Rollin' with Rowdy

[Rowdy]

Hi ho there,kids! Consider this the Op-Ed page of HammerLand. All opinions are mine and mine alone. No promotional considerations have been made. They could be,but no offers have been forthcoming. Yet. Wait until some folks read this stuff. No punches pulled,I'll call a spade a spade. Enjoy.

[Rowdy]

Oohhh. Started out with a good one,didn't I? Yes,I know that our own Brian Graham is going back to the USBC. Good for all the kids he'll get off on the right foot. I have no doubts he's the perfect man for the job.
The problem in the USBC is several pay grades above Brian's however. What,really,do YOU,the league bowler get for your dues? Not much,I'm afraid. Lane certification??? Please,stop now. Most all league standing sheets don't even HAVE the lane certification number anymore. Why? Because no one checked them!! The house owners have a deal with the USBC. The USBC shows up and checks TWO whole lanes in the house. That's it. They cheerfully assume that all the other lanes are as good as the pair they looked at. Stop laughing,it's true. We know better.
Dispute resolution??? Hah! Their answer to any dispute short of murder:Work it out amongst yourselves,we're busy up here in ImportantLand and can't be bothered to fix a league problem in your Podunk house. Unless a league officer absconds with the prize fund,the USBC's position is:Hand's off.
Sport Bowling??? Talk about sticking your toe in the ocean to see if it's wet. Enough is enough. Change the freakin' rules already. If it's a USBC league,it's on a Sport shot. Period. And stop charging extra for it. That's just wrong.
Equipment Specs? That horse left the barn years ago. The only thing more complicated than the core in some balls is launching the space shuttle. The ball is juiced,get over it. Put out a sport shot and lower the scores relative to the bowlers ability. Hacks rolling a 300 when they can't find their car in the parking lot has got to stop. I'm more proud of the fact I've rolled two Dutch 200's this season than I would be of a 300. There's only 4 to 5000 Dutch 200's a year. There's 10 times that many 300's every season. The 300 game has lost it's luster. We need it back.
So,what do you get for your dues other than a cheesy looking card??? Not enough. Which begs the question:What the hell ARE they spending OUR money on? Maybe Brian Graham can find out for us.

[Rowdy]

Where to start with this one??? Lose the damn Denny's commercial? At least,make a new one. We know Walter Ray's gonna drop the eggs. We get it.
ESPN? Oh,Randy,you're up. Would you kindly choke the life out of Stone the next time he has a thought??? As Ron White says,next time he has a thought,let it go. Speaking of things that have to go,hambone is at the top of the list. It's a four bagger. Always has been,always will be. Drop a ball on his foot if you have to,Randy. America will love you for it.
Randy you don't get off easy either. Would it kill you to have the cameraman get a close up of the ball? We want to know what's being used in real time. Nothing worse than a shot of PA and ESPN has some meaningless graphic covering up the Hammer PA is rolling. HammerHeads groan when this happens.
How about some super dooper Slo-Mo of the release??? Sure would help out league bowlers across the country. Some of them might actually get a clue how to roll the ball.
Try these for starters,we'll add more later. Randy,sign up here and post some,we would love to have you join us. Promise,no Storm "smelly balls" jokes.

[Sparehater]

Rowdy, they are not allowed to show the logos at all much. They want the companies to buy air time, they don't want to give away free advertising.

[Rowdy]

RRriiiiight. That's why on PBA.com they list where every logo is on the bowlers shirt. Even the ball manufacturers. Not buying it.

[ravenhammer]

Not that many people watch the telecast but I'd guess that far fewer check out the stuff on the website.
I wish Hammer would cough up the cash for a commercial. How much could the possibly charge?

[Rowdy]

Note:Some of this info is courtesy of John Jowdy. Many thanks. On to the story.

In 1974,John Fabovich introduced the first bowling ball with a two piece weight block in polyester material. This was the birth of Faball. The ball,however,wasn't well received. Too little forward thinkers at the time,I guess.

All was not lost. Mr.Fabovich's design was recognized as a way to move the weight block inside the ball to create more drive into the pocket. Time would prove Mr.Fabovich right more than he could have ever dreamed of.

Fast forward to the early '80's. Mr.Fabovich had apparently grown tired of waiting for the rest of us to catch up. He sold Faball to two St.Louis area bowlers,John Wonders and Earl Widman. They began production of two piece weight block balls with urethane coverstocks. They needed a catchy name for the balls. Thank God they picked a great name for the new ball:Hammer.

Fast forward even farther:Ebonite takes Hammer off of Mr.Wonders and Widman. No truth to the rumor they retired and own bowling alleys.

But now you know where the brand came from.

[Rowdy]

The idea for this comes from the guy who can't get his ball fixed because no one at the lanes knows him.

People being,well,people have opinions about YOU. Right or wrong,they got 'em. What do you think your image is at the place where you drop a fair amount of coin every year? Add it all up. Weekly league dues,drinks,food,pro shop. Quite a bit a scratch,ain't it?

You would think that any well run business would know who their customer's are that spend that kind of bucks in their house. You would be wrong if that business was a bowling alley. Go look at all the league standing sheets. You can't expect them to know all those people.

Some bowlers stand out. They walk through the door and it's like Norm walking into Cheers. Everybody knows their name. And has a kind word to say about the guy. Why? He's known to everyone,that's why. He took the time to find out who's who. And what's what.

But it takes more than being a gadfly. He's the guy who shows up a little early and makes sure his gear is clean and ready to go. He's the guy who knows how to call in a problem to the desk. Not,"Come down here a fix this NOW!",but,"Deadwood on lane 8",or,"Could you respot the 10 pin on lane 17,please?".

What do people see when you walk in the house? Ratty sneakers,kinda clean jeans,a "My Drinking Team Has a Bowling Problem" T-Shirt? Gear looking like it would be an improvement to start swiping house balls? They notice,oh yes they do. And form an image about you.

The image says that you could care less about your bowling. You're just here for the beer. You have a problem? Well,it looks like you don't care so why should they? I know,I know. It shouldn't matter in a perfect world. News Flash...the world ain't perfect,get over it.

I'm not saying that you should dress and act like a PBA bowler. Not all of you can pull it off anyway. But would it kill you to clean up yourself and your gear some??? Show up 15 minutes earlier,instead of rushing through the door just as practice begins? Your teammates will like it. The ball might actually hook more when it's clean. And you'll know what the lanes are doing when you start rolling for score,instead of using the first game for warmup. Dare I say it,your scores may go UP! Gasp!

Plus,now you will get KNOWN. You may actually become addicted to the warm,fuzzy feeling that you'll get every time you walk into the lanes. Instead of someone who bowls,they may actually start referring to you as a bowler. There is a difference.

Now when there's a problem the guys at the desk and the manager won't see someone they don't know,they'll see one of THEIR bowlers who has something that they need to take care of. And take care of it they will. Because now they know who you are,how much you roll and that they don't want to lose a bowler like you.

I hesitate to use myself as an example,but I'll do it this once. And this is just when I practice. I walk in with a large 4 ball roller,plus one more ball on the handle,and I'm dressed in black slacks,dress shoes and a Hammer shirt. I unload at least 5 Hammers into the ball return. I ALWAYS ask for two lanes,never just one.

I check every ball,the shoes,towels,grip sack and all the other gear before I throw the first ball. Everything goes in it's place. Go grab a drink and a trip to the men's room if needed. THEN put on the shoes. They never leave the pit area. EVER.

