Inverted track, nothumber. Above average ball speed and revs.
Our teams all went in with the same basic plan----beat up 4-5-6 in practice and just slowly creep in, then make a hop, and a jump later. Very basic strategy considering what we were seeing. The lanes transition very quickly in whatever zone you choose to play. If you have a group that plays 10-13, then 10-13 will transition quickly and lock you into playing there and farther inside. After bowling, I honestly believe a team of guys who turns the ball a fair amount and likes to play in, could really do a number on this pattern. (Thats MY opinion and obviously up for debate)
Team event
Lanes 25-26
164-243-192---599
I have a constant problem in the team event of not being able to get a feel until halfway through the night. Some would say it's the fact of bowling on the fresh or whatever they may, but you know when you are throwing it well or not----And I was NOT throwing it well at all for the 1st 15 frames. To be honest, I was lucky to have what I did in game 1. I used a 2 Furious and an Anaconda (was fishing with the Anaconda trying to get a better feel). The 2 Furious was what I felt most comfortable with once I got loose. I would say "I was playing X Board to X Board----but I pulled everything from about the 2nd-10th frames of game one. Once I got freed up and the shot transitioned a bit, I threw an awful shot to start game 2, then doubled, then 2-8-10ed. I then ran a 7 bagger to salvage that game and ultimately a respectable set. Playing roughly 18-11.
The last game, the rest of my pair saw the ball track burn. Because I was inside of them, I saw the opposite and the pair got extremely wet dry. I made some good shots and some more shots like I threw in game 1---awful. I probably didnt deserve the 192 I shot. Our team shot 2890 and left a TON of pins out there. I had 7 opens in 3 games.
Doubles
Lanes 17-18
198-204-233---635
This was my most frustrating set to date in 13 trips to Nationals (singles didnt get much better). I threw the ball extremely well, but lane 18 ATE MY LUNCH. 17 essentially had been opened wide open. I couldnt have asked for an easier lane. I went 7 for 7 in game 1 on lane 17 and didnt miss until the 5th frame of game 2. I only missed 2 or 3 times on it all night. Lane 18 however, I didnt strike on it until the 10th frame of game 2 when I doubled in the 10th (on top of a strike in the 9th). The answer----2 Furious on the left lane playing very similar to how I did in the team event. I had roughly 4 boards of room on lane 17. I had 0 boards of room on lane 18. The same spot on lane 18 compared to 17, never hooked and missed the head pin. Moved out, softened up, balled up----all looked worse. Had to ball up and move a zip code left and really soften up the speed. If I got fast, it 2 pinned or worse. But I used an Alpha Max---23 or 24 out to 13, very slow----and found success. The ball would not hook in the backend on that lane. I had to have the ball where I wanted it in the pocket at about 40 feet----because it didnt recover down lane.
I had 3 opens on lane 18 and 1 on lane 17.
Singles
Lanes 19-20
180-218-192---590
I left 4 solid 10s, 2 solid 8s, 1 solid 9, a blower seven, a couple of 4 pins.......and that was all on lane 20. I used the Alpha Max deep inside. In hindsight, I think I was playing the right line, but maybe too much ball. But the fact is, I controlled the pocket, and it was tough to get away from that. Lane 20 after all of that inopportune carry blew up in a bad spot and made it very tough to get the ball to face the 1-3. I survived that reaction to shoot what I did. In S and D I threw only a couple of shots that I was unhappy with. In previous years I feel like I would have had some big numbers----but it just wasnt meant to be this year. 3 opens in this set with a clean 2nd game.
All events----1824.
I am pleased to shoot over 1800 any time. I didnt embarrass myself, but I didnt set the world on fire. But after having 3 out of the last 4 years over 1900, I will accept a nice "boring" 1800 series. The law of averages was definitely in affect----Team, I bowled awful, but scored ok. Doubles and Singles, I bowled well, but only scored ok. In the end, I probably got what I deserved.
When you make little moves left when playing inside of everyone else, the ball REALLY reads the oil. So when you make a move in, dont try to SEND it to the spot, you really have to stay under control and roll it to the spot to get it to read the pattern.
I watched alot of people struggle on spares, I felt the pattern was actually easier for hooking at spares than in previous years. I didnt miss a 3-6-10 (which is normally automatic for me to miss 1 or 2 of these). I missed 3 10 pins which is obviously my fault and didnt cover a 1-2-4. But otherwise, I didnt get anything unexpected from the lanes. I was able to hook at my leftside spares without a problem----my opens were mostly splits. I honestly anticipated more hook than what I saw and in the future will believe NOTHING of what I read or hear. LOL
Some other EXTRA thoughts.....
-The bowling center was definitely chilly. We were directly under vents for team and were frigidly cold. It was insane.
-And now a rant----which I might get flamed for, but oh well. My name is Chris Green, I've never won any Eagles, I've never shot 300 or 800 at Nationals. I finished in the top 100 in All Events once (2008) and 51st in doubles (2002). I shot 290 at the bowling stadium last year. So I've done a few things at Nationals that many others havent. That being said, if my team were finishing 3 frames behind everyone else, I guarantee the USBC would be up my teams butts about finishing on time, etc. I understand that groups that win Eagles have to deal with webcasts and such----but does that mean that they should be giving REGIONAL lane courtesy to them and the pairs around them (explaining why 3 pairs were done later than everyone else). If a team shoots 1180 in one of their games, you would think a few strikes were thrown that game right? So why did it take that pair an extra 20 minutes to bowl? Maybe its the 3 lane courtesy that they were giving and receiving or taking----whatever it may be. It's not bad enough that last year the group was running out shots in front of people in frame 2 of game 3 when neighboring bowlers were on the approach. I'm sorry, but I understand that certain people provide the USBC with free advertising and publicity based on their writings and blogging. I fully understand all of it. But to so clearly ignore the fact that if that were any group but them-----there would be a problem-----is an absolute joke and extremely annoying.
This is not meant to be an attack on any individual, because if I were given perks of being a previous champion, I would take anything to my advantage that I was given. But taking an extra 20 minutes to bowl a team squad in front of an 11:30pm Singles and Doubles squad is ridiculous. Kicking off an already late singles and doubles squad at a later time because people are looking 3 lanes over to see who is up is also uncalled for.
Dinners......
Joe's Crab Shack was an easy choice----good seafood meal there.
Friday was LSU's graduation so our first choice was booked. Our 2nd choice should have been our first choice. Stroubes Seafood and Steaks is a couple of blocks from the River Center (we walked there from the Belle). Myself and 4 friends enjoyed an early dinner there. EVERYTHING we ordered was wonderful. Steak, seafood, duck, dessert----whatever. It was all amazing and had some unique flavor twists. Its a little pricey, but I loved it. And Nadia was an excellent waitress.
The casino at the Belle is pretty run of the mill at best. You could also say run down if you were so inclined. I didnt visit Hollywood casino as we had other plans at different times. Had a great time at Bourbon Street Wednesday night and plan to make another trip to New Orleans to fully enjoy the city.
I think thats it for now.