Author Topic: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark! (Read 3885 times)

Monster Stitch · « **on:** June 26, 2007, 07:39:35 AM »

Pba League
Week 3
Resurfaced Wood Lanes
Shark Pattern

I found this pattern to be very challenging. 10 and out was out of bounds unless you threw it super turtle slow. The backends weren't as stripped as it usually is. My best shot was playing 12 to 8 or even 13 to 10 using a Banger Hole Pounder Solid. I was using soft speed with some side tilt and layed it down very early so it could start rolling early. The ball went down nicely and made a decent arc into the pocket. First two games i go clean shooting 237 and 245. End of game 2 the lanes started to change. From watching the Chris Barnes and Wes Mallot video i can understand what they were talking about. The backends started to look tighter when really i think the heads started to burn up a little. I wasn't getting the movement and ball reaction i was earlier. So i started moving left a little and got an ok reaction on the left lane but on the right i was stuck. I was getting over and under. If i got left a little i left the bucket and if i move right i leave a high 4 pin or 4-7. I switched to a 4000 abralon Black Solid Widow and it was the same. Plus i might of been getting a touch firm with my speed. I chopped a 2-4-5-7 but the rest were marks. I finished with a 184. So overall i shot a 666. He ehe. I think i should of got softer and had more tilt pus move inside a little playing 16 or 17 to 13.

I bowled with Ramtart and he used his Hammer Hawgzilla, Brunswick Impulse Zone, Storm Vertigo and Roto Spare. His best look was with the Vertigo. He was able to go away with the ball but he had to be firm and come around the ball a little. It was an adventure out there. Our league puts out the pattern 2 weeks in a row so Ramtart and I will get another shot next week at it.

Any advice to how to play this pattern better? What were your experiences?
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Team Banger Bowling Test Staff

BirwinJR · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2007, 04:04:04 PM »

I think your on the right track. Personally this is my favored pattern of the five. I tend to play the pattern tight around between 15 to 20ish to 10ish depending on the surface. I will be very soft on the bottom to get it too roll early and try to stay up the back of the ball. The adjustments I make are normally speed not tilt. I feel tilt on this patter will open them up ut if you miss you will normally leave a split or washout. When your up the back when you miss you miss the head pin and thats sounds strange but its a good thing. If you are lined so that if you miss right you miss the head pin the worst spare you will shoot is a 1,2,4 of some sort. If you miss right that is. Missing left is another story any time on these patterns you miss it is never good but you have to try to minimize opens when you do and the best way to do that is miss the head pin. As far as equipment I use a epic odyssey drilled 5x4 with the pin below my ring a use surface like 1000. Solids seen to work for me and partials for others. Very few time you will see people use pearls. Hope this helps a little. But by reading you post your on the right track.
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www.rotogrip.com KING OF THEM ALL

bowl 2 win · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2007, 04:51:26 PM »

I was at the center with my feet playing up the 7 board with my one at 1000 grit. After i broke it down some the first 2 games i moved 5 boards left with my feet and with my eyes and threw it out to 7 with my shooter xl taken down to 1000 grit. After my first two games with the one, 215 and 223, I wen 244, 273 and 233 for 1188 for 5 games! Cant beat the with a stick. Now i just have to do that again on my thursday night league.
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To be the best, you must bowl with the best! Ebonite - BOWL 2 WIN!

r534me · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2007, 05:44:03 PM »

Jon,

I think you already know this but Noel was playing 15 to about 8 or so with a vapor zone. His roll allowed him to carry the light and high hits. The two ten pins he did leave were ringers. I don't believe he left any flat tens; most were slapped out half pocket. He told me liked this ball because it arc'd. I not sure how how he drilled it. BTW, we lost by over 150 pins in three games. His final series was 774.

themagician · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2007, 06:04:58 PM »

The shark for me played nice up around 10. I kept the speed soft and I was able to play there with my black widow for the set. It was definitely heavy and there wasn't outside recovery but that area was playable and many moved in and use that area as there breakpoints after we had started to burn up the line.
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Bowling up a storm with a punishing hammer.

huskerfan711 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2007, 04:35:16 PM »

maybe it's just me, and i'm not trying to be rude/cynical/mean but i know it will come out that way, but how are so many people putting up these monster scores?

