The last week of bowling has been crazy to say the least. On Tuesday, they changed the shot again and there was no consistancy at all. It was very difficult to get the same ball reaction on consecutive shots. It made the night very frustrating. I was pulling my hair out to try to figure out a shot.

Tuesday Night

Game 1: 145 - 1 strike, 4 splits,  nuf said.

Game 2: 192 - I found something, but had no carry. Left 5 solid 10 pins. Lanes kept changing.

Game 3: 172 - Kept fighting, but left 3 splits.

Series : a pathetic  512. My worst in a long time.

Thurdsay Night

I had someone tell me on Wednesday to play like I was on the Cheetah Pattern. So I gave it a go. What a difference.

Game 1: 255 - Clean game

Game 2: 213 - Lanes started changing. Made some adjustments and a ball change. Threw the last 4. Also a clean game.

Game 3: 226 - Had 1 open frame when I turned the ball a little to much, and left a great big split. Came right back and finished strong

Series : 694 - A nice comeback from Tuesdays nightmare. The split in the third game cost me the 7, but I was so happy to bowl that well. Hopefully I can get back on track for Tuesday.

Well, this was a little better then Tuesday.The lanes were still very oily. I was still struggling through the first game, but then I finally found the shot. When the lanes broke down I was lost for a few frames, but I found the adjustment for that as well, so now I am hoping that they keep the shot this way, because, even though it took longer then expected, I found what I was looking for. Hopefully the lanes are the same next week. I heard that this was going to be the pattern for the winter, but then I heard that they may tweak it a little. At least now I have a base line.

Game 1: 171 - This was a nightmare. I only had three marks in the first 8 frames. I made no spares at all. There was so much oil that when I threw my spare shots , the ball actually drifted to the right, because I throw straight for spares, so I had to really slow down the ball. I found the adjustment on the first ball and threw the last 5 to shoot 171.

Game 2: 258 - Threw every ball in the pocket. Threw X 9/ 9/ 9/ then struck out. This easily could have been.

Game 3: 191 - Threw the first three in the pocket ( that made 21 in a row in the pocket between the 1st and 3rd games), then the lanes broke down. I didn't find the adjustment until the 10th frame, but I did find it. Now I'm hoping they keep the lanes this way.

Series 620 :  I was really happy with the way I came back after the start I had. I took longer then I thought, but I did figure out the shot. If the shot is the same next week, I'll be ready.

What a night. I heard that a lot of bowlers in the house were complaining that the lanes were to dry, so they oiled them up good. Now everyone is yelling that there is to much oil. My dilema was that because of the dry condition, I polished my bowling balls. Now there is no grip. you can guess the rest.

Game 1: 222 - A good game considering. No opens frames, and I took high game for the league.

Game 2: 151 - No strikes the entire game. Just couldn't get the ball to finish, and it had no drive. So you leave pins on weak hits, and I left plenty.

Game 3: 157 - A little decieving. I started this game out with 4 open frames (ouch!). Then I went back to my original ball and got real agressive with the shot. I threw 4 strikes in the last 6 frames. I was hitting the pocket. Considering I was on a  120 pace, I will take that finish.

Series : A big impressive 530. I think in the second game I just got lazy and it carried in the third game before I got agressive. Between the 2nd and 3rd games I went 16 frames without a strike. Don't think I have ever done that before. I was also told by the league secretary that out of 55 bowlers, there were 27 - 400 series thrown, and half of those bowlers have 200 averages, so my 530 turned out to be pretty good for the night. I'll be ready for Thursday night.

It wasn't the best of nights for me. The lanes kept changing after about every 4 to 6 frames. You never knew when the change would happen, because the shot seemed to be there, then it was gone. No indication at all that they were breaking down. AS a result, I left 7 splits last night. During the night, I made numerous adjustments and ball changes.

Game 1: 208 - Not a bad game, but struggled to find a consistant shot

Game 2: 168 - This one hurt. Finished this game with 3 splits in row. Not the way to finish. I was still struggling with the shot.

Game 3: 210 - I finally found some that would hold. Had 5 in a row leading up to the 10th, but threw a big 4 to just kill the game. I thought it was a good ball, but it looked like someone kicked the ball right into the headpin. It just dove hard. That is the way the whole night went.

Series: 586 - Under averge. Just have to regroup and get ready for next week.

Tonight was the first night of the mixed league. I had a slow start, but I kept adjusting and by the third game I was hitting the shot pretty well. For the night, I only had 2 opens, and both of them were splits. So far this year I am really happy with my spare shooting. In 2 nights of bowling I only have only missed on those 2  frames.

Game 1: 180 - Spare were the order of the day. Opened the 6th frame for my only open of the game, but I only had 3 strikes.

Game 2: 214 - Made a few adjustments and had a better game. Still had 1 open when I left a 4-10 split.

Game 3: 244 - Went clean this game. Started with the first 5, but then the lanes really started to go away. I started to make adjustments and by the 10th frame I had gotten the shot back. I was very happy to finish strongly.

Series: 638 - A decent start to the season. I am definately looking forward to next week. Until then.