full ball return- where does spare ball go?

[Jaescrub]

No lower rack at my house so I keep any "extra" balls close by in bag or on a ball cup.

[J Anderson]

When I was bowling in a Sport Condition Scratch league, the center had the ball storage area under the ball return.

I was on the left lane, but my spare ball was under the ball return on the right side.

So I reached over the ball return, and to pick up my ball with one hand, I slid my fingers and thumb into the ball, and lifted.

The problem was, I lifted the ball up into the bottom of the ball return, which dislodged the ball from my grip, and it hit the approach with a fairly loud bang.

The guy on the left lane one pair over, who was up on the approach, gave me a look of being rather annoyed by the noise.

My response was... "Hey, I'm new to this bowling thing."

So yes, 2 hands just might be better.

And in the USBC Level 1 coaching guide, coaches are told that new bowlers should be taught to pick the ball up with both hands and then insert their fingers as they get in their stance.

[2handedsniper]

what is proper etiquette when spare ball returns after your spare so the ball return does not overflow and your ball could crack like 4 of mine did from a full return? do you wait while your spare ball retyusn and switch for a 2nd time?

[Mike White]

And in the USBC Level 1 coaching guide, coaches are told that new bowlers should be taught to pick the ball up with both hands and then insert their fingers as they get in their stance.

The context is different though.

New bowlers that lack experience may not notice that a ball could be coming out of the ball return at any moment.

If you're picking up the front most ball on the rack, the only place you can't grab it is were it's touching the previous ball.

With one hand, inserted into the holes, your hand could be between your ball, and the ball coming out of the ball return, about to smash your fingers.

By using 2 hands, one on each side of the ball, you tend to pick the ball up in a way that your fingers can't get smashed.

It's like teaching a youngster to ride a bike, you start with training wheels knowing full well, at some point those wheels will come off.

[classygranny]

The context is different though.

New bowlers that lack experience may not notice that a ball could be coming out of the ball return at any moment.

If you're picking up the front most ball on the rack, the only place you can't grab it is were it's touching the previous ball.

With one hand, inserted into the holes, your hand could be between your ball, and the ball coming out of the ball return, about to smash your fingers.

By using 2 hands, one on each side of the ball, you tend to pick the ball up in a way that your fingers can't get smashed.

It's like teaching a youngster to ride a bike, you start with training wheels knowing full well, at some point those wheels will come off.

Also, by using two hands to lift the ball from the rack, you are not tiring your bowling arm and hand. To us wimpy women that's a lot of lifting in the course of two hours -

[Mike White]

what is proper etiquette when spare ball returns after your spare so the ball return does not overflow and your ball could crack like 4 of mine did from a full return? do you wait while your spare ball retyusn and switch for a 2nd time?

More than likely your balls cracked from being tossed in the air rather than rolled.

Personally when I don't strike on the first ball, I pick up my spare ball (usually in the seats) and throw it, then I'll wait for the next bowler to throw their ball, and I pick my spare ball off the rack and place it back on the seat.

That way I'm not needlessly delaying the bowler after me by making them wait for me to retrieve my spare ball before they throw their strike shot, and I'm not taking up more than my fair share of space on the ball return as if I just left it there.

The brain however is a mysterious object.

Since picking the ball up has become a habit, it isn't something I have to think about, and that's when strange things can go wrong.

I got to the ball return to start my frame, and couldn't find my ball, I did however find my spare ball on the rack. A quick peek at the seat, and sure enough, my strike ball was there.

I figure I must have had a brain cramp and put the wrong ball on the seat.

[Mike White]

Also, by using two hands to lift the ball from the rack, you are not tiring your bowling arm and hand. To us wimpy women that's a lot of lifting in the course of two hours -

When bowling in a senior league against a "wimpy" woman bowler, I will occasionally pick their ball off the rack and hand it to them.

After they say thank you, I mention for them to be careful, because I spit in their thumb hole, who says there's no defense in bowling.

[LOUVIT]

Wow, I never seen this as an issue before...lol. My house has a good amount of space on top and a bottom rack for each lane. I also don't see an issue with getting it from the bottom rack and I have a bad back and don't bend a lot. I don't think any bowler should have more than 2 balls on the top. IMO

[classygranny]

When bowling in a senior league against a "wimpy" woman bowler, I will occasionally pick their ball off the rack and hand it to them.

After they say thank you, I mention for them to be careful, because I spit in their thumb hole, who says there's no defense in bowling.

HaHa....careful with us senior women. I know some that would take you out for indicating they were unable to fend their ball for themselves...even if you meant it as a nice gesture, spit included.

[LOUVIT]

HaHa....careful with us senior women. I know some that would take you out for indicating they were unable to fend their ball for themselves...even if you meant it as a nice gesture, spit included.

lol nice response!!!!