Take this thread for example, on the shark pattern, typically a low scoring pattern, the games listed have been as follows: 237,245,184,215,223,244,273,233,and a 774 series. Those averaged are almost 239!!!

I average about 220 easily on a house shot and am struggling to average 185 in my PBA league. Again not trying to be mean, but the games listed here would be dominating PBA tournaments. Averaging 239 in a PBA tour stop on the shark pattern would, i guarantee it, make the TV show. Maybe i'm just ignorant or just suck at bowling, but seriously... how are people putting up these scores?
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High Sanctioned Series: 750
High Sanctioned Game: 300 (x2), 290 (x2)

bowl 2 win · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2007, 04:40:30 PM »

Most people that put up these scores, myself included, this is what they do for a living. Yea, I bowl better on some patters than others, but if you can repeat shots and have the right equipment that you too could also score this high. Most house bowlers use the lanes to strike and they dont have to very accurate. If you bowl in alot of tournaments and tougher shots, you learn how to bowl on them. It also helps to be very versitle and bowl everyday.
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To be the best, you must bowl with the best! Ebonite - BOWL 2 WIN!

huskerfan711 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2007, 04:44:32 PM »

that makes more sense, i guess the reason i posted is because i live in what i call a fairly good bowling community (wichita,ks) and in my league there are 26 teams of 2 and the top 3 averages are in the low 190's. It just puzzles me because i've never seen it in person.
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High Sanctioned Series: 750
High Sanctioned Game: 300 (x2), 290 (x2)

bowl 2 win · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2007, 04:48:42 PM »

yea, its the same in NH, good house bowlers average high 180's to low 190's but the guys that actually bowl in tournaments round here and all over the country average 200 plus. Dont get me wrong the shots are by no means easy but with practice and consistency anyone can put numbers up like the pros can.
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To be the best, you must bowl with the best! Ebonite - BOWL 2 WIN!

r534me · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2007, 04:58:41 PM »

quote:
maybe it's just me, and i'm not trying to be rude/cynical/mean but i know it will come out that way, but how are so many people putting up these monster scores?

Take this thread for example, on the shark pattern, typically a low scoring pattern, the games listed have been as follows: 237,245,184,215,223,244,273,233,and a 774 series. Those averaged are almost 239!!!

I average about 220 easily on a house shot and am struggling to average 185 in my PBA league. Again not trying to be mean, but the games listed here would be dominating PBA tournaments. Averaging 239 in a PBA tour stop on the shark pattern would, i guarantee it, make the TV show. Maybe i'm just ignorant or just suck at bowling, but seriously... how are people putting up these scores?
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High Sanctioned Series: 750
High Sanctioned Game: 300 (x2), 290 (x2)

Since I crossed with the bowler who put up 774 I can tell you that it was the perfect storm. He was accurate and he had a couple of boards of tug room inside. He didn't have much push room because that's how he left his ringing 10's. He didn't have any shadow practice because he was late.

He didn't hit every strike flush. Some were light and some where high, etc. Bascially, he matched up well, and I don't think he's a house hack. I believe he bowls PBA regionals but I have to verify that.

And I believe you have it backwards. The shark pattern is a high scoring pattern. And we bowl all of our games on the same pair. They don't do that on tour, at least not for qualifying. I am not sure about match play.

http://www.pba.com/resources/oilpatterns/laneconditions.asp?ID=4

Hope that answers your questions.

P.S. 185 is respectable. Our of 22 ppl in our league that would put you somewhere towards the top. Jonathan is probably going to be our leagues avg. leader after 3 weeks.

edit: Chris Barnes in BTM stated that the shark pattern is low scoring. That contradicts the PBA website. I guess it depends on the lane surfaces the pattern is laid on top of.

