On Sunday I went out to bank a few games for my upcoming hiatus when my daughter is born. The lanes were not as dry as last week's pre-bowl, but they were definitely not treated after a long night of open bowling. Luckily I was throwing a much better ball and was able to put together my first average series of the season: 237, 191 and 192. My spare shooting was still sub-par, though, particularly the 10-pin.
On Monday, then, I had some confidence that I had shaken the troubles of two weeks ago. My first game, a 225, pretty much confirmed this. Though a missed 9-pin near the end of the game did give me some cause for concern and was an omen of things to come. The following two games saw me revert back to being unable to hit my marks. I was constantly missing left and was bitten by splits a few times. I threw a 172 in the second game and a dismal 155 in the third, a new season low. A positive is that I made all but one of my corner pin shots and I was much better at spare shooting overall.
Outside of weeks 2 and 3 I have been unable to string together consistent good performances, which was a key to last year's success. Being unbalanced at the foul line has been a big part of what is dragging down my game. I wasn't able to correct it on Monday night and I will have to shake it off and get back on track my next time out. I probably should have switched down to the Python after the first games as the oil was getting a bit unpredictable at the end of the first game. In the end, though, if I can't hit my targets it doesn't matter what ball I'm using out there.
I have to miss the next league night and have scores already on file, another 552 matching this week's performance, but will be back on the lanes on Sunday to pre-bowl another set for later in the season. I thought that throwing 3 extra games a week would help me break out of these problems, but I feel like what I need right now is a break.Hopefully scaling back to 3 games this week will put me back on track.
October 18, 2013
October 9, 2013
Week 6 Recap
Game 1: 268
Game 2: 245
Game 3: 256
Series: 769
Week Avg: 256
Season Avg: 212
Coming into the night my goal was to keep my head down and hit my mark on every shot. After my last three outings I just needed to simplify my game and let the rest fall into place. I threw quite a bit of practice and felt pretty comfortable, like I was still loose from throwing on Sunday. Also, the line that was working best for me had me throwing right over the second arrow which gave a clear mark to hit on each throw.
My first shot hit a little high to leave the 4-pin, which I spared. Then I threw the next seven strikes in a row before another high hit left the 4-7, which I also spared. I struck out in the tenth for a 268. The second game developed the pattern of a double followed by a spare through the front eight frames. I broke the pattern with strikes in the ninth and tenth frames before leaving the 10-pin. I missed right on my spare attempt for my first open and my third 245 of the short season. The third game started with another double. I left the 6-10 twice in a row, chopping the 10-pin on the first attempt and converting on the second. I was able to strike out for a 256 and my new high series, 769.
During my first game I knew I was going to have a big night. I just felt on. My only two shots all night that missed left went Brooklyn for strikes. I kept my head down and I never felt more focused. And I've never thrown that many strikes. The two opens stung a bit, especially given how obtainable an 800 series could have been, but I kept my cool and I'm happy to report I am out of that slump.
It doesn't happen often, but I could feel the eyes at my back throughout the night. People were watching and it felt great. I don't think I'm arrogant or anything like that, but man does it feel good to be noticed for the right reasons. I got a few comments about a 300 game in my future and the possibility of going pro which I always dismiss, especially the latter, but coming from people who are around bowling a lot it tends to carry a bit more weight with me than the random comments from some kid while I am out practicing. With this consistency and focus maybe that 300 isn't so far away.
The thing I look forward to the most after a big night is telling my dad. I'm 28 years old, married with a daughter and another on the way, but he is the first person I think about when I'm doing well. I bowl because of him and he helped me get to the level I am at today. He is always so excited to hear about these nights and is so proud that he brags about it to his teammates on Thursday nights (one of which is my little brother who isn't a bad bowler in his own right). When that perfect game does come I know who is getting that first phone call.
For now, though, I need another good performance before my turd of a pre-bowl is used on October 21. The team struggled early on, but we've taken 12 of 14 possible points the last two weeks. A few more big nights and we are in the running as the first half comes to a close around Christmas. Personal slumps and triumphs aside it is a team sport and anything can happen.
Game 2: 245
Game 3: 256
Series: 769
Week Avg: 256
Season Avg: 212
Coming into the night my goal was to keep my head down and hit my mark on every shot. After my last three outings I just needed to simplify my game and let the rest fall into place. I threw quite a bit of practice and felt pretty comfortable, like I was still loose from throwing on Sunday. Also, the line that was working best for me had me throwing right over the second arrow which gave a clear mark to hit on each throw.
