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

[Aslan]

Congrats on the two clean games!
With regards to the missed 4 pin, I find that when I screw up a clean game it's usually an 'easy' spare that I miss. I also find that good teams bowl at a steady pace. You don't have to wait for one of their bowlers to get back from the bar, the bathroom, or from gabbing with someone ten lanes away.

Hopefully they will remember your first to games next summer if they have to fill a vacant roster spot.

Well, there's hope I guess. I dunno. I got asked to join a team last summer and the summer before that by a guy that was a mess. Just, a personal mess. He never had any money, he had job issues, car issues, numerous girlfriend issues...he had already gotten kicked out of the Fall Sunday league for essentially numb nut behavior. So, I couldn't wait to find another team. But, then, when I went to the summer meeting...all the teams were full except one...and they just needed ONE more bowler.

So, now...like on Sundays in the fall...I'm on a team with "mentally challenged" bowlers...2 of which can't average 100...and one that averages in the 150s. Two of them are XL individuals that have some serious hygiene issues...either an allergy to deodorant or an allergy to water...so I try to sit back at the table rather than down closer.

Summer League

Week 7

Tonight we faced a team that has two decent bowlers...180-200 averages. Then, they had a bowler and a sub that were like 100-120 bowlers. We had one guy absent...so we were already playing from behind.

613 Series: 178-226-209

9 /, S7 2, 9 /, X, 9 -, X, - 8, X, X, X 9 -.
Always a bad sign when ya need to make a ball change in the 2nd frame...but after a stone 8-pin...I was like, "nope, not even gonna play that game all ****ing night with pocket 8-pins, 2-pins, 10-pins, 7-10s...not happening.

X, X, X, X, 9 /, X, X, 9 -, X, 8 /X.
Switched to the Force Peal earlier than usual...but my only other option was the Track 300A (16lb) that I unretired as a placeholder. By the time I figured out the line I'd need to play with that ball, I'd have probably waste most of Game 2...so I just went with the Force Pearl. A pocket 10-pin and a couple imperfect shots away from a perfect game.

X, X, X, 9 /, X, X, S8 1, 5 3, X, X 7 2.
Still was doing okay...I just made 3-4 bad shots.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.03 pins
Strikes: 60%
Spares: 38% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (4x)
Also left a single 4-pin, 5-pin, and 8-pin.

Makeable spares: 45% (5/11)
Multiple Pin spares: 25% (1/4)
Most common multi-pin leaves: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 204.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 212.67.

Positives
- Two games > 200.
- A 600+ series.
- 60% strike rate!

Negatives
- Lost 3 out of 4 points.
- Spare shooting was MISERABLE.

Picked up my new Danger Zone Purple Ice on Thursday. This is sort of my last ditch attempt to be able to play around second arrow. I've now got an arsenal of weaker options...virtually no surface...shiny, pearl balls.

If this doesn't work, I got a list of options...NONE of which are 'good' options.

- I can move inside...throw a shot that weaves from the oil to the 10-board and right back into the pocket. This would involve moving significantly left and targeting 3rd-4th arrow. Its "theoretically" possible...but presents two main problems. First, you HAVE to be accurate for that shot to work. A pulled shot won't go anywhere except through the nose and a pushed shot will likely also go through the nose.
- I can add "speed"....but this is a dangerous option. To add more speed, I have to move back on the approach...and that knocks my delivery out of sync...hurts my balance on release (which is why my coach moved me up to begin with).
- I can try to straighten out my hand...but sometimes that could work and other times it could make the problem worse if it leads to the ball hooking sooner (although less).

I've exhausted all the ball-specific options. If a Danger Zone, Fireball, and Endeavor can't stay right of the pocket...with my speed-dominant low-rev rate release...then its just not possible to play 2nd arrow. No matter how bad I want to...just can't do it. The lanes dictate...we can't force them to bend to our will.

[Aslan]

Summer League

Week 9

Missed last week due to a work trip, bowling against the team of strong, older fellas. Was anxious to see how the Danger Zone Purple Ice would react on fresh condition issues.

527 Series: 197-173-157

8 /, X, X, 9 /, X, 9 -, X, 9 /, 9 /X.
Carry still an issue. The Purple Ice moved well...had to adjust a little inside...standing 29 and aiming 11.

7 2, X, 9 -, X, S7 2, 6 /, X, 7 2, X, XXX.
Switched to the Brunswick Endeavor in the fill frame of the Game One 10th, but pushed a few shots and pulled a couple others. Salvaged at least a 'sort of' acceptable score finishing with 4-in a row.

X, S8 1, 9 /, 9 /, X, S7 -, 7 1, 9 /, 9 /, 9 / X.
A similar game of a mixture of bad carry and pulled shots. Switched to the Force Pearl in the 7th, but couldn't buy a strike.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.03 pins
Strikes: 47%
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x)
Also left a single 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, and 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 66% (10/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 40% (2/5)
Most common multi-pin leaves: n/a

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 175.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 183.67.

Positives
- Did a decent job with single-pins.

Negatives
- Strike rate was miserable.
- Carry was NOT good.

Danger Zone Purple Ice has a similar RG to the Black Widow Hybrid 2.0, but a much weaker pearl overstock. The problem is that the Endeavor is kinda strong for a 2.54 RG entry-level ball. So once the lanes start to break down, I almost need to skip to the Ebonite Fireball...which is weaker overall, but has a 2.51 RG...so even with that one I end up moving a little left. I might have to change my speed and hand position, because simple ball changes just don't seem to work.