Edited on 6/27/2007 9:40 PM

Strider · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2007, 06:57:48 PM »

I think it depends on the house, the lanes, lane topography, the oil, many other factors, and whether tapes are run to verify the accuracy of the pattern. I've wondered about some of the scores reported on PBA experience leagues as well. It's a new house for me, so I really can't speak for the talent base, but we only have one bowler over 200 for the league. We do rotate patterns each week (haven't repeated patterns yet, except for last week when I was in Reno) and move every game. It will be interesting to see how we all average after more exposure.

I'm sure there are some very talented bowlers here. I only wish they would contribute more to the forum, other than to share their lofty scores. But still, when one league has a dozen people well over 200 and another has one sniffing 200, it does show you that some houses score easier than others, even when the same pattern is applied.

I hit Shark for the second time Thursday, so look for a continuation of my PBA Experience thread in the miscellaneous forum. Last time I had close to zero area. I wasn't throwing it my best, so hopefully I can do better this time. In addition to my Tsunami and WMB, I'm going to try something shiny (Silver Streak SE) to see if I can get some true back end. The guys with real hand could bend it some, but guys like me were forced to play around the 4th arrow and barely give the pocket away.
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Penn State Proud

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Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

Steven · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2007, 07:17:23 PM »

Strider: We just finished our 3 weeks of Cheetah and had our first week of Shark.

Before the league started, I thought I'd do really well on Cheetah and struggle on Shark, but so far it's been the other way around. Scores aside, I find that Shark plays pretty much the way the PBA diagram says -- for tweeners, play inside with a small swing over the 15 board. I found that if I executed that, I had a good line to the pocket. I even found some forgiveness if I hit 16 or 14.

There were a few players who were finding some success angling around the 10 board, but they had more speed and fewer revs. My one forgettable game was when I experimented in that area. I learned my lesson from there on out.

On a related note, I find it interesting to compare the PBA patterns against the USBC Sport patterns, which I'm doing in another league on the next night. Right now were doing the Reno Nationals pattern (although the oil seems heavier -- that surface thing) and scores are definitely lower.

Regardless, I'm getting my fill of reality this Summer. I'm hoping to end up at 200-205 in both leagues, but it's a grind.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

Strider · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2007, 07:37:41 PM »

We've only had one week of each, but so far, they're pretty much playing as described. Shark in, Cheetah near the gutter, and the other three have some options available depending on your game.

I'm just wondering if some houses are more forgiving than others, or is the difference merely talent based? Our league has one guy over 200. When I see rampant scores of over 200, I get a little suspicious. I have no problem believing that there are many more talented bowlers than myself, but still have doubts when a host of people can average better than our best. Surely the house has some property that allows more forgiveness when so many people have no problem hitting 200+ when we only have one who has managed such a feat. The only thing I know about the house is that the winter PBA Experience league had one guy over 200 and two others over 190. The manager (2nd high average in the league) also has wondered about some of the scores he's seen reported. I've bowled a few tournaments on Shark and have always had a better look than I had during my week in league.

I don't know if it matters, but I averaged 199 for 9 games in Reno and I'm about 183 for 5 weeks (20 games) on the PBA patterns. Most of my problem has been an inconsistent launch angle, but my spare shooting has been spotty as well.
--------------------
Penn State Proud

Special thanks to Dynothane, Visionary, and Lane#1 for donations to the Ballreviews Get Together.

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

Ramtart · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2007, 07:42:59 PM »

Hey guys,

Finally get to respond to this post hehe. Yes, I am bowling this league with Jonathan. We are bowling on 21 year old wood lanes that have been resurfaced last summer.

We bowl on the low end now which plays much tighter and a bit faster than the high end. Anyone that has seen me bowl, knows I like to hook the ball, but in the recent years, I've learned to bowl straighter. Sport shots through the years and recently this 2nd installment/season of the PBA experience have conditioned me to go straighter if need be.

Game 1 - Used a 800 Grit Hawg Zilla drilled about label leverage. I was playing around 12 and just pointing the ball. I couldn't carry anything! I had 6 9 counts! Haha. Bad bad game...I shot 154 =( haha

Game 2 - Move in a pinch in the track area (13-15 board) and playing a mini swing. Miss right of the 6 board and you are dead meat! I opened the lanes a bit by switching to a pin up Vertigo with MB strong @ 1000 grit/Polished. This started to work. Finish with a 200.

