats saying something in this league...because this is the center's most competitive league and one of the largest.

588 Series: 257 (clean)-171-160

9 /, X, X, X, X, X, 9 /, 9 /, X, XX9.
Switched from the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0 to the Ebonite Fireball in the 10th...but I was hitting the pocket every shot, so I felt good.

X, 6 3, S7 1, S8 -, 9 /, 9 /, 9 /, X, X, 9 /X.
Actually switched to the Brunswick Endeavor in frame 5. The lanes were playing so dry that I couldn't even keep the Fireball right of the headpin.

8 /, X, 8 1, 7 -, 9 -, X, 9 /, X, S6 2, XXX.
Quickly moved to the Force Pearl in the 2nd frame...but I made a few bad shots and carry bit me a couple times...just too much working against me for the Force Pearl to solve all the problems.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.14
Strikes: 51%
Spares: 56% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (8/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (4x)
Also left a single 7-pin, 8-pin, and 9-pin (3x).

Makeable spares: 69% (9/13)
Multiple Pin spares: 25% (1/4)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 196.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 199.67.

Positives
- Won another card game.
- Was doing a better job shooting corner pins.
- Managed to get at least one clean game.

Negatives
- Its frustrating when you're "on" and everything is clicking, but you still can't put 13 strikes together.
- I think the 2nd place team either lost 3 or split...so we 'should' still be in first place next week.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 32

Last 'regular' week of bowling. Position round next week. Sitting in 6th, we got a shot at 4th or 5th...but a slim to none chance at 3rd and mathematically impossible to finish 1st or 2nd. We were facing the team my captain from Wednesday league is on. They have two solid bowlers...and a couple of developing bowlers that can at least get near that 150 mark on a regular basis.

596 Series: 200-234-162

Stuck it out with the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0. I had to play inside (13-15) of where I'd like to play (10-11), but it allowed me to stay well left of the rest of the bowlers on the pair.
X, 9 /, X, X, X, 9 /, X, S7 -, X, 8 / 7.

Was able to stay with the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0 through 6 frames...but then a stone 8-pin forced me to make a ball change. I figured it'd be lights out with the Force Pearl and have that ball change in the 7th.
X, X, X, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 /, S7 2.

Dejected over the bad break in the 10th of Game 2, I tried to get back on track in Game 3. Once I struck in the 2nd frame, I had one primary goal...to strike on the first ball of the 10th. If I do that, I win (finally) the strike-a-mania pot and and $300-$400 richer. Had troubles "pulling" and was trying to correct that before I got to the 10th. Ringing 10 in the 9th...and a ringing 10 in the 10th...no money for me.
X, X, X S8 1, 7 /, S7 /, 4 4, X, 9 -, 9 -.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.00
Strikes: 54%
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 8-pin and 9-pin (2x).

Makeable spares: 66% (6/9)
Multiple Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: 25% (1/4)

Average over 3 games: 198.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 206.00.

Positives
- Easily defeated their two 'quality' bowlers.
- The team took 2.5 points...not bad considering how bad everyone else on the team bowled.

Negatives
- MISSED Strike-O-Mania on a ringing 10. Ughhh! That was an easy $300-$400...but the 'darn' 10-pin wouldn't fall.
- No clean games... despite a couple decent 200/200+ games.
- Once I missed my first corner-pin, they became exponentially harder to make.

Position round next week. Hoping to finish 4th or 5th...but we'll see. This is the "fun league" so I guess it doesn't really matter.