My first shot hit a little high to leave the 4-pin, which I spared. Then I threw the next seven strikes in a row before another high hit left the 4-7, which I also spared. I struck out in the tenth for a 268. The second game developed the pattern of a double followed by a spare through the front eight frames. I broke the pattern with strikes in the ninth and tenth frames before leaving the 10-pin. I missed right on my spare attempt for my first open and my third 245 of the short season. The third game started with another double. I left the 6-10 twice in a row, chopping the 10-pin on the first attempt and converting on the second. I was able to strike out for a 256 and my new high series, 769.
During my first game I knew I was going to have a big night. I just felt on. My only two shots all night that missed left went Brooklyn for strikes. I kept my head down and I never felt more focused. And I've never thrown that many strikes. The two opens stung a bit, especially given how obtainable an 800 series could have been, but I kept my cool and I'm happy to report I am out of that slump.
It doesn't happen often, but I could feel the eyes at my back throughout the night. People were watching and it felt great. I don't think I'm arrogant or anything like that, but man does it feel good to be noticed for the right reasons. I got a few comments about a 300 game in my future and the possibility of going pro which I always dismiss, especially the latter, but coming from people who are around bowling a lot it tends to carry a bit more weight with me than the random comments from some kid while I am out practicing. With this consistency and focus maybe that 300 isn't so far away.
The thing I look forward to the most after a big night is telling my dad. I'm 28 years old, married with a daughter and another on the way, but he is the first person I think about when I'm doing well. I bowl because of him and he helped me get to the level I am at today. He is always so excited to hear about these nights and is so proud that he brags about it to his teammates on Thursday nights (one of which is my little brother who isn't a bad bowler in his own right). When that perfect game does come I know who is getting that first phone call.
For now, though, I need another good performance before my turd of a pre-bowl is used on October 21. The team struggled early on, but we've taken 12 of 14 possible points the last two weeks. A few more big nights and we are in the running as the first half comes to a close around Christmas. Personal slumps and triumphs aside it is a team sport and anything can happen.
October 7, 2013
Week 8 Pre-Bowl Recap
Game 1: 179
Game 2: 172
Game 3: 201
Series: 552
Week Avg: 184
And the song remains the same. Coming into the alley on Sunday I had one goal: get out of this slump. I knew I was missing my mark to the left because I was unbalanced at the foul line, but I still wasn't very clear on what exactly the problem was. I needed to diagnose and resolve this issue if I was going to bowl better.
The lanes were dry, untreated after a night of laser light bowling. I moved down to my Python and just for fun at the end of practice I decided to throw my plastic spare ball. Surprisingly it hooked quite a bit and I was able to cover about 12 boards in the backend. I was basically able to throw my preferred line for a fresh oil pattern with my most reactive ball with my non-reactive plastic ball.
I started the first game with a turkey and then missed my mark left in the fourth frame, but I finally found the problem. I was looking up before my ball crossed my target, pulling my head up and causing me to miss left. i focused on keeping my head down the rest of the day and I only missed my mark a handful of times after that. I chopped my spare in the fourth but had a pretty solid game until the ninth and tenth frames. I left pocket 4-6 and 8-10 splits killing my chances at a 200 game.
The second game started with a double before the wheels fell off again. This game I missed four spares, including three single pin leaves. Not corner pins either, a 6-pin and two 8-pins. I finished a bit stronger to salvage another game in the 170s.
The third game was better. Not too many strikes, but I kept it clean. After four straight pocket hits couldn't carry the corners I moved down to the plastic ball and played over the 8-board which gave me a better entry angle and better carry. I squeaked out a 201 and I was thrilled.
For the most part I came in and did what I set out to do. I diagnosed a problem and I fixed it. I tried to make the best of a bad situation given the lane conditions and I suppose I was lucky to escape with a 550+ series.
The next issue to tackle is my lackluster spare shooting. Now that I can hit my mark, it should just be a matter of concentration and execution. I know how to line up for spares, now I just need to get it done. We'll see how things pan out tonight.
Game 2: 172
Game 3: 201
Series: 552
Week Avg: 184
And the song remains the same. Coming into the alley on Sunday I had one goal: get out of this slump. I knew I was missing my mark to the left because I was unbalanced at the foul line, but I still wasn't very clear on what exactly the problem was. I needed to diagnose and resolve this issue if I was going to bowl better.
