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Author Topic: My OC trip report 2017  (Read 24104 times)

Gene J Kanak

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My OC trip report 2017
« on: May 12, 2017, 11:46:04 AM »
If you've read my posts in the past, you'll know that I'm long-winded, so if you're not down for that, turn back now; you've been warned!

Travel - I still think that Southwest is the best option for bowlers since you can use the two "free" checked bags to account for your equipment. All in all, other than waking up mid-flight to find a strange woman's head on my shoulder as she napped, I have no complaints regarding travel. In fact, I like that Southwest now has kiosks for you print your own bag tags before going up to the counter (at Chicago Midway). It seemed to save time.

Hotel - I stayed with a buddy of mine at Mandalay Bay. Obviously, it's quite pricey. My share for the two nights I stayed was roughly $250. Still, it's a nice hotel, and if you're looking for a quality pool scene during down time, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better spot.

Gambling - Why do I bother? You know how Dick Allen calls himself THB (Typical House Bowler)? I'm going to call myself NBL, Natural Born Loser. I should've given them half of what I was going to bet, gone out back and let them kick me in the nuts and then called it a day. I don't think Syracuse is known for casinos, so maybe I can save a few hundred bucks next year!

SouthPoint - We've all heard that getting around that facility is something of a pain, and I can't say I disagree. Getting your stuff from the entrance to the regular bowling center for practice, from the regular center to the arena for the event, and then from the arena down to the sports book for bracket payouts is less than fun.

Now, with all of that being said, the arena itself is a very nice center. I king of like the back-to-back layout as opposed to having 60 lanes all in a row. I had zero complaints about the actual center. The racks were good, the approaches presented no issues, etc. The only think I didn't like was the march out. They march everyone out one way. If you're on the other side, you have to basically do a lap around the arena to get to your starting lanes. I did that with a 3-ball tote in each arm and my carry-on suitcase (since I had to go straight to the airport from bowling). That wasn't fun!

Squad room/weigh in - Everything was pretty much status quo there. Nothing really jumped out as being better or worse than previous years. One thing that I think was different was that each scale operator had a drill press behind them. I assume that would've allowed them to make subtle adjustments to balls that came in out of spec. In the past, I know that I had to run out and hit a booth when that happened to me, so I thought that was convenient. One oddity though was that I saw 2-3 bowlers have balls double-checked or disallowed on Day 2 after having been sent through without issues the day before. I guess it just depends on the scale operators day to day.

Team Practice - It's held in the main SouthPoint center, and, as always, I think it's a great benefit. It really gives you a handle on the shape of the pattern, ball choices, surface adjustments, etc. To me, they hooked a bit more in practice than they did in the arena, but the difference wasn't drastic.

Team
Scores - 173-136-160 - 469  - 2545\
Balls used - Hyroad (1000); IQ Tour Solid (2000); Black Widow Spare (Box)

I started out like we did in practice trying to go up 4-5. The shot was there though, as I said earlier, I felt like that area played tighter in the arena than it did during practice. As advertised, the shot is tricky. Playing up the extreme outside like that is difficult. You have to keep the ball in front of you because if you get it moving away, it's going in the ditch all day long. The plan was to stay out as long as possible and keep the moves as subtle as can be by balling down so as not to have to mess with the middle of the lane, which was really hooking. Sadly, our group lost its discipline as we had guys moving in pretty quickly. As you can imagine, that made things quite difficult. Now, I was surprised at how far left I was able to eventually get on that pattern, but the look was never great because there was no hold in, and I had over under getting it back to the pocket.

However, the biggest issue was right-side spare shooting. Knowing that the oil at Nationals is usually way slicker than what I see at home, I thought I could get away with bringing my Black Widow Spare, a cored spare ball. That was a mistake. There is a lot of friction in the middle of the lane, so that ball picked up just enough to make 6 pins, 10 pins, and the like trickier than they should have been. I should've just brought my Target Zone. That's probably my biggest regret. Now, if you're throwing end over end, you can get the ball to the right. However, if you're used to being able to throw your plastic the same way you throw your strike ball and have it glide to the right, be wary. If you have some hand, that won't work here.

