When I bowled in the NYS High School championships in 1992 there was a reverse block out there, or something very similar. Let the ball outside of 10 and it was a goner. Pull it a smidge onto 11 and it was a crossover. It took me 7 frames to identify the shot and it took me another 3 to move accordingly (waited until the fill ball in the 10th). I lucked up and made the right move on ball that fill ball and never looked back. While everyone else was struggling to hit 1100 or worse for 6 games, I shot close to that in 5 (1074).

Compared to last year our shot this year resembles a reverse block (though I know it is not - just much flatter). There is a big OOB on the right side and unless you have a ton of hand you might as well wait by the ball return to shoot your second ball if you get outside of 5 on the break. There are quite a few people scratching heads and wincing after first balls - way more so than last year and quite a bit more often. Instead of the shot being "pitch right and drop it into the funnel", it's "you better have some accuracy and keep it on the high side of 7 at 40'".

But I have to agree with GP - what center lays out a reverse block on purpose? The other question is this; "why did it take so long for the GM or anyone else to identify the problem?" Sounds to me like nobody of significance there is a bowler in their own right. I'm sure I'm not too far off with that guess.

I have bowled in 1 ABT. It just so happened that they put a reverse block. There was no oil in the middle. I repeat: NO OIL. I was putting zero hand into my Red Pearl Shadow and putting the ball over 23 at the arrows out to 12. Needless to say the scores were okay for the straight bowlers. Everyone else struggled. I asked my buddy Larry about the normal shot and he said: This stuff happens every so often. Not my idea of fun so it was my last ABT.

The only time I have ever run into a reverse block was at the Bowling Hall of Fame lanes in St Louis back in 1998(?). I ended up using my plastic spare ball. Games were $2 each. I think I wasted about $10 trying to break 150.

Dennis,
I'm anticipating some type of reverse block for this
at Lakes because now that I think about it that was the shot the last time this happened at Lakes. You should get in this!
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Brian, My guess is this was the brainstorm of the Asst Mgr, and local house pro. When he fielded complaints, he would just say, "It's not the lanes, you just can't bowl". Needless to say, this pissed many bowlers off. Then he would point to the straight bowlers, who never get outside of 10, and they weren't having much trouble at all. In fact, he would never tell us what the shot was, which was my complaint to our Pres.

It was only when I bowled in the afternoon that I asked the GM, who was present during the day. Seems there is a new laneman who is having trouble with the machine. He was sent to training just a week ago. Maybe he can fix it now?????

Well, sounds like to me the Assistant Manager was on a power trip. I certainly would've let the GM know what was said. It may or may not make a difference, but you never know. Again, as I said, when guaranteed money starts leaving the premises, even the people in charge begin to figure out ways to keep it there.


It depends on the machine and the level of brainpower the lane person has. Really, it's more the job of the head mechanic and manager to work with the lane machine, not the lane person. The only two people who ever had the right to "tweak" the shot was me and my wife back in Georgia. Anyone else caught fiddling with the pattern was seriously reprimanded. Not everyone runs the same ship, I understand, but, IMHO, really only the highest manager should have a say so on the shot because, ultimately, it is his/her responsibility and is the one most accountable.

But, again, it would be my assumption that the bowling skill level of anyone who works in that center isn't very high. The objective isn't to handicap (or, more appropriately, "handcuff") the better bowlers in favor of the less-skilled bowlers. You can lay down 3 units across and it won't faze a stonechucker. It will, however, seriously limit the effectiveness of a higher average bowler, especially when there's handicap involved. Straight up scratch? Nah, the high average bowler should have the advantage. But add handicap to the mix and all of the sudden the lower average bowlers are kings/queens of the lanes. That's not fair at all.

I bowled in this house today, and talked with the Gen Mgr. I didn't bowl Wed as I went to the Cubs, or should I say, Dodgers game. I asked if the shot improved. He noted the scores were up, but the machine still needed some tweeking to perfect the shot. The outside was now playable for most, but the down and in bowlers were not doing the best on the shot.

The shot will be laid down tonight when I bowl, and I told him I would comment directly to him with my assessment. He blamed the Asst for talking him into this shot, and the lane machine for malfunctioning. But, things should be better. We shall see.

OK, bowled tonight on the "new and improved shot". There actually was some side boards I could use. Only out to 5, but it was there. As the Mgr said, the middle would not hold a shot, causing cross overs constantly. It is also better now. They did fix the oil machine, but you could still see OOB outside of 5.

I can see where he said a down and in may have some trouble yet if they get out to 5.

But, overall, I finally bowled without having to fight the lanes. 631 series. A big improvement.

It is amazing to me when center staff (those employed by the center) take it upon themselves to relieve the center of business for no better reason then the enjoyment of seeing others' frustration.

Unfortunately when centers find employees that show up for work faithfully for the amount they are paying them that seems to be the only criteria for keeping an employee. Many centers are owned by non-bowlers and they are under some misconception that high level bowlers are good business people (desk person, lane person etc....) for the entire center.

I'm glad the shot is better Dennis and good bowling; 631 is great considering you are probably "feeling out" each shot.

Erin

yup i agree with erin. most people that work at where i bowl dont bowl. the people that use to work there ( example. gm that got fired.) use to bowl and knew what the league bowler wanted. but thats not the case now. they have fired alot of people and now have none bowlers working there that only want the monthly bowler that is not in no league and dont care about the leagues now. its sad but i'm one of the ones that have quit league and bowling there because of all of this. its not worth going anymore.