We are fortunate enough to have the PWBA making a stop at the center that the shop I run is in.  We have already begun preparations, and the owners of the center are experienced and have the right connections to make sure this goes off without a hitch.  I, however, want to make sure this is all second nature by the time the event takes place.  There will be no trucks from the manufacturers there, my shop will be responsible for any and all drilling that takes place.  I will have plenty of help and support, no worries there, but I want to make sure we have a quick and efficient production line set up, and I want to be more familiar with the process than the bowlers are. 

Our stop is at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka, KS, on August 6-9.  I have a few thoughts, I'd like opinions on those, and if anyone has any insight or experience, I'd appreciate it. 

I had thought about getting in contact with the pro shop in Wichita that will be hosting the stop before ours to possibly go down and help/shadow them to see how they do it and take notes on what works and what doesn't.  I'm very unsure how busy it is going to be, though we are several stops in, so I imagine most of them will have their "arsenals" set for the most part, and might possibly only drill a few here and there, especially since the bowlers themselves will be carrying all their own drilled and undrilled balls.  However, I'm not too sure how well the other shop will like someone hanging around if they're going to be busy.

I'm sure there will be staff reps there, although not many most likely, so I have no idea how much we will be relied on, if any, for layouts, surfaces, knowledge of individual lane characteristics, etc.  Not sure how practical this would be, but I hope to have intimate knowledge of how the shot plays on our surface, and a few tricky lanes particularly, but that's a pretty involved process. 

I'd like to be very familiar with all the bowlers as well.  I've been watching the women for years since the last time the PWBA was around so I know most of their games well, but being that I'm going to be interacting with them, I'd like to learn some personalities and preferences if at all possible.  I don't want to chat one up that prefers to be all business, or be all business with one that likes to talk a little. I realize there will be plenty of fresh and new faces, but I have a lot of collegiate friends that I'm sure will be a great resource.   

I know I can't possibly prepare for everything, but I want it as locked down as possible by the time they get there.  Personally, I don't mind admitting that I'm nervous and excited as hell.  I'm the biggest bowling dork on the planet, and I don't mind admitting that either.  I get excited just to mingle with big name locals, not to mention well known collegiate bowlers or anything.  I got to meet Ryan Ciminelli at Nationals in Reno last year, and I could barely talk.  I just want to serve them in the best way possible, so any and all information, experience, stories, or anything will definitely be appreciated. 

Congratulations on taking the step. You said you were nervous when you met Ciminelli... I would ask what steps you plan on taking to calm your nerves when you start competition? Do you have some mental routines to work through it? Good luck.

33 . . but I'm sure that's pretty obvious.  I'm both extremely mature and immature for my age, just depends on what kind of situation or scenario I'm in.  I feel very proficient in some areas, and woefully ignorant in others.  I've gained a TON of experience from this site, and watching every single bowling video on youtube several times, but I'm so busy that I don't have a lot of experience actually being in situations, working has kept me from quite a few opportunities. 

Spider, preparation is what keeps me calm.  I didn't expect to see Ciminelli there at all, so the surprise threw me off, and I can imagine he and other pros get tons of people who come up and just want to chat them up forever.  I'm reserved about that just because I'm trying to respect their time.  Yeah, it's something that is part of the job, but I guess I'm not the type of person who can run up to somebody like that and get what I want out of them.  If I'm prepared, even if I run into a surprise, sometimes the busier or crazier it gets, the better I can handle it, because I'm expecting anything and am ready to jump.  So yes, I'm going to be very excited, but I'm going to be well prepared and have plenty of help, so I think it will be a very enjoyable experience. 

How old are you? Just curious.

That's a term I heard used . . but I've never been to a regional before either . .  Yes, we will have a nice setup in the paddock, and I'm expecting to possibly drill a few balls here and there, maybe a couple before the show.  At the same time, if I go overboard preparing and nothing much goes on, I still see it as a great learning experience either way. 

These are glorified regionals.  Chances are you won't drill any balls and if there is a spinner in the paddock no one may even come in the shop.

Yes, yes I am married. 

I wouldn't get overworked about it.  Most, if not all these bowlers will already have their equipment set up before they walk in the door.  I expect that IF anyone does need some work done, they will know exactly what and how they want it done.  `Are you good at following instructions?

Ok.  I'm planning on going down to Wichita the stop before to get a feel for it and to enjoy the experience.  That all makes sense, I really wouldn't want anybody else touching my stuff either no matter how good they were. 

If what I saw at the Senior US Open and Masters in Las Vegas are an indicator, you won't be seeing much traffic in the shop. When I checked out the respective shops between and after squads, the only work I saw being done was for locals.
 
The spinners in the paddocks saw a lot of action. I brought my own pads and supplies, and most others seemed to do the same.

You might be needed for emergency services for finger grips, slugs, and miscellaneous supplies. You might get lucky and drill a ball or two. Otherwise, enjoy the action if you can pull away to watch any of it.

Those are very good points . . after hearing there would be no trucks, I didn't figure anyone would carry around a bunch of blanks, but I hadn't considered that the shots would be easier too.  Our house is pretty high friction, so it already makes sport patterns quite a bit easier to begin with.  We have a Jr Gold prep league every summer that adults are allowed to bowl for practice, and last summer, I used one of two balls on absolutely every pattern, and they had everything from Sydney to Mexico City down.  I had a good look with one of them, if not both, not just something I could work with on every single one, think there were 8 or 9 different patterns.  Highly unlikely they wouldn't already have several balls that would work or would be a quick surface adjustment away from working. 

It's not a matter of who is drilling balls, it's more that no one is going to travel with blank balls.  And I would be willing to bet the lanes will be pretty easy to not make any of the girls look bad and try and increase entries.  The last thing they want is the way it used to be when there were only about 3 non-cashing entries.

They just guaranteed you won't drill any balls or even need to set up a spinner.

http://news.pba.com/post/2015/3/24/PBA-PWBA-Form-New-Strategic-Partnership.aspx