What a great and exciting day that was!!! I got to meet, talk, get pictures, and get autographs from the greatest bowlers in the world!!! Now, for the second time, I got to get some more coaching from the Big Nasty, Wes Mallot. To my suprise, he faintly remembered me from the ABT and the 2 hours I spent with him on the lanes back in July of 2008.

  One of my idols I didn't get to converse with or get a picture, was Sean Rash. I don't know how I missed the opportunity, but I did. I did manage to get his autograph twice though... I got to have a conversation with Danny Wiseman. When I first saw him on TV and his wild shirts, I managed to get some flamboyent shirts of my own and started bowling better. Small world though. He used to bowl where I learned how to bowl. Danny used to bowl in tournaments ran by John Raccine. Raccine used to give him pointers. Well, Racine is the reason I got addicted to bowling and he coached me to get where I am today. Pretty cool???

So, I bowled the first squad, and did pretty good. I ended up sticking around and then wanted to bowl the 2nd squad. The first one, I bowled with Tom Baker, Wayne Webb, and Mike Scroggins. All three games from the pros added up to 736. I shot 716. Almost good enough... heehee. Scroggins shot a 279, which did me in for series. I shot, 220, 286, and 210.

The second squad, I bowled with Walter Ray, Bill O'Niell, and Wes Mallot. Tommy Jones was one pair to my left. Him and Mallot were bowling for a dollar. It was funny. They both had the front nine. After some taunts and smack talk, Jones went high and left a 9 pin, then missed. Mallot then shot the best shot of the game, and left a stone 10 pin. But, he spared it and the words were flying! heehee.  My games were 170, of course when the best bowler is watching..., 214, and 231. 615 series.

Oh well, I thought the re-entry would have been better, but... It was all good! I posted pics from the event.

Hopefully, one day soon I get to do it again. Or make the tour. Which ever comes first.   :-)

Thursday, Jan. 13th, I got the Columbia Pure Swing. What a sweet ball. It's got the Full Tilt 5.0 Cover, Pearl.

I got about 20 games on it so far. I've only used it on house shot. I can't wait to see what it does for me on sport shots. I have to wait til 2 Mondays from now to find out...

On fresh house shot, at Gold Coast Lanes, Las Vegas, it hooks a little late but very strong and drives hard. Which is the type of reaction we mostly look for. If it goes to much outside, it's slow to come back. I haven't played inside yet. Gold Coast's house shot is about 10 mils from gutter to 5 board at six feet, at 35 feet, it's still at 7 mils. That's according to thier graph they got posted. From my experience, it holds true...I also have a low rev rate...so outside the 5th board is pretty much out of play for me. This ball gives me a little room where as my others don't. In comparison, my other balls won't make pocket if I go outside 7 board. So my window is from 9th to 7th...kinda like bowling on a sport shot... This ball, I got from 9th to 4th board of play, which for a house shot, there should be a window of at least 5 boards.

So, on fresh shot, this ball creates a window quickly. I bowled 6 games on an untouched lane, right behind the guy running the machine. After game 3, I had to move my feet one board left. By the sixth game, playing same target, I was 4 boards left from when I started. If this ball does that type of oil destruction, then I should be good to go on a sport shot. I guess I'll find out.

To wrap things up, during league last night, it seemed to have made a hole quickly. But, then again, some other bowlers were right in the same area. Middle of the second game, I switched balls cuz I didn't wanna leave my comfort zone. The Pure Swing was hitting high. I switched to the Full Swing and shot my highest game of the set. 191, 170, 213.

I joined a sport league this past Monday.(1/4/10) Started with the Cheetah. Fairly easy shot I thought after practice was over.

First game, 225. Great! I went the first 5, then 10-pin, strike, 3-10 conversion, and in the 10th frame, left 6-pin and missed... Ooops. Next game, shot 180. Third Game, 223. Again, left the 10th frame open. No clean games yet... Then, there is a 4th game. I shot a whopping 106. How!!!??? That's crazy! It wasn't the lane, the shot was still the same. I was the league leader until that game. Dropped me to 6th place. I'll tell you how. It's called loosing it. 5 splits to start the game. Low counts too. Like 4s and 5s....discusting! Ball speed too fast, hand position was worse than an amature with their first bowling ball, and couldn't get relaxed or comfortable. I don't know what came over me, but there's no excuse for a 100 game following a 220 game on the same pattern....(shrug)

I hope to do better this coming Monday.

