...CONTINUED...
So, 7th frame...I step up...push the ball too far out...end up with a single 2-pin. I converted it...but I noticed after my first shot...that same lady on the opposing team...was quietly clapping and doing a little dance. Not 'great' bowling etiquette.
Now, as the title of this short story eludes to, the actions of the bowlers, both on your team and on the opposing team, can often change the dynamics of the game. In my situation, I just had my hopes of my first sanctioned 300-game dashed. I just made a bad shot. This is where my mental weaknesses creep in...questioning my skills, or my line, or my coaching, or my equipment. Making a bad shot or a disappointing result...can often derail me.
But, as I got up for the shot in the 8th frame...I thought to myself, "I'll give that ***** something to clap about." Strike. One of my better shots of the night.
Now, 9th frame, I was back on the left lane...where I had left that 2-pin. I kinda felt like it was time to ball down to the Innovate...but I didn't want to switch off a bad shot...threw the ball, shot seemed okay...ball just seemed to die...left a 2-8 sleeper. I tried a little 'too hard' to pick it up and clipped the 8-pin off the back. No clean, 250+ game for me. But, in the 10th...I remembered that lady on the other team...and I started "bowling angry"...strike, strike, strike...for a 247. It wasn't enough to win...thank goodness...or there'd have been a hangin.
In Game 2, my teammates stepped up their game...but I lost my line early as I tried out the Innovate. Once I found my line again, after the ball change, I was back to striking. The team did their job and my 209 was enough to help.
In Game 3, it seemed like every little thing was bothering our opponents. Our team wasn't always "ready-bowling"...and the more often it happened, the more times it happened, the more annoyed their team was getting. It was primarily the one lady...the rest of the team just seemed to be more on the receiving end. But Game 3 is also the game I usually take out the Scandal Pearl...which I MUST admit...has thus far been a MONSTER in terms of length and snap. Three strikes, opened on a baby split, three more strikes, opened on single 6-pin in the 8th (bye bye 700 series), then doubled before chopping a 2-4-5 in the fill frames...for a 218. All I needed was a mark in the 10th to take 2 of 3 points.
Like I mentioned in my scores thread; most people bowl their best when they are relaxed. Opponents may think that getting under their skin will be helpful and have a negative effect on their game. But, sometimes that can backfire. I came into that night late, rushed, unprepared, and sensitive to the 1st place team's concerns/situation. But, in part due to their own behavior...I had my best season since October 2015 and my second best sanctioned series ever.
They also took issue with our #3 bowler. He is a newbie and I 'think' that he thought the rule was...he couldn't go on the approach when the opposing player is up there. So he waits until they are done (with both shots). He wasn't doing it to "slow play" or cause trouble. He's a very nice, old guy...he just didn't know the rule. But that other team...they let EVERYTHING bother them. As a result, they ended up suffering the defeat. They put all the pressure on themselves, let every little thing bother them. then, on top of that...they poked the bear.
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