JaMau24 Bowling Scores

[Aslan]

JaMau…you're very good at making excuses why moving up a level is hard…but at the end of the day, any sport or hobby should be a progression. If you get good enough to bowl in tournaments…thats the next step. Good enough to win those…take the next step.

I never said it was "easy". Oh my God it's not EASY!! If it was easy, everyone would do it. But, and there are some very high profile bowling "experts" that would agree with me here, I think far too many bowlers are bowling on THS and never advancing. And they all have "excuses" or their own little reasons. But the bottom line is…if you're out bowling your league…you need a new league. And no…it's not that hard to find a sport pattern league. Just pick up one of those little newspapers at your local alley..you'll find at least 3 within driving distance. And to use the excuse that, "well…to win at the next level…I'd have to bowl like a 250+ average on a THS league."…well, okay. Then there's a goal…250…when you hit it…off to sport league ya go!

I used to be a runner. And I always wanted to do 10Ks or even marathons…but I was struggling to finish in the top 1-6 of my age group in 5Ks…so I didn't want to go to an even tougher class/distance until I could consistently finish well in 5Ks. So, I set goals and told myself…3 top 3 finishes…it'll be time to move on.

Most sports don't let you choose that for yourself…they MAKE you move up. We're lucky that in bowling it's our choice. But far, far, far too many good house bowlers aren't pushing themselves enough. Especially with the new technology that exists. And the issue here…at least the way I see it…and this is NOT to diminish JaMau's recent 300…but as these high scores and 300 games are becoming exponentially more common…they are being cheapened. I see a guy nearly throw a 300 game EVERY WEEK in my Friday league. And while it's still exciting…I'm seeing more and more bowlers not even give it much attention. They used to all gather around to watch…now, more than half the league kinda goes, "whatever". And thats too bad. Because if you're a 189 average bowler…and you have that ONE game…of your life…where you're 2 strikes away from the golden goose…thats a HUGE deal. But, and I kinda feel this way too…I'm starting to see league bowlers bowling 750 series EVERY WEEK…and it's almost like I don't like that person. Rather than respect their ability and cheer their accomplishment…I feel like I'm watching a college basketball player scoring 100 in a rec league summer game. I mean, how high an average does a person need to feel good about themselves? How many 300 games before…maybe ya swallow the pride and test yourself?

Ya know who I have mad respect for? The old, scratch league bowlers that bowl in the league next to our's on Thursdays. These guys are GOOD…and they go out every week…no handicaps…and they just go straight up against other elite competition. And many of these guys are pushing 70! If I see a guy with a 225 average and 3 three hundred games…then see a guy with a 189 average bowling in a sport league scratch…I walk right past the first guy to shake the second guy's hand…because not only is he good…but he's not afraid. He put his ego in his pocket and said to himself, "I know I'm good…I got nothin left to prove bowling against beginners…and now I'm show myself how good I really am."

I mean, is that "wrong" of me to feel that way? Should I just be super-impressed when the best bowler in our league gets his 8th 300 game of the season?? Should I go over and ONCE AGAIN shake his hand and tell him how awesome he is? Or is there some limit where ya just kinda give em a head nod or a thumbs up…or maybe just not care?

[JaMau24]

JaMau…you're very good at making excuses why moving up a level is hard…but at the end of the day, any sport or hobby should be a progression. If you get good enough to bowl in tournaments…thats the next step. Good enough to win those…take the next step.

I never said it was "easy". Oh my God it's not EASY!! If it was easy, everyone would do it. But, and there are some very high profile bowling "experts" that would agree with me here, I think far too many bowlers are bowling on THS and never advancing. And they all have "excuses" or their own little reasons. But the bottom line is…if you're out bowling your league…you need a new league. And no…it's not that hard to find a sport pattern league. Just pick up one of those little newspapers at your local alley..you'll find at least 3 within driving distance. And to use the excuse that, "well…to win at the next level…I'd have to bowl like a 250+ average on a THS league."…well, okay. Then there's a goal…250…when you hit it…off to sport league ya go!