First game is for warmup,and I'm lucky if I get through it without drawing some kind of attention. Something about the sound of a Hammer gets the other bowlers looking,I guess. The manager usually comes by somewhere in the first game and ask's if I'm rolling in one of their leagues. Nope. Do I want to? Whadda ya got? I've had guys get on the phone at 10 in the morning to find me a spot on a team rolling that night. Or sign me up for a sweeper that I didn't know about.

Why??? Because of image. They see the nice truck outside,the nice clothes,the nice gear and all those 200+ scores going up. I'm the bowler that they WANT rolling in that house. I have heard managers talking to team captains on the phone,telling them to get down here,I've found a guy you need on your team. By the fourth game it looks like a tryout for league night,there's so many guys that just "happened by".

So,you don't roll scores that high? So what? Who cares? I never do. I'd rather have you and your handicap pins on my team to tell the truth. But LOOK like you care and take the time to talk to the people working at your house and see the difference it makes. It will take a little while for your previous image to be replaced by your new and imporoved image. But in the end,it'll be time well spent. And think of all the new friends you'll have. Never a bad thing,belive me.

[Rowdy]

Okay,this one mystifies me to no end. Guys are buying high performance bowling balls and treating them like an old LT-48. Then wondering why the damn ball quits working.

Duh! These balls,(BW's, No Mercy's, Angers, Toxics and even Vibes) HAVE TO HAVE a regular cleaning program in order to work!!! No if,ands,or buts. None. No clean= no hook.

You wouldn't plunk down the cash for a Corvette,drive the crap out of it and then never change the oil in it,would you? Okay. Two of you would. But you get the point. Just as a high performance car needs service to keep it at it's best,so does a high performance ball.

Notice I haven't said a word about polishing the ball. I think that most of these,"My ball don't hook no more,how come?" threads are from overpolishing the ball. They don't mean to,but the stuff they buy for the ball is a cleaner/polisher. These guys clean,clean,clean which is good. But unfortunatly they also polish,polish,polish. Which is not so good. Result? No hook,hook,hook.

Then comes the thread about "Whats wrong with the stupid ball?". Nothing. Nothing that resurfacing the ball won't fix. Or shoving the ball in hot water and melting the polish off it. Or sand it off.

I've been spending a ton of computing time looking at balls that have been rolled by PBA bowlers. One thing stands out:These balls look like crapola! Finger holes ground out,coverstocks that look like they've been rolling it across the parking lot,you name it. No polished up beauty queens here,nosiree. These babies are all about traction at the breakpoint. You want a polished ball in the PBA? That would be a spare ball.

I've taken the plunge with my own gear. Polish? Buh-Bye. Cleaner? You bet,but none with polish in it. Took a deep breath and sanded all my gear two weeks ago. Really had to suck it up when I took the pad to the newest BWS with the Monster Hook drill in it.

The result? Say goodbye to those annoying 10 pins! The extra snap on the backend has improved the entry angle and now those ringing 10's are gone for good. Even the BWP has shown new life,and no longer is the last ball out of the bag. The pearl in the coverstock is now able to do it's thing,that ball gets it done like it was made to,now. So does my Big Blue Pearl.

But now that leaves the question of how do we figure out when it's an issue of too much polish on a ball or something else that's killing ball action for these guys??? I reckon we ask more questions to get the right answers.

[bubbiesdad]

Where to start with this one??? Lose the damn Denny's commercial? At least,make a new one. We know Walter Ray's gonna drop the eggs. We get it.
ESPN? Oh,Randy,you're up. Would you kindly choke the life out of Stone the next time he has a thought??? As Ron White says,next time he has a thought,let it go. Speaking of things that have to go,hambone is at the top of the list. It's a four bagger. Always has been,always will be. Drop a ball on his foot if you have to,Randy. America will love you for it.
Randy you don't get off easy either. Would it kill you to have the cameraman get a close up of the ball? We want to know what's being used in real time. Nothing worse than a shot of PA and ESPN has some meaningless graphic covering up the Hammer PA is rolling. HammerHeads groan when this happens.
How about some super dooper Slo-Mo of the release??? Sure would help out league bowlers across the country. Some of them might actually get a clue how to roll the ball.
Try these for starters,we'll add more later. Randy,sign up here and post some,we would love to have you join us. Promise,no Storm "smelly balls" jokes.


Also lose the one with people eating black bacon and waffles.

[BubbaRay]

Well it won't be too much longer for being informed "WR has left it open".

PBA might be Loosing Denny's and a sponsor next year.

[gabriel94509]

Rowdy, i absolutely agree with you about everything you've said, and i'm not just kissing butt here. I happen to be one of those bowlers that are known by everyone at the alley i bowl at. It really pays to dress nicely, have nice gear that i obviously take very good care of, have lane etiquette, and actually know how to call in a problem to the front desk, like you said. The consistent 200+ scores that i roll doesn't seem to hurt either. Its nice when i can just walk up to the front desk, and the girl behind the counter knows my name and knows i will be asking for a pair of lanes. Sometime they will let me bowl for free too.

[Alucious]

I know exactly what you mean. Fro example:

When one of the houses was testing multiple house shots, I came in to practice. I shot 4-5 games on 4 pairs testing multiple shots for them, for free. They don't ask the normal bowler to do that for them. It really does make a difference to be "known." Our pro shop charges almost $60 to have a ball drilled. I pay $25, including thumb slug and fingertips. It really does pay to have some class.

[Rowdy]

I rolled in the Traveling 8 League Sunday morning. I paid attention to the other bowlers as far as dress and what brand of ball they were rolling.

I am proud to report that every guy I saw rolling a Hammer was dressed nice,(slacks,nice shirt,most with a Hammer logo or three) and rolled with class. The MoRich boys had temper tantrums when they didn't strike,(throwing rosin bags,etc.) and dressed like the golf course kicked them out for violating their dress code. Most of the Brunswick group looked like they had gotten lost on their way to the beach.

Our guys also had the nicer bags,3-4 and more ball rollers. Actually saw a guy bring his gear in using plastic bags from Wally World! I overheard him being asked where his bag was,and he replied that he didn't own one! That was the way he always came to his league. Sheesh.

[Rowdy]

Ah,Sunday morning arrived sunny and cold. I love cold weather. Invigorating. All dessed up and ready to roll. Stopped for a nice big breakfast,cup or three of coffee and them off to the lanes. Traveling league day has finally arrived.

Speaking of arrived,it seems like everyone who is anyone around here made the trip this morning. They were hoping that maybe forty bowlers would show up at 9am. SIXTY bowlers signed up! 55 bucks to enter x's 60 bowlers='s $3,300 for prizes! Nice.

Out of the 60 entrants,only about half were what you would consider "real" bowlers. Dressed properly,good looking gear,nice 4,5 and 6 ball roller bags. Some of these guys left you shaking your head in amazement. Ratty shorts,tee shirts,bowling shoes with duct tape on them,carrying balls in plastic bags from Wal-Mart. I kid you not. Not the HammerHeads there,though. We all looked good.

Optimism gave way to despair when we watched the pattern being laid down. Every time the guy got done with a lane,all the guys rolling on that lane would walk to the line and bend over to see what was down there. A THS!!! 8 games across 16 with all this talent and all we get is a crappy THS? There were some unhappy campers on those approaches. Heads were shaking and balls were being polished at a frantic rate. Lots of gear would be the rule of the day,it looked like.

