Author Topic: 300 a right of passage? (Read 4111 times)

Russell · « **on:** February 24, 2008, 12:25:59 PM »

I see more and more posts on this site from people throwing their first 300 games and the title of the posts are "finally"...or some variation. Since when did shooting a 300 game become a right of passage and not a great accomplishment?

I know these are rhetorical questions...but I just wanted to vent for a second. I remember when I ran a pro shop a kid shot 300 on the Saturday morning youth league. He came in and said...and I quote "Oh man I finally got my 300 game". It was like he was just supposed to get it....and it finally happened.

How many bowlers do we have to lose before we realize this has to stop?
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http://www.myspace.com/rlrussell

The artist formerly known as "jabroni"

Goof1073 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2008, 06:22:13 AM »

I think STDime has a REALLY good point here:

quote:
I think the prestige of throwing 300/800 really depends on where you bowl anymore. I bowl in 4 different houses for league and all over for tournaments. In 2 of those houses, it's still huge to throw any kind of honor score.

One of my local houses was always a tougher place to carry in and the shot wasn't always the best...now add in old wood lanes and well you get the picture. The last year I bowled there full time I had one of only three 300's shot there that year and the only 800. To this date that 800 holds a very special place in my heart for the simple reason of where I threw it.
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-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA

Pinbuster · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2008, 06:39:40 AM »

30+ years ago a bowler would bowl their first 300 and say they donâ€™t believe it and didnâ€™t think they could ever do it.

Today it is they finally did it.

Danes07 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2008, 07:56:40 AM »

Guy in my area just recently shot his first 300...and followed it up with a 152 and 139. Didn't even shoot 600, shot 592.

Great for the guy, but its definately disheartening to see someone like that, who has never shot higher than 613 in his life throw a 300.
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University at Albany 2007
-Let's Go Danes-

ROTO GRIP - King of Them All

Zach M · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2008, 07:58:00 AM »

You make a great point. I hear people say this all of the time. I had a different approach. I was in total shock when I shot one. It should be like that. It's ignorant to think that you will someday have one.

Zach
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---The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.
--Bob Dylan

pate08 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:09:03 AM »

I have a feeling that this topic is kind of in regard to my post. I'll be the first to admid that I shouldn't have shot the 300, my last shot shouldve been about 7, I just got lucky, but in bowling, you take what you can get whenever you can get it. There have been times where I have thrown it perfect with about the front 7 and I have stoned 9 or wrapped 10. And it isnt that easy to shoot 300 in our house, the carry just isnt there for people to be shooting them all the time, I am actually suprised that I had 12 shots in a row that I carried. I have had high league average a couple times, and I have won a couple tournaments, but the first question that I am asked when I tell someone that I bowl is "have you shot a 300?", and even though I know thats not what bowling is about, I still had to say no. The only thing that was held against me when I talk about bowling with people that bowl is that I had not shot 300. Maybe "finally" was percieved in a different way that what I meant for it to be, because for me its that I am "finally" not going to be held to a lower standard just because I had not shot 300.
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Rival
Super Trooper(2)
Action Max

Edited on 2/25/2008 11:12 AM

Russell · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:23:46 AM »

quote:
I have a feeling that this topic is kind of in regard to my post. I'll be the first to admid that I shouldn't have shot the 300, my last shot shouldve been about 7, I just got lucky, but in bowling, you take what you can get whenever you can get it. There have been times where I have thrown it perfect with about the front 7 and I have stoned 9 or wrapped 10. And it isnt that easy to shoot 300 in our house, the carry just isnt there for people to be shooting them all the time, I am actually suprised that I had 12 shots in a row that I carried. I have had high league average a couple times, and I have won a couple tournaments, but the first question that I am asked when I tell someone that I bowl is "have you shot a 300?", and even though I know thats not what bowling is about, I still had to say no. The only thing that was held against me when I talk about bowling with people that bowl is that I had not shot 300. Maybe "finally" was percieved in a different way that what I meant for it to be, because for me its that I am "finally" not going to be held to a lower standard just because I had not shot 300.
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Rival
Super Trooper(2)
Action Max

Edited on 2/25/2008 11:12 AM

pate it is just coincidence that your post came just before this one. It is not directed at you...only a generation of bowlers who feel that 300 is a given...and only a matter of time before it is bestowed...not earned.
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http://www.myspace.com/rlrussell

The artist formerly known as "jabroni"

Willaby Rags · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:33:09 AM »

I feel your pain pate...I recently shot my first sanctioned 800. I have shot a 300, but it was during open bowling. Whenever I tell family/friends who aren't "bowlers" that I shot 800, the next question is "have you ever bowled a 300?" When I say I don't have a sanctioned one, they go on to tell me that their friend/brother-in-law/milkman has shot one and one day I might be as good as him. I've pretty much given up telling them that an 800 is more respected/harder to achieve than a 300. Anywho, congrats on your 300!
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Ryan
Wilmington, DE

