Two things I don't need during my league night games......

[J Anderson]

Exactly! Isn't that more thrilling? Isn't it more exciting? Knowing you need marks to win and getting them? Having someone try to make you nervous and sticking it right in their face? That's not better than just bowling la-dee-da and then "Oh gee....look at that, we won the game, how about that"?

Yes it is, but there's a difference between shutting up a trash-talking wise guy and constantly checking the scoreboard to see what you need. Hammer was able to take the "you have to strike" comment and turn it into "I will make an excellent shot". I don't think it would have been quite as satisfying if the other guy had kept his mouth shut and Hammer had checked the scoreboard to see what he needed.

For many of us, focusing on the score becomes counter productive. Instead of just trying to make the best shot we can, we focus on getting a certain number. Then instead of reacting rationally to a flat ten, the adrenaline kicks in and instead of making the spare and then adjusting on the next frame, we miss the spare and muscle the first ball in the next frame.

I'm not saying everyone is like this, but many are. Each of us has to learn how we are affected looking at the score or hearing trash talk, and then how to deal with it.

[Aslan]

I'm with Hampe on this one.

One of the most exciting things on league night is when in that last frame you're up by 14 but he's working off a strike...it's anyone's game!!

I've lost total pin counts by 2 pins, 4 pins, 6 pins, 12 pins, 23 pins...when you're in game 3 and not only is game 3 on the line, but so is the total pin count...those are some exciting times!!

[Hampe]

Hammer was able to take the "you have to strike" comment and turn it into "I will make an excellent shot".

Well, I do agree with that....it's important not to hang everything on the result. If I'm in that situation and play a nice ball that just doesn't strike for whatever reason, I'm not going to beat myself up or get down on myself.

I don't think it would have been quite as satisfying if the other guy had kept his mouth shut and Hammer had checked the scoreboard to see what he needed.

I agree that stuffing it in some jerk's face is more satisfying. But I still think it's more satisfying to come through at that moment when you're aware of the situation, rather than to roll 3 strikes and afterwards look up and and go "oh, hey....I just won us the game....huh". There's no adrenaline rush if you are completely unaware of the situation......but I do also understand that not everyone is like that, and doesn't want to have that feeling while they are bowling.

[Hammer]

Even though I don't look at my score until the end of the game I still have the adrenalin going each time it is my turn. It still is the anticipation of getting a strike on the first ball. I am just naturally nervous in each frame but not in a fearfull way. It is from the excitement of that moment. When I let that first ball go in each frame there is excitement I get watching the ball go down the alley and having a chance of seeing a possible strike. If I do get a strike I get an adrenalin rush from it. I never feel bored to death bowling just because I don't look at my score. I am always amped up when I bowl. It is just a part of me.

[circlecity]

I may not pay tons of attention to all the scores and stuff but I still know what is going on during the game. I will glance up and see if were up or down pins etc.. but I don't fixate on the scoreboard after each shot.

[Aslan]

If you're not looking at the scores...how do you know which lane to bowl on??

It's already happened 2-3 times in my two leagues where people bowl out of turn or on the wrong lane...I can only imagine the chaos if people refuse to look at the display.

[circlecity]

If you're not looking at the scores...how do you know which lane to bowl on??

It's already happened 2-3 times in my two leagues where people bowl out of turn or on the wrong lane...I can only imagine the chaos if people refuse to look at the display.

Well, because you follow the same person on your team or the anchor from the other team if you lead off.

[Hammer]

I am the anchor bowler on a 4 person team so I just follow my teammate Trish all of the time. Plus I can see where the team we are bowling against is bowling.

[bowl1820]

If you're not looking at the scores...how do you know which lane to bowl on??

You can look at a display and see where you bowl, without reading the scores.

[Aslan]

You can look at a display and see where you bowl, without reading the scores.

But what if he looks at the display and accidentally cathches a glimpse of the score?? Then hammer'll be frightened and we'll have one additional month of winter.