It's a challenging league. It's scratch, sport shot, and no teams. Every man or woman for themselves. Very low prize fund. Point system set up so anything can happen, anyone can win. Pay out every week. And an additional prize fund for the end of league to the total points awarded. Top 4 or 5 I think. Very nice people, attitude and enviroment.

After some new enlightenment and eyes open wide, I've come to the conclusion to reconfigure my game. Competition hasn't been going well. My scores and mental and physical is out of wack. I met a guy named Frankie out here in Vegas, a Hammer Ball Rep and Pro Shop Manager for K&K Bowling Services. I came to him with some questions and looking for a 'new home' so to speak. So far, he has really opened my eyes to my physical game and lack of 'smoothness' that I once had. With his help, and some drilling changes(hand span and thumb pitch), I'm slowly getting the 'this is too easy feeling' that I thought I lost. My timing and hand position need some training. According to Frankie, I have to take two steps back to take a step forward. I really want this. I just have to prove to him that I'm dedicated.

Out of the four balls I brought with me, he fixed one, to start with. Roto Grip Cell Pearl. Changed the span, thumb pitch, grips, and some thumb tape. I have to learn not to squeeze the ball. I never realized that I had that problem. Who knew. Heehee. Under his instructions, I'm not allowed to touch any other equipment until he lets me. One ball, one exercise, and for me, 'one vision'.!!! :-)

With some consultation with my wife, and some money thrown away for the past month, it's in my best interest to not compete for about 6 months. I need to hit the lanes hard like I used to. At least 6 games a day with this new exercises and stuff. No if ans or buts. If I want to suceed, I need to train and focus, and of course, improve my skills. With that being said, I'm ready! It's kinda like a New Year's Resolution, except, I'm going to stick to the plan. It's been a week to the date and I"m on schedule. I already feel better and taking to note how my ball is reacting better and showing me new things I had no idea I could do. And there's no more strange random pains in my right hip, knees, or wrist anymore. Which is always a good thing.

That's that! No more competition until my coach(Frankie) and my manager(wife) says so. I'm willing to do this. I will not quite! Oh, there's one exception. I do get to bowl in the Pro-AM at Red Rock Lanes on the 20th of January. :-) But that's only because nothing but good can come from the experience with the Pros.  :-D !!!!!    I can't wait!!!!

It's been a long time since my last blog....

Sometimes, people need a fresh start. So, we decided to move west. We basically packed up overnigth and rolled out. Spontaneous. We been discussing it for the past year. Most of our belongings (junk and clutter in and around our house), was sold, trashed, and gotten rid of. Only our clothes and some valuables that fit in our mini van. The drive took 4 days. I didn't want wear myself out, so I just took time and did some sight seeing along the way. Didn't do any night driving. It was a fun road trip.

I'm still having a hard time believing that we're actually here. I mean, who does that. Pack up the family and just move across country...

So, now we reside in Las Vegas. I'm loving it so far. My wife managed to get a job almost immediately. I on the other hand ain't so lucky. But, we've only been here not yet 2 months. Still got a little time and some money for us to survive until then.

The bowling here is great!!! It's much better than in Delaware and cheaper too. I just wish that there was one bowling center that wasn't inside of a casino. I do miss that part. Don't get me wrong, the bowling centers are fabulous, but, being inside of the casinos means you have to go 'through' the casino and parking is a mess and far from the entrance. Also making it difficult for me, a pinsetter mechanic, to be able to get a job. You have to be hired by the casino corporations and it's almost impossible to get a foot in the door.

If anyone reading this knows of an AMF or Brunswick owned bowling alley within the Las Vegas area, please let me know.

I've bowled in a few competitions out here. These guys are serious!!! The scores are a little higher and there is more oil on the lanes. I need to practice more. But, I have to get to work first. So, for now, looks like my bowling is a little on hold... Not by choice, but by wallet size...