I used to be a runner. And I always wanted to do 10Ks or even marathons…but I was struggling to finish in the top 1-6 of my age group in 5Ks…so I didn't want to go to an even tougher class/distance until I could consistently finish well in 5Ks. So, I set goals and told myself…3 top 3 finishes…it'll be time to move on.

Most sports don't let you choose that for yourself…they MAKE you move up. We're lucky that in bowling it's our choice. But far, far, far too many good house bowlers aren't pushing themselves enough. Especially with the new technology that exists. And the issue here…at least the way I see it…and this is NOT to diminish JaMau's recent 300…but as these high scores and 300 games are becoming exponentially more common…they are being cheapened. I see a guy nearly throw a 300 game EVERY WEEK in my Friday league. And while it's still exciting…I'm seeing more and more bowlers not even give it much attention. They used to all gather around to watch…now, more than half the league kinda goes, "whatever". And thats too bad. Because if you're a 189 average bowler…and you have that ONE game…of your life…where you're 2 strikes away from the golden goose…thats a HUGE deal. But, and I kinda feel this way too…I'm starting to see league bowlers bowling 750 series EVERY WEEK…and it's almost like I don't like that person. Rather than respect their ability and cheer their accomplishment…I feel like I'm watching a college basketball player scoring 100 in a rec league summer game. I mean, how high an average does a person need to feel good about themselves? How many 300 games before…maybe ya swallow the pride and test yourself?

Ya know who I have mad respect for? The old, scratch league bowlers that bowl in the league next to our's on Thursdays. These guys are GOOD…and they go out every week…no handicaps…and they just go straight up against other elite competition. And many of these guys are pushing 70! If I see a guy with a 225 average and 3 three hundred games…then see a guy with a 189 average bowling in a sport league scratch…I walk right past the first guy to shake the second guy's hand…because not only is he good…but he's not afraid. He put his ego in his pocket and said to himself, "I know I'm good…I got nothin left to prove bowling against beginners…and now I'm show myself how good I really am."

I mean, is that "wrong" of me to feel that way? Should I just be super-impressed when the best bowler in our league gets his 8th 300 game of the season?? Should I go over and ONCE AGAIN shake his hand and tell him how awesome he is? Or is there some limit where ya just kinda give em a head nod or a thumbs up…or maybe just not care?

I see what you're argument is, but I don't like it. I don't think I'm "afraid" at all of bowling on sport patterns because my average will suffer and it will "hurt my ego", that's not the issue. There are 2 reasons why I'm not bowling sport patterns.

1. I'm in too many leagues and don't want to pay for another league. I'm in 3, don't want to be in 4. I like the people I bowl with, and it was too late to change my mind before the season started.

2. This is perhaps the biggest reason, and you may find this shocking... I don't really particularly care to go pro in bowling. Again, as me and vdub are telling you, think of how many bowlers there are in the US that average over 210, or 220. To just "simply to the next step" is not enough. It is incredibly difficult to ever be anything in bowling. Lets pretend for a second that I am on the fringe of being a pro, and I'm not, but go with me.... So I'd have to spend a lot of time and a lot of money doing everything I can to get the very best I could. Then, after I feel as though I can compete with them, I'd have to travel to regional tournaments, or get my PBA card and compete in Las Vegas, and more than likely get blown out of the water by some of the best bowlers in the world. That's more money down the drain. So consider all the money I've now spent (and blown) just to compete with the pros, NOW consider the fact that the 20th ranked bowler for prize money in the PBA last season, Nathan Bohr (who happens to be from around here and I've bowled against in a tournament) made $26,645.00. That's it. You can probably make more than that working at McDonald's for a year. That also doesn't count the money he spent entering tournaments that he did poorly in, and lost.

For you to actually make solid money in the sport of bowling, you need to be top 10, and that ain't happening from me, ever.

So to summarize, you gotta spend a lot of money, and if you aren't one of the top 15 in bowling, you're making crap for money. Bowling is one of the worst sports to make money in, and it's not close. A countless number of "sports" make more money than most bowlers, and that includes Major League Eating, and Darts.