Jorge300 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:34:23 AM »

quote:
I have a feeling that this topic is kind of in regard to my post. I'll be the first to admid that I shouldn't have shot the 300, my last shot shouldve been about 7, I just got lucky, but in bowling, you take what you can get whenever you can get it. There have been times where I have thrown it perfect with about the front 7 and I have stoned 9 or wrapped 10. And it isnt that easy to shoot 300 in our house, the carry just isnt there for people to be shooting them all the time, I am actually suprised that I had 12 shots in a row that I carried. I have had high league average a couple times, and I have won a couple tournaments, but the first question that I am asked when I tell someone that I bowl is "have you shot a 300?", and even though I know thats not what bowling is about, I still had to say no. The only thing that was held against me when I talk about bowling with people that bowl is that I had not shot 300. Maybe "finally" was percieved in a different way that what I meant for it to be, because for me its that I am "finally" not going to be held to a lower standard just because I had not shot 300.
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Rival
Super Trooper(2)
Action Max

Edited on 2/25/2008 11:12 AM

Congrats on the 300, but what you said here is one of the major problems of bowling. You felt you were held in a lower regard cause you never shot 300. Well shooting 300 doesn't mean much anymore. Does the fact that I have 25 mean I am a better bowler then you? No. I am better because of the little things, working at my game, bowling in PBA Regionals on difficult conditions, etc. You want to talk about honor scores meaning something, at least look at 800's, those show you at least bowled well for 3 games, not just got lucky in one. Add to the fact that you call out everyone to come down there and lose their bankroll to you shows that you do suffer from what Russell was mentioning. You think you are good bowler and as such deserved a 300. No matter what you may say now, your other posts show the real truth. So congrats again on the 300, great game, now become a real bowler.
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Jorge300

IowaMoe300 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:35:36 AM »

quote:
I have a feeling that this topic is kind of in regard to my post. I'll be the first to admid that I shouldn't have shot the 300, my last shot shouldve been about 7, I just got lucky, but in bowling, you take what you can get whenever you can get it. There have been times where I have thrown it perfect with about the front 7 and I have stoned 9 or wrapped 10. And it isnt that easy to shoot 300 in our house, the carry just isnt there for people to be shooting them all the time, I am actually suprised that I had 12 shots in a row that I carried. I have had high league average a couple times, and I have won a couple tournaments, but the first question that I am asked when I tell someone that I bowl is "have you shot a 300?", and even though I know thats not what bowling is about, I still had to say no. The only thing that was held against me when I talk about bowling with people that bowl is that I had not shot 300. Maybe "finally" was percieved in a different way that what I meant for it to be, because for me its that I am "finally" not going to be held to a lower standard just because I had not shot 300.
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Rival
Super Trooper(2)
Action Max

Edited on 2/25/2008 11:12 AM

That is exactly what I'm talking about. When you talk to the people who aren't avid bowlers, or are new to the game, the first thing they think when the bowling subject comes up, is "300". Most of these hacks that have these one hit wonder 300's know they can't have an 800 anyway unless they sell their soul to the devil. Pate08, I wouldn't give it a second thought when people ask you that. Back where I'm from, all my old bowling friends ask me if I have had 800 yet like it should be a given. Considering that I bowl on a much tougher shot than they do there is a huge variable. They have people bowling 300's and 800's every week, on a casino shot. I bowl in a place where some years, we may have 2 300's and never a single 800. You can count the number of 800's that have been shot the last 20 years on one hand, and this isn't a small house or area. This strengthens the point made earlier by goof1073, and I totally agree that the house and conditions mean everything.
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You say I only score because I'm a lefty... you whine about the crappy shot... the same crappy shot I average higher than you on? There are bowlers, people who try to bowl. The bowlers find a way to score no matter the condition, and the people who try to bowl whine about the shot.

se7en · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2008, 11:15:56 AM »

My best games aren't 300's. I shot the most incredible 219 a week ago. Dead flush shots all 12 frames. It was by far a better performance than my 300 game where I caught a couple of lucky breaks..

With the element of luck involved, I can see why someone would say 'finally' after enough jaded 258's and 279's were tossed because a shot or two just didn't want to carry.
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There is nothing so easy to learn as experience and nothing so hard to apply.

Spider Ball Bowler · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2008, 01:47:36 PM »

The best thing of my life is when you have a friend who has bowled on nothing but China his entire life and has a couple 299's and a 300, and thinks he is far and away better than anyone you know. Don't mind the fact he just shot a 131, his argument is always..I've shot 300 in a mens league. Don't mind the fact that you out average this person on every league you have ever bowled, he shot 300 in a men's league.

I shot a 300 at the age of 15 in a sanctioned youth league with an average of 157. The thing is I couldn't believe it. I never thought wow finally...I was happy shooting a 220 at that point. The thing is I worked super hard on my game, and I was improving so much, going from a 115 average just two season prior, using a Urethane ball, and raising my average 30 pins a season.