The lanes were dry, untreated after a night of laser light bowling. I moved down to my Python and just for fun at the end of practice I decided to throw my plastic spare ball. Surprisingly it hooked quite a bit and I was able to cover about 12 boards in the backend. I was basically able to throw my preferred line for a fresh oil pattern with my most reactive ball with my non-reactive plastic ball.
I started the first game with a turkey and then missed my mark left in the fourth frame, but I finally found the problem. I was looking up before my ball crossed my target, pulling my head up and causing me to miss left. i focused on keeping my head down the rest of the day and I only missed my mark a handful of times after that. I chopped my spare in the fourth but had a pretty solid game until the ninth and tenth frames. I left pocket 4-6 and 8-10 splits killing my chances at a 200 game.
The second game started with a double before the wheels fell off again. This game I missed four spares, including three single pin leaves. Not corner pins either, a 6-pin and two 8-pins. I finished a bit stronger to salvage another game in the 170s.
The third game was better. Not too many strikes, but I kept it clean. After four straight pocket hits couldn't carry the corners I moved down to the plastic ball and played over the 8-board which gave me a better entry angle and better carry. I squeaked out a 201 and I was thrilled.
For the most part I came in and did what I set out to do. I diagnosed a problem and I fixed it. I tried to make the best of a bad situation given the lane conditions and I suppose I was lucky to escape with a 550+ series.
The next issue to tackle is my lackluster spare shooting. Now that I can hit my mark, it should just be a matter of concentration and execution. I know how to line up for spares, now I just need to get it done. We'll see how things pan out tonight.
October 4, 2013
Week 5 Recap
Game 1: 166
Game 2: 159
Game 3: 205
Series: 530
Week Avg: 176
Season Avg: 204
This week was awful and I was really down after a pretty poor performance. My timing was off causing me to be unbalanced at the foul line which then caused me to miss my mark left on most shots. No matter what I did I could not consistently deliver a good shot. I wasn't getting good carry when I did hit my mark and I missed a few easy spares. It bothered me. I thought I was better than that. I thought I was capable of making adjustments and fixing problems. I thought wrong.
I've bowled poorly before, but this was the first week that truly bothered me. I put off writing this post all week and considered giving up the blog altogether. Who needs to relive failure over and over again? Well, successful people do, that's who. That is how they learn. That is how I will get out of this free fall.
Let's be honest, two stellar weeks so early in the season put my average well above my abilities. Seeing that big number next to my name was exciting, but it made me believe I was better than I am. I made an naive goal of not bowling below a 550 this year after completing my first season with no 400 series. The last two weeks have grounded me, though, and I'm determined to not let my average get below 200. I know I can do that, I just need to work on a few things.
A few days removed from the unpleasantness I can see a bit clearer and find some positives. I know what my problem was, I just need to fix it. I think it is a matter of posture and following through on my shots so some practice should clear that up. Also, the lanes were dry again this week but I was able to move left, find some oil and return to the pocket so long as I hit my marks. These are steps in the right direction.
I've composed myself now and have some confidence back. I can fix this. I am pre-bowling on Sunday to start banking games for my paternity leave in December so I can get to correcting my game soon.
Until then I just need to stay calm and get through this little slump.
Game 2: 159
Game 3: 205
Series: 530
Week Avg: 176
Season Avg: 204
This week was awful and I was really down after a pretty poor performance. My timing was off causing me to be unbalanced at the foul line which then caused me to miss my mark left on most shots. No matter what I did I could not consistently deliver a good shot. I wasn't getting good carry when I did hit my mark and I missed a few easy spares. It bothered me. I thought I was better than that. I thought I was capable of making adjustments and fixing problems. I thought wrong.
I've bowled poorly before, but this was the first week that truly bothered me. I put off writing this post all week and considered giving up the blog altogether. Who needs to relive failure over and over again? Well, successful people do, that's who. That is how they learn. That is how I will get out of this free fall.
Let's be honest, two stellar weeks so early in the season put my average well above my abilities. Seeing that big number next to my name was exciting, but it made me believe I was better than I am. I made an naive goal of not bowling below a 550 this year after completing my first season with no 400 series. The last two weeks have grounded me, though, and I'm determined to not let my average get below 200. I know I can do that, I just need to work on a few things.
A few days removed from the unpleasantness I can see a bit clearer and find some positives. I know what my problem was, I just need to fix it. I think it is a matter of posture and following through on my shots so some practice should clear that up. Also, the lanes were dry again this week but I was able to move left, find some oil and return to the pocket so long as I hit my marks. These are steps in the right direction.
