Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 10

574 Series: 209-179-186

9 /, X, X, 9 /, X, X, X, S7 -, 9 /, 9 /X
Not a bad game. Only open was a split. The Trident Odyssey with a 3000 surface was really smooth.

S6 2, X, X, 9 /, 7 1, 7 /, 8 /, X, 9 /, X 6 3.
Started off with a Big 4. Struck twice, but was hitting light so I switched to the Scorpion Sting (SS). But, I really need to fix the surface on the SS. I got off my line and the entire game was just treading water.

9 /, 8 /, 7 1, 8 /, X, X, X, 6 3, 6 /, X 9 -.
Switched to the Force Pearl. Didn't have time to touch up the surface, but it still rolled well. I just didn't execute as well as I was earlier.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.73 pins
Strikes: 42%
Spares: 63% picked up

Single Pin spares: 87% (7/8)
Most common single-pin leave: n/a
Left a single 4-pin, 6-pin, 9-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).

Makeable spares: 70% (12/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 55% (5/9)
Most common multi-pin leave: 4-7 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 191.33.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 191.67.

Positives
- Bowled above my average.
- Helped my team take 3 of 4 points from a VERY good team.
- Better spare shooting.
- I won a card game.

Negatives
- Humidity caused the approaches to be very tacky.
- Very sore (right?) knee and the Achilles.
- Two games below my average.

Had a ball speed problem. Sometimes I start to throw faster (> 15mph)...and it messes with my 'system' because I think I have to move right or switch balls...when really I just needed a consistent speed. The lead guy on their team was really, really struggling! He's a 200-average bowler with some really high games. But, he was crushing the pocket and leaving all kinds of single-pins...and uncharacteristically missing the single-pair leaves. Their whole team is well north of 180 averages. On elf their guys is the league high average with a 230 average. We were getting 153 pins of handicap and in Game 1 we beat them scratch. Yikes! They managed to take the second game, but we got 3 out of 4.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 11

513 Series: 167-172-174

Really struggled to find a good line. Ended up playing around 6-7 with the Scorpion Sting...but it was a pretty tight line.
8 /, 7 /, 9 -, X, 7 /, X, 6 /, 8 /, 6 2, 9 /X.

Made a couple ball changes. Switched to the Rhino Gold in the 6th...used it for two frames...then switched to the Force Pearl (FP). Once I switched to the FP it was X, X, X 9 -. That ball is amazingly effective...especially for a ball with such a high RG (2.53).
X, - 6, 9 -, X, S8 -, 8 /, 7 /, X, X, X 9 -.

Ball change seemed to work, but my shot-making was in flux. Just had trouble making consistent shots for some reason.
9 /, X, X, 8 /, 9 -, X, S8 1, 9 /, S5 2, XX8.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.44 pins
Strikes: 38%
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 2-pin (2x), 4-pin, and 6-pin.

Makeable spares: 64% (11/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 80% (8/10)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 171.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 183.00.

Positives
- Team took 3 out of 4...against a really good team.
- Force Pearl still looks great.
- Much, much better spare shooting (multi-pin).
- Form/timing seemed "okay".

Negatives
- More abysmal spare shooting (single pins).
- Bad shot making...a few pulls and way too many pushes.
- Never even shot my average...not once.

I'm not gonna complain about winning 3 out of 4. I bowled "below average", but we survived.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 11. (Position Round)

We are sitting at #2 and played the league leaders tonight. We had to spot them about 140 pins.

525 Series: 173-152-200

6 3, X, X, S8 1, X, 6 /, X, 8 1, 9 /, X 6 /.
Too many opens and too few strikes run together to score. Used the Trident Odyssey (TO) the entire game. Might try to take off some more surface so it's not as big a transition from the TO to the Scorpion Sting (SS).

X, 9 /, 7 2, 9 /, 6 /, X, S6 -, X, 9 -, X 9 /.
Same problem as Game 1...but less strikes and an open in the 9th. Switched to the SS in the 4th and stuck with it.