The format was 8 games across 16 lanes,scoring was + or - 200. Cut to the top five,match play from there. Oh boy. With a pattern sure to break completely down,this was going to be interesting.

Started off with a sterling 195. Yikes. Looked okay going into the 10th,was counting the plus pins when I gagged the strike ball. No problemo,I'll pick up the spare. Whoops. -5. Crap.
Rebound with a 216. Much better. Now we're on the right track. Made the right ball change.
Derailed the train with a 173. Lost the line in the 6th frame. Did I change balls too much?
Still derailed with a 167. I think I've forgot how to roll the ball. I need a spare ball.
Better. A 192. But still minus pins.
Dear God,a 142! Totally fried lanes,the ball wouldn't react the same way twice. Bad as this was,it was the second HIGHEST score out of our group.
Finally! 204,Whoo-hoo. Oil on the ball,finally!
Crap. 170. Missed three 10 pins...I GOT to get a real spare ball!
Totals 1459 pins. -141,the cut was +153. Only missed the cut by 294 pins.

Oh well. Lessons learned. Things to do before next month. On the positive side,most of these guys won't be there next time,they were disappointed by the fact there was no dress code and that a THS was laid down. Plus next month is on synthetic lanes,I asked 20+ guys if they would be there and was told that they don't roll on synthetics. I need to go practice. And find a spare ball.

[BigDog]

Well it won't be too much longer for being informed "WR has left it open".

PBA might be Loosing Denny's and a sponsor next year.

I wonder who they replace Denny's with? :rolleyes:

[Rowdy]

Ah-HA! NOW we know what's on the small minds at the USBC! Like every other "seasoned citizen", The USBC want's to head south in their golden years. After they spent all that dough spiffing the joint up in Wisconsin, the wheels in Greendale have decided that Texas living would be more their style.

Tired of being on the waiting list for Packers tickets,maybe? They can't possibly belive that the Rangers are going to be better than the Brewers this year,can they? Oops. Or the Boys beating the Pack? Double Oops.

So now they want to pack up and move to.....where? Arlington? The Metroplex? Gridlock City? Have they seen the traffic around there? What building will they have to build from scratch? Guess who's gonna get stuck with the tab,and no,you can't even LOOK in the exectutive commitee bathrooms. All the gold faucets would just make you as angry as I am now. Better that you keep rolling along in ignorant bliss,THEY know what's best for you.

Here's a better idea:Take all that cash that would have been spent on a move,new building,all new stationary,whatever,and use it to help houses across the country buy lane machines that will lay down a Sport pattern. Loan them the cash at a low,low interest rate. Think of it as an investment in the future of bowling. A decent lane machine goes for $15,000. Figure around 500-800 machines needed. That comes out to $7.5 to 12 million bucks. And that's without a quantity discount. What's that new place plus moving everyone going to cost? A hell of a lot more than $12 million smackeroos,I bet. With NO return on the cash at all. A two or three percent return on 12,000,000 isn't chump change. That cash could go to Brian Graham and his kids programs.

Once all the machines have been delivered all we would need is one small rules change to get everyone singing off the same page for the first time in the recorded history of the game. Your 200 average would be the same as mine. 300 games would go down. They would also mean something again. A 700 Series would have some serious bragging rights.

Ah,but there would be a downside to all this happiness. Some bowlers would pack up their gear and go home in a huff. Why??? Because their true talent would "rise" to the top and they would be found wanting. A 225 average dropping down to a true 175? Yikes. I do think however,that the "bowlers" leaving would only be about 2 to 3 percent of the total. And that the guys staying will more than pick up the slack and join in more than one league once the playing field is "levelled out".

What do you guy's think?

[Rowdy]

The tea leaves look very interesting today. The BPAA and the USBC may merge,huh? That would be as in the BPAA would take over the USBC. Fair enough. I can live with that.

But how much time will go by before a ball manufacturer decided THEY don't need the USBC either? A one ounce difference in sideweight? Fuggedaboutit. Hardness? Nah. Which company would "Cross the Line" and make a ball just for the guy who rolls outside of USBC competition?

Fine,we'll call it what it is. A "Juiced Ball". Think of a soft ball,coupled with a kick ass core,that goes long and then outhooks anything yet seen. We've got those balls already,you say. Not one that does all that when you just lay the ball out there,we don't. You still have to put the roll on the ball. I'm talking about a ball that will let my Aunt Mabel shoot a 240 on a bad day.

Oh sure,I can hear you now,"But Rowdy,why would anyone do THAT?" Because the BPAA wants and NEEDS higher scores,that's why. Remember,the BPAA has the lanes,and those lanes need to have bowlers on them to make money. I don't belive that the BPAA cares one whit about what KIND of bowler is on those lanes,just that there are some warm bodies out there chunkin' a ball.

Sooooo,with numbers the BPAA would get when they merge with the USBC,the BPAA could make the case that since participation in bowling is tied directly to the "pleasant expierience=higher scores",and the thing holding back the "expierience" is that the damn ball is so hard to throw now,we have to have a ball that is easy to throw,yet scores like Earl Anthony on steroids.

Think golf balls are out there in terms of technology? You ain't seen nothin' yet,Dude. Once the first metal core,or something simular,comes out it'll be Katie bar the door. That hot ball you bought six months ago? It's obsolete now. The Violent Reactive coverstock on the new Bite? My kitchen table will have a better coverstock on it if the ball goes very high tech.

Think of it,you'll walk into your local BPAA house and look at the Honor Scores.(We're gonna have to change the name of THAT!) You'll see that Jimmy Smith rolled a 300 last night. Who the hell is Jimmy Smith??? He's the 8 year old who had a birthday party at 10pm last night. My Aunt Mabel was at the party too. She had a 800 Series. It was an off night for her.

I'll even go way out on the 'ol tree limb and predict the very first ball company that will,"Cross The Line". This one is so easy. Ready? AMF. Stop laughing. Think about it. They already own the lanes,hell,it's their house. What's to stop them from making a ball that matches up perfectly with their lanes? A juiced ball for synthetic lanes. "A perfect game for your perfect day",what a great ad slogan for parties at an AMF house. Give the kid one of those chrome slides and let little Timmy give the ball a shove. The ball rolls up the 10 board,hooks all by itself and hits the pocket. Strike. Wonder if they'll offer a refund if the birthday kid DOESN'T get a 300?

Brunswick would be the logical second choice to cross the line,but since they're getting rid of their houses it will probably be one of the smaller ball companies that will pull the trigger and juice a ball. Hopefully never Hammer,but hey,they have to make a buck,too.

I wonder if in 5,10 years from now we'll have "Old School" Leagues,using the gear made today? Kids will be laughing at us,we'll be all happy shooting 200,while they're on the next lane "rolling" 270/300's.

Hope the lanes are full of happy BPAA bowlers. I'll still roll "Outlaw". It's more fun.

[Sparehater]

Hey rowdy, guess what, amf lanes, doesn't own the ball company.. 900 global owns the am ball company, they don't own the lane company.

[Rowdy]

Yes,I'm aware of that. However,the casual bowler is not. To them a name is a name. I'm positive that Global 900 wouldn't hesitate to "combine" their ball with AMF's lanes for the "greater good". $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[MorganGrafixx]

Think of it,you'll walk into your local BPAA house and look at the Honor Scores.(We're gonna have to change the name of THAT!) You'll see that Jimmy Smith rolled a 300 last night. Who the hell is Jimmy Smith??? He's the 8 year old who had a birthday party at 10pm last night. My Aunt Mabel was at the party too. She had a 800 Series. It was an off night for her.