Doubles
Scores - 169-144-203 - 516 - 1026
Balls used - Edge Solid (1000); IQ Tour Solid (2000)

This set was really frustrating as I really threw the ball well that first game and a half despite the terrible scores. I attempted to start off playing them the same way we had the day before, going as straight as possible up 5-7 or so. Being that I'd heard minors was a bit longer/heavier, I balled up to an Edge Solid at 1000 grit. I really focused on keeping my speed soft and going up the back of the ball to keep it from going crazy off the spot. The look was good, and the ball read beautifully. Sadly, I couldn't get it to carry. I went flush pocket 7 times and only carried three of those hits. Add in more pitiful spare shooting on my part, and a game that felt like 220 resulted in another sub 170 game.

I stuck with the Edge until I blasted a pocket 7-10 in about the third frame of Game 2. From there, I started creeping further and further left with the IQ Tour. Sadly, I found several opens and very few strikes before finally finding a home. Game 3 was better as my look was getting better as I continued slowly migrating left. Despite another gaff or two, I managed to grind out a 203 for my first decent score of the tournament.

Singles
Scores - 157-243-217 - 617
Balls used - IQ Tour Solid (2000)

One of my biggest struggles when I bowl no-thumb is maintaining consistent axis rotation. This game epitomized that because although my look was still good, release inconsistencies caused varying reactions, some splits, and very strikes. That led to another solid -43 start. To my credit (I deserve very little), I actually stayed composed and just focused on making better shots, and, for the most part, I did from that point forward. I started Game 2 with a four-bagger before a shaky release led to a partial bucket. I thought I made the spare, but I left one behind. Other than that, only a solid 8-pin and high-flush four pin kept me from striking. Still, 243 is a good score in that environment, so I was happy to take it.

As I had been, I just kept moving slightly left as I went on to Game 3. By that point, I was basically playing 20 to 8-9 or so, and the look was pretty good. The extra length of this pattern gave me a touch of hold if I was in, and I had no problem getting the ball back with authority as long as my release was good.

All told, I finished with 1602 for all-events, which is the third lowest effort I've had in my 8 years at the tournament. Still, considering I didn't shoot anything above 175 for the first five games, I guess I can't complain too much when it was all said and done.

Like always, this tournament is tough. There are no magic bowling ball or inside tip that is going to get you to a big score. You have to be a good player, one who can repeat shots in regard to accuracy, rev rate, axis tilt, etc. If you're capable of doing that, you'll do just fine because both patterns are more than playable. If you're a normal house hack like me who is somewhat inconsistent in the aforementioned areas, you're likely to struggle at various points because these conditions are far from forgiving. Then again, that's what this tournament is supposed to be about, showing us all what it really means to be a good bowler.

If you have questions that I have failed to answer during this manifesto, feel free to send them my way. Thanks for reading.

 

Gene J Kanak

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #31 on: May 18, 2017, 08:28:22 AM »
They could design the pattern with me in mind, and if it's not a house shot, I'm still going to shoot between 1600-1750. Sport patterns require quality shot-making, and that is what I lack over the long haul. It isn't about the ball or seeing a lane graph; it's about recognizing what you're seeing (I'm actually okay at that part) and then repeating shots (which I'm terrible at.).

avabob

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #32 on: May 18, 2017, 01:23:03 PM »
You are absolutely correct
  I would go one step further and suggest that you also need a style of game that is versatile enough to match up with varying pattern lengths.  Without that I don't think it us possible to repeat shots well enough to score on patterns that don't match up to your game.   

northface28

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #33 on: May 23, 2017, 07:37:33 PM »
Won't be as detailed as Gene. Had 1810 AE and let me tell you they are tough. It is incredibly easy to miss the head pin going right. If you miss, I think the misses are in, especially in D/S, there is an absolute ton in the middle. If you're a shotmaker you can play out with urethane in D/S. I think the optimal approach is to break them down with plastic between 12-15 going towards the 3 pin in team. In D/S I think breaking down 5/6 with surface, 500-1000 is the way to go. Multiple 700 sets on our pair doing this. Team is VERY DIFFUCULT and a large portion of your pins will come from D/S.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2017, 07:39:17 PM by northface28 »
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Impending Doom

