My Grand Experiment

[Mike White]

Ok, another day on the lanes.

I've discovered I'm a slow starter, a fast middle, and I run out of gas before the finish line.

This time I had games of 181, 256, 162 for a whopping 599 total.

When the tank runs out, I spray can the first ball, and tug my spare shots.

I signed up for a "Practice League" whatever that is. It's sanctioned, so it's official. All I know is for $15 per week I get 3 games of league bowling, and 3 free games per day. (I think week days only) So 18 games for $15 seemed like a good deal.

[backahead]

Ok, another day on the lanes.

I've discovered I'm a slow starter, a fast middle, and I run out of gas before the finish line.

This time I had games of 181, 256, 162 for a whopping 599 total.

When the tank runs out, I spray can the first ball, and tug my spare shots.

I signed up for a "Practice League" whatever that is. It's sanctioned, so it's official. All I know is for $15 per week I get 3 games of league bowling, and 3 free games per day. (I think week days only) So 18 games for $15 seemed like a good deal.

That is exactly the same deal for my summer league. We all add an extra $5/wk to have a payout at the end. And 3 free games/day including weekends. And I would kill for a 599 I don't start bowling well until the 4th game if at all. 112 low 193 high tonight. Speed all over the place, wet lanes.

[Mike White]

I finished up the "Practice League" with a 195 average.
It should have been 200+ .

After a night of just strikes and 10-pins, I decided I needed something with a little more bite than my white dot.
I purchased a Hammer Midnight Vibe hoping it would help carry some more 10 pins.
I also reduced to 14 lbs (from 15) to see if that would be a little easier on my old body.

When I tried to bowl with the Vibe, I found that I couldn't hold the ball the same. I couldn't hold the white dot the same either.
I had pulled a muscle in my arm (whatever muscle the ring finger is connected to).

I had to finish the league throwing the ball fairly straight from the right corner towards the pocket.
It seems I only have two ways to release the ball, full revs (strike shot) or completely dead (spare shot)
I guess when you throw a reactive resin ball completely dead, even in the dry outside, it hits the pocket completely dead.
Also the 14 lbs made me a spray can. I was just as likely to miss the head pin left as right.

I had a couple of weeks rest before another league started up so my arm has recovered.

Back to the white dot... i've got two weeks into a winter league with scores of:

Oct 18th 211 202 234 - 647
Oct 25th 201 204 247 - 652

I tried throwing the Vibe once in practice after getting lined up with the white dot. The ball was heading towards the 3-6 (light) and when it hit the back end, it launched left hitting the 4-7.

I figure I've got two possible paths to follow.

Either a Storm Polar Ice or Natural Pearl urethane ball to get just a little better carry,
Or get some kind of wrist device to force me to release somewhere between full, and dead. Then maybe I can roll resin balls.

So far I've ordered a wrist device (PowrKoil). I ordered it from Bowlingball.com. Hopefully it will allow me to use the HRR I won.

[billf]

Mike, after watching your vids you may end up standing on the lane to your left with the Revenge.

[Mike White]

Mike, after watching your vids you may end up standing on the lane to your left with the Revenge.

That might be a bit of a challenge since I'm more likely to drop the ball before the foul line than loft it over gutters.

The Revenge is still sitting in the box waiting patiently to be drilled.

If the wrist device method works out where I have mostly forward roll off the hand I suspect I will be able to use a wide range of resin balls, including the Revenge.

[Mike White]

A couple of good weeks, and the muscle was pulled again.

I had the Vibe sanded down in hopes that friction would put the ball into some kind of roll...... not much luck in that area. I almost left a 5-7-10.

So I decided to bite the bullet and have the HRR drilled.

Now I'm not sure which is a more "impressive" talent. The ability to hook a plastic ball, or the ability to throw the HRR dead straight.

[Mike White]

A short video of me trying to figure out how to get the HRR to roll up to the pocket.

I'm trying to throw the HRR similar to how I throw at a 10 pin, but with a less slide, and just a little side roll.

It's going to be an adventure.

[75lockwood]

Taking into account your arm issues, you did great, you didn't need to go as far left as once thought lol. that being said you do have a fair number of accuracy issues in trying to keep the hrr on the right side of the head pin. Keep practicing and recovering, the consistency will surely follow