I've composed myself now and have some confidence back. I can fix this. I am pre-bowling on Sunday to start banking games for my paternity leave in December so I can get to correcting my game soon.
Until then I just need to stay calm and get through this little slump.
September 26, 2013
Week 4 Recap
Game 1: 219
Game 2: 192
Game 3: 158
Series: 569
Week Avg: 189
Season Avg: 211
Welp, reality hit me hard this week and the fantasy I was living on the lanes quickly came to an end. It has been feast or famine for me through the first four weeks of the season and this week was famine time.
Right away I got off to a rough start in practice. A recent cold snap here in western Pennsylvania caused my thumb to shrink a bit and I had to put some tape in the ball. It took a few throws to get my grip right and I never really threw a good ball during practice.
Not to be discouraged I made a guesstimate as to where I should stand to start the first game, moving my body and mark a board left from my usual line. Luckily it worked great and I started the night with a 5-bagger. In the sixth frame I missed my mark right by a board and the ball just hung out the length of the lane to leave the 1-2-8, which I chopped for an open. I struck again in the seventh frame and threw a couple spares and a strike before leaving an 8-10 split my second ball in the tenth frame.
The second game started with two opens, a missed 10-pin and a split. I struck in the third and had the ball hang out on me the next two frames to spare and split for another open. Instead of fighting the lanes which were running high when I hit my mark and hanging out when I missed slightly I decided to make a ball change in the sixth frame. The change worked great and I was in the pocket the rest of the game with five strikes and two nine counts.
The third game presented the same difficulties as the others. Accuracy was the name of the game and I just didn't have it Monday night. When I hit my marks I was in the pocket, but the Python wouldn't carry the corners. When I was off my marks the ball held right and I would leave pretty large groupings on the deck. Two bad opens, including a missed 7-pin, left much to be desired and I was lucky to escape with a 158.
I thought the oil played like a shorter version of the Shark sport pattern this week. Left of the 10 board was hooking pretty well, but anything to the outside of 9 wasn't coming back. Unfortunately I didn't have this epiphany until the drive home after the damage had been done. I probably should have stood at about 28 and played over 12, further inside than usual but the ball was moving well in the backends and would have produced good carry. I'm having a hard time picking up on how to apply my previous experiences to the changing conditions I've faced so far this season and it is something I will need to get better at quickly if I want to continue improving.
To make matters worse, I was not throwing a good ball this week. Adjusting to different fits was a concern every time I changed balls. My thumb was loose in the Python and when I switched back to the more snug fit of the C-System I was holding onto the ball way too long. The quick change in weather really had an impact on my thumb size and I'm looking forward to a more stable climate once autumn and winter kick in. The fit problem pulled me into a downward spiral of timing and balance issues that really did a number on my third game. Instead of trying to battle the lanes and my physical issues I should have just concentrated on fixing my game and let the lanes come to me in time.
As a great man once said, "A bowler's mind divided cannot strike" . . . or something like that.
Game 2: 192
Game 3: 158
Series: 569
Week Avg: 189
Season Avg: 211
Welp, reality hit me hard this week and the fantasy I was living on the lanes quickly came to an end. It has been feast or famine for me through the first four weeks of the season and this week was famine time.
Right away I got off to a rough start in practice. A recent cold snap here in western Pennsylvania caused my thumb to shrink a bit and I had to put some tape in the ball. It took a few throws to get my grip right and I never really threw a good ball during practice.
Not to be discouraged I made a guesstimate as to where I should stand to start the first game, moving my body and mark a board left from my usual line. Luckily it worked great and I started the night with a 5-bagger. In the sixth frame I missed my mark right by a board and the ball just hung out the length of the lane to leave the 1-2-8, which I chopped for an open. I struck again in the seventh frame and threw a couple spares and a strike before leaving an 8-10 split my second ball in the tenth frame.
The second game started with two opens, a missed 10-pin and a split. I struck in the third and had the ball hang out on me the next two frames to spare and split for another open. Instead of fighting the lanes which were running high when I hit my mark and hanging out when I missed slightly I decided to make a ball change in the sixth frame. The change worked great and I was in the pocket the rest of the game with five strikes and two nine counts.
The third game presented the same difficulties as the others. Accuracy was the name of the game and I just didn't have it Monday night. When I hit my marks I was in the pocket, but the Python wouldn't carry the corners. When I was off my marks the ball held right and I would leave pretty large groupings on the deck. Two bad opens, including a missed 7-pin, left much to be desired and I was lucky to escape with a 158.
