Author Topic: bowling without middle finger (temporarily) (Read 13471 times)

Neptune66 · « **on:** January 23, 2009, 04:05:47 AM »

I have a minor infection on my middle finger next to the nail and it's very tender.
Thought I would still be able to bowl with minimal pain as it's on side of the finger that does not lift the ball, but it hurts when releasing the ball. I don't use inserts, so last night, I bowled the last two games with only my thumb and ring finger in the ball.

I was actually reasonably accurate, but it I'm a speed dominant player as it is (not many revs) and leaving the middle finger out of the ball really flattened out the reaction....in a bad way. Was like throwing plastic. Was in or near the pocket ---when I could get some movement out of the ball--- but it was hitting very flat and leaving all sorts of 4's and 8's (am right-handed) and splits.

Maybe by tomorrow I'll be able to use my finger, but in case not, I was wondering if anyone here has ever tried bowling with just one finger and the thumb, and/or if there's some way to get more revs on the ball despite the literal lack of fingers.

?

Joe Jr · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:14:49 PM »

Your middle finger is creates the rotation, so i'm surprised you weren't throwing a knuckle ball down the lane. Just take a week or two off and let your finger heal.
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gsback · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:19:06 PM »

You won't get a lot of turn on the ball, but try throwing your normal shot....or as close as you can....with your ring and pinky in there instead. I do this to flatten the ball out better for 10 pins....but when the lanes are dry, I will throw this way to deal with bad ball selection on my part.
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Neptune66 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:51:08 PM »

I don't know about "saluting" the other team, but I had no trouble at all making the usual gestures toward the pins when they stood there mocking me.

:-)

As for throwing a knuckleball, it's funny. That pretty much describes the reaction. It would sometimes make a little movement just before hitting the pins (usually veering off target), but was essentially a straight ball all the way down.

As for letting it heal... tomorrow is not league, but is what I refer to as "competitive practice". It's very important to me to compete with my bowling buddies, and there are no teams and no one else will be affected. But I don't want to mess up the finger so bad that it doesn't heal before Tuesday's league, so I figured I'd experiment with the odd delivery (there's no discomfort as long as I leave that finger outside the ball hole) rather than abstain.

At least I'll be able to flatten out the ball the next time I find myself bowling on lanes that are toast ---without changing to a less aggressive ball.

As for putting my ring and pinky fingers in the ball, not sure how that will work regarding the span, but may give it a try. And I might.... decide to do the smart thing and just rest until Tuesday. But.... not likely.

Meanwhile.... it's back to soaking the damaged finger in hot water and hoping for a miracle recovery in the next 24 hours.

Buzzhead · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2009, 01:45:04 PM »

good way to injure yourself. fingers are way too important not to let heal...

You would look pretty funny trying to pick your nose with your toes..... LOL...

Take a few weeks off and let it HEAL!!
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Moon57 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2009, 02:34:35 PM »

Quick question. Do you use a ball spinner? The reason I ask is I started to get the same infections on the side of my nail. At first I thought it was the rosin but that wasn't it. Then I thought maybe the abralon pads had some bacteria on them. Bingo! Once I started wearing latex gloves when using the spinner no more infections. When I had the infections I would flip the middle finger insert around so the back was in the front and stick just the tip of my index finger in. Not having inserts I don't know if you could use your index. It doesn't take much to stabilize the ball.
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2009, 02:53:55 PM »

No ball spinner, and I don't think I can blame the infection on bowling or bowling equipment (except maybe for making it worse). A few days ago, I accidentally sheered off a piece of the nail reaching into my pocket, and although I smoothed it out with a nail clippers, it left a small corner unprotected by a nail (or "nail-less"?).

Anyway... although quite disappointed I picked up the infection, I can't say that I was surprised with a piece of the nail missing. I wonder, though.....if I had used latex gloves once the nail was damaged, if it might have prevented the infection .... presuming I could still get my fingers in the holes with them on.

Thank you for suggesting the index finger. Not sure it will be comfortable, but my index finger is smaller than the middle [problem] one, so it might work. There's the span issue again, but worth a shot.

I do still have one ball with grips/inserts in it too (I converted to no inserts about 18 months ago, but left that one alone). The hole is bigger, so it might work.

I do appreciate all the suggestions and comments. Even the ones telling me to rest it (except I probably won't listen to those).

supersid802 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2009, 03:17:17 PM »

all you have to do is get some fingernail clippers, clip the skin down, and soak the infected finger in salt water or alcohol. this will get the infection out of there in about an hour...i always had this problem being that i bowled and worked with my hands in dish water a lot.
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.........im amazing.......

Kid Jete · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2009, 03:20:46 PM »

Just use your ring and pinky... you'll still get some reaction out of the ball that way. I have done it messing around before and it wasn't horribly different for me.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:18:19 PM »

I have been soaking it in plain hot water, but it doesn't stay hot for long.

Does the salt or alcohol make it less necessary to change the water every so often? An hour would be great! I would settle for tomorrow morning even.

Also... I found two balls that still have grips in them (out of about 18), and I can swing them comfortably by only putting my fingers part way in. So I'm going to do some soaking tonight and bring one of those two balls for insurance, and I should be ok one way or another.

I think....

Neptune66 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:20:18 PM »

I'm going to try the ring and pinky method too. Seems like I should be able to get some rotation on the ball that way---depending on what kind of span that grip produces.

Kid Jete · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:31:50 PM »

quote:
I'm going to try the ring and pinky method too. Seems like I should be able to get some rotation on the ball that way---depending on what kind of span that grip produces.

The span should be fine... The pink is the farthest finger from the thumb so that makes up for it being shorter than your ring. The only issue might be the grip sizes but I would much rather deal with that than put the entire weight of the ball on one finger.

echidapus · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:31:26 PM »

I have been bowling the entire month without my middle finger. The first week back after christmas/new years break, the ball slipped from my hand twice and my middle finger joint is swollen and hurts and can't fit in the ball. Since then I have bowled
290
298 (tonight)
752
742

Should I use my middle finger ever again? I can't wait til I can use it. I will be a cranker then

ps. also the first night back my thumb got chewed up and bleeds every time I bowl and hurts like a b**ch
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High series 804
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DukeHarding · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2009, 09:06:52 PM »

In a pinch you can use super glue on your finger.
If it's really infected (w/pus), I wouldn't do it.
But if it's red and painful super glue will kill the skin and the infection.
I would recommend letting it heal naturally....
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Duke Harding

www.dukeharding.com

normy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2009, 09:46:56 PM »

My cousin actually takes his middle finger out of the ball to shoot at the 10 pin.

Author Topic: bowling without middle finger (temporarily) (Read 13471 times)

Neptune66

bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Joe Jr

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

gsback

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Buzzhead

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Moon57

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

supersid802

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Kid Jete

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Neptune66

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

Kid Jete

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

echidapus

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

DukeHarding

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)

normy

Re: bowling without middle finger (temporarily)