Back in February, I showed up to league recovering from a sinus infection. I had only taken antibiotics for about 2 days before league night. Since I knew I wasn't contagious anymore by league night, I decided to give it a go. My first shot of practice was the same experience that you had; I thought "Why am I here?" I also fought through it and ended up just over my average for the night. It was easy to not muscle the shot that night.

Mark

Tonight's bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

This effort was less consistent than the scores would indicate, as I was throwing poorer shots in the second game, particularly in the middle of it. Carry issues and single pin misses prevented the third game from being better.

Result: 198-181-183=562
Average (33 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 185
Next week's AVG+1 score: 560

Composite average (66 games): 180

Peter was absent, but so was the anchor bowler on the other team, so the absentees were a wash. Ed also had a good night, and we won all eight, with the first place team only winning three, so it should be official in the next standings update that we're tied for first again.

Tonight I had bad carry, got totally lost on the lanes, and was constantly battling but I still managed 221, 190, 227 for 638.

I raised my average to 208, but I haven't been under 600 in ten weeks. My 30 game trailing average is 217. Hopefully one of these weeks I'll have a big 700 and get my average closer to where I want it to be for the season.

Yep, as weak as I felt, muscling was not a problem. Pulling the ball however, was another matter.

Tonight's bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

I really struggled with my release timing most of the night. I did have a promising start to the third game, but then just hit a wall with four straight open frames, including two splits. Making corner pins was rare for me tonight, as well.

Result: 152-160-183=495
Average (36 games): 177
Average for last 9 games: 164
Next week's AVG+1 score: 570

Composite average (69 games): 179

Si had a 196 second game for the only point we got, and Jeff had a 212 third game in a losing effort.

Tonight's bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

When I wasn't chicken-winging it tonight, I was actually pretty good. Because of that, I probably wanted my second game back, but did find some consistency in the third game to save a small under-average.

Result: 173-158-201=532
Average (36 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 183
Next week's AVG+1 score: 577

Composite average (72 games): 179

Both of my teammates were under their average all three games, but Peter was close enough to his average third game that we won that game. I was told the team we're tied with for the lead also only won two, but the pack behind us may be closing.

Tonight's bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

This was another under-average night, but the saving grace was that I was back over 500 after being under that in the previous two weeks in this league. I only had eight strikes on the night, with a couple of doubles and none after the third frame last game.

Result: 174-179-151=504
Average (39 games): 176
Average for last 9 games: 163
Next week's AVG+1 score: 558

Composite average (75 games): 179

The team, without Jeff tonight, only won the first game, but the third game was also close.

180-177-201. Team won a majority of points and I went 3-2 on individual points. Starting to get some more consistency back just need to put everything together on the same night and I think I can get back above the 600 mark.

New equipment this year seems to need more speed than I am used to using.

Tonight's bowling, frame-by-frame (Linked to BowlSK sheet)

Unlike last year, I seem to be bowling better on Sunday night this year than on Wednesday night, and, while I'd like to see my Wednesday night come back up, Sunday night is sort of offsetting Wednesday night in terms of effect on my composite average. Tonight, I had a great look with my Tropical Breeze, and, except for issues with my 10 pin, had a decent night.

Result: 185-179-195=559
Average (39 games): 182
Average for last 9 games: 183
Next week's AVG+1 score: 567

Composite average (78 games): 179

Peter started with a 234, and we won the first game by enough for total, as it turned out, but we lost a close third game to split the points instead of winning six.

My team had to pre-bowl again this week, and bowled on nasty used lanes. It sucked. I shot a 541. My first sub 600 in over ten weeks. Disappointing.

But the nature of the bowler's psyche is that I'm already looking forward to next week, on fresh oil, with a chance to shoot something big enough to make up for this week.