I thought the oil played like a shorter version of the Shark sport pattern this week. Left of the 10 board was hooking pretty well, but anything to the outside of 9 wasn't coming back. Unfortunately I didn't have this epiphany until the drive home after the damage had been done. I probably should have stood at about 28 and played over 12, further inside than usual but the ball was moving well in the backends and would have produced good carry. I'm having a hard time picking up on how to apply my previous experiences to the changing conditions I've faced so far this season and it is something I will need to get better at quickly if I want to continue improving.
To make matters worse, I was not throwing a good ball this week. Adjusting to different fits was a concern every time I changed balls. My thumb was loose in the Python and when I switched back to the more snug fit of the C-System I was holding onto the ball way too long. The quick change in weather really had an impact on my thumb size and I'm looking forward to a more stable climate once autumn and winter kick in. The fit problem pulled me into a downward spiral of timing and balance issues that really did a number on my third game. Instead of trying to battle the lanes and my physical issues I should have just concentrated on fixing my game and let the lanes come to me in time.
As a great man once said, "A bowler's mind divided cannot strike" . . . or something like that.
September 20, 2013
Week 3 Recap
Game 1: 231
Game 2: 203
Game 3: 245
Series: 679
Week Avg: 226
Season Avg: 218
We finally had the whole team together this week and our opponent had four of five bowlers so we expected to be in for a long, but competitive night of action.
The lanes played pretty close to where they were the week before; however, most everyone was playing left of the second arrow and so I really only had to contend and adapt to whatever changes my ball made to the oil conditions. I struck right away and spared in the second frame before shooting the next six in a row. In the ninth frame I left a 4-7-10 and missed my mark on the spare attempt for a big open leading into the tenth frame. I managed to spare and strike in the tenth for a 231 game, but the open foundation frame really stung.
Throughout the second game I was struggling to find a new line that would carry. After starting with a double I came in high in the third frame and started to leave single pins. I scattered a few strikes in the game to keep within striking distance. I needed good pin count in the tenth frame to pull off a team win and a solid pocket hit left the 8-10 split. That is already the second game this year that was within my reach and I let it slip away.
The last game was much stronger. I was not going to let that second game happen again. Two members of the opposing team rolled off one game so they could leave early, so there were seven of us on the pair and the pace picked up a bit, which had the potential to screw things up. Luckily it didn't. I doubled, spared, and then threw my second six-bagger of the night. I left the 7-pin on my first ball of the tenth frame and another errant spare attempt officially cost me a 700 series.
I left the center pretty disappointed, but the drive home gave me some time to realize that I've reached a point in my game where I can be really upset about leaving three opens and averaging 226 in a night. This was the first time I ever came close to throwing back to back 700 series and I really wanted that. It was also unfortunate that one open fell in the ninth frame and two others came in the tenth. If any of those come earlier in the game I may have reached 700 and possibly won the team a game.
The season is still very young, but I'm getting a little concerned that my mental game suffered slightly over the summer. I spent a lot of time working on the details, but I really only threw five regular games and didn't have a chance to get in a pressure situation. Last year if the game was in reach I could go out there and get the job done, but so far that hasn't been the case this year. Hopefully it will come back to me as the season progresses.
Game 2: 203
Game 3: 245
Series: 679
Week Avg: 226
Season Avg: 218
We finally had the whole team together this week and our opponent had four of five bowlers so we expected to be in for a long, but competitive night of action.
The lanes played pretty close to where they were the week before; however, most everyone was playing left of the second arrow and so I really only had to contend and adapt to whatever changes my ball made to the oil conditions. I struck right away and spared in the second frame before shooting the next six in a row. In the ninth frame I left a 4-7-10 and missed my mark on the spare attempt for a big open leading into the tenth frame. I managed to spare and strike in the tenth for a 231 game, but the open foundation frame really stung.
Throughout the second game I was struggling to find a new line that would carry. After starting with a double I came in high in the third frame and started to leave single pins. I scattered a few strikes in the game to keep within striking distance. I needed good pin count in the tenth frame to pull off a team win and a solid pocket hit left the 8-10 split. That is already the second game this year that was within my reach and I let it slip away.
The last game was much stronger. I was not going to let that second game happen again. Two members of the opposing team rolled off one game so they could leave early, so there were seven of us on the pair and the pace picked up a bit, which had the potential to screw things up. Luckily it didn't. I doubled, spared, and then threw my second six-bagger of the night. I left the 7-pin on my first ball of the tenth frame and another errant spare attempt officially cost me a 700 series.