8 /, S8 1, X, X, 9 /, X, X, X 8 -, X 9 /.
Stuck with the SS. A couple opens, but one was in the 9th. Only difference was that I was able to run some strikes together.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.79 pins
Strikes: 45%
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin and 10-pin (2x each)
Also left a single 2-pin, 3-pin, and 5-pin.

Makeable spares: 66% (10/15)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4-8 (3x)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 175.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 179.00.

Positives
- Team took 3 out of 4 and we should be tied for 1st.
- Knee feeling a little better.

Negatives
- Two games below average.
- Average fell to 186.

Just didn't make very many good shots and was inconsistent. Gonna work on the surfaces of the TO and SS. The performance of the SS is quite a bit lower than the TO...even though the specs are very similar. Gonna try to remove some surface from the TO and add some surface to the SS. See if that closes the gap a bit.

[Aslan]

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 12

Our fourth/female bowler finally arrived to bowl with us. She had missed the first 11 weeks recovering from a surgery (hip...I think). Granted, she was limited to just going up on the approach and tossing a house ball left-handed (she's a righty). I think she averaged 48. That should really tick off our opponents the rest of the year when she doesn't show and we carry that much handicap...but, we're also getting an absent score of 48...so it should all work out.

618 Series: 203-212-203

Started with the Trident Odyssey (TO) in Game 1. I had to move a little right to get a good line...but once I found one...it was very smooth.
8 /, X, S8 /, X, X, X, 9 /, 9 -, X, 8 /6.

Switched to the Scorpion Sting (SS) in Game 2. Stuck with it through 7 frames before giving way to the Force Pearl (FP).
S7 1, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 9 /, 7 /, 9 /, X S7 2.

Ball change seemed to work, but my shot-making was in flux. Just had trouble making consistent shots for some reason.
Once I made a slight adjustment in the end of Game 2, the FP was performing very well (as usual). Would have been a clean 220-240 game had I not missed TWO single 2-pins. Just didn't quite move right enough to account for the lanes being so heavy with oil in the center.
X, 9 -, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 7 /, 9 -, 8 /X.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.03 pins
Strikes: 48%
Spares: 68% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 2-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 4-pin, and 9-pin.

Makeable spares: 76% (10/13)
Multiple Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (2x)

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 206.00.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 217.00.

Positives
- First time since 9/21/21 that I managed all 3 games above 200.
- Made all my multi-pin spares...first time I did that in who knows how long.
- Team took all 4 points from the 1st place team.
- Nice to have a full team, even though one bowler is significantly limited.

Negatives
- No clean games....still struggling with spares.
- Got LUCKY...a LOT. Can't rely on that moving forward.
- My sweep leg knee, Achilles, shoulder, and elbow are anywhere from "annoyingly sore" to "virtually destroyed".

I think my right knee issues are related to my leg sweep. The Achilles is aggravated because of that leg essentially DRIVING me forward. But, the right knee seems to be because I'm using it to balance. But, unlike the left knee...the right knee is getting that weight applied to the side of it...where it's not built to support weight. Essentially, it'd be like laying on your side and placing a small child on the side of one knee...verusus putting a child on your knee in it's normal (up/down) configuation. You can support a LOT of weight on one knee...but not if you turn your leg sideways.

So, while I'm really happy with my performance...my knee and Achilles are so "shot" today...that I may have to have surgery when the season ends (if I can wait that long). Usually, by Wednesday, my knee will be well enough to do PT (physical therapy)...but I don't know. It seems like the better I bowl, the more my knee and Achilles hurt. Probably because I'm getting lower and keeping my swing leg on the floor...posting my shots, etc...

[Timmyb]

Well done!

[Aslan]

Wednesday Night Established Men's League

Week 12

We're now in 1st place...so looks like we'll have to wear the target on our back for awhile.

