There were two things I could take comfort in about tonight: 1) I made all but one of my single 10s tonight, and I was leaving a lot of them in the first game; 2) I made the right ball change after moving and changing speeds to adjust for the 10 in the first game didn’t work. I was only chagrined about one thing…that my night ended on an 8-10 in the pocket after stringing the three previous to that frame.
Result: 168-199-188=555 Average (30 games): 186 Average for last 9 games: 184 Next week’s AVG+1 score: 585
My team had hope for total after winning the second game by enough to get us back in the match after losing the first game by a sizable margin, but we couldn’t win the third game.
After dropping all 8 this week, “Froot Loops” are now in a tie for 11th with “Red Sox” and “The Oddballs” 26 points behind “Don’t Blink,” who lead “3 Kings and 1 Queen” by 8 points. “Who’s On First” are the scheduled opponents for my team in the coming week.
I alluded to another honor score thrown by Keith Tantillo in my post about his 300 game on Monday, and this is back-dated to July 9. On that night, he had games of 267, 256, and 279 for an 802 series. Congrats again, Keith! 😀
Congrats to Keith Tantillo, who threw a perfect game last night in the summer doubles league. This won’t be the last time I post about him this summer, as I am aware of another honor score that I need the details on before I can post it.
Meant to post a standings update before I posted about Ed Alfieri’s 11 in a row game…
“Froot Loops” are tied in points with “RPMM’s” for 8th place after Week 8, 22 points behind the pace set by “Don’t Blink.” “3 Kings and 1 Queen” and “4 Wishers” are tied for second, 12 points back.
“Wild Samoans” will be my team’s opponents on Wednesday night.
My friend in Virginia, “CoachJim,” was having problems finding the channel with the webchat on EFnet’s website, so, playing around with stuff on the website (mostly the channel search), I got the URL format for a particular channel, and have figured out what the webchat URL for my bowling channel should be. I have added the link in the “Author’s links” sidebar section; just input your nickname and click the “Log In” button to join. 😀
I alluded to a new project in my 5th anniversary post, and I can finally reveal what it is. 😀
As some of you know, I hang on the BowlingFans.com chat, but the bulk of my experience on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) has been on the EFnet network, which is the oldest and largest IRC network. Since I got back into bowling, I’ve wanted a place to talk about the sport on that network, and, though #bowling exists, there are only idle bots and clients there, and, furthermore, nobody bit on my offer to take over the day-to-day operation of that channel (chat rooms are called channels on IRC). The saying being, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” and given that I’ve needed to assume more of the administrative control of my other channels, I have started the channel #bowling! (the # and ! are part of the name), and placed a Wraith botpack there, along with my other channels, to keep the channel open. As befits a bowler, the bots all have pro bowler “names”.
To assist my readers in finding the channel, I have added a link to the “Author’s links” section of my sidebar, but, unlike the other links on my blog, the link uses the IRC protocol, and can be accessed with a compatible IRC client installed (I’ve been using the mIRC shareware application for Windows for years, but there are others for every operating system). For those who would like to check it out without installing software, a webchat is available through the network’s website; just plug in the #bowling! channel name and a nickname (no more than nine characters) into the form provided on the homepage.
Finally, just so that everyone knows, I’m not abandoning the BowlingFans.com chat, but actually hope to link the two channels in the future (it will require a scripted bot with a cross-network script). The topic on the EFnet channel also references the BowlingCommunity.com forums (in “TinyURL” form).
I hope to see some of you in the EFnet chat soon. 😀
Three fairly consistent games, but you’d never know it after I bowled a good warm-up game to shake two weeks of rust off. There were just too many easy misses in the third game.
Result: 180-194-184=558 Average (24 games): 186 Average for last 9 games: 189 Next week’s AVG+1 score: 563
Berta was bowling distracted, and it showed in her first game, but she recovered to help us take the last two by enough for total and six points on the night.
I expect to be making an announcement tomorrow. 😀
The People’s Tournament reported Melanie Stanley (AMF Cranston Lanes, 134 avg.) was the winner of the event held on June 10 at Westgate Lanes, defeating Mariann Klosin (Brunswick Lowell Lanes, 188 avg.) by a score of 234-204 (with handicaps) in the first all-female title match in People’s Tournament history. Cashing from Westgate Lanes were Keith Tantillo (200 avg.), Philip Spera (162 avg.) and Cheryl Bartlett (141 avg.)
After winning six points from “Beauties N’ Beasts” last week, “Froot Loops” are now in a tie in points for 9th with “C and S” and Team 6. The tie is trailing the leading team, “Don’t Blink,” by 22 points, with “3 Kings and 1 Queen” 8 points behind them.
The league will not meet this week because of the Independence Day holiday, but when the league resumes play on July 11, my team will be bowling against Team 14; the opposing team has a vacancy, as well, so the night will probably go by quick.