The 300 did only one thing for me....well two actually....gave me some press, and superb confidence. I can tell you right now I would not be even half the bowler I am today if not for that 300. Actually it might have given me too much confidence, because I did not take bowling badly very well.....still don't, but understand reasons why now.

Here I am 10 years later, with still only 1 sanctioned 300 game (I stopped bowling at 17 and picked it up again at 22) 1 299 in an unsanctioned league, and 2 300's in practice bowling.

The funny thing is I average almost 230 at the china shop and 210 on a tougher shot with all my teammates being lefty as well and I at times feel the pain of the righties and their constant whining about making adjustments

4 years ago I would probably have averaged about 170 in the same prediciment because I did not even know how to adjust.

300's are sweet...and the first one is HUGE for anyone regardless of what type of shot you play on...but like someone else said, it means a lot more if you're on a tougher type of shot.

I am very proud of the 300 I shot...like I said I was 15...first youth in the history of that league to ever shoot one....and I was so bad at bowling when I started...I'll never forget that day....whether I have 100 more...or that becomes my only one....I am very proud...

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Formerly SGC300
"Never get into a pissing match with a skunk, cuz he'll piss all over you and like it."-Keyshawn Johnson on Terrell Owens

win1soon · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2008, 02:26:38 PM »

Well it's confusing to me.At one house I bowl there has only been 5 300s since it opened in the 70's.I am not sure of the 800s but I think it's 3.The high average for the center since I have been bowling is mid 180s.Because everyone always gets rerated at tournaments everyones complaining so the manager started putting an easier pattern out this year.Still no 300s but the high average has gone to low 190s.Anyway if you bowl on a tough pattern it still means alot to finally get that 300.

win1soon

EboKnight · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2008, 02:29:59 PM »

nope not anymore... 800 maybe.

i had a hack in a league here shoot 142-300-156 = 598

no 600 with 300. now that means he got really freakin lucky in one game (plus i think he had like 4-5 Brooklyn strikes in there.
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Precision Pro Shop: June 04 - Present

Ebonite Pro Shop Advisory Staff: Bowl to Win

Timotheus · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2008, 02:54:14 PM »

My first 300 wasn't really a "finally" as much as a "I did it!" Course at the time it was 1997 and I was 13 and had only been throwing a hook for a few years. My second one in 2000 when I was 17 wasn't as big a fanfare since I'd done it already. Both of them were when "house shots" were regulated and inspected under the old YABA, the first was a Saturday traveling league and the second was in high school varsity competition. Now the 800 is my goal, and when I get it I'll probably say something similar to "finally" just because its been a goal for so long. I still have a lot of work to do to get to that point though.

I was bowling in a local Master's tournament a few weeks ago and everyone, and I mean everyone, sucked the first game of the squad I was in. I was listening to some people talk about how they had like 215 averages in their leagues and they barely broke 500 in the tournament. I carry a 205 in my sanctioned league and I shot 569 with a 151 in my first game, but I was able to make the adjustment and broke 200 and 210 in my second and third games. I missed the qualifying total by about 24 pins.

I think most people have that "finally" mindset because they think they're better than they really are, which is a product of these new balls on an easy shot where if they miss at all it still comes back in. If I miss at all its through the nose or into the 3-6 pocket. One guy in my league threw a 300 in the first couple months of the season and he has no business whatsoever even averaging above 175, but he found a groove for a day, though I don't think he broke 700.

Dan Belcher · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2008, 07:45:38 PM »

quote:
With the element of luck involved, I can see why someone would say 'finally' after enough jaded 258's and 279's were tossed because a shot or two just didn't want to carry.

That's how I felt. I've been shooting tons and tons of 279s and so forth for years and years now and didn't get a 300 until this year. Ringing 10 pins, stone 7s, wobbling 4 pins, etc. off shots that have a pretty good chance of striking most of the time. It gets frustrating when you can throw 12 great shots in a game many times over the years and just not get any good breaks. And of course I shot one in practice in May this year, bowled in a PBA Experience league all summer, and then came back in the fall in two leagues on a house shot and bowled a 300 in league in each (one house is easy, the other is kinda tough). I guess it wasn't just luck after all, but a mix of bad breaks and just being that much off in talent level and knowledge of ball reaction.

Author Topic: 300 a right of passage? (Read 4111 times)

Russell

300 a right of passage?

Goof1073

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Pinbuster

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Danes07

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Zach M

Re: 300 a right of passage?

pate08

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Russell

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Willaby Rags

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Jorge300

Re: 300 a right of passage?

IowaMoe300

Re: 300 a right of passage?

se7en

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Spider Ball Bowler

Re: 300 a right of passage?

win1soon

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EboKnight

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Timotheus

Re: 300 a right of passage?

Dan Belcher

Re: 300 a right of passage?