Happy Bowling Father's Day

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish my Dad, and all the other bowling dads out there, a happy Father's Day.

Dad introduced me to bowling and encouraged me to join a juniors league when I was 11. When he wasn't working on Saturday mornings he was sitting just behind the lanes watching my brother and I bowl, serving as an extra pair of eyes and coach. My brother never really took to being coached, but my Dad and I used bowling as one of our greatest bonding opportunities. Once I got better and more knowledgeable about the game we became peers helping each other out during practice sessions or league play. He subscribed to a bowling magazine when I was growing up and we would read it from cover to cover and discuss what we had learned from each issue. After moving to Pittsburgh, I would sometimes drag my bowling bag the 300 miles across Pennsylvania just so I could go bowling with my Dad during a visit. Unfortunately, it has a been a few years since we have had the chance to bowl together, but if I am in town on a Thursday night he knows that I will be there to watch him bowl in his league.

A few years back Dad had reached a goal he had been striving toward for a long time, a 200 league average. He was at the top of his game. Unfortunately he suffered a pinched nerve in his neck and missed the majority of the following season. Since coming back, he has struggled to get comfortable and is continually adjusting to new bowling balls, but his love of the game is still there. Its one of the many things I have inherited from him, and I am thankful for that.

So thanks for all you have done and taught me over the years, Dad. I'll never forget it.

Happy Father's Day.

Happy Bowling Mother's Day

I wanted to wish a happy Mother's Day to two bowlers who have impacted my life.

First, to my mother. She bowled while pregnant with me, so I guess you could say I was destined to be a bowler myself. She drove me to junior leagues for over five years and attended all of my tournaments. Also, she accomplished one of the more remarkable feats I have witnessed in bowling. After having carpel tunnel surgery on her bowling hand, she taught herself to bowl using her other hand. I can't begin to fathom how difficult it must be to basically learn how to bowl all over again without even having the advantage of using your dominant hand. She is a real inspiration on overcoming adversity on the lanes.

Secondly, to my wife, who is celebrating her first Mother's Day. She also managed to bowl the majority of a 34 week season while pregnant with our daughter and improved her average in the process. We have bowled in a few leagues together and, as we later found out, were in different junior leagues at the same alley on Saturday mornings. It was meant to be. She should probably receive even more recognition for not giving me hell for bowling this past season while there was a baby at home.

So happy Mother's Day to all those bowling mothers out there!

A Bowler's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

How are you doing? I hope Mrs. Claus has been nice enough to let you join a bowling league this year even though I'm sure you are busy.

I have been very good this year.  I haven't bowled a single series under 500 and almost half of my games have been in the 200s.  When things aren't going very well, I try not to get visibly upset or take my frustrations out on the ball return.  I don't even yell at splits or flip off solid leaves anymore.

This year for Christmas, I don't need a new ball, bag, shoes or any other piece of equipment or accessories. Here is a list of things I would like for Christmas:

First, I would really like some more confidence.  I have been bowling for 14 years now, but for some reason I still question myself on the lanes when making an adjustment or reading the oil pattern.  I'd really like to be able to just go with my gut and take my shot because nine times out of ten my first impression is the correct one.

I would also like consistency.  I've been getting better about this, but it seems that I always miss my mark at the worst possible moment.  I seem to be the most consistent when I am doing something wrong, particularly when it comes to spares.  So if you have any extra in that bag of yours, now you know you can give it to someone who will appreciate it.

Lastly, if at all possible, I would really like it if you could create a Sport League here in the Pittsburgh area.  I read all these wonderful things about how a season of bowling on professional oil patterns does wonders for your average once you return to house leagues, but I can't seem to find one around here.  I think I'm ready for the challenge, Santa, so if it is possible to have one, I promise I will go, learn and have fun.

Now I know that there are many other bowlers who are less fortunate than me.  Some are using balls that are way past their prime, while others are still renting shoes or have never thrown a 200 game.  I hope you can give those bowlers what they want for Christmas, too, but I hope you give my suggestions some consideration.

Thanks Santa.  As always, I will be grateful for whatever you decide to bring me this year.

Sincerely,

Zach from Bowling in the Burgh

What I'm Thankful For

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought I would share with you some of the things I am thankful for this league season:

Turkeys

While the bird is tastey, I prefer the kind of turkey that is comprised of three big Xs.  A turkey can help you salvage a less than stellar game in a big way.  It is also a great indication that you have got the lanes figured out.  The best kind of turkeys are the ones that travel in a group of four, but all turkeys are welcome when I'm on the lanes.  If nothing else, the appearance of a turkey can usually get one of my teammates to gobble.

Messenger Pin

I am ever so thankful for the messenger pin, when it decides to make an appearance on the lanes.  This pin usually turns a frustrating solid 10-pin into a strike or saves me from the embarassment of a 7-10 split, so what's not to like?  Besides, the messenger gives me the opportunity to turn around with an "I-knew-I-had-it-all-the-way" smile on my face.

Heavy Oil Down the Middle

I'm not a terribly accurate bowler, but luckily I am usually close enough to my marks that I can rely on the oil pattern to save me from a truly awful hit.  I'm particularly thankful when there is heavy oil down the middle of the lane, as this prevents my ball from either crossing over in front of the headpin or hooking right off the lane altogether.  I cannot begin to count the number of times this oil has saved me from a big split or missing the 4-pin.

That Guy Bowling Worse Than Me

I am always truly thankful to that one bowler each week who is doing worse than I am.  No matter how far underaverage I may be, on any given week there is always someone who is doing worse.  It really puts things in perspective: "Man, I sure sucked tonight, but at least I'm not that guy."   So I give thanks, whoever you are, for making my next bad night seem not so bad.

What are you thankful for this league season?