Well a late change of mind lead me back into the PBAX league last night. I've never bowled on a PBA pattern before. The lanes we bowled at is typically flooded, I'm over 10-15 bds to the right compaired to other houses. Well they got a new machine, stripped the lanes down to the pins and laid down the viper pattern. Not knowing where to start. I started at my normal spot for this house. Right ft on the 20 and throw to the 5-6. The ball always went brookland, but was gettins some strikes there. I tried moving to the left a few bds and the ball never came back. Tried another ball with the same results from the 22bd. Spares were hard, the ball eitehr slid to the pins or if it catches a dry spot it would hook a lil, was getting harder to hit 6pin spare later in the night. Ended with a 168.

Second game, I tried another line, since I didn't want to hit brook all night. I moved 10bds to the left starting right ft on teh 30, throw to about the 7 and slowed the ball down. I was able to hit pocket more but was consistant at all at the break point, either going light or high. Left some splits and missed a 10pin by an inch. Shot a 134 eeh

Third game I was able to high pocket more consistant but the ball would get there with no power, leaving 1-2 pins on the deck. But still having a hard time getting them, left two opens and with only 2 strikes the game, those opens hurt. Ended with a 157.

Forth game started good, was clean until the 5th, then the line I was playing to the 6pin spare was dried up and the plastic was hooking by the middle of the lane. Pocket shots were still there, but again with no power when it hits the pocket. I had 2 really good flush shots but wasn't to repeat it. I think I was over rev'n the ball a bit and it would not carry. Shot a 142

so 168,134,154,142. for a 601. Got a 150 average......though the numbers are low, it was very fun. I need to slow my rythm down when it's my turn and focus more on getting to the breakpoint. I need to try and let the ball do the work rather then trying to rev it up.

Great 600 Melissa. They sure feel good, don't they?

8 days CG? I don't know how you could it, man. I'd be going through some massive withdrawals.

Well last night I had a last change and bowled on the PBAX league. Never played on those shots before so it was a real learning lesson. The house we played at is tyically a flooded house, I usualy stand right ft on 20 and throw out to the 5-6 break. Well they got a new machine, which stripped the flooded lanes off well and laid down the Viper pattern. Not knowing where to start, I stood at my normal marks for the house. The ball kept coming back brook but hit a few strikes there. I tried to push the ball deeper but if I pushed to hard it would wash. I moved a couple boards left but found the ball would not come back. I ended the 1st game with a 168, I was stuggling on spares which was annoying.

2nd game it was time a change, big change. I moved 10 bds left to start my right ft on the 30, threw out to the 7. I wasn't consistant on putting the ball in the same spot. I slowed my rythm down some and it helped. But still had a very hard time hitting spare shots ended witha 134.

3rd game was a bit better. I was hitting the pocket almost every shot but the ball was dead and no energy when it hit leaving 1-2 pins on deck. But still was 50/50 with spare and got a 157.

4th game was simular to the 3rd, few times I didn't lift alot which was not allowing the ball to over rev and carried more power into the pocket. I had two very flush shots like this but still spares sucked, ended with a 142

Series was 601 for the 4 games, 150 average going into next week. Overall the numbers are low but I think I learned a little bit of what to do. I can put the ball there on my normal lines I play at other houses, but the rev's and ball speed have to be spot on. I need to figure out how to carry when I hit the pocket. I unlocked one clue. I have two more weeks on this pattern. And I really need to work on the spares.

Thanks Sherman - it does feel good :-) I have been working towards this for awhile now. Posted alot about it last year (although it turned into why can't I get a 500 LOL!!!!!!)

Looking in your ball bag, I don't see anything shiny. The Viper and other shorter patterns will open up for a ball with a polished surface, especially as they break down. If you know you're going to bowl on a condition like that again, I'd try a coat or 2 of polish on one of your weapons and see what happens. It should help your carry issue out alot!

Cg - 8 Days i did that recently, well it was actually 7. After last thursday didnt pick a ball under yesterday league. Boy was i rusty on spare shooting.

Eight days, I haven't rolled a ball in about two and a half months, last year I went two weeks with a cut up thumb and I was going crazy then.

well, joined a different fall league this year [closer to home] and we started last thursday, 4 person teams. i ended up at @147 avg last year, and have only bowled a few times over the summer.

well, it was a good first night out, started with a 184, followed with a 154, and closed out with a 192. was very relaxed, form felt pretty good, and it all felt good, other than the 10th frame of game one, was clean thru 9, then got lazy and left a 4/7/10, [censored] near made it too.

second game left some easy spares [10 pin was killing me for some reason]

third game missed a 3/10 spare, but looked/felt good otherwise.

hopefully a good start to an improved average

Well I got talked into bowling a league this season. Its the Saturday league I was originally going to bowl this season, with the same team I was going to bowl with, my brother, his wife, her father and step mother. Seems they never filled my spot. I could have probably went out tonight and bowled but I'm having some major irritation in one of my eyes. Of course I was just talked into it about an hour or so ago while they were bowling.

Started my house shot singles league today. Had 632. Since I average all of 152 in the summer PBAX league, that would make my average difference almost 60 pins!! n-i-c-e.

I bowl in a fall PBAX league for he first time Tuesday night. Wish me luck.