527 Series: 136-152-240

9 -, 9 /, 8 1, 9 -, X, 9 /, 9 /, S7 2, 8 /, S8 -.
Was hitting light in practice and thought the Scorpion Sting (SS) might be the better option. Just terrible game. Hit the pocket a LOT...but it'd alwyas leave the 10-pin or 7-pin. Finally resorted to the Rhino Gold in the 9th, but it was even WORSE!!

9 -, 9 /, 7 2, X, 9 /, 8 1, 9 /, 8 /, 6 /, 7 /8.
Tried out the Trident Odyssey (TO) until switching back to the SS in the 8th frame. FORTUNATELY (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), my teammate mentioned to me late into Game 2 that he noticed my speed was a bit high. UH, YEAH!! It was more than a BIT high. I was FIRING that ball. My usual speed is in the 13-16 range...it's been closer to 13 with my form still a work in progress. Well, I was firing that ball over 17! Now, if my form was better...and my release optimal...and I had more surface on the ball...I can get away with 17-17.5. But, thats with everything working.

6 /, 9 /, X, X, X, X, 5 3, X, X, XXX.
I couldn't get my speed down without messing up my timing, so I just moved up a foot on the approach...which forces me to slow down. Suddenly, I was just shredding the pins. Didn't even need to pull out the Force Pearl. Could have been my highest sanctioned score ever had I not pulled a shot into the nose and left a 4-6-7-9-10 split.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 33%
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (4x each)
Also left a single 2-pin.

Makeable spares: 70% (12/17)
Multiple Pin spares: 71% (5/7)
Most common multi-pin leave: 5-9 (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 175.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 186.00.

Positives
- Figured out maybe what to look for. A ball that doesn't make a move...so many causes...maybe I need to look at ball speed before assuming the ball is burning up and I need to make a ball change.
- Knee feeling a little better.
- Won the card game for Game 3!

Negatives
- Obviously...really puts a damper on a good score when you're garbage for two games.
- Average fell to 185.

I always tell myself that if I hit the pocket, good things will happen. That's not always true. But, I ALSO tell myself that it's not a failure if you learn from it...and, while the first part of the night was PAINFUL...I learned what I was doing wrong...and it's an easy fix. And, we split with the other team, so hopefully I didn't hurt the team too bad.

[J Anderson]

My left-handed teammate started Thursday by leaving 4 straight seven pins and only made one of them.

Good thing your teammate noticed your speed.

[Aslan]

My left-handed teammate started Thursday by leaving 4 straight seven pins and only made one of them.

Good thing your teammate noticed your speed.

Bowling is weird, kinda like golf...ya see other players struggling, but you're not sure if you should offer advice or not. My team in Iowa had the opposite problem, sometimes they would be almost "hostile" and demand that I resurface my balls or move outside. My new teammates (KS) are more hesitant.

Sunday Night Established Mixed League

Week 13

602 Series: 194-151-257

Started with the Trident Odyssey (TO) in Game 1. I had to move a little as I adapted to the new 3000 surface. Poor spare shooting cost me BIG...about 43 points. 8 1, X, 9 -, X, 9 -, X, X, X, X, 9 /X.

Continued with the (TO) in Game 2 through 6 frames; then moved to the Force Pearl (FP). The (FP) did okay, but I needed to adjust my shot to the outside and it took about 4 frames to get it where I needed to be. Three splits really killed me. 9 /, S7 -, 6 /, X S8 1, X, X, 6 2, 8 /, S7 2.

Admittingly, there was some degree of luck involved here. At least one strike was brooklyn, one strike was the 4-pin hitting the 2-pin into the 1-pin, and at least one strike was through the nose. But, 9th highest (top 10!) game (league/tournament) I've ever thrown. 7 2, X, X, X, 8 /, X, X, X, X, XXX.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.12 pins
Strikes: 60%
Spares: 38% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (2/4)
Most common single-pin leaves: n/a
Left a single 2-pin, 4-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin.

Makeable spares: 50% (5/10)
Multiple Pin spares: 50% (3/6)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5-8 bucket (2x)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 200.67.
Average had I picked up all single-pin spares: 208.67.

