Archive for January, 2009

The cost of missing single pins

January 7, 2009

My Week 17 bowling (BowlSK)

I had 9 single pin leaves tonight (except for last balls in the 10th frame) and only made 3 of them. I missed 3 of them in a row in the last game alone (a couple of weak 10s and a stone 7), and, if I made just those single pins, it would’ve turned out that I shot 600 on the night. I was 31 pins over average on the night, largely on a good second game, but I know I could’ve done much better if I made my single pins. This may be something I’ll have to work with Ray on.

Result: 193-221-157=571
Average (51 games): 180 Last 9 games average: 180
Next week’s AVG+1 score: 558

My team split the points tonight due to winning the second game being enough to take total despite losing close games to bookend it. “The Badgers” won their second game tonight, so they took the first-half title. If a different team wins the second half, the two teams will roll off for the league championship at the end of the season.

Tournament note: The 47th annual Brockton USBC Bowling Association Championships will take place on February 1 and 8 at North Bowl Lanes in N. Attleboro. The events to be contested are 4-man teams, doubles, and singles, with an optional all-events competition. Entry fee is $20/bowler/event (not sure what the all-events entry fee is), and entries must be submitted by January 26. Doubles and singles squad is 9:00 AM and team squad is 11:00 AM on both days. Prize money will be divided 70% for handicap prizes (will update with the handicap basis) and 30% for scratch prizes. Note: If you enter doubles, you must also enter singles, and if you enter singles, you must also enter doubles. Entry flyers available at the Brockton USBC Bowling Association centers.

New acquisitions

January 5, 2009

I had to wait quite a while for the pro shop to open, and when it did, it was just Brian Frank in the shop and not Ray, as I had hoped. Nevertheless, I purchased two items: a new USA Bowling Pro Shops shirt, which I plan on having embroidered with my name on the back at a local shop tomorrow (expect photos when this work is done), and a KR Strikeforce two-ball tournament tote. I purchased the latter item because I recently joined the Boston Bowling Meetup Group, which meets for tenpins about every other month at Lanes and Games in Cambridge. I see this as a chance to expand my horizons and bowl in a different house and on different conditions than I’m used to. The next tenpin meet is next month, and I hope to be able to join them for that.

Cause to worry

January 5, 2009

I went back to practice as normal today, but there’s reason to worry about my game, as I couldn’t deal with the lane transition as effectively as I would like. What’s been happening (and you may have noticed it in my league posts on BowlSK) is that my first shots will scream on the back end, making me move inside to around the 20 board on the approach, but then it will progress to a point where the lanes don’t hook at all, forcing me to either move back outside, slow down, or both. My middle game was near my average, but had a number of shots where I missed the pocket in the third game, so I only had games in the 130s and 140s bookending the middle game.

I’m going to the pro shop shortly, so I will be talking to Ray about it. I’ll be posting about that later.

Shaking the rust off

January 2, 2009

My brother did some stock-up shopping for me today at an area Walmart, and offered the opportunity to go bowling when he delivered the goods. I hesitated, as I normally eat around the time we went, then accepted, figuring I could have dinner later. I used the session as a general “shake the rust off” one, as I had not bowled in over 2 weeks. I’m glad that was what it was, too, as my first two games were well under my average, with me needing a mark and 8 pins in the 10th frame to beat my brother in the first game (getting it). I had a third game near my average, so I could say I accomplished my task for the session. My practice on Monday should be another tune-up for the resumption of league play on Wednesday night.

“The BM Report” added to blogroll: “The BM Report” is a blog that started as a newsletter for a team of self-described bad bowlers in Laramie, WY. Judging from their recent post of “tips,” these guys don’t take themselves too seriously, so this blog should be an entertaining read. The link has been added to the blogroll…welcome aboard guys. :D

Rich Jerome, Jr. rolls rare 900 series in Maryland

January 1, 2009

On the occasion of its approval by the United States Bowling Congress, I’d thought I’d finally get around to posting about Rich Jerome, Jr.’s perfect series. WJZ in Baltimore did an excellent piece on the feat, which may be the best piece on bowling done by non-bowling people that I’ve seen yet.

Congratulations Rich! :D