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Author Topic: Looking back at Albuquerque  (Read 1991 times)

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Looking back at Albuquerque
« on: April 20, 2008, 01:38:57 PM »
Just got back from the tournament. It seemed tougher than normal this year and I'm not sure exactly why. PLENTY of oil, though. I could have left 2 balls home this year that didn't even sniff a shot on the lanes, which surprised me.

Team - Tried starting out playing straight up 11-12 board but couldn't get comfortable. Four splits, including back to back 4-9 splits that ruined what I thought were decent shots. 1st game had 5 open frames, and it could not have been a worse start to the tournament. Shot 135! I can't believe it happened!
 
Moved left to playing around 3rd arrow with very little swing and finished 208 and 222. I used a Solid Zone at about 1200-1500 grit. It's an international ball that's a little stronger than the Wizard. Bowled the same squad as Steve Kloempken's all-star team that included Rhino Page as anchor. My stellar start meant I had ZERO fun in brackets, too.

Doubles - 9:20am (2nd) squad. You get 4 practice shots, so I moved way outside to going straight up 4 board and was surprised to find the pocket. First game was 200, so I felt like maybe I could stay out there and hopefully get some "carry" help. Two open frames and lots of spares for a 180. Then things started getting strange again with the splits on seemingly decent shots. My 3rd game had 5 opens again from 3 splits, 1 washout, and 1 idiot shot by the bowler. Punched out in the 10th for 152! I can't believe I'm actually typing this, but it happened.

Singles - Switched pairs and the next pair had a bit more carry-down. Game 1 had 7 spares and two open frames on another split and another idiot shot by me... 168!  Game 2 had only 1 open but 6 spares for 185. I'm wishing the pain would stop, but had to bowl one more game just to see what depths I can sink into again. Another split to start and one other open for a 195. I was able finally to use my Blast Zone (4000 abralon) straight up 7 board and finished with a nice looking shot but the time was gone and my patience was, too.  All events total was a whopping 1645!

At times carry was good, but overall, I left too many splits and flagged a few single pin spares to ruin any chance to a good showing this year. I must say that I still had a great time. The shot was demanding, and the tournament seemed to be running well. Hats off to Albuquerque for a good time even though I bowled like crap.

If I could bowl it again, I'd start way outside with my Solid Zone and just stay out there.  Every where I tried playing the lanes there wasn't much room to miss, which is quite allright with me. Chalk this one up to experience and hope there's a silver lining somewhere.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

Edited on 4/21/2008 4:22 AM

 

Jorge300

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2008, 01:50:25 PM »
Lane,
    Thanks for posting your observations, even though your scores were below your expectations. Always good to hear what worked and what didn't work so the rest of us can make better choices. Better luck next year.
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Jorge300

Jorge300

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2008, 02:05:35 PM »
Jorge,

Thanks. I really believe that the only reason we had any reaction (outside) on D&S is because the previous squad had several guys trying to play out there. Usually it's just way too slick outside.
 
My best games were while I was inside, but felt the reaction was better outside. Good luck when you go. I could have left every polished ball home, but I'm hearing such different reactions from other bowlers, it's truly hard to tell.  As a rule, though, the lanes seemed like they had lots of oil wherever I tried playing.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

Jorge300

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2008, 03:45:33 PM »
Thanks Lane.

I know, I have heard everything from one end of the spectrum to the other. Which is good is some respect as many different people have found many different things that work. The main thing everyone says is that they are tougher and tighter then they have been for a while. My goal in team is try a few different lines, way outside (1-5 board at the arrows), the track (5-10), and inside (10-15) and see what kind of reaction I get. Then make my best guess from there. I plan on watching a little of my team shift the night before I bowl and see how people are playing our pair and in general as well. They are scorable based on the scores that have been posted, just need to be on your game.
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Jorge300

Jorge300

Jorge300

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2008, 08:06:22 AM »
quote:
on top of that Jorge, unless your team is on board like riggs team, try to get a line from the get go, not try and create room.  i figured in ten minutes id get a handful of shots in and i ended up only getting two so in the first it was just an educated guess


LeftyShow,
    Thanks for the advice, I was thinking I could get about 4-5 in. But you maybe right. Our team(s), while wanting to do well, are usually there more for the vacation aspect. If all the planets aligned, and the sun and moon were just right, and all our chakras were open....we could put up a score in the top 10, but usually we wind up just cashing. I am going to try to get everyone to play around 5-10 for the first 5 mins of practice, but I am not sure how successful I will be, lol.
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Jorge300

Jorge300

tekneek

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2008, 02:42:28 PM »
10 minutes of practice???? last time I went you got a total of 4 balls, 2 per lane.
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Steve
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Steve
Leading Edge Pro Shop
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triggerman

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2008, 02:50:42 PM »
10 minutes in team, 2 balls per lane at the start of singles and doubles, no other practice once singles and doubles starts
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Triggerman

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eglleftcoast

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Re: Looking back at Albuquerque
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2008, 03:12:14 PM »
Another option for additional practice prior to singles and doubles is to pay for a photo of you throwing the ball.  You buy the photo you can have as many practice shots as you want.  Doesn’t help with the pattern but at least you can loosen up before the sets.