Wonder if they'll offer a refund if the birthday kid DOESN'T get a 300?

I wonder if in 5,10 years from now we'll have "Old School" Leagues,using the gear made today? Kids will be laughing at us,we'll be all happy shooting 200,while they're on the next lane "rolling" 270/300's.

Hope the lanes are full of happy BPAA bowlers. I'll still roll "Outlaw". It's more fun.

I thought this was the same basic reason they invented the "sport patterns". So that real bowlers could have a challenge again. I remember when an average in the 220's seemed like some mystical unicorn that could only be caught with a VERY good understanding of the game and LOTS of practice. I was just 14 years old or so, subbing in my dad's league and I remember the "stars" of that particular house rolled an average of 220-230.

I guess they will have to increase the length of the lanes to 100 feet. Or maybe they could put little obstacles on the lanes like they do in putt-putt golf. Maybe they could motorize the lanes so that you threw your ball down a conveyor belt that moved toward you. NO scratch that...it moves to the gutter! Or even better...picture this..."Full-Contact Bowling"!!! Awesome!!!

[Rowdy]

Why,yes it is,Morgan. Execept for one small,teeny weenie,itsy bitsy problem. They forgot to make a Rule mandating that all USBC leagues be rolled on a Sport shot. I have no idea how the powers that be overlooked that one, but they did. Guess they were too busy getting ready to move to Texas. Guys tried a Sport league,but when they're average dropped faster than the stock market,they went back to a league on a house shot. Inflated average and ego restored. And now most houses use a Sport league as a summer filler. I expect glow bowling to replace it shortly.

[NeoWidow18]

Thats the same problem here. All the leagues are on the house shot that we all mastered and probly could strike on blindfolded. You get ready for league and guess what you already know where to throw the ball. Hell there are people in some leagues at the house I roll at throwing 20 and 30 year old balls that hook more than mine. Its like you spend all this money on a ball then join a league and the best bowler is rolling a faball (which is great) but come on people its too easy. The only sport league is a summer league. We get 10 weeks to bowl on the pba patterns that comes down to rolling twice on each pattern. Yay. NOT. Its just crazy. And why cuz they done want to oil more than once a day. :eek: Maybe thats why no one rolls here. Did they ever think about that. I think not. :mad: To roll on oil you have to be in a league. What about people who are trying to practice for the big tourny that we have. Oh come back around 9 and roll after league. :eek: I dont think so. And they wonder why more people dont bowl and why they only make money on .......*gulp*.... Glow bowling. :( Anyway I think its crazy. They should have to put down a sport pattern. Thats all Im saying.

[Rowdy]

Another fine reason to call or E-Mail you displeasure to the USBC. Maybe we should all do it at the same time. That'll make 'em stop packing for Texas for...oh...five minutes.

[pipes]

The idea for this comes from the guy who can't get his ball fixed because no one at the lanes knows him.

People being,well,people have opinions about YOU. Right or wrong,they got 'em. What do you think your image is at the place where you drop a fair amount of coin every year? Add it all up. Weekly league dues,drinks,food,pro shop. Quite a bit a scratch,ain't it?

You would think that any well run business would know who their customer's are that spend that kind of bucks in their house. You would be wrong if that business was a bowling alley. Go look at all the league standing sheets. You can't expect them to know all those people.

Some bowlers stand out. They walk through the door and it's like Norm walking into Cheers. Everybody knows their name. And has a kind word to say about the guy. Why? He's known to everyone,that's why. He took the time to find out who's who. And what's what.

But it takes more than being a gadfly. He's the guy who shows up a little early and makes sure his gear is clean and ready to go. He's the guy who knows how to call in a problem to the desk. Not,"Come down here a fix this NOW!",but,"Deadwood on lane 8",or,"Could you respot the 10 pin on lane 17,please?".

What do people see when you walk in the house? Ratty sneakers,kinda clean jeans,a "My Drinking Team Has a Bowling Problem" T-Shirt? Gear looking like it would be an improvement to start swiping house balls? They notice,oh yes they do. And form an image about you.

The image says that you could care less about your bowling. You're just here for the beer. You have a problem? Well,it looks like you don't care so why should they? I know,I know. It shouldn't matter in a perfect world. News Flash...the world ain't perfect,get over it.

I'm not saying that you should dress and act like a PBA bowler. Not all of you can pull it off anyway. But would it kill you to clean up yourself and your gear some??? Show up 15 minutes earlier,instead of rushing through the door just as practice begins? Your teammates will like it. The ball might actually hook more when it's clean. And you'll know what the lanes are doing when you start rolling for score,instead of using the first game for warmup. Dare I say it,your scores may go UP! Gasp!

Plus,now you will get KNOWN. You may actually become addicted to the warm,fuzzy feeling that you'll get every time you walk into the lanes. Instead of someone who bowls,they may actually start referring to you as a bowler. There is a difference.

Now when there's a problem the guys at the desk and the manager won't see someone they don't know,they'll see one of THEIR bowlers who has something that they need to take care of. And take care of it they will. Because now they know who you are,how much you roll and that they don't want to lose a bowler like you.

I hesitate to use myself as an example,but I'll do it this once. And this is just when I practice. I walk in with a large 4 ball roller,plus one more ball on the handle,and I'm dressed in black slacks,dress shoes and a Hammer shirt. I unload at least 5 Hammers into the ball return. I ALWAYS ask for two lanes,never just one.

I check every ball,the shoes,towels,grip sack and all the other gear before I throw the first ball. Everything goes in it's place. Go grab a drink and a trip to the men's room if needed. THEN put on the shoes. They never leave the pit area. EVER.

First game is for warmup,and I'm lucky if I get through it without drawing some kind of attention. Something about the sound of a Hammer gets the other bowlers looking,I guess. The manager usually comes by somewhere in the first game and ask's if I'm rolling in one of their leagues. Nope. Do I want to? Whadda ya got? I've had guys get on the phone at 10 in the morning to find me a spot on a team rolling that night. Or sign me up for a sweeper that I didn't know about.

Why??? Because of image. They see the nice truck outside,the nice clothes,the nice gear and all those 200+ scores going up. I'm the bowler that they WANT rolling in that house. I have heard managers talking to team captains on the phone,telling them to get down here,I've found a guy you need on your team. By the fourth game it looks like a tryout for league night,there's so many guys that just "happened by".

So,you don't roll scores that high? So what? Who cares? I never do. I'd rather have you and your handicap pins on my team to tell the truth. But LOOK like you care and take the time to talk to the people working at your house and see the difference it makes. It will take a little while for your previous image to be replaced by your new and imporoved image. But in the end,it'll be time well spent. And think of all the new friends you'll have. Never a bad thing,belive me.


I agree And I think I am the guy your referring to :O) But I only been back bowling for about 6 week give or take after a an almost 29 year lay off ! I am fast changing the unknown man problem I now am well known at the Pro Shop and the desk and have been invited into one a the better summer leagues at this house :D

I now know the Pro Shop owner and his wife the house owner 2 folks behind the desk the night manager and the genral manager . I am doing my best to project a postive image .

In just a few short weeks I now get spoke to when I come in and they generaly just take care of me . A nice feeling I asure you Rowdy is RIGHT .

