2008 January « The Tenth Board

Archive for January, 2008

Getting it together

January 28, 2008

I went into today’s practice keeping in mind Bev’s suggestion from last week, and I had my best session in weeks as a result, not because I had very good games, but because I was consistent. My first two games were in the high 170s, then I strung together a turkey to open the third game. A couple of splits (including a miss of the baby split in the 4th frame) held my score down, but I made all of my regular leaves. I did finish with a flourish, but not by stringing together more strikes: I left the 6-7 split (one of the hardest “makeable” splits) with my first fill ball in the 10th frame after a strike, but I got my shot at the split to the right of the 6 pin enough to slide the 6 pin into the 7 pin for the conversion.

Result: 179-178-191=548

Running average (48 games): 165 Last 9 average: 171

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Practice summary, 1/22/08

January 22, 2008

I decided to bite the bullet and put in a practice session today, although it would be charged on my gift card at full price. I figured I could always pretend I practiced last Monday. I had thought about going yesterday, BTW, but it worked out that the buses were on a Saturday schedule, and Bev told me when I arrived at the lanes that if I went yesterday, I would’ve been charged the holiday rate, which is a bit more than the usual weekday rate.

Anyway, it was just a so-so practice, with only a 180 middle game that was over my average. At the end, I was experimenting with a fifth-board (first arrow in from the gutter) shot and not getting anything better, though it showed me my ball could reach the pocket if I played that far outside. Bev also said she noticed a delivery flaw…she suggested that I try to stay upright with my body when I release the ball, and that’s something I think I’ll try to work on next time.

Result: 158-180-144=482

Running average (45 games): 164 Last 9 average: 163

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Chance encounter

January 13, 2008

Been half-debating and half-procrastinating about making this post, but when my brother took me to the supermarket Friday night (we usually go on a Saturday morning, but my brother wanted it out of the way for this weekend w/ the Patriots game last night), we ran into Si there. I introduced Si and my brother to each other and got to chatting a bit about my bowling, mentioning to Si that I had talked to my brother about my practice with him in the car on the way to the supermarket. When my brother asked Si how I looked, Si said I looked “pretty good,” which I’ll take as a good sign, as Si knows his bowling, coming up one pin short of a 300 game once in his bowling career (though the honor score failed to be sanctioned after the required lane inspection). I also mentioned to Si when we were checking out that I had quit smoking, which he complimented me on.

Note: With a snowstorm expected to hit the area tomorrow, I may not be practicing. As a week from tomorrow is the Martin Luther King holiday, this may mean no practice for two weeks.

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Practice summary, 1/7/08 (includes correction)

January 7, 2008

I got to the control desk today and told Bev that I heard about Bill Fisher’s passing and that I posted a brief tribute here (previous post), but when I mentioned that I said I bowled with him, I found out I had my Fishers mixed up. Although Bill Fisher did, indeed, pass away, and was the owner of one of the local pro shops, the Fisher that I had bowled with was actually Ray Fisher (who is no relation). So I should start off by issuing an apology to those concerned, and I hereby stand corrected.

I went into today’s practice determined to continue what had worked for me toward the tail end of last week, and I largely succeeded, posting 180s in the first two games. I did fall off in the third game, however, and could only manage a 145. I continue to have occasional problems with my thumb release, so I’ll have to visit Ray at the pro shop sometime to let him know and see if the ball can be worked on further.

Result: 185-182-145=512

Running average (42 games): 164 Last 9 average: 162

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R.I.P. Bill Fisher

January 7, 2008

Posting to the blog earlier than I normally do on Monday. This is because Si notified me this morning via email that Bill Fisher, the owner of another, successful, pro shop in Brockton, passed away last week in his sleep. I had bowled in leagues with Bill, and he had always been nothing but congenial. His pro shop had been around for a long time, and a number of bowlers bowling at Westgate Lanes had success with equipment he sold to them. He will be sorely missed on the local bowling scene, and my sympathies go out to his family.

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Summer league plans set

January 4, 2008

I made a phone call to my cousin Debbie today to tell her I was agreeable to bowling on Wednesday nights in the Westgate Mixed league this summer. Although she told me she and her husband already had a team lined up, she told me there would be room for more bowlers in that league, and I’d be welcome in the league. With my own league plans now set, I emailed Si to inform him about this and told him that I hoped to see him there this summer, as well.

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