Going into tonight's league with a chance to win the quarter.

We're tied at the top and nobody can catch us for 2nd, so tonight's for all the marbles.

Hoping I can break out of my slump at just the right time.

Good luck!

Tonight was a mid-half position round, we were just barely in seventh place going into the night. Now we might be sitting more like tenth out of twelve teams since we lost all seven points.. I started practice going through the head pin and trying to get a line and once scoring starts the ball is wide either hitting light or not even getting to the headpin. It was just a rough night with a fall in the third frame when my foot stuck shooting at a spare. I think the toe of my slide foot caught the small hump on the approach that is between each lane right at the gutter caps. I go games of 149, 119 and 164 for a 432 set. Even when I found a line I could use I had problems just executing. If I made a good shot and got the pocket I would strike, the issue was making the good shot. As a team we were horrible with only one guy in the 500s and he was close to 600. Three of us can average 190 or better with the guy that was high man tonight holding the highest average with a 187 and being the most consistent through the year. I'm at 177 and just having problems finding a consistent line at this house. I won't be back there next season. I have the speed to overcome the dryness to play direct but sometimes just miss it at the bottom and getting very little rotation or end up releasing late and going left of target. The other guy has plenty of revs, but doesn't have the speed since he had surgery on his shoulder over the summer.

Well, tonight stunk.

The night started with some controversy as my two teammates arrived late and there was some confusion as to league rules on a legal roster. Don't really feel like getting into that.

Not that it mattered, we took game 2 and lost the rest and total, so we finished 2nd.

I shot a clean 200, then 174-157-202 for the bookend 200s.

Struggled with which ball to throw and couldn't find a consistent release or line with either.

I can attest to one thing, I definitely like oil more, and more oil. The lanes were unusually weak in oil tonight, and I suffered. Picked up every makable spare. but, there were plenty of unmakable ones. I would double, then split. Turkey, then split. Then split and strike out. This went on all night.

One of our team had real bad trouble with the dry. Another was the same as me. While the 2 weaker wristed bowlers had a great night. Our scores were 490, 560, my 560, 680, and 690.

I was so frustrated that I went to the Pro Shop and bought a ball just for medium oil conditions. Used it in my last game. Rolled 3 strikes out of the box, then a 6-7, then a 4-6. Then I moved for a light 2-10, and another 5-7, which I never leave.

So I rolled 183, 186, 196 with 4 splits on a new ball.

Next week will be better once I practice with the new ball.

Bad luck, Dennis. We all have nights like that. I can normally see (and adjust) when it is drier than normal, but I have trouble noticing when the root of my problems is that there is a bit more oil than normal (not a flood, mind you, just a bit more). I usually work it out in the end and then I kick myself beceause I didn't realise it soon enough.

By the Way, what ball did you buy?

I recently bought the RG Cell (yeah, the hype got to me) and I'm loving it!

Now, if I could only find a decent ball driller! Mine actually drilled the weight hole on the wrong side of the ball (can you imagine) so now I have a brand new ball with a weight hole plugged on one side of my grip. Kinda sucks, but, oh well, I just have to live with it. Luckily I won't be selling this one (it's definately a keeper).

I have some more important health issues with the girlfriend to deal with so bowling is taking a back seat. I quit subbing on Thurs completely and since there are only 3 more weeks of my Tues scratch league I'm gonna stick it out. Fridays week by week. Last night though she told me to have a night out and kick some [censored]. I did my best.

I ended up rolling 235-250-234 for a 719 series and I took 3 of 4 points from a tough bowler. Last week I found something I havent been doing much of this year and thats hitting my target with revs at the channel. This results in the ball coming back strong and what Ive been looking for all year. When I guide or point the ball the results are all over the place. I felt good last night and I'm making a strong finish to an otherwise so-so year. We took it to the first place team for the first time all year and we bowled good as a team. We should hold onto 2nd and last year that got us $800-$900 a person, I can live with that.

Uhm, if he doesn't exchange that for a new one, ... There's no good way to end that sentence. He needs to exchange it for a new one.

Dennis:

What did you buy?

Sorry to hear about the health issues with your girlfriend Mike - hope everything works out.

Good bowling - that is awesome :-)