And my dress would be excepable at or on ANY golf club and most of us know what that is . But I dress like that normaly anyway

So Imho if you been gpoing to a house to bowl for very long and DON'T know the folks there on a friendly bases your not trying I have come a LONG way IMO in just a few weeks . Give me a year or 2 :O)).

IMHO it doesn't take a lot to be nice to folks and just do the right thing .

pipes

[Rowdy]

Pipes,you weren't that guy. I'm happy to hear that everything is better at your house. That makes writing this worthwhile. Thanks.:)

[Rowdy]

Howdy All,
I see that the USBC is at it again. Now they want to screw us on Honor Awards. Another sure sign that the merger with the BPAA is drawing near.

For those of you who ain't aware,I'll explain why the USBC and the BPAA merger is a Very Bad Thing. The BPAA is the group that the house owners belong to. The goal of the BPAA is to keep the house full of people bowling. Notice I did NOT say "bowlers". The BPAA could not care less WHO is rolling the ball,only that "Lane Profit Maximazation" is realized. That's a fancy way of saying how many dollars are spent on a lane,per hour. Starting to see why birthday parties make them drool? Starting to see why leagues don't make them drool? You COST the house too much money!!! And now you have the nerve to want a shot that will mean an extra expense for the house,ie,a sport shot. Not gonna happen if the BPAA has anything to say about it.

But who is supposed to look out for YOUR interests on the lanes??? Used to be the ABC. Back in the day,the ABC did a very good job of it too. The word of the ABC had clout. Houses lived in fear of having the ABC pull their lane certification and/or an ABC league from the house. But that was when the ABC was run by bowlers,not "professional managers". All these "managers" have managed to do is steal the game away from us. Their too busy CYA'ing and trying to hold on to that cushy job to worry about the league bowler. They just keep shovelling the smelly stuff out of Greendale and when the smell bacame unbearable,they just shoved it into a shiny new box and called it the USBC. Same people,same smell.

However,from the smelly stuff a few roses started to bloom. Lane and ball studies. Sport Bowling. But the roses had a problem for the house owners,they had thorns. More cost to keep the league bowlers happy. Oh NO! What to do? Why,we'll just go and merge with the USBC and shove all these things we don't like under the rug! Presto-Changeo! No more sport bowling,no more crazy oil patterns that cost extra cash to lay down. We'll just give 'em a shot that MAY last a game or two,then fry out. We'll save MONEY!!!

As a famous saying goes: You want to know what's going on,just follow the money. And league bowlers just don't spend enough of it,per person,per lane. Stop arguing,follow the money. You,the league bowler,require a HUGE outlay of cash. You require good,well oiled lanes. Those cost money. You require a pro shop. More money, equipment, inventory, and personnel to run it. You require a bar. License, bartenders and booze all cost money.

And for what in return? You show up,buy a beer,pay a discounted rate to roll and leave as soon as you're done bowling. Not much return on the old investment there. Parties and Glow bowling on the other hand are cash cows for the house. Overpiced cakes and bowling pins for the kiddies. The grownups hit the bar,HARD! Who wants to do one of those things sober? Glow bowlers pay extra for everything, lineage, beer by the pitcher. The best part of it all to the house is that both of those don't require what we do. Oiled lanes? Who cares. Pro Shop? Don't need it. Let 'em use crappy house balls. They're so drunk they won't notice the difference. The bar should make money,but the profit margin is slim.

What can we do about it? I'm not suggesting that we all go and spend like crazy next time we go bowling. But until enough card carrying members of the USBC start bitching like mad, nothing is going to change. The squeaky wheel get's the grease,and we ain't squeaking enough. Don't complain to your league officers or association reps,they hear about it all the time. No,the people who need and should hear from you are in Greendale,Wisconsin USA. They all have Email addresses and phone numbers,they're in the Rule Book and online at www.bowl.com (http://www.bowl.com). Call and bitch about not having uniform lane conditions from house to house. Email and bitch about the same things to the same people. If you think the new Honor Score stuff is bad,tell 'em. But bitch long enough and loud enough,and maybe they'll change some things for the better just to shut us up.

[idlehourlegend]

very well said Rowdy.

[can-ham]

Rowdy, I know you are in a certain situation work wise. But with your passion and up-to-date knowledge, maybe you could get a job with the USBC/BPAA and maybe make a difference form the inside...

I know my area is always looking for league reps and people to sit on the local board. I think that there are definitely forums and positions that you could be very effective in. Not saying come up to Canada and get involved here but I'm sure there's something in your area you could get involved with...

[BubbaRay]

Rowdy, that was well written my friend.

[Rowdy]

Thanks guys. That means a lot to me.

Can,I 've held every office in a league that there is. While I'd rather be a Little League umpire than run a league again, I reckon it's time to get out of the LaZboy and do something. What, I don't know yet,but I'll think of something.

[MorganGrafixx]

I reckon it's time to get out of the LaZboy and do something. What, I don't know yet,but I'll think of something.

I am a Third-Award Rifle Expert. 10 rounds in a 10-inch circle from 800 yards without a scope....TWICE. If you can't come up with any ideas, I might have a few.;)

[BigDog]

Rowdy,

Amen.

[Lightning1]

Rowdy

This was perhaps one of the most well written threads I have seen. It is also one of the biggest eye openers for some people. I never looked into where all of the money I outlay every week for leagues go. But now that you pointed it out, it makes me a bit more inquisitive towards the leagues, other bowlers, and the houses in which I bowl.

One house I bowl at is marginally committed to leagues. 40 lanes with not a lane available before 11pm for anything other than leagues Monday through Friday. It's encouraging to see, but there comes a problem. This house has the worst maintenance habits of all of the other houses I bowl at. No fresh shot between leagues, not even every other league. Pro shop is never open during peak leagues (nightly). Pro shop is never open on weekends. And it's ran by kids who have no business running an alley.

The other houses I bowl at are more dedicated to the maintenance of the facilities, but don't have the bowler draw due to the small size of the house. Even though they are dedicated to the maintenance of the house, very rarely will they put anything but a THS down. One house will, this year, lay the USBC Open pattern for practice on Saturdays for house bowlers looking to make the trip. Only one house where I bowl lays a "Sport" shot, but only on a Monday night at 9pm, which I can't make because I am up at 4am to commute to work.

I, like others that have read this thread, think that you have presented a very accurate state of affairs in league bowling everywhere. The houses would much rather fill the lanes with pajama wearing adolescents wielding their parents hard earned money than to have league bowlers provide a steady income to the house.

I would take that steady income, albeit somewhat marginal, over pinning my hopes on the temperaments of adolescents any day. AT&T survived a very long time in the telephone business because that marginal income it made off of phone calls made money. These houses can make money if the provide bowlers with what they need. Quality lanes, oil, challenge, and competition.

[can-ham]

Thanks guys. That means a lot to me.

Can,I 've held every office in a league that there is. While I'd rather be a Little League umpire than run a league again, I reckon it's time to get out of the LaZboy and do something. What, I don't know yet,but I'll think of something.

Yeah it might be time for you to use your powers at a higher level than league. Maybe get in touch with Brian Graham and see what the USBC needs...

[Rowdy]

Work with KIDS!?!?:eek: Geez,I already did the Little League coach thing....I'd rather shove my face in a blender than do that again. It's faster and less painful that way.