Game 3 - Stuck with the Vertigo and now that front part of the lane is burning up a bit with carrydown present downlane, I found myself hitting up on the ball more and with increased speed. I played in between 10-12 at the track area and just fired it at the pocket. Better results and ended up with a 211 for a 565 Series.

FYI - Earlier this year, I bowled on the Viper pattern once. I did absolutely terrible. Shot 150-143-153=446. So I'm proud to bowl at least a 500 on this pattern this time around. Hopefully I can do better next week and shot a 600+

For those of you who can't believe some of the high scores posted, I can attest that Noel is a great bowler. He has actually been bowling the Western Regionals as a guest for the past few years and has cashed a few times. He is very methodical and his roll reminds me of Tim Criss. He is accurate and from where I was watching, he looked pretty locked. Adam (r534me), bowled on his pair and saw every shot.

By the way...for those of you wondering, here is what we're averaging coming into the week we bowled on the shark...

First 2 weeks on the Viper Pattern
Jonathan Ng - 201.50
r534me (Adam) - 188.50
Ramtart - 182.16

Here is what we booked on a House Pattern in April 2007
Jonathan Ng - 193 (-18 pins) (At one of the tougher houses)
r534me - 174 (+14 pins) (At same tough house Jon bowls at)
Ramtart - 209 (-27 pins)

Hope this helps!
Ram

r534me · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2007, 10:39:54 PM »

Hey Ram,

good post.

As Chris Barnes stated in March's BTM the most successful players on the shark pattern will have medium speed. Too much speed and the ball will not read the pattern correctly. For those who don't think our lanes were tight, my teammate missed to the right by two boards and he left a washout. He did this a couple of times and at most THS patterns that's a strike. Noel had softer speed, consistency, and stayed behind the ball, and as I stated before, matched up quite well. So it's not a strike feast as it would appear.

My 188.50 average after two weeks was the fourth highest in the league. Does that mirror some other leagues in different cities?

I have to be honest and state that I don't really know what I left in what frame. Beginning next week, I am going to do a WRW and write down what I did in every frame unless I forget to. The latter is more likely.

What I do remember is that for the first two games I was standing 25 and ending at 30 hitting 15 at the arrows and at 40 feet hitting a range marker(dark board) around 12. This is from the left side and I was using a shift with the pin to the left of my ring finger and the rest I don't know. Maybe, Jonathan can tell me.

I know it's taken down to 1k with an Abralon pad. First game, 191 with a couple of opens. I think they were the 2-4-7. The second game was 213 with a missed 7 pin the fifth frame and a split in the 11th ball. Third game was the transitioned game where I left the 2-4-7 a bunch of times and by the time I figured out around that it was already the 7th frame and I ended up with a 176 for a powerful 580 series. I moved around a bit and found that by changing hand positions I was in the pocket again. That's the difference between me, the house hack, and the pros. A pro would have recognized that in one frame and corrected it, and he has to because it's his livlihood. I just get to experience some of what the pro experiences on the lanes week in and week out. And I've meet some good people in league too. So let's not get too serious in this thread, m'kay?

In the winter we bowled in a dungeon of a house. It's a nice place but the lanes haven't been really maintained over the years, and it stated life out as a Military Bowling alley. The approaches are really tacky, and the inside is always spotty and the outside is like ice if you try to swing it. Ram subbed once and he can tell you that the lanes changed from frame to frame.

HTH

Author Topic: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark! (Read 3885 times)

Monster Stitch

Week 3: Pba League.....Shark!

BirwinJR

Re: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark!

bowl 2 win

Re: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark!

r534me

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themagician

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huskerfan711

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bowl 2 win

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huskerfan711

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bowl 2 win

Re: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark!

r534me

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Strider

Re: Week 3: Pba League.....Shark!

Steven

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Strider

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Ramtart

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r534me

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