BallReviews
General Category => PBA => Topic started by: DON DRAPER on April 22, 2008, 03:01:11 PM
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after enjoying watching the action at the pba midwest regional tournament in raytown this past saturday i decided to post a topic that may help players who may be thinking about bowling a regional tournament for the first time.
1) professional appearance.....gentlemen, please comb your hair. you are judged by your personal appearance. tuck your shirts in( if you are wearing that style )and keep it tucked in. buy slacks that fit you correctly( sits at waist level and correct inseam ). i can't tell you how many sloppy looking players i saw.
2) lane play. this tournament was contested on the cheetah pattern. this pattern is only 35' in length but has the most oil by volume. your breakpoint will need to be outside the first arrow.....the 1, 2, or 3 board. how you get the ball there will depend upon your style and game but by and large you can not play the inside part of the lane and expect to do well. spend a great deal of time practicing to play this far out so you get the feel of being near the gutter. i saw many players( some experienced ) trying to play the inside part of the lane and not getting the results they were looking for.
3) spare shooting. plan on shooting more spares. this pattern is the "easiest" of the pba patterns but it's still tougher than a house shot. make sure your spare game is sharp. get a plastic ball and use it----straighter at spares is best. every single pin spare miss will cost you 11 pins. i actually saw players try to shoot the 10 pin by throwing the ball down the 2nd arrow.
4)come prepared. money for food and fluids( your squad may take 4-5 hours ). your bag should be a rolling pro shop with everything you need to make the ball fit your hand correctly. get a slide shoe cover and use it. don't risk a fall because you stepped in a puddle. i saw players who did not have tape for their thumbholes.
5) act like a professional. be a good sport. congratulate your fellow bowlers for a good shot. forget your splits and missed spares and move on....live in the present. remember to thank the tournament hosts. i've seen some terrible sportsmanship at regionals and there's no place for that.
these are some of the things that came to me real quickly. feel free to add to these and good luck to all who decide to try a regional tournament.
Edited on 4/22/2008 11:03 PM
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Greg,
Excellent summary.
My only addition: attitude, everywhere.
- stay calm, stay cool, think; make notes if you have to; this is 8 long grueling games. They can be tedious & painful if you have a bad attitude toward anything.
- give courtesy, learn PBA courtesy: it's different
- watch what you're doing, watch what everyone else is doing/throwing to follow the transition. This applies to newbies and everyone else.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ (http://"http://home.mchsi.com/~s-cross-7-28-71/FAQ.htm")
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quote:
Courtesy.. oh yeah.
People have to realize the PBA uses PAIR COURTESY.. it's different than 2-lane courtesy from a league or something. I've seen so many people get jumped in regionals since some other guy doesn't know the difference.
I've heard some say this is difficult to get used. Bull. It took me all of 3 frames to get used to it and stick with it. It isn't brain surgery. In fact, I love the pair courtesy as it makes the whole experience go very smooth and I wish more leagues and tournaments went to this style. Very smooth when done correctly.
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Join the Revolution
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
http://www.900global.com
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I agree with you completely about PBA lane courtesy. The flow is much smoother than two lane courtesy, when executed properly. I wish tournaments and leagues would use it more often, as well.
-cd
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The PBA Lane courtesy rule does flow smoother, but it also flows a lot SLOWER. You don't need more than 1 lane in leagues, and 2 in local tourneys.
Why slow the league down for this? If you can't bowl with someone 2 lanes to the right of you, you need to work on your concentration a little more.
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Years ago... I double Jumped Walter Ray twice. Now the look on his face on that second time was plum "PRICELESS", HEHE I then learned what was going on...lol
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Why slow the league down for this? If you can't bowl with someone 2 lanes to the right of you, you need to work on your concentration a little more.
Concentration has nothing to do with it for me. I can bowl with someone on the next lane standing at the foul line yelling and waving their hands and it doesn't bother me one bit. I just like the fact it's smoother. I don't agree that it's slower. I would be willing to bet that done properly during league you would get done sooner.
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Join the Revolution
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
http://www.900global.com
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Keep your stuff together.
Meaning - balls in the bags,
extra equipment in the paddock,
accessories in YOUR accessory bag.
Keep rosin bags out of the settee area entirely - or keep them on a towel.
Keep your towel off the ball return.
Listen in the pre-tournament meetings. They hold them so that you can learn what's expected of you.
Don't let the experienced jacka.. players get into your head. Some of them can't win, but they think they can move ahead if they can make you lose.
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www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want
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quote:
It will never work in league. PBA lane courtesy is designed for you to be up to bowl when your name is on the screen. There are very few wave through for a player who is tardy or not able to throw his shot during his turn.
