Pin Downers, Week 16 - #bowling_scores

Not necessarily a bad night even though the scores were a bit lower (204, 153, 201 for a 558).  Was 12 out of 18 on my spares (4 of them splits).  I typically use my high rev release on this league (with a weaker ball).  Was doing ok the 1st game, but when the lanes transitioned, I couldn't find a good line.  I had to be almost perfect, or I was paying the price with a split.

In the 3rd game, after opening twice in the first 3 frames (and leaving 3 splits in the second game) I flattened out my shot and targeted the 5 board with my Blue Hammer.  Was able to put together a 4 bagger to salvage a 201.  I was surprised with the carry I was getting even though I wasn't coming in at a steeper angle.  Makes me think about retiring my high rev release (again).

As far as my straighter release goes, I have made recent changes to my approach that I feel has improved my timing and accuracy.  I guess we will have to wait until after the Christmas Holidays to find out.

Talking about Christmas, may everybody have a Merry Christmas.

Pin Downers, Week 15 - #bowling_scores

Good night on the lanes last night.  213, 237, 232 for a 682 series. Spare shooting was good (one open kept me from a clean set).  As the lanes started to break down, I just moved back on the lane slightly to pick up my ball speed, and kept the same line.  Was able to keep my ball in the pocket, and covered my spares.  We were in 1st place at the start of the night by 3 games (bowling against the 2nd place team) and took all 7 points.  Next week is position round for the 1st half champion, and we all ready have the 1st half wrapped up.

Wed Men, Week 15 #bowling_scores

I felt like I had a bit more accuracy this week, but I continue to average 170-180 on my Wed league.  199, 175, 146 for a 520 series.  I did feel like I was bowling better last night than in past weeks (even though my scores don't show it).  I was 13 out of 15 on my non-split spares and had 5 additional opens due to splits (The majority of them in the last game).

I showed one of my team mates a video of me bowling from several years ago, and he pointed out to me that I don't bend my knees like I used to.  I am standing up at the line, which is what is probably causing me to pull my shot frequently.  Something to work on this week.

Pin Downers, Week 14 - #bowling_scores

Again I did better on my Thursday league than I did on my Wednesday league.  226, 202, 214 for a 642 series. I also did much better on my spare shooting (3 opens with one of them being a split). I was pleased that I was 5 out of 5 on covering the 10 pin.  I think some of the improvement on my spare shooting is going with a heavier ball on my spare shots and focusing on keeping my elbow in (along with not rushing my approach).

Wed Men, Week 13 #bowling_scores

I continue to set low marks on my Wed night men's league.  Hard to think of anything positive coming out of last nights bowling (169, 179, 129 for a 477 series).  I did end up trying out a lighter ball this week.  I was able to get it further down the lane, but still had issues with it going through the nose.  In addition to that, my spare shooting was not good last night either. Barely over 50% on my spare conversions (11 opens, 5 were splits).  My 1st ball average was 7.8 which is not going to make for high scores (obviously).  I keep telling my self that I just need to go with the straighter shot, then I struggle for one reason or another, and then I go back to my normal delivery.  I need to flatten my shot out and resist the temptation to revert back to my higher rev delivery (when the lanes are this dry).

Hoping to do better tonight.

Pin Downers, Week 13 - #bowling_scores

Bowled better tonight. 252, 183, 212 for a 647 series. Started out targeting the 2nd arrow tonight. I found that if I missed inside, my ball would hold, but it had no drive. I needed to hit my target and keep the speed firm. I started out the 1st game with the first eight and then had a split in the 9th. After that, I lost the line until the end of the 2nd game. I also noticed when I needed to make an adjustment, it was in the right direction, but it wasn't a big enough move (so it would take me a couple of frames to get my ball back in the pocket).

Pin Downers, Week 10 - #bowling_scores

Again tonight I started out trying to flatten out my shot, and it started out as usual with frustration.  Flattening out my shot does not seem to be working.  In the 10th frame of the 2nd game, I decided that it just wasn't working (and it was bringing my team down) and went back to my higher rev release.  After that, I rolled a 253 for my final game.  In league bowling, I just need to stick with the higher rev release and figure out how to roll a deeper line for the dryer lanes.  I rolled 161, 165, 253 for a 579 series.  I will continue to work on flattening out my shot in practice though.

Carl Richards Open - Team Event

My scores dropped in the team event.  As usual, I tried to come out using my high rev release.  When I tried to play outside the 10 board, the ball was coming in too hard.  And when I moved inside, it was a struggle to get the ball back up to the pocket.  I should have put the high rev release away when I went to cover the 1-2-4-8 spare, hit the head pin on the right and still left the 8 pin.  I tried to stick with it through the 1st game.  After switching to a down and in shot, I did much better.  And like yesterday, the lanes broke down differently, and I was using a different ball on each lane.  I was using a Tropical Breeze on the right lane (standing on the 20 board) and I was using the Blue Hammer on the left lane (standing on the 22 board).