Before continuing to read this post, I’d like everyone to take a look at the post linked here…
That outing, my friends, was five years ago today, and, as I look back at it, I’m still amazed at what has transpired since then: my 288 league and 290 open bowling games, my two 700 series in league (not bad for someone who was in danger of not being able to walk at all, let alone well enough to bowl well 😀 ), and, most importantly to me, my closer involvement in the Brockton bowling scene and all of the friends I have made and re-made since coming back. I wish I could thank each of you by name here, but I like brevity in most of my posts, so a blanket “Thank You” will have to suffice.
There will be one person that I have to thank individually, though, and that would be my brother Frank. Even when I had doubted myself, my brother wanted me to get involved with the sport again, and that outing five years ago was what “lit the fuse.” Because of that, all of my outings with him since have been special (yes, even when he’s caught me on a bad day and took a game from me 😀 ). To make it official, thank you, Frank.
I had hoped this week to celebrate the anniversary by officially launching another bowling-related project, but something happened in the last 24 hours that put it on the back burner. I was contacted last night, and confirmed her identity today, by an older half sister whom my mother gave up for adoption at the age of 18, and we spent the bulk of the day between phone calls and Facebook posts getting her connected and acquainted with my family. As it turns out, my newly-found half sister has a daughter who bowls, so this could get interesting. As a result, I now have another reason to remember June 30 for. 😀
I fell back down to earth a little bit tonight, but I was a bit better on my single 10: I missed two, but, on a night when I was leaving more than my share of them, I made four more of them than I missed.
Result: 183-205-166=554 Average (21 games): 187 Average for last 9 games: 194 Next week’s AVG+1 score: 584
Matt was absent yet again (more on that later), but Brian helped pick up the slack, including punching out in the 10th to end the night, which he told me was the first time he’s ever punched out in the 10th frame. The team took the first two games and total for six points.
When I got home, I saw a message that Matt left me on my Facebook wall indicating that he was quitting the league, so my team will be going the rest of the way with a vacant, by all appearances.
NEBA noted in the match play results (and also reported on Bowl.com) that Danny Khuu threw one of three perfect games in this past weekend’s event at AMF Auburn Lanes. Anthony Pepe of E. Elmhurst, NY defeated Thomas Coco Jr. of Cortlandt Manor, NY 250-203 for his first NEBA title. Ed Roberts was also reported as having cashed in the event.
Wanting to make a day of the Brockton Bowling Association’s membership meeting today (during which I was re-elected for a three year term on the board), I invited my best friend Ed, his wife, and a classmate, first name Chris, whom I’ve come to know fairly well in the run up to and since our 25th reunion, to a bowling outing. The wife wasn’t feeling well, so it ended up just being the guys.
Chris hadn’t seen me bowl before (other than possibly on YouTube), so I had some motivation to show him I “know my stuff,” and I didn’t disappoint him. I had a 588 on the day, including a clean 217 that I later told him I felt better about the fact that it was clean than about it actually being over 200. I was disappointed that I couldn’t finish, as I had two straight open frames to close the series for a 179 when I needed the first two strikes in the 10th for my 600. I did end bowling by making sure Chris knew that my set was better than my summer league average.
“Froot Loops” remained tied for 8th place after 6 weeks, but it is now a four-way tie in points with “Shake and Bake,” “Eileens Wenches,” and “C and S”. The tie is 22 points behind “Don’t Blink,” who lead “3 Kings and 1 Queen” by six points. Next week’s opponents for “Froot Loops” are “Beauties N’ Beasts”.
I decided to make a minor addition to my “About” page, one that notes my membership (in my mind) in “Storm Nation,” but I did add the caveat that my spare ball is not a Storm ball (Brunswick makes the T-Zones). If this ever changes, I’ll let everyone know, but I have liked every Storm ball I’ve had to this point.
Certainly, I’ve been enjoying this run of consistency that my improved health has allowed me to have, but my 6 was there again tonight, and I missed it largely by not being able to cover my 10 late.
Result: 209-200-181=590 Average (18 games): 187 Average for last 9 games: 200 Next week’s AVG+1 score: 574
Berta was the only teammate of mine present tonight; Matt was absent and Brian had a good pre-bowl, but we lost two fairly close games and total, with the game we won likewise fairly close.
After winning six of eight from “The Pinheads,” “Froot Loops” moved into a tie in points for 8th place with “Shake and Bake” and “RPMM’s,” 16 points behind a tie for first between “Don’t Blink” and “3 Kings and 1 Queen.” My team faces Team 6 on Wednesday night.
OK, so I’m not far off of my league average for two games, and hanging in there in the third game when I get three splits in a row. I had been getting the ball over the foul line before that time, but then execute some poor shots, and I probably needed to make a move, as well, b/c I found the pocket again when I did. In summation, I’m glad I’m not a morning bowler on a regular basis.
