I posted the following on bowl.com following the practice session at the convention center in Albuquerque on Sunday.  Don't know if it'll help any of you, but I figured I'd share here ... (Pat, you should post too!)

Originally posted on bowl.com:

Things to consider as I make my report: 1 - I'm lefthanded; 2 - I'm a woman with slower speed (14 mph), lower revs (about 250), and a lower average (right around 160).

With that in mind, here's what I thought.  I'll also include my husband's take from the right side.

Approaches:  Me - I don't slide, so I was in heaven.  Hub - They were tacky.  He used Dexter 8 sole and 7 heel.  He stuck so badly a couple of times on his right side spare shots that he considered changing to his 10 sole.

Lanes in general:  We were on 1 and 2 next to a wall, so I think we had a few issues that weren't as evident in other areas.  For the first game or so, we were basically clearing off the sawdust and wall board residue.  Every ball that came back had a combination of those two things and major amounts of oil.  On the left side, there was also something my ball kept rolling over that gave it an interesting pattern of minor scratches in my track.  No worries, though.  They were very good about handing out ball damage vouchers for repairs once the pro shops open.

Lanes in specific:

Left side (me) - The pattern we were dealt was by far the hardest I've ever seen.  That's not saying much, since my sport shot experience is limited.  The oil was long and rather heavy.  More than I've ever seen.  My ball started to make its move around 44-45 feet.  From 5 out there was nothing, straight as an arrow.  I could have shot my 7 pins from there.  From 8 to 12, same thing.  I got no turn at all.  If I could repeat shots on 6-7 with a decent amount of hand in the ball, I was hitting the pocket.  Lively pins led to a lot of corners left.  The pins that should have taken out the 7 or 10 were flying over them.  I started with a Hole Finder Solid (OOB).  It was just drilled, and I had some fit issues, so I didn't stay with it long.  Once I get it fixed, it will be the ball I start with for team.  It had a good look down the lanes.  my Hole Pounder Solid (OOB) was useless.  No turn at all.  I had some success with an old Storm Power Charge Pearl (scuffed).  I had to make a move with my feet that was uncomfortable for me.  I rarely stand left of 23, and I finally found a shot standing 17 shooting 6-7.  Speed control was essential.  I had a problem throwing through the breakpoint.

Right side (hub) - Noticed the same about the pattern, ball broke later than he was used to, somewhere around the outside dark boards (gotta love downlane markers).  He was throwing a Lane 1 Evolution and a Lane 1 Nebula.  He had his best looks shooting 7 or 12, got nothing in between.  He also had to move his feet.  Stood much farther right than he's used to.  Liked the reaction of his Nebula the best.  My observations of other righthanders on our pair.  Down 15-18 with little turn seemed to be a good shot for a few of them with low or no revs.  One who I consider to be a rather good bowler with good speed and revs was crossing the arrows at about 18 going out to about 13 and had a great line.

Venue:  It's gorgeous!  I think you'll all enjoy your visit to the convention center.

Sorry this is so long.  I hope I've helped at least a little.

Deb
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Do you want to play.net?

This is what I saw yesterday:

During the Team practice session I could not throw anywhere left of the 5 board(lanes 43-44) and could not throw my normal equipment to start. Had to bump the gutter and throw a medium load particle(Legends Conquerer with the pin below ring finger type drilling) and shot 223 the 1st game. Switched to a heavy load particle(Legends World Class Particle, similar lay-out to above mentioned Conquerer) and shot 227. Last game I switched to my normal ball or THS ball as some like to call it, a Particle Pearl(Legends Black Pearl) and shot 256 for 706.

Got to bowl the Doubles & Singles practice squad as well and they re-oiled. The pattern went from an outside shot(like during the team practice) to OB. Wound up shooting up the 10-12 board with a Heavy load particle(Legends World Class Particle sanded to 500-abralon), shot 217-245-218=680. Changed pairs and found out they oiled every other pair differently(heard it in passing), so when you changed lanes from the "mock" doubles set to the "mock" singles set you would experience two different patterns. Found the shot just a little different so not sure if it was true. Anyway, played basically the same line with the World Class around 10-12 and shot 243-190(missed three 7-pins, very odd especially since I am normally a very good spare shooter, just ask DEB). During the 3rd game the lanes decided I need to work on my back row spare shooting as I failed to strike in the first 7 frames.  Frankie May from Visionary Bowling Products came by and asked how the lanes were and we BS'd for a little bit.  He noticed the line I was playing and asked if I would play the 3rd arrow to see what was inside. He said, but don't quote him or me, that the National patterns(regardless of which is applied) will usually have a decent shot around the 3rd arrow. So, I took out a polished Legends Black Pearl(Pin above ring finger, stacked leverage) and proceeded to shoot 229 for a 3-game set of 662. I guess he knows what he's talking about and he's a pretty nice guy.

Overall, I know the actual pattern will be different, but I hope not too much.  I will be bowling the 6:30pm and 9:00pm Sweeper tuesday night and I will report out on any findings after I get done bowling and after a quick bite to eat at Hooters!

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Pat Patterson

Edited on 2/11/2008 11:50 PM

Oops...........

quote:

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Pat,

You didn't tell me about Hooters.

Deb

Yes, Pat's a VERY GOOD spare shooter.
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Do you want to play.net?

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Pat Patterson