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #34 on: May 23, 2017, 09:30:13 PM »
Won't be as detailed as Gene. Had 1810 AE and let me tell you they are tough. It is incredibly easy to miss the head pin going right. If you miss, I think the misses are in, especially in D/S, there is an absolute ton in the middle. If you're a shotmaker you can play out with urethane in D/S. I think the optimal approach is to break them down with plastic between 12-15 going towards the 3 pin in team. In D/S I think breaking down 5/6 with surface, 500-1000 is the way to go. Multiple 700 sets on our pair doing this. Team is VERY DIFFUCULT and a large portion of your pins will come from D/S.
Not going to tell us what you had each set? Rough!

northface28

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #35 on: May 23, 2017, 09:43:10 PM »
633 Singles, 585 Team, 592 Doubles. 2 2000+ in our group.
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Impending Doom

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #36 on: May 23, 2017, 09:51:47 PM »
633 Singles, 585 Team, 592 Doubles. 2 2000+ in our group.
Respect, bro.

northface28

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #37 on: May 23, 2017, 10:00:47 PM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2017, 02:32:31 AM by northface28 »
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Good Times Good Times

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #38 on: May 25, 2017, 07:56:12 AM »
I had 633 singles and I don't even want to talk about team and doubles.  I tried to stay right for far too long and didn't make the LEAP left nearly fast enough.

Thank God in Heaven I was able to walk out the door on a positive note.  What (very) poor bowling in Vegas stays in Vegas.

While they are exceptionally difficult I have only myself to blame. 
« Last Edit: May 25, 2017, 08:05:09 AM by Good Times Good Times »
GTx2

Impending Doom

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #39 on: May 25, 2017, 08:20:01 AM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.

So you're saying apply turtle Wax to the ball?

billdozer

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #40 on: May 25, 2017, 09:44:38 AM »
633 Singles, 585 Team, 592 Doubles. 2 2000+ in our group.
Respect, bro.

+1

They were tough
In the bag [Infinite Physix, Volatility Torque, Night Road, Phaze III, Burner Solid, Hustle AU]
*Now Testing* IQ Ruby, Renevant, another IQ Tour solid
Coming soon...???

northface28

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #41 on: May 25, 2017, 10:16:19 AM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.

So you're saying apply turtle Wax to the ball?

Or don't throw it like a burger like I did.
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Impending Doom

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #42 on: May 25, 2017, 10:54:26 AM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.

So you're saying apply turtle Wax to the ball?

Or don't throw it like a burger like I did.

Don't nobody wanna be a burger at Nationals! #burgerking

ignitebowling

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #43 on: May 25, 2017, 11:53:53 AM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.


For singles/doubles I had to look a little left of my usually targets on the right side (right handed bowler) because of the amount of oil on the lanes. My plastic ball was sanded at 1000 which for team didn't cause any issues, just be a little firm. Singles/doubles I had to aim for the left side of the 10 pin to better keep the ball on the lane, and more at the 3 pin if say the 3-6-10 or 3-6 or 6-10.

Lots of grinding for most mortals shooting lots of spares.....not counting the ugly leaves that come with it.

The key is you have to have people working together. Had a great look on team event more then singles/doubles and that look was quickly destroyed by 8 right handers playing everywhere but together. We had 2 lefties.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2017, 11:59:31 AM by ignitebowling »
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Gene J Kanak

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #44 on: May 25, 2017, 12:48:30 PM »
I'd be remissed if I left out the following misses:

9 pin
4 pin
10 pin
3-6-10
2-5
3-6-9-10
6-10
2 pin (missed by 4 City blocks)

As you can see it was a spare shooting clinic. PLASTIC WILL READ THE LANE IN TEAM GO END OVER END.

Amen to that, the plastic ball reading the lane on spares to the right absolutely killed me during Team!

Kegler300800

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Re: My OC trip report 2017
« Reply #45 on: May 26, 2017, 11:11:59 AM »
I shot 1688 for all events with my best event being doubles with 627. My higher averaged son shot 558 for doubles so I got no help from him. 1185 together.

I will proudly point out that according to Pin Pal, I did not miss one (1) single pin spare in all nine (9) games.
Balls: Motiv Trident Abyss, Motiv Golden Jackal, Motiv Hydra and Motiv Hyper Sniper. All made in the USA.