Positives
- Highest game (257) since 8/10/2021 (267); 9th highest score to date.
- Team split versus a really good team.

Negatives
- No clean games.
- Luck definitely played a part. Not gonna get away with that stuff on a non-THS.
- Spare Shooting HORRIBLE!

Battled my speed tending to be higher in Game 1 than Game 3...by starting a foot closer to the line, then moving back a half-foot (Game 2), then back another half-foot (Game 3). Worked fairly well. Rather than starting out throwing 16-17mph and waiting till I tire out by Game 3 when I start throwing 12-13mph...the adjustment kept me in the 12-14mph range.

My current 10 highest games (league/tournament...not open bowling):
Tied for 1st: 268 (6/7/21) and 268 (5/15/19).
Tied for 3rd: 267 (8/10/21), 267 (4/21/17), 267 (10/28/16), 267 (10/22/15).
7th Place: 266 (3/1/17)
8th Place: 264 (6/21/21)
9th Place: 259 (10/18/23)
10th Place: 258 (4/25/16)

The stats are pretty clear...a 60% strike rate partially concealed abysmal spare shooting. Maybe I need to add some spare-shooting practice to this week's to-do list.

[Aslan]

As for which balls have resulted in my highest games:

My current 10 highest games (league/tournament...not open bowling):
Tied for 1st:
268 (6/7/21) (Storm Optimus Solid)
268 (5/15/19) (Ebonite Warning Sign).
Tied for 3rd:
267 (8/10/21) (Pyramid Force Pearl),
267 (4/21/17) (Hammer Scandal Pearl),
267 (10/28/16) (Radical Reax Pearl),
267 (10/22/15) (Brunswick Lethal Revolver).
7th Place: 266 (3/1/17) (Ebonite Innovate)
8th Place: 264 (6/21/21) (Storm Optimus Solid)
9th Place: 259 (10/18/23) (Pyramid Force Pearl)
10th Place: 258 (4/25/16) (Columbia300 Dark Encounter)

Surprised to the Dark Encounter make the list...wasn't a great ball (overall) for me. VERY surprised to see the Optimus Solid on there TWICE! That ball was mostly horrible.

The Ebonite Warning Sign turned out to be a ball that was much better than I thought it would be. It had "weird specs"...but I did pretty well with it. However, the Innovate being on the list doesn't surprise me at all. It was a very smooth ball...really good "ball down" option for me.

The Reax Pearl, Scandal Pearl, and Lethal Revolver being on the list is expected...three of the best balls I've thrown. And, obviously, the Force Pearl is on there twice...I just can't say enough good things about that ball. I'm gonna miss it when I retire it at the end of the season and replace it with the Radical Zing.

Surprised the Loaded Revolver and Fortera Exile didn't make the list; both are on my favorites list. However, the Loaded Revolver 'just' got bumped...I threw a 257 with it back in 2/24/16. And the Fortera Exile had a LOT of games (over 20) in the 200+ range...just nothing higher than a 247 back on 1/26/21.

[J Anderson]

Bowling is weird, kinda like golf...ya see other players struggling, but you're not sure if you should offer advice or not. My team in Iowa had the opposite problem, sometimes they would be almost "hostile" and demand that I resurface my balls or move outside. My new teammates (KS) are more hesitant

The stats are pretty clear...a 60% strike rate partially concealed abysmal spare shooting. Maybe I need to add some spare-shooting practice to this week's to-do list.

I do not like to coach while I am bowling. I feel like I need 100% focus on what I’m trying to do. I don’t want to use any of it trying to “fix” any of my teammates. When I do coach someone who is in the midst of competition, I usually stick with easy adjustments, moving their feet, changing their target etc. They certainly aren’t going to be able to fix a flaw in their technique during a game.

I have no idea how many times I’ve heard or read this but it’s a lot; ‘Every time you practice you should spend part of the time working on spares’.