I left the center pretty disappointed, but the drive home gave me some time to realize that I've reached a point in my game where I can be really upset about leaving three opens and averaging 226 in a night. This was the first time I ever came close to throwing back to back 700 series and I really wanted that. It was also unfortunate that one open fell in the ninth frame and two others came in the tenth. If any of those come earlier in the game I may have reached 700 and possibly won the team a game.
The season is still very young, but I'm getting a little concerned that my mental game suffered slightly over the summer. I spent a lot of time working on the details, but I really only threw five regular games and didn't have a chance to get in a pressure situation. Last year if the game was in reach I could go out there and get the job done, but so far that hasn't been the case this year. Hopefully it will come back to me as the season progresses.
September 11, 2013
Week 2 Recap
Game 1: 236
Game 2: 234
Game 3: 245
Series: 715
Week Avg: 238
Season Avg: 214
When we arrived at the lanes this week we found out that they filled our team with a nice couple that were in the league last year. From a pacing stand point this was a relief. It should also make for a fun and more competitive season. One of our regulars had scheduled vacation this week, though, so we will have to wait until week 3 to get the whole team in action.
This week was the complete opposite of week 1. The lanes were being oiled as I walked in the door and so they played pretty similarly to the majority of last season. I was also a bit more focused this week and made a conscious effort to make better decisions and adjustments.
After starting the first game with a couple of light pocket hits I moved a half board right in the third frame and really never looked back. After a strike in the third and a missed 10-pin in the fourth (my only open of the night) I struck the next six in a row and spared to finish the tenth frame for a 236.
The second game was pretty similar with a spare or two breaking up a string of strikes. I shot a 234 in the second. I started the third game with two more spares and then had another six bagger. I started running a little high and so I moved up a few inches on the approach, but never really got back to form to finish out the evening. I needed to strike on my first ball in the tenth to get the win for the team, but I left the 4-pin. I spared and left the 8-10 to finish the game with a 245 and a 715 series.
If there is such a thing as an effortless 700 series this was it. As long as I put the ball between the second and third arrows it was a strike. When I did leave something it was a corner pin and when something was a bit off it was easy to identify and correct. My one shot outside the pocket was a Brooklyn strike.
This was probably the most consistent high series I've ever had and despite the success I never found myself feeling rushed or nervous. I've finally thrown enough bigger names to stay calm and focus on the task at hand. I can now act like I've been there before because I have; now its just the matter of getting up to that next level where I start to feel the butterflies again.
Nights like this are fun, but they make for a terrible weekly blog post, don't they?
Game 2: 234
Game 3: 245
Series: 715
Week Avg: 238
Season Avg: 214
When we arrived at the lanes this week we found out that they filled our team with a nice couple that were in the league last year. From a pacing stand point this was a relief. It should also make for a fun and more competitive season. One of our regulars had scheduled vacation this week, though, so we will have to wait until week 3 to get the whole team in action.
This week was the complete opposite of week 1. The lanes were being oiled as I walked in the door and so they played pretty similarly to the majority of last season. I was also a bit more focused this week and made a conscious effort to make better decisions and adjustments.
After starting the first game with a couple of light pocket hits I moved a half board right in the third frame and really never looked back. After a strike in the third and a missed 10-pin in the fourth (my only open of the night) I struck the next six in a row and spared to finish the tenth frame for a 236.
The second game was pretty similar with a spare or two breaking up a string of strikes. I shot a 234 in the second. I started the third game with two more spares and then had another six bagger. I started running a little high and so I moved up a few inches on the approach, but never really got back to form to finish out the evening. I needed to strike on my first ball in the tenth to get the win for the team, but I left the 4-pin. I spared and left the 8-10 to finish the game with a 245 and a 715 series.
If there is such a thing as an effortless 700 series this was it. As long as I put the ball between the second and third arrows it was a strike. When I did leave something it was a corner pin and when something was a bit off it was easy to identify and correct. My one shot outside the pocket was a Brooklyn strike.
This was probably the most consistent high series I've ever had and despite the success I never found myself feeling rushed or nervous. I've finally thrown enough bigger names to stay calm and focus on the task at hand. I can now act like I've been there before because I have; now its just the matter of getting up to that next level where I start to feel the butterflies again.
Nights like this are fun, but they make for a terrible weekly blog post, don't they?
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