first off, congrats on cashing. Second, how many people were there to cash in 23rd? Around 120?

What I've learned bowling on sport shots is you'll learn what to do with more experience. Sometimes you have to make a big jump inside but other times you'll have to make a move outside. It all depends on other factors like lane surface, topography, how many games, and who you follow

For me the Bear is the toughest animal pattern.  Keep in mind that almost any pattern can be played fresh, it is the transitions that kill you.  As to how to handle the transitions, it really depends on your style.  It always seemed to me that the guys with a lot of hand had the most success as they were able to get way left and over power the pattern as it transitioned. 

I bowled an 8 gamer on a 41 foot sport pattern with a big time ob outside of about 7 board the other day.  First game, there were not many good scores in a 24 man field.  I shot a clean 213 and felt pretty good.  Second game I shot 212, but suddenly guys with hand were on big strings all over the place.  The combination of the pattern and the surface allowed guys to open the shot up around 15 fairly quickly, and it ended up taking +145 to cash.  On a different surface or with a different makeup of heavy handed guys the transition could have been much tougher.