Well I finally got some time to get on the site for the first time since Friday evening. I bowled league last night after working most of the day.

I started out with a whopping 139 first game. I went from throwing the ball good at the beginning of practice to coming around the ball too much by the time scoring started. Two of the first three frames were good releases but wasn't flush in the pocket, high or light. The other one was a pulled shot. Then the coming around the ball almost 90* came back plus being slack with the wrist at release. Then I missed several manageable leaves. My strike ball just didn't feel right on my hand, but I think that was something with the way I was putting my fingers and thumb in and I still haven't gotten my plastic taken care of, which went back in the bag after this game. After the first ball in the tenth a bowler from the next pair over that I've known all of my bowling career came over and mentioned to me about my hand on the side of the ball which I already knew but kept doing. I was trying to make things too complicated instead of keeping it simple.

Second game was a turnaround with a 204, the first time in the 200s for a while. I still wasn't releasing great every shot, but was staying behind the ball more and getting a better reaction. I had one open, a 3-6 that I only got the 6. I should have back off the approach when I noticed I took a big cross over step with my first step but tried to adjust for it in the swing which didn't work. I did have some weak reactions which I think was getting slack with the wrist again.

Third game was a 170. I think my wrist was slack at release again, or when I did release it good it would go a bit high and not carry. I missed a few spares, including two single pins. One of them I didn't really try for, it was the first ball of the tenth and wouldn't have made much of a difference other than in my score for that game. I really need to find some time I can get out and practice my release and timing. As a team we were swept, losing total by 220 something.

Both of my leagues have been going great the past month. I've raised my average on Monday to 199 and 196 on Wednesday. I made some changes to my game by moving my approach up, which has helped my timing a lot, and I've been working on my pushaway.

The last few weeks for me have been a lesson in handling pressure late in a game. I've had 8 strikes in a row three times with vastly different results. Two weeks ago, after the 8, the nerves got to me and I completely collapsed to shoot a 246.

Last Wednesday, I started the first game with the front 8 and got up in the 9th telling myself to relax and just make a good shot. I collected myself, got the shot to the pocket and... flat 10. I picked it up, 9/X in the 10th for a 268. I finished out with a 180 and 223 for a 671 series, setting personal bests for game and series. The team took all 7 for the night, which was a nice bonus.

Tonight, I started the night with a 159 and was about ready to just go home. A teammate was really getting under my skin, and I don't get rattled too often. Every shot this guy makes (for the last few weeks) causes him to launch into a string of profanity and I'm getting tired of it. Learn how to bowl and shut up, please. Anyway, I pulled myself together after that first game to take down the front 9 of the next game. I was much more confident on the 9th shot this time and drilled it flush into the pocket. I tugged the first shot of the 10th to leave a 4 pin and finished 9/8 for 277. I finished with a 255 for a 691 series (really kicking myself for that first game), setting highs for game and series for the second time in a week.

I'm hoping this isn't all just good fortune and that I will break 700 soon. I'm bowling very confidently lately and that has made a huge difference.

Avery, that's impressive progress.

Thanks, Dennis. I may not post a lot, but I've certainly learned a lot from the posters here.

Confusius Quotes:

The smart man may not be the one who lectures, but the one who listens and learns.

And another:

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Nice bowling Avery. 700 is not far off.

Another so-so night in the books. Yet again the lanes were wide open and flying. What little oil was there in the first game was gone by frame 7. I had the front 6 but lost carry for a 232. I changed balls to the Bash and it hit weak. I started off with 2 opens, went back to the One Pearl then covered every frame to finish the game without stringing anything for a 185. The last game was more of the same, I stayed clean but couldnt get much going for a 203. So 620 on the night and we lost 5 out of 7. When the lanes are this dry I've always had a problem solving them. Tonight was no different.

Weird night. Just couldn't find a consistent line. Only 2 opens all night, 2 splits in game 1. 192-208-210 = 601.

I had 7 strikes in game 3 without a double. All on one lane. Spares on the other lane. That's something I don't remember doing before.

Strikes just wouldn't come together. Glad my spare ball was working.

We won 5 of 7.

http://www.bowlsk.com/games/view-series.html?series=59152

Team took all 7 again. So we started out this 3rd 2-19 and now 19-2. Crazy.
Anyway, shot 213,201,190. Ho hum

I haven't posted much this year on my league results, mainly because I've been struggling with getting a proper read on the lanes, and then finding a ball that reacts to it. A couple of weeks ago, I finally decided to rid myself of my old Power Groove, and get something that actually has a core and some dynamics. I decided on a Brunswick Avalanche Slide, and man, has it made a difference. I finally was brave enough to bowl with it the whole night Tuesday night on my church league (no sanction :(), and I rolled my third ever 600 series with it. 203-197-201 for a 601. 25 pins over average for the night. Every time I've rolled this ball in league, I've been right around 200.

I'm no longer leaving the weak 10 like my Power Groove use to leave, and my carry is much better. I'm even getting messengers!!!