[Rowdy]

Lightning,you are absolutly right. Give me a well run league with a different non-THS shot every week and I'm there. 20 bucks? Fine. 25 bucks? You're on. I'll pay to play then. The traveling league I'm in had 60 bowlers show up the first time. I'll bet they'll be lucky to get 40 this month. Why? No dress code and a house shot that was fried by the end of the second game. No fun when you're rolling an eight game block plus match play. For 55 bucks,we should have got better.

[can-ham]

Work with KIDS!?!?:eek: Geez,I already did the Little League coach thing....I'd rather shove my face in a blender than do that again. It's faster and less painful that way.

No no Rowdy we don't need you corrupting the kids.:p I mean you know Brian and Brian may know of other (non youth) holes that could be filled in the USBC. Like maybe you could answer your own angry phone calls :D.

[Lightning1]

Rowdy,

This thread actually started me on the path of thinking about what it would be like to own my own house....The entire weekends conversation with friends and family, besides the Superbowl talk (go Giants), was what it would take to purchase and run a house....

Investment to return, if ran properly, a house can prosper.....League bowlers appreciate a house's investment as it provides us with a good base for competition, quality well maintained lanes on which to bowl.

If I could keep my house full for 6+ hours(2 leagues) every weeknight with leagues for which I am getting $2.00 / game over 32 lanes, I am looking at approximately a $1500 draw nightly from league dues

Maintenance technician $10/hour (8 hour shift)= $80/night
Front desk = 2x $8.50/hour (6 hour shift) = $102/night
Maintenance assistant 2x $7.50/hour = $90/night
Oil, lane cleaner, etc. minimal outlay per night (we'll say $50/night for arguements sake)

1500/night draw
272/labor
1228/net
1178/net minus supplies

50% for reinvestment ($600) and the other 50% for other operating expenses (electricity, cooling/heating, water, lease, etc.)

Now you start adding your pro-shop, bar, and concessions...Each operated independantly with it's own budget....Consider space leased for each operation...If properly managed, your concessions and bar would be your biggest profit makers...The lanes themselves would follow...then comes the pro-shop....Pro shops are finding themselves trying to compete with the internet for business, which puts their margins closer to $0. This means marketing a pro-shop to fight for the drilling, ball maintenance business as it's only means to profit....

Now, that's a best case scenario not looking for profit directly, but with serious reinvestment of the net each night, over a period of 1 or 2 years, you will start earning decent profits within the business...

Lanes in this area are typically charging leagues $4.50 to $6.00 / game, which increases that top line number 2 and 3 fold....

Now consider that a house might get $6 / game from open bowling sessions, but the house might only be 20% full during open bowling across all times...If that house charges $2 per game to a league that keeps the house full, the house will will realize about a 15% higher regular income over open bowling. On the days that open bowling attendance is higher, a house would stand to make substantially more money, but overall, leagues will bring in more steady cash for operating.

man....now I want to buy one of the houses around here....LOL

problem in this area is taxes and escalating property values...

[BigDog]

My question is how much will you charge us (sanctioned or not) league bowlers during open play ;)

[Rowdy]

Lightning you're close. You have to look at each part of the house as a seperate business. The lanes have to pay their bills,the snack bar has to pay theirs...on and on. A pro shop will make money if run and PROMOTED correctly. I can show you pro shops that MORE than pay for themselves. But each part has to contribute to the whole. If it doesn't turn a profit,either close it or improve it to where it does. BTW-You forgot to add in Birthday parties and Glow Bowling in your revenue stream for your lanes. Plus,some of the B-Day party cash goes to the snack bar for the drinks and cake. You may want to check with your league on what they pay the house for league lineage. $2.00 a game sounds high,depending on where you are. Another idea is to go to the "Flat Rate" price,where you charge for the lane,per hour,limit of 4 bowlers per lane. I've seen rates of $24.95 to $34.95 per HOUR,per LANE. And these goofy kids fork over the cash like it's nothing. And they PRE-PAY!!! Amazing.

[Rowdy]

I've seen a lot of threads lately about pressure. What is pressure as it applies to you? Pressure is simply anything that you THINK is outside of your personal comfort zone. That's it. Nothing more,nothing less. Someone driving on snow for the first time,they feel pressure. All you guy's Up North are going,"So what? Snow is no big deal." Ah,it's in your comfort zone.

Now,let's go out on the lanes. You're rolling last on your team. It's the 10th and you need three strikes to take it all. The season,first place,money,fame,all of it. Pressure? Nope. You HAVE thrown three in a row before,right? We all have. You're not in a league,you're just practicing all by your lonesome. There's no one there but you. You're in your comfort zone. Now,roll those strikes. Easy,wasn't it? And you were getting upset over nothing.

Self inflicted pressure is harder to overcome. It eats at you. Constantly. I'm one of the biggest perfectionist's going,yet I can turn it off when it's time to roll. Practice is the time for perfection,rolling for score is NOT. When I was a LOT younger,I was watching the studs of the house in a sweeper. I was sitting with my first coach. One of the guy's rolled a 300 that night,back when it would get you a big write-up in the paper. I remarked how he was perfect that game. Chuck gave me a sideways look and asked,"Perfect? No way. I saw five different strikes that game,didn't you?" I thought about it and agreed. The guy had some good pocket strikes,but some of the strikes had messenger pins,some got a good pin bounce off the sideboard and one was Brooklyn. So,perfect? No. But 12 strikes in a row. Now,when I practice and throw a "bad" strike,I just turn around and tell everyone that Brain Graham got me that one. The ball bailed me out. I know it and will freely admit it when it happens. I strive for the perfect shot in practice,but when it's time to roll for score,I'll take what I've got in those few practice balls and figure out HOW to score with what I have right there and then.

You have to THINK you're way to a score,every frame is an evaluation of your game at that point. You'll find that you are so busy thinking about what to do to score that nothing else can crowd it's way into your head. I have to be constantly reminded that it's the 10th frame,keep bowling. Get one guy to just say that to you,"Hey Dude,it's the 10th.". Nothing more. Not,"We gotta have three.", or any of that other crap you don't need to hear. What,they think you're trying for spares? Of course you're gonna try to shoot lights out,no matter what the score is. Remember Michael Haugen against Chris Barnes. Yeah,Mike could have packed it in early,but he got up there and tried to make a game out of it. Yes,Barnes gagged,but if Haugen hadn't kept on chuckin' there would have been no one there to catch Barnes.

I've always been a huge fan of visualization. Close your eyes and pack on the pressure in practice. "I need three to win the US Open" sounds corny,but it works. I never end my practice until I reel off three good strikes. Always end on a positive note. And then when you DO need three,you've already done it. You're in your comfort zone. Go get 'em.

[Rowdy]

Why does it seem that common sense is optional,but rampant stupidity is standard issue? I've seen a rash of threads that leave me shaking my head in amazement. "I throw the ball a gazillion miles per hour,why don't it hook?" "I gave the driller all of three whole minutes of my valuable time. Why is the ball a piece of crap?" "My other ball hooks on this line,why doesn't this one?" "I know next to nothing about my game,which ball will make me a PBA Pro,even though I can't break 100?" "I fell off a turnip truck. Which ball should I buy?"

As Ron Simmons says....DAMN!!!! I used to bang my forehead on the desk when I would see these posts. But the desk and my forehead complained about all the noise.

When,and more importantly,WHY have we become the internet dumping ground for these Brunswick rejects? Most of the answers to these questions are common sense. You throw too fast. Well,slow down comes to mind. The ball isn't a piece of crap. You suck. And on and on.

How come these guys can't,or won't,figure it out for themselves? They post with no thought as to wether or not their particular problem may have already been discussed to death by us. There IS a search function on here,after all.

Does it have something to do with being just plain lazy? As a Junior bowler my pals and I took pride in figuring something out for ourselves. Who could find revs? Who could figure out the outside line? Speed,spares,strikes,armswing, all of it. Now it seems like these guys want someone else to do all the heavy lifting for them. Where's the sense of accomplishment?

[BubbaRay]

I don't think they can't figure it out. And in my opinion just because you ask for help because your speed it too fast, your release it not right , or your arm swing is not loose.

When I get in trouble and into a slump I know I am doing something but just can't figure it out. Do I suck? NO Am I stupid? NO . I look for help from a coach also. Does this also mean the PBA guy's should not have someone that know's their game help them and offer advice about a certain ball? Everyone needs help at one time or another and we all know that. NO one is PErfect. No one.

We are not an internet dumping ground for other companies people. This is a place we all come to find help and advice. I shke my head in amazement also lately with all the posts that have nothing to do with Help and advice. This is why we are here for God's sake. At least I am .

Let's all try and do that job and it will be a beter place .

[Rowdy]

No,I don't mean the price of all those entry fee's. I mean a victim of competitive disadvantage. For those of you who don't know,this time around in New Mexico a great social experiment will take place. All the lanes will have an honest to God sport shot laid down.

Where's the disadvantage in that,you say. Well kiddo,not everyone has access to a league with a sport shot. It's not mandatory for a house to have a sport league. While there are parts of the country with forward thinking houses,there are also many backwater houses that flat refuse to lay the patterns down. There's your disadvantage. The haves and have nots.

And the have nots will plunk down their hard earned cash,make hotel reservations,spend more money...and get their collective asses handed to them on the lanes. They won't have a clue on how to roll on those lanes. Balls won't hook. Then the next day they'll hook too much. The bowler will leave with a bad taste in his/her mouth.

The USBC won't have a clue,as usual. They'll make some big announcement after the Open is over,"Look,scores are down. Sport bowling is working. Hooray for us,we're off to Texas.". Then when it comes time for the Open in Vegas,these people who got snookered in New Mexico will remember what a lousy time they had on the lanes.

Think they'll go through that again? Norman Chad may have the high game in Vegas if the USBC doesn't change the Rules and make leagues stop laying a house shot down.

Oh,stop it. I know some ego's will be hurt at first. So what? How many guys will REALLY get cheesed enough to quit bowling? The number will be so small you won't even notice they're gone. Guys who have given up on house shot leagues will come back in droves for the competition. The way it is now,it's like the tail wagging the dog. Most of these "Ego guys" are a pain in the ass anyway. Good riddance to them if they feel that way.

It's high time to bite the bullet and make the sport shot the league standard. And for the USBC to step up lane enforcement and hold a house's feet to the fire by ensuring that we get something other than a moving bill for our dues. If the USBC could manage to do this one itty-bitty thing,I may even forgive them for moving to Texas. Maybe.

[Sparehater]

OMG rowdy, most people can't shoot on the nationals pattern anyway. And u can tell if u threw a good shot on the house shot. Just look if u hit your mark. Is it really that hard, maybe even track what board u hit exactly. U can tell if u threw the same speed and with the same release. Most people to nationals to have fun.

[Stampy79]

Well, I happen to agree with Rowdy on this one. I do think they are doing this on this occassion because most people will still come and try it and besides, they havent officially posted that it will be a real Sport shot yet. (although we know it will) So most wont even know. Then even if people get mad they will still come next year because its in Vegas ! Then of course everyone comes to Reno and , then by chance do you think they planned the next one in Orlando,hell no, they want it where its always warm and the old folks like it. Thats prolly why they are moving to Texas too. The USBC will prolly never be in the northern states again. Well, I am all for an outlaw association myself. I really hate the USBC but its a vacation where its ok with the wife that I bowl !

[Rowdy]

OMG rowdy, most people can't shoot on the nationals pattern anyway. And u can tell if u threw a good shot on the house shot. Just look if u hit your mark. Is it really that hard, maybe even track what board u hit exactly. U can tell if u threw the same speed and with the same release. Most people to nationals to have fun.

Really? Then who were all those people throwing all those scores last year? And cashing checks? Well?

[idlehourlegend]

OMG rowdy, most people can't shoot on the nationals pattern anyway. And u can tell if u threw a good shot on the house shot. Just look if u hit your mark. Is it really that hard, maybe even track what board u hit exactly. U can tell if u threw the same speed and with the same release. Most people to nationals to have fun.

Yea a lot of people do that, but I know if I went I would want to bring a nice check home, thats what I call fun.:D

[Sparehater]

And u need a sport shot to become accurate? i dont think so. And if u expect to score well, u think somebody's going to go with just 2 balls like some of the people are. I dont think so. If u expect to cash and want to do well, u really shouldn't be worrying about if its gonna hook or not because u have a pretty decent arsenal to combat different things.

[Rowdy]

And u need a sport shot to become accurate? i dont think so. And if u expect to score well, u think somebody's going to go with just 2 balls like some of the people are. I dont think so. If u expect to cash and want to do well, u really shouldn't be worrying about if its gonna hook or not because u have a pretty decent arsenal to combat different things.

If that's really your opinion,you missed the entire point of what I wrote.

[hbhammerhead]

all i can say is that i would love to throw on a sport shot. i'm hear to get better and i'm sure as hell not going to see a house shot later on down the road. thumbs up to making a sport shot mandatory for league. we here to have fun and get better. throwing on a house shot and then going to compete on a sport shot is just dumb. you should expect to loose horribly if you haven't practiced on that shot. i know i would. it's not about hooking that much either it's about how the shot plays. no experience = no fun.

[Rowdy]

Some of you have recently bought new high performance balls. Good for you. Some of you own high performance balls. Good for you,too.

Unfortuatly,you'll never score with them. Define "score" you say? Glad to. Anything over 220,day in and day out.

But, WHY won't you score with this zippity doo-dah ball? Because you have no imagination,that's why. It's inconceivable to you to move on the approach. If the old ball worked on this line,well by God the new one should too. The old ball hooked at 18mph,so why should I change my ball speed?

The Marines have a saying, "Improvise,Adapt,Overcome." Nothing is out of bounds for these guys, everything is possible until proven otherwise. That's the attitude that seperates the guys who score from the guys who don't.

Just like the Marine who doesn't expect the same result from an M-16 as he does a TOW missle,the guy who can score understands that different balls need different lines and ball speed to work properly. I wouldn't dream of throwing my NMB the same way I throw either one of my BWS's. Different cores,different coverstocks,different drills. Therefore,different shots.

Now,each ball has what I call The Money Shot. The one speed,line and revs that are money in the bank. Easily thrown under pressure,time after time. But each ball also has a Plan B. A completly different line and speed that will still get the ball to the pocket. Plan B for me usually consist's of moving inside and slowing the ball down some.

Too many times I'll be rolling in a tournament and see a guy struggling. Suggest he move inside,throw to the outside and slow down the ball. I might as well have told him to go outside and talk to the Martians that just landed in the parking lot. They have no clue what to do if their main shot doesn't work. No way to score.