The bright side was that I was perfect on single pins, including three 10s.
The Massachusetts Women’s Bowling Association recently concluded their annual state tournament at North Bowl, and I’ll list the unofficial state champions below (association represented in parentheses):
Team
Div. 1, handicapped: Cape Crusaders (Cape Cod) 2,785 Div. 1, scratch: Spare Four (Berkshire County) 2,185 Div. 2, handicapped: The Name Of The Game (Worcester County) 2,786 Div. 2, scratch: The Name Of The Game (Worcester County) 1,935
For the second time in three weeks, Bob Hamilton has posted a 300 game in the Wednesday Summer Mixed League, just missing an 800 series when he came up in the 10th needing two strikes for it and tapping an 8 with the first ball. Congrats again, Bob! 😀
I followed up last week by posting what could have very easily been my first clean series. Three of my four open frames were missed single pins (two 10s and a 4) and the other a split, but when I didn’t strike, I made everything else. This was the first time I posted back-to-back 600 series since December of 2010.
Result: 182-203-217=602 Average (15 games): 185 Average for last 9 games: 194 Next week’s AVG+1 score: 564
Berta and Brian had off nights, but Matt had a solid 504 to help us win the lion’s share of the points.
Our first winning night of the summer allowed “Froot Loops” to move into the middle of the pack, a tie in points for 10th with “Shake and Bake” (our opponents last week), “Who’s On First,” and “Wild Samoans.” The tie for 10th is 16 points behind “Don’t Blink,” who still have only lost two points after four weeks. They hold a two point lead over “3 Kings and 1 Queen,” with “Nightouts” 6 points behind. My team is scheduled to bowl against “Pinheads” tomorrow night.
I’ve been planning a post like this for quite a while. I’ve been wanting my readers who don’t normally see me bowl to have an idea of how all of my strike balls are laid out. I have the layout measurements noted on BowlSK, but, for some, seeing is believing, so what I’ve done is take photos of the five balls currently in my strike arsenal and label the major reference points.
I’ll start with the Hy-Road, which is my benchmark (a benchmark ball is the ball first thrown on unfamiliar lane conditions during the process of getting the initial read of the lanes):
Hy-Road
This ball has what is known as a stacked leverage layout. It is a fairly low RG ball (tech specs are on Storm’s website, some of the balls for which you may need to find the ball in the “Classic” list by clicking in the top right corner on the main “Balls” page), and I initially got it as a ball that would help me on oil but that I could also use on a THS (Typical House Shot). Although the layout is strong, the hybrid coverstock and the fact that I usually keep the cover polished are what make the ball a decent one on a house pattern.
To point out some differences, I’ll show my Reign of Fire next:
Reign of Fire
Like my Hy-Road, this ball has a stacked leverage layout, but you’ll notice that the weight hole is actually a bit below my PAP (which I eyeballed and marked on the photo). This points out that the driller also has to take core dynamics into account when laying out a ball, and, really, you can throw core dynamics out the window if the ball has illegal static weights. The Reign of Fire also has a duller solid coverstock, which rolls a bit sooner and helps me if the condition is a little heavier.
For really heavy oil, here is the ball I most recently acquired, the Virtual Gravity Nano:
Virtual Gravity Nano
As I mentioned in my post about it, I acquired this ball previously used, but wanted to keep the same layout, which is pin under the fingers. This layout will allow the ball to roll early, which is needed on longer, heavier oil patterns. I’ve also marked the mass bias (MB) position on the ball to illustrate what I meant when I said it was kicked out (outside of the line formed by the pin and center of gravity positions). It also has the strongest cover of my current balls, the NRG solid at 4000 Abralon.
The next ball I’ll show has claimed a soft spot in my heart:
Fast
This ball, my Fast, is the ball I threw for my two best games ever, my 288 league game (which was also part of my first 700 series, my personal best 707) and my 290 open bowling game. I had Ray drill this with the thought of this being my “long and strong” ball, not getting into a roll until after it exits the oil pattern and finishing hard on the back end, which is why it’s often good on a THS. The polished pearl coverstock adds to its length.
Finally, the ball I’ve found I had to use the last couple of weeks, and the ball I finished my second 700 series with, my Tropical Breeze:
Tropical Breeze
Length was the consideration with this ball as well, so it was drilled pin-over and I keep it polished, but I throw this on lighter oil than what I would use my Fast on, with the solid coverstock helping tame down the back end for control on the light/dry when I need it (the solid rolls sooner than a pearl, so it won’t overreact).
I hope this post has helped everyone understand what I’m using out there. 😀
Congrats to Ed Roberts, whom the PBA reported as cashing 29th in the Senior US Open this week at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Amletto Monacelli defeated Walter Ray Williams Jr. 255-247 for the title, the first for an international player on the PBA Senior Tour.
The Tenth Board 
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