In league you have guys who need to take a cigarette break. Ordering food at the snack bar. Taking a wizz, or a 20 minute #2. On their cell phones with their mistress trying to set up a after bowling side action, flirting with the women in the womens league or just getting tanked on Yeager Bombs.
Not going to work in league play.
Edited on 4/23/2008 10:30 AM
LOL...post of the week.
Jess
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good sense of humor jeremy.....i wasn't trying to upset anyone. most of these tips are common sense. i see you cashed in the tournament and you were +167 after saturdays qualifying. who did you cross with ?
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ah, you crossed with dale traber. to say he's an "interesting character" is an understatement..........
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quote:
after enjoying watching the action at the pba midwest regional tournament in raytown this past saturday i decided to post a topic that may help players who may be thinking about bowling a regional tournament for the first time.
1) professional appearance.....gentlemen, please comb your hair. you are judged by your personal appearance. tuck your shirts in( if you are wearing that style )and keep it tucked in. buy slacks that fit you correctly( sits at waist level and correct inseam ). i can't tell you how many sloppy looking players i saw.
I agree with you Greg, but some of this has to fall on the Regional Director and some of the more "senior type" members. Pete doesn't hesitate to tell some guys to clean up their act a little bit.
quote:
2) lane play. this tournament was contested on the cheetah pattern. this pattern is only 35' in length but has the most oil by volume. your breakpoint will need to be outside the first arrow.....the 1, 2, or 3 board. how you get the ball there will depend upon your style and game but by and large you can not play the inside part of the lane and expect to do well. spend a great deal of time practicing to play this far out so you get the feel of being near the gutter. i saw many players( some experienced ) trying to play the inside part of the lane and not getting the results they were looking for.
This never ceases to amaze me. A couple weeks ago, I bowled the Regional in Houston on Scorpion. This played out, but slick. I had no trouble getting to the pocket, playing always outside first arrow. I had some others that were scoring well around me playing the same part of the lane. (I couldn't pry the ball off my hand with a crow bar and vaseline, but that was me) Anyway, I had the red leader on my pair playing hard up 15-12. He never had a double! Hello!! McFly!!!
Then again, there are other guys, who are members, who I just want to smack in the head. WTF are you thinking? There are some guys (not naming names) with nice game, good timing, good release, post the shot every time, and THEY NEVER MOVE OFF THEIR LINE!!! I'm struggling to get the ball onto the lane without having a fricken seizure. I miss cashing by 11 only cuz I suck and I sucked playing the right part of the lane. Jeeezusss KKKeeeerrriisssttt!!! It should be legal to punch some guys right in the eye!!
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3) spare shooting. plan on shooting more spares. this pattern is the "easiest" of the pba patterns but it's still tougher than a house shot. make sure your spare game is sharp. get a plastic ball and use it----straighter at spares is best. every single pin spare miss will cost you 11 pins. i actually saw players try to shoot the 10 pin by throwing the ball down the 2nd arrow.
Always lots of missed spares. The guys cashing every tournament make their spares. I missed 5 at Copperfield along with a -4 on a spare. UGGGGHHHH!!!
quote:
4)come prepared. money for food and fluids( your squad may take 4-5 hours ). your bag should be a rolling pro shop with everything you need to make the ball fit your hand correctly. get a slide shoe cover and use it. don't risk a fall because you stepped in a puddle. i saw players who did not have tape for their thumbholes.
5) act like a professional. be a good sport. congratulate your fellow bowlers for a good shot. forget your splits and missed spares and move on....live in the present. remember to thank the tournament hosts. i've seen some terrible sportsmanship at regionals and there's no place for that.
these are some of the things that came to me real quickly. feel free to add to these and good luck to all who decide to try a regional tournament.
Edited on 4/22/2008 11:03 PM
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I've started messing with my site again, wrecking it myself: www.mikeaustinbowling.net
Check out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=2054
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i would never tell someone to quit-----i don't know his finances for one. he's an adult that's a decision he'll have to make. if he can afford it then he may as well do something he really enjoys.
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quote:
quote:
after enjoying watching the action at the pba midwest regional tournament in raytown this past saturday i decided to post a topic that may help players who may be thinking about bowling a regional tournament for the first time.
1) professional appearance.....gentlemen, please comb your hair. you are judged by your personal appearance. tuck your shirts in( if you are wearing that style )and keep it tucked in. buy slacks that fit you correctly( sits at waist level and correct inseam ). i can't tell you how many sloppy looking players i saw.