Some of the old lessons seem to have fallen by the wayside. It was taught to me way back when,"You can shoot 200 by rolling straight up the 10? Great. Now do it down the middle." See? Go learn a Plan B was the lesson. I had guy on a league team who was rolling a ball that was finishing Brooklyn. A suggestion that he throw the ball the same way,but ANGLE the shot so the ball went in a straight line but towards the right channel,then hooked back into the pocket,turned a 150 bowler into a 210 rolling machine. The next week his "Straight up the 10" shot worked,but now he had a Plan B to fall back on. I belive his awards at the end of the year had "Most Improved Bowler" and "Most Improved Average" on them.

There is also the fact that the majority of league bowlers don't do anything before a league except throw the few balls allowed in warmup. That's what, 7 or 8 balls to figure out the shot on TWO lanes??? Please. That won't cut it.

Just about every house I've rolled in oils up a pair of "buffer" lanes. An empty pair on the end of the league lanes,to give some space between the league and open bowlers. Show up early and pay to roll a couple of games on that pair. That'll give you at least 12 and as many as 21 shots to get dialed in,per lane. Don't shoot spares. Your only thought is strike balls. Try different lines, different speeds. NOW,you're ready to score when the league starts. Sure,you may have to fine tune your shot a little bit when you change lanes,but you'll be a lot closer than the guys who came in cold.

Remember, "Improvise,Adapt,Overcome." Hey,if it's good enough for The Marines,it's good enough for us.

[can-ham]

Rowdy that last post is complete and utter bull! I just need to call you on it. Put a rubber ball in your bag then you can complain

I'm newish to bowling (5 years) I know you and many others have more experience. But I'm a student of the game. I model my game after Chris Barnes as he is so freaking versatile it's impressive. When I roll I don't try to hook the lanes I fined the line that gets me the best entry angle. I take my high performance ball and can play up the 5 arrow or rock it out from 30 to 8 and back to the pocket. It all depends on the condition and lane types. Yes some balls play different lines better than others but in my league (modified house shot, sportish) I will move my feet about 15 to 20 boards over the 4 games. Yes there is a buy a strike aspect out there and many coaches admit you can pick a ball, lay out and cover to allow you to keep your same "comfort line". The sport is evolving and yes there is better equipment that allows bowlers to get lazy on their moving. But this is evolution in any sport, shape skis in skiing, urethane wheels in skateboarding, Drivers with a freaking pumpkin head in golf.

It's technology brother keep up. But to put up a general blanket and don't move with your high tech balls is complete crap.

[Stampy79]

Well Can Ham, 5 years huh ! Oooooh ! You would not have a clue on an old laquer shot with a rubber ball I guarentee it. Barnes is a good bowler for sure, But he is not near the most versatile player out there. You ever hear of a guy named Weber or Duke. Now those are two guys to model a game after. Rowdy has some very valid points here. I get a huge thrill watching the kids nowdays cranking the daylights out a ball and just killing the pocket, but what is more fun for me is to watch those same guys when they cant carry or the house changes the shot by 1 foot in length and they dont have a clue how to get the ball to the hole. I think what Rowdy is really saying is that the house shot has ruined many a great bowler to be. This is why "Rolling with Rowdy" got started remember !

[Rowdy]

Thank you,Stampy. You understood my point.

Can,I HAVE owned many a rubber ball. I'd pay cash money to watch anyone under 35 years old try and roll one of those old balls. You guys would roll it for half a game and stomp off crying.

Where do you get off saying that I said not to move with H/P balls? What the hell did you think the whole point of what I wrote was? Improvise, ADAPT, Overcome???? Adapt. Move. Change.

Just so YOU know, I started off with a rubber ball, moved to the urethane and on to the balls we have now.

I also had the first urethane wheels seen in my neighborhood on my skateboard. My friends said it would never last.

And lastly,Barnes is sooooo versitile,he figured out a new way to whiff on a single pin spare for the dough.

[idlehourlegend]

I agree with Rowdy, that was very well written. The keys to this game is not having 50 different balls so you dont have to move, the point and fun of this game is moving around and playing different parts of the lane and learning how to adjust, I see a lot of the younger kids trying to play the same line no matter when or where they go to bowl and its really sad to watch the kid go and struggle, but when I go over and tell them to move I get a pouty face like Im there age and I dont know any more than they do, so while Im on the lane next to them throwing 220's these kids are puting to there parents that the "ball" is drilled wrong and that "the ball" isnt reacting right.

[blistershurt]

hahah...Rowdy that's great...I have a teammate of mine who brings 9 balls to the lane and he never rolls good because he constantly wants to switch balls instead of adjust. I'd rather throw an old rubber or urethane (I have thrown rubber before) than switch between a billion balls.

[pipes]

Thats what I had to do Sunday night at that sweeper Rowdy ! I had to move inside and change speeds . I saw it real quick in practice and made the move . IMHO its the only reason I was able to hold in there as well as I did having never shot a sport shot befor I had to move spots change speeds and adapt. And changing pairs of lanes each game was making it ruff but being able to adapt I never made the cut but I didn't look like a fool IMO out there either .

I was taught by a old guy a LONG time ago from my kids league back in the 60's never fall in love with one spot or anything to take what the lanes are giving you. I know he is long gone to bowlers heaven but I owe him a LOT . Even thou I had not bowled in many years until a few months ago. I never forgot the basics he taught me on those Saturdays after the regular league games. your above post is right on point . IMHO

pipes

[NeoWidow18]

Damn Rowdy hit it on the head this time. This is the reason I was the best youth bowler last year before I moved up. I was the only one who would move their feet. All the other guys just wanted to say in that confort zone. I dont care, Ill move if it means I get and advantage. Im confortable playing the outside, the inside, the track area, etc. It dont mater. Theres a really good article in US Bowler this issue (Spring 2008) Talks about playing diffrent angles.

[can-ham]

But, WHY won't you score with this zippity doo-dah ball? Because you have no imagination,that's why. It's inconceivable to you to move on the approach. If the old ball worked on this line,well by God the new one should too. The old ball hooked at 18mph,so why should I change my ball speed?


The point is who are you talking to? I take offense because (I like every one who is supporting you, agree and I do move my feet) I agree you need to move your feet and try other lines. (hell I was practicing the 1 board last night after league) I also think 90% of the people who read these forums are real blowers that do move their feet so who the fack are you speaking down to?

Stampy Yes I'm a big fan of Duke and Pete (and Dick). If you want to say whooo he's only been bowling for 5 years, well heaven forbid there is new blood and people attracted to bowling. This is a dying sport and no offense but when I was a youth while the youth bowers where bowling I was outside riding my skateboard, playing soccer and basketball and dating girls. I'm not a typical fat fack that you do see in most bowling allys. I started bowling as my "old man" sport because I hate golf. Bowling is a blast and I really enjoy the technical aspect of it. I know I have allot to learn, but I go out of my way to challenge myself. I drive 45min each way to league and bowl on Monday night because they run a classed scratch league on a harder shot. This is the hardest shot they put out in the area and the best bowers come out for it. Their is a way easier house only 20 min away but I choose the go the distance for the challenge. I have huge respect for any bowler (young or old) that can pick up all their spares and move around.

Fact is the technology isn't going to revert. I've been lobbying for a PBA experience league but was told by my league president and Pro Shop guy that all the local bowlers egos won't support it. These are the past youth bowlers, the same guys that are crying when the shot is tough. Yes I'm newish to bowling, but I get it, and I want the challenge.

I