Meh! Nothing good to report today after league. Lanes were excellent and back to where they were early in the season. The Pro Hook was not suited to these lanes at all but adequate (I didn't have anything else anyway! All that was needed was a bowler
After working hard on refining my release etc. I didn't perform at all, in fact I think I managed to try out just about everything that you shouldn't do (chicken wings anyone?) and generally made a mess of it all

Managed to scrape out a 156 average for the night, still way below my (rapidly falling) average but not a happy camper after that effort.

Anchor bowler, steady as ever, found the lanes well suited to the TRoad and clocked up 681 series with a high of 234 and low of 221. Nothing wrong with those lanes!!

Back to the drawing board and more practice. Oh well....

Cheers to all and good bowling,
Allan

Allen, try posting a video of yourself, maybe we can help.

You want to actually SEE that???? I guess if you wear suitable eye protection, then I can figure out a way to post something up.

Last week was a little better and found that the oil pattern had been changed... they say that it is not the same as previous but it sure behaves very much the same as the early pattern that was laid down for the league. Not a lot of oil, but more in the middle than previously.

There was a good shot up the 4 board but I lost a little confidence after a couple of gutter balls and moved left to throwing 12 to 5 for a while and when the lanes dried in the third game, it was 17 to 12 to get to the pocket. Scores were 145, 181 and 185 for a 170 average.

I used a more upright stance, lofting the ball onto the lane and a much reduced backswing for the last two games. Accuracy was good and rev rate was down a little, so it made for a more consistent result with the little Triumph ball, which seems to perform well on these conditions.

Interesting to note that our anchor didn't find the lanes anywhere near as good as the previous week, still using the same ball. The pattern seemed to be shorter this time. Still, he managed 590, which was enough to allow us to take the majority of the points, so we were happy enough with the outcome.

We have been using the video camera for the practice sessions and this has helped to identify problem areas quite quickly and will continue to do so for a while as we all strive to improve.

Cheers and good bowling to all,
Allan

Another week of less than spectacular bowling by yours truly.. 475 series last night on good lanes, both of my team-mates bowled over 600 with no trouble at all. I felt that I let them down after getting sorted out on Sunday with a very positive practice session and a 244 game to go with it. Oh well... another week.

The Triumph ball has been forcibly retired... the coverstock just crumbled away above the finger holes.

My son loaned me his Depth Charge and with a bit of work on the thumb hole and change of finger inserts is the most comfortable fitting ball I have ever used! No tape in the thumb, snug fit and great off the hand. It is MUCH stronger than anything I have used for a long time, so I had some difficulty getting it under control and never really found a comfortable line with it during league. I hope that I can get used to it quickly as it seems to be a great ball on the lanes we are getting at the moment.

Ok... good bowling to all.

Allan

Hi Allan,

Our Winter Leagues have recently ended. And, Summer Leagues start soon. In fact, last night was the final night of one of m leagues, and tonight is the start of another. I didn't plan on taking any break through the year.

Unfortunately, I will have to, though. Last week, clumsy me, tripped over a ball bag, fell and fractured my left wrist. I am right handed, but I tried to bowl, and everything is just off in timing and balance with a brace on it. I do have a bit of pain when I swing my cracked balance arm too, and I can't support the ball at presentation. So, I am in a forced hiatus. Couple of weeks, and it should be better.

I finished the year down about 12 pins from last year. It was a real bummer of a start for the season. And, although I came back strong toward the end, that bad start couldn't be overcome.

Keep plugging.

Dennis

Whoa! Go away for a few days and you go break stuff, Dennis?! That ain't good and I'm sorry to hear about the busted wing.

I know what you mean about the "off balance" thing when you are braced or plastered... been there and have the t-shirt.

I haven't been able to bowl for a couple of weeks due to other commitments but trundled a few down the lanes for league last night... started great with a 193, then rearranged the numbers for the next two... 139 and 139... just horrible! Lack of practice and preparation for the night did me in... I was not a happy camper at the conclusion of the night! Still... maintaining my record of 157 average for the 4th straight league night on each of the nights.. all different, but all the same, if you know what I mean!

