Did a little open bowling today, just to see if I could maintain my focus. 244-167-191, 602. First game hit the pocket first 10 frames; left a stone 8 and a 7, but otherwise all strikes. After that, I seemed to lose my rhythm, and then my line and then my concentration.

Guess I need more work.

I did 5 games of practice. Out of those 5 games I got 2 strikes and both were brooklyn. I tried everything I knew, changing the release, moving on the lanes from outside to deep inside, changing balls....nothing worked. After I got done I talked to the manager. She told me it wasn't my fault, those were brand new pins just put in 2 days ago. They have to break in.

I did get some good spare practice in, if nothing else:)

Breaking in new pins, hmmm, thats new one for me... Seriously, do pins need to be broken in???

I apologise in advance for my ignorance :-)

Brand new pins are made with flat bottoms. As they get used more, the bottoms round off, making it easier for them to fall....so I've been told by several people who work in centers.

Thanks JackZ, that makes sense...

Last night in league, I heard some very strange, almost cracking sounds coming from the pins... That almost cracking or hollow sound, would that be an indicator that the centre needs to replace pins, as I'm guessing it must be a few years or so since they replaced them???

League last night 194,158,202... 5 Splits turned a reasonable outing into a night of frustration.. Made all single and double pin spares, had a dozen plus strikes, but the splits killed me in the end..

Practiced on the Chameleon shot tonight. Started with a Cell Pearl for 188. Missed a few spares. Switched to XTreme Damage and went 246-244. Then I switched to the Hammer Nasty for 186 and 184. Had some Nasty splits with this ball.

In retrospect, the Nasty was too strong for the condition, and the Cell needed the fresh oil to be used first.

Can't say enough for the XTreme Damage. It continues to be my most reliable ball especially when the oil would change.

191,219,212,237 859 series on house shot, felt really comfortable today, with only one or two splits, what a difference closing most frames makes.

In the weekly Friday Night Tourney I had games of 172 212 194 200. I missed cashing by only 3 pins, the person in 4th had a 942 and I had a 940. The first game I had about 3-4 opens and I was experimenting with what ball to use. I finally came to the conclusion that my sanded Avalanche Slide was the best ball choice. I was standing on 14-15 and hitting 7-8 all night long. I had a lot of strikes and a lot of 9 counts. I only left one washout and split for the four games. There were also a good amount of 10-pin misses. That's just something I'm going to have to practice on over and over until it becomes 2nd nature. I believe next week is the last week for the tournament and my money is very tight so I don't know if I'll be making an appearance.

practice scores : 198, 194, 246, 218.

5 games of practice at two different centers. I just had the Breakout and the Hype refinished and I wanted to try them out. First center I went to north of where I live - it was almost like bowling on ice. I couldn't get either ball to hook at all. Still managed a 181 and a 269 playing from 8 and targeting 4 with the Breakout. Very weird. Asked the guy at the desk afterwards what oil pattern they were using and he told me the USBC White pattern, but that the backends were in really bad shape for the summer. All I know is it seemed like a 60 ft. oil pattern.

Went to my local center after to make sure it wasn't me or the finish on the balls, but they reacted fine there. 199-267-258, 724. At least the shots finished at the backends. And I had 3 clean games (I even made a 4-9). Can't remember the last time I did that.