How would Earl Anthony bowl today?
Here's an interesting thought. In another thread we were discussing ball speed, and somebody brought up Earl Anthony. It set me to wondering, if Earl were alive today, and somehow magically in his prime, would he change his game to match people like Barnes and Rash, throwing a powerful hook? Or would he continue his game of throwing a down-and-in finesse game? Granted, he was throwing rubber on wood lanes with oil of that era. I wonder how he would approach modern conditions and equipment? Here's another interesting question: would Earl be a top contender today?
Great thoughts/thread. Earl was the master of consistency, and making slight adjustments.
Given this, I have no doubt he could adjust his game to compete today. But, he would definitely have to adjust.
Being a lefty, he's my favorite of all-time. I used to love watching him throw, and still love pulling up the old YouTube videos. Check out "Earl Anthony Teaches Bowling" sometime--it's pretty awesome.
I think he'd still be quite successful on the PBA50 if he was still around. I'm not sure if he'd develop a shot more like WRW or Mika...or if he'd stick with what he knows...but he'd be too good to just fade off into annonymity. Unlike most bowlers in history...I think Earl and Mark Roth would be able to compete at the highest levels today if it weren't for their death/health problems...they were so much better than everyone else....kinda like how Parker Bohn, Norm Duke, PDW, WRW, and Mika....how even though the PBA is pushing the Russells and the Belmos and the Tacketts...the old guys still show up in the finals and still win.
I LOL'dOriginally Posted by Aslan
Yeah, that made me wonder if there was a "DeceasedPBA?"
So, Aslan, what's your guess? Do you think he'd stick with the down-and-in game? or would he develop another style to meet the demands of today's conditions? Or would he be good enough to make his game work well? And, while we're at it, do you think Roth would have to change his game to match, or do you think he'd just keep on cranking as he did? Was his release significantly different from, say, Rash or Barnes?
Bonus question: if Anthony weren't dead, what kind of ball do you think he'd use?
On that note, How many of the Sr bowlers like PDW, WRW & Norm Duke have drastically changed their game?They seem to throw pretty much the same as before.
They've changed some -- but not drastically that I've noticed. But those guys are all "second gen" from Anthony, too.
Actually PDW and Norm Duke both had to change their games significantly to accommodate modern equipment. Both had to learn to take the "fingers" (lift) out of the release. Pete accomplishes this by finishing his release with his fingers fully extended, while Norm actually leaves sharp edges on the holes in his bowling balls (no bevel) so if he grabs, he bleeds. WRW was one of the few bowlers that reactive resin balls actually helped because of his unique style.
PDW does have one of the if not most fluid forms. So effortless.
While WRW's form is kinda funky. Looks very forced. But works for him.
There's some fun trivia! Thanks!
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks