Why did I join a sport shot league?

[foreverincamo]

Went 6-4 tonite for points. Shot 667 for 4 games. Just no carry. Second game I absolutely buried the first 7 shots. First frame strike and 6 nine counts. Then came the splits last game if I hit the pocket I carried. Shot 198 with one open on a tough spare. No splits.
Next week we change oil patterns to an even shorter oil pattern called Alcatraz. It's like 35 feet long.

[1VegasBowler]

I start my PBA Experience league next Wednesday, and I am looking forward to the challenge.

[foreverincamo]

1VegasBowler, enjoy the challenge. It's hard bowling with areas that are out of bounds. It's like the lane is 10 boards narrower than in league.

[foreverincamo]

Going to practice this Sunday on Alcatraz. Just might bust out my Blue Pearl Hammer I bought in 1987 and resurface it. Stuff that has that hockey-stick type shape doesn't work well on short oil. Really need something that simply arcs, or reacts quickly and then holds its line.

[1VegasBowler]

1VegasBowler, enjoy the challenge. It's hard bowling with areas that are out of bounds. It's like the lane is 10 boards narrower than in league.

Ah yes....The WRW, Jr. approach of straighter is greater.

[fordman1]

I guess some PBA leagues are different than when I tried it. Animal patterns. Different one every week for 5 weeks then start over. The last 3 weeks were drawn from a jar. A different one every week. High average paid $300 and one year a senior pro won with 190. Many 230+ bowlers were in their 180 and spares were tough unless you threw right at them. Leaving a one pin spare was the only easy one and had to be a 5 pin. You can have it. You had to change so many things that come fall you timing and everything else was messed up. No Thanks!

[1VegasBowler]

I guess some PBA leagues are different than when I tried it. Animal patterns. Different one every week for 5 weeks then start over. The last 3 weeks were drawn from a jar. A different one every week. High average paid $300 and one year a senior pro won with 190. Many 230+ bowlers were in their 180 and spares were tough unless you threw right at them. Leaving a one pin spare was the only easy one and had to be a 5 pin. You can have it. You had to change so many things that come fall you timing and everything else was messed up. No Thanks!

I'm not sure how they're going to do ours as far as patterns go.

Since I throw a plastic ball for spares extremely straight on, I should be ok on that end.

As far as timing goes, I will also be bowling in a regular league as well so my timing doesn't get FUBAR.

[foreverincamo]

I'm just hoping that my accuracy improves from doing this league. My goal is to hit a 190+ average. Once I get my spinner and Abralon pads, I'm going to play with my surfaces and see what I can do. Many of my balls are at a 500 finish. Some are polished, others are a matte finish. I'm going to add polish to my Brunswick Melee Cross after taking it to around 3000 grit and see how it changes the ball. This summer is all about experimenting.

[fordman1]

After our league was over I was told that most keep the same pattern for 3 weeks then change. We changed every week and it was brutal. Walk in off the street change your shoes and good luck. Not only that but they would change after a few frames. Take a couple of shots to get close to lined up and it was gone. Not a little gone but a lot gone.

[1VegasBowler]

After our league was over I was told that most keep the same pattern for 3 weeks then change. We changed every week and it was brutal. Walk in off the street change your shoes and good luck. Not only that but they would change after a few frames. Take a couple of shots to get close to lined up and it was gone. Not a little gone but a lot gone.

That just gives you an idea of what the pros go through during qualifications, match play and the step ladder finals.

While we certainly complain about how our THS has its breakdowns and transitions, the sport shots do so even more so.

I'm doing the sport shots for a couple of reasons. I'm doing a Pro Am here in on the 28th, and I'm going to do the Xtra Frame Regional here at the end of November, and any preparation I can get for those events will be helpful.

I also play in the 9 Tap Tour here where they use a modified house shot (they never say what the pattern is) and the only oiling is just before the first squad. 3rd squad is as dried and fried as they come and I plan on using the VDZ this Saturday on the 3rd squad.

Should be interesting, the say the least! lol