Mend well and quickly Dennis. Talk to you later.

Cheers to all,
Allan

Good to hear from you Allan. I often break things, but thankfully, heal quickly. Although, I am starting to feel some of the older wounds. It all catches up with you. It was unfortunate that it happened the week before our National Tournament. That really hurt. Didn't do well with it.

193, 139, 931. what's in a number? You got out, enjoyed some friendships, and had fun.

If this was our source of earning a living, most of us would be starving. So, it must be for fun.

Too bad Tyveil and Lefont have disappeared. The were fun. But, many new names on this board since. Still a pretty good place to come and spend some time.

Well, it's almost 3 am here. Think I'll hit the sack.
Keep plugging

Dennis

Hi Dennis. It has been a while since my last confession... wait a minute.. wrong forum
I have been working hard to overcome my deficiencies, lots of video and plenty of practice time. The result has been quite encouraging and have, until recently, been bowling 170 - 190 average for quite a few weeks. The single biggest factor we discovered, that was affecting us all, was the condition of the approaches.
I have moaned about this before, feeling that this was contributing to some poor scores but without clear evidence. The video sessions showed up clearly what was happening with sticky and/or patchy approaches, pulling the slide foot off line, causing the slide to end too soon which resulted in bad timing. We couldn't get the centre to fix the approaches but we put socks over the shoe which gave a much slippier surface and a more even slide. The first time we tried it out on a league night saw a dramatic improvement in our scores and far more consistent scoring from game to game.
Since then, the approaches have become far worse and even wearing the sock, we are beginning to have the foot problems again. We are trying to figure out another way around this problem.
To compound this, the Techs have been playing with the lane machine again. They are being advised by the owner's Head Tech, (not a resident of our alley) who monitors the patterns being laid down and the scores of the leagues, to alter the pattern if he thinks that the pattern may be scoring too high. Unfortunately, his read of the pattern is not working out well for anyone. Last week, one of the better bowlers in our league walked off the lane halfway through the second game, he was so disgusted with the pattern. The rest of us slogged it out to the bitter end and accepted low scores as a result. Last Tuesday was the worst it has been in a long while.. a short, difficult pattern with absolutely no room for error. The break point should have been at about board 7 but if you missed inside and shot to 8, the ball would hook into the face or worse. Miss to the outside and you would take the 6 pin or 3-6 pocket if you used a very strong ball. Going straighter on the lane just went early and you could (and did) take the 4-7 pin pocket. The line we found to work was from 15 to 8 but you had to be exact... stray a board either side was doom!
To say that we are not enjoying our bowling much would be an understatement but, without the recourse of going to another centre (there isn't one), we have to endure this situation so that we can bowl. All leagues have lost at least 10% of their bowlers this season, some have lost more and the management doesn't seem to give a toss about it.

Right, rant over for the day! I hope that things have healed up well for you Dennis and that you are back into the swing of things again.

Cheers to all and good bowling.
Allan

Good to hear from you Allen, sorry to hear about the approaches, there is really no excuse for that, do they have synthetic approaches, or wood? As far as the shot goes what ever doesn't kill you will make you stronger.At least it wasn't just on your pair of lanes and you have to sit and watch the rest of the league score through the roof, I hate when that happens. If everyone has to go through the same struggle, it kind of brings you guys closer together.

Did you try playing straight up the 3 board with a strong piece of equipment, if not you might want to try that next time.

Hi Allan. Good to hear from you. Say, Lefont stopped by a week ago. He hasn't been here for a while, and says he will try to come back. But haven't seen him since he stopped in.

You seem to always have trouble with the lanes. If it is not the machines, it is the approach. Really tough to bowl consistently that way. But, keep fighting, It'll come. Keep us posted.

BTW, the sliding sock is becoming really popular around here too. Didn't know so many were having trouble sliding. Could be 20% of all I see in one house. It seems to be prone to humidity, and the lanes get a little sticky. I think they would be better off if they turned the AC on before bowling rather than wait for bowlers to show up. Everyone is trying to save a buck during soft times.