I agree with you Greg, but some of this has to fall on the Regional Director and some of the more "senior type" members. Pete doesn't hesitate to tell some guys to clean up their act a little bit.
quote:
2) lane play. this tournament was contested on the cheetah pattern. this pattern is only 35' in length but has the most oil by volume. your breakpoint will need to be outside the first arrow.....the 1, 2, or 3 board. how you get the ball there will depend upon your style and game but by and large you can not play the inside part of the lane and expect to do well. spend a great deal of time practicing to play this far out so you get the feel of being near the gutter. i saw many players( some experienced ) trying to play the inside part of the lane and not getting the results they were looking for.
This never ceases to amaze me. A couple weeks ago, I bowled the Regional in Houston on Scorpion. This played out, but slick. I had no trouble getting to the pocket, playing always outside first arrow. I had some others that were scoring well around me playing the same part of the lane. (I couldn't pry the ball off my hand with a crow bar and vaseline, but that was me) Anyway, I had the red leader on my pair playing hard up 15-12. He never had a double! Hello!! McFly!!!
Then again, there are other guys, who are members, who I just want to smack in the head. WTF are you thinking? There are some guys (not naming names) with nice game, good timing, good release, post the shot every time, and THEY NEVER MOVE OFF THEIR LINE!!! I'm struggling to get the ball onto the lane without having a fricken seizure. I miss cashing by 11 only cuz I suck and I sucked playing the right part of the lane. Jeeezusss KKKeeeerrriisssttt!!! It should be legal to punch some guys right in the eye!!
quote:
3) spare shooting. plan on shooting more spares. this pattern is the "easiest" of the pba patterns but it's still tougher than a house shot. make sure your spare game is sharp. get a plastic ball and use it----straighter at spares is best. every single pin spare miss will cost you 11 pins. i actually saw players try to shoot the 10 pin by throwing the ball down the 2nd arrow.
Always lots of missed spares. The guys cashing every tournament make their spares. I missed 5 at Copperfield along with a -4 on a spare. UGGGGHHHH!!!
quote:
4)come prepared. money for food and fluids( your squad may take 4-5 hours ). your bag should be a rolling pro shop with everything you need to make the ball fit your hand correctly. get a slide shoe cover and use it. don't risk a fall because you stepped in a puddle. i saw players who did not have tape for their thumbholes.
5) act like a professional. be a good sport. congratulate your fellow bowlers for a good shot. forget your splits and missed spares and move on....live in the present. remember to thank the tournament hosts. i've seen some terrible sportsmanship at regionals and there's no place for that.
these are some of the things that came to me real quickly. feel free to add to these and good luck to all who decide to try a regional tournament.
Edited on 4/22/2008 11:03 PM
--------------------
I've started messing with my site again, wrecking it myself: www.mikeaustinbowling.net
Check out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=2054
Well you beat me by 3 pins so how bad am I? 
My problem was I hit a bad pair.....I shot 151 on that pair...guys who wound up +170 to +190 shot 170-180 on that pair. But that's the difference. If I were good, I could have grinded out a 180 on that pair and then I make the cut, but instead I stunk the place up and shot 151. That's the difference between a house hack like me and the guys who can really bowl and bowl regionals week in and week out, not who shoots the 250-260 game but who can grind it out on the tough pairs, the tough patterns and come away close to even or a little above.
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Jorge300
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quote:
The guys cashing every tournament make their spares
You need to strike to win, but if you don't make your spares, you go home quickly.
quote:
you can not play the inside part of the lane and expect to do well
It is amazing how many talented bowlers can not play a breakpoint on the 1-3 boards because it is outside of their comfort zone. I would add to Greg's advice to practice and get comfortable playing all parts of the lane from the twig to 6th arrow. The more versatile your game, the better your chances.
Read and know the rules. Don't risk disqualification or fines because you lighted a cigarette while standing next to the tournament director (yes, this has happened).
Be ready to bowl when it is your turn. Most of the guys out there won't mind if you jump them once, but if you're not ready when it is your turn, tempers flare quickly.
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J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King : Kill the back row
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janderson's comment really caused me to refresh my memory about the inability of some players in playing certain parts of the lane, how they shoot spares, etc. it still puzzles me.
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Theres a local guy here in Staten Island Lou Gaudio who bowls and cashes a bunch of regionals.
He also works a regular job.
Theres no way you can make a living being a regional player, but if you can cash consistently, its a good way to supplement your income.
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There is more money to be made at the top am level and against weeker bowlers. Bill Hoffman makes killer cash on the side bowling sweepers when he is in the country, lol. Chris barnes and Brad Angelo bowled non regional action sweepers right up until they joined the tour. I know for a fact they made 50 000 plus bowling against chumps like us, lol.