After all events, I averaged 194 for the tournament (186 book average).

I should probably change my strategy to my primary release being the down and in shot and going to the high rev release only when the amount of oil dictates it.

Carl Richard's Open -#bowling_scores

Rolled a 224, 181, 180 for a 585 in singles and a 229, 223, 192 for 644 series in doubles. Had to make a lot of moves as the lanes broke down. (We did not switch lanes after the 1st set.) Initially I tried to just pick up my ball speed, and that was not working (180s in games 3 and 4). Made parallel adjustments (2:1) along with changing equipment after that. To make it a bit more challenging, the right lane was hooking a lot more than the left lane. Even though I was rolling a similar line on both lanes, I was using a different ball on each lane. Came into the tournament with a 186 book average and averaged 204 for the day. Was a good day of bowling.

Singles:

Doubles:

Wed Men, Week 8 - #bowling_scores

Rough night on the lanes last night. 163, 152, 188 for a 503 series.  I knew that my ball was hooking too much, and instead of flattening out my release, I tried to stuck with my higher rev release.  My stubbornness cost me.  I should have flattened out my release and taken what the lanes would give me.  I had a total of 7 splits (4 of them the 1st game) and I only had 2 doubles in the 3 game set.  (Not a good combination.)  Overall, my spare shooting was not too bad, but I need to use the correct release for the condition.

Pin Downers, Week 9 - #bowling_scores

Had a decent night last night. 225, 179, 232 for a 636 series.  Again, I had a lapse in spare shooting in the 2nd game. Overall, I was 5 out of 7 on makeable spares and 1 out of 5 on splits (no baby splits).

Lesson learned from last night:  I rolled with a ball that gave me a little more angle on the pocket, and it may have not been the best decision (although I did have a good set).

• When making adjustments in speed, the adjustment caused a greater change in ball reaction than it would have with a weaker ball. (Made it more difficult to make adjustments to kick out the 10 pin.)
• Less forgiveness when making a mistake on the delivery.  (Had to be more precise,  and ended up leaving more splits than usual.)

Conclusion: If a stronger ball is needed to get a good angle on the pocket, by all means, I am going to use it.  However, if I can get a good angle on the pocket with a weaker ball, stick with the weaker ball (straighter is greater).

Pin Downers, Week 8 - #bowling_scores

Improved over last nights bowling with a 153, 193, 266 for a 612 series.  Even though I missed several single pin spares, I felt like my mechanics were better.  I will be working on my spare shooting during practice next week.  The last game felt good.  It felt like I was regaining some of the power (speed) that I used to have.  Every ball was in the pocket and left the 10 pin in the 7th frame (which I missed) and the last ball of the 10th frame.

Pin Downers, Week 6 - #bowling_scores

Things started out well, but went south after the 1st game.  Rolled a 222, 165, 179 for a 566 series.  Was late in making my moves, and I made the wrong move a couple of times.  On a positive note, I was happy with my spare shooting (overall) and I think I learned the proper moves to make in the future.  (When I moved inside on fresh oil, I should have reduced my ball speed or switched to a more aggressive ball.)

Pin Downers, Week 5 - #bowling_scores

Had a slow start this week; 184, 172 and a 236 for a 592 series.  The middle of the lane seemed a little slick this week.  So I ended up moving out to the 2nd arrow, and I was also a little slow in making adjustments. (I find when I play the 2nd arrow, the lanes are less forgiving.)  In the 3rd game, I had a 5 bagger, 2 opens and another 5 bagger.  The 1st open was just a big miss, and I went through the nose on the 2nd open.  Moved 2 boards left and struck the rest of the way out.  Over all, my spare shooting wasn't horrid, but it definitely wasn't good.  Something to work on for next week.

Pin Downers, Week 4 - #bowling_scores

Had a decent night with a 189, 205 and a 216 for a 610 series.  Had a total of 3 opens (two 10 pins and a big 4 split).  And like last week, I had a clean 3rd game.  Spare shooting was the name of the game tonight, and we came out on the winning end.  I started out targeting the 3rd arrow, and my ball was hitting real light in the pocket.  So I moved right targeting the 2nd arrow, and my ball was coming in harder, but it was not very forgiving. That was when I left the big 4 followed by a 1-2-4-6-10 washout (which I picked up).  I moved back inside to the 3rd arrow; kept my ball speed under control and picked up my spares.

Pin Downers, Week 3 - #bowling_scores

Had a good night with a 219, 220 and a 234 for a 673 series.  It was nice to come back with a good set after having to sit out last week.  In warm-ups, I noticed that the lanes were hooking more this week, so I moved my target from the 2nd arrow to the 3rd arrow, and was able to keep my ball around the pocket all 3 games.  (I kept the same line, and made moves forward and back on the approach to adjust the ball speed.)  My spare shooting was better this week also.  I was 7 out of 8 for makeable spares (missed the 10 pin once) and 2 out of 4 split conversions (picked up the 3-4-6-7-10 and the 4-10).