While I do plan to bowl in a sport league to challenge myself, and have fun on different patterns, I have no hopes or plans of going pro. I'm perfectly content just doing it as a hobby, and earning my living other ways. Now if by some miracle I get ridiculously good at bowling on tough patterns, I'll reevaluate my plans, but I don't ever foresee that happening. That's not me being too harsh on myself, that's just me being realistic, knowing the odds, and knowing my bowling game.



I also want to touch on what you said not being a big as of deal for some to bowl 300's. I agree with you, it's not! It was awesome when I bowled my first one or second one, but now it doesn't mean as much. Let me be clear, it's still a rush, and I love doing it, but obviously once you do it more, it means less to those around you, and I'm fine with that. Hell, when they announce I bowl a 300 on the intercom, people barely clap because they know it's from me, and I'm ok with that, I get it. I still respect those who clap for ANYONE who bowls a 300 though, because it isn't easy. However, I will always be more excited for a 190 average bowler who shoots 300, rather than a 230 average bowler who shoots 300. Mike is averaging close to 210 right now, and I get more happy when he bowls a 300 than when I do!

[Aslan]

@JaMau
I get what you're saying. And I was just suggesting maybe moving to scratch leagues, small tournaments, and sport leagues….not calling up Ebonite to see about getting sponsored for the Pro Tour and enter the WSOB.

Now, your numbers are "slightly" off in that those bowlers in the top 75 receive more money in sponsorships than in winnings. Actually, it's only the top 10-12 that money won starts to = or exceed their sponsorship money. But yes, you'd have to be in the top 15-25 to get noticed and sponsored…so I see what you're saying.

And again…it was in no way meant to be personal or in any way discount the amazing season you've been having and I congratulate you for. I just personally feel that some of these house, handicap leagues aren't doing enough to encourage some of their truly elite bowlers to "take that next step". How many lanes actually even dedicate 4 lanes to a sport pattern?? And bowling as a pro sport doesn't help because like you said, why would a person spend $1000 a month playing in tournaments and PBA regional events when the payoff is likely $16,000 a year as a pro?

The flip side however…and I eluded to it at the end…is…I have relatively little tolerance for top bowlers in my sanctioned league that whine about handicaps. I mean, if a team in a handicap league beats you by 100 pins on a night you beat them by 240 scratch…thats not "their" fault…thats your fault for being in a league you don't belong in. In that same respect, if you get 3-300 games a season on THS patterns…isn't it at some point not going to matter? Bowlers used to bowl in 1-2 leagues a week for 55 years…waiting for that one magical night. Like I said, now every night in my Friday league a person is in the 10th frame with all strikes through 9. 3 weeks ago, 290. 2 weeks ago, 289. Last week, 279. This week, 299. The 289 and 299 were the same guy. I just think at some point it becomes a joke…and I also think it discourages players. Imagine you're throwing a 300 and the person on the other team throws a 157. Thats your 8th 300 game. They've never bowled higher than 138. They're smiling and jumping up and down and feeling good…then they look over and realize…their BEST…is a game that if you threw it you'd vomit in the restroom. It's kinda de-moralizing if ya think about it.

But I guess my only advice is…don't limit yourself the way you are and vdub is. If you're afraid or it's an ego thing…whatever. It's for fun and some people can't have fun without being the "best". I get that. But if it's not an ego thing…don't be afraid to put your toe in the water. I used to be scared of casino poker tournaments…because these guys "know how to play"…not like the house games and charity tournaments I played. But…I made the move…lost and learned a lot at first…still learning (and losing a fair amount of the time)…but every once in awhile, I have those games or hands where I realize I'm good enough to be at the table with those players. It's the "next step" for me. You "may" (or may not) be at that stage…where you need to trim down 1-2 handicap leagues and try your luck with the big boys. AMT, ABT, etc… there are a lot of tournaments out there…especially in the St. Louis area…$25-$125 gets you a seat at the table. What would you be more proud of? Your 9th 300 game in front of Iceman and your other adoring followers?? Or a $2000 check for being the 2nd best bowler in a scratch tournament against some of the best bowlers in and around St. Louis??

IDK. At this point…I'd poop myself if I just threw a 600 series…so my bar is pretty low. But I have high expectations…and big dreams. I'll be in at LEAST 1 scratch/sport league if I can ever get a 190 average on THS. Will I win? Nope. But I'll compete. And I'll get better. And then I'll have other "next steps". I'm too young to "settle" on being the 6th best league bowler in a handicap league for the rest of my life.

[JaMau24]

Well, this might come off as shocking to you, but there is not ONE scratch league in my area at the 8-10 bowling alleys within a reasonable distance of me (45 mins or so). Not one. Trust me, Aslan, there is nothing I'd rather do than to bowl in a scratch league. I know others that average high as well wish there was a scratch league around here. The problem is, they just wouldn't get enough interest or teams. That being said, 2 of the 3 leagues I'm in, a lot of the top bowlers in the KC area are in the league. Honestly, I was thinking about it, and I'm not even a top 10 bowler in this area I don't think. I can think of 10 or 20 people (maybe even more that I'm forgetting) I'd consider better than me, and I'm sure there is a lot more that are better than me on sport/pba patterns. In a 40 team league on Saturday, 5 person to a team, I'm the 6th or 7th high average right now, and that's just one league. That only has some of the top bowlers in KC. But I digress, anyway, it's just tough to get all the top bowlers in KC that would join a scratch league to all go to one alley on one night.

What our summer league did, that is full of bowlers that AVG 220+, was just lower the handicap a lot, making it 80% of 210, and most of the bowlers in that league were just bowling scratch against each other.

I really don't do well in (singles) tournaments around here either, because there are a bunch of great bowlers, and even though I don't do bad, it's that you HAVE to be at your best on that particular day. You know how hard it is to always have your best? If you don't have your best on that particular day, you ain't cashing any money, because there are so many great bowlers that will be at their best.

Again though, I'm not afraid of bowling on any pattern, or against anyone, no matter how poorly I'd do.

[JaMau24]

Week 11


Wow. I've never bowled so well and so poorly at the same time. I feel like I easily left an 800 series to wash away, and a VERY NICE 800 series at that. Beautiful starts and terrible finishes.

33 Games -- Current Average: 234.91 -- AVG Up 0.11 Pins From Last Week -- Total Pinfall: 7,752

[JaMau24]

Week 12


Wow, I'm really kicking myself for blowing that 300! I just got the ball a little too wide of my target, and it hit the dry area and shot back right through the nose. Still a good night. We won 3 out of 4.

36 Games -- Current Average: 235.67 -- AVG Up 0.76 Pins From Last Week -- Total Pinfall: 8,484

[MICHAEL]

Maybe you and I could fine a sports pattern Dude! I think I might sponsor you to go PRO if you get a little SPORTS Pattern bowling under your belt!!

I am sure you would do GREAT with that Fricken killer release you have! Let's make it a point to find one here in town and just Join!! IT"S TIME MR 235 plus to go in that direction! (speaking as your future mgr!)

My son Nick is now patrolling your neighborhood parkville , sworn in yesterday! Keep your sh@T straight now!! LOL (

[JaMau24]

Week 13


39 Games -- Current Average: 235.13 -- AVG Down 0.54 Pins From Last Week -- Total Pinfall: 9,170

[JaMau24]

Week 14


Wow, what a night this was. I couldn't get anything going, then I did finally find a line in the second game, only for it to completely go away the last game. Not a good night at all from me.

42 Games -- Current Average: 232.74 -- AVG Down 2.39 Pins From Last Week -- Total Pinfall: 9,775

[JaMau24]

Week 15


My third 290 in this league so far this season. I was actually kinda surprised it happened because the carry wasn't very good for me.

45 Games -- Current Average: 233.29 -- AVG Up 0.55 Pins From Last Week -- Total Pinfall: 10,498