Ok, short version of today's bowling experience.
Scores: 138, 158, 169, 178. Low eh? But it was a good feeling.
Long Version:
Went to a house that I don't frequent that much because the atmosphere
and people are less than ideal, but I needed some practice and it is the
closest alley.
I started the first game and tossed my normal first shot to read the lanes.
(I'm between a stroker and a tweener - a righty stweener). Ball hit the alley
and skidded about 2 millimeters and broke left into the gutter about half
way down the lane. (Ball: Pearl Lane 1 Quantum). I thought, okay a bit of a
dry lane, move left find the oil. Result? Knocked down the 7 pin first ball,
two more pins the second. Total score after two first frames? 3!! - Okay,
more dry than I thought, move left more - brooklyn pocket hit - left 8.
Converted spare..... moved further left to find the oil, then again further
left...then thought about even farther left on the lane. Well, there was no
more "left" to go, I'd be outside the building - you see, I'm bowling on lane
number 1, there is a wall in the way. I was at least covering the
spares, left a couple down the gut splits, missed a ten pin. I finish out the
game with a 138. I was actually proud of that silly 138 score. Ok, time to
start to think.
Hmmmmmm,,... what to do? I got down on my tummy, to look at the oil pattern
on the lane. After careful inspection, I wondered to myself.... where IS the
oil? Being on lane #1, I took the opportunity to walk down along the lane
on the service walkway to actually reach my grubby hands out a couple times to
sample the oil...anywhere....well there was none, zero, zilch, zippo anywhere.
As in none.
Ok, my next move? As far right as I could go, play straight to the pocket.
Try that a few times for the start of the second game. First three frames?
Strike, pocket 7-10 split, 9-spare. Still not too happy with the ball roll
and consistency of my throw.
I decide to switch balls. Here is the kicker, what did I switch to? Well, you
see I just acquired my fathers old AMF AmFlite Magic Line rubber ball (circa
1964). It is full knuckle drilled, no grips - pure old style - I haven't even
checked yet to see if it is still actually round - but I had it with me and
it was the only thing I had that could possibly be used on the oil-less lane
I was looking at.
Moved a bit left, played second arrow tossed it straight down the alley and
the ball moved about 5 boards. I thought, okay, this might be workable. I
had to go really old school. Throw a full roll, lots of lift, no real turn
to the ball... began to find the pocket much more often and consistently, only
problem was the carry was not there. I left a lot of single five pins, ten
pins, and 4 pins. Got a lot of work on spare shooting. Felt pretty good. A bit
more experimenting and managed a 158. Again, it felt kinda good just to scrape
out that 158.
Next two games, I was able to find the pocket more reliably. I even managed
to get a turkey the last game...I must admit, I struggled a great deal having
to straighen out my shot and use a non-finger tip hold, but you know what? I
was at least able to adapt a bit and feel good in doing so. Plus, it was
pretty cool using my father's old ball to do it.
As I left the alley, I noticed the lane mechanic sitting out front of the
house and I asked him as I walked by, "out of curiosity, when was the last
time you had the machine oil the lanes?" His answer: "Lanes 10-20 - wednesday
before league. Lanes 1-9 - monday." I kinda looked at him funny and he
smiled back at me. So I said, "Hey thanks for the extra challenging shot!
I needed the practice."
That is when he looked at me funny and laughed.
Anyway, I thought it was a hoot.
So, that is my story as to when "low scores are good bowling."
Anyone have a likewise story?
Dr. Joe
--------------------
Dr. Joseph HowardJoe's Physics Page "Imagine what you could do,
if you could do what you imagine" Edited on 7/1/2005 9:13 PM
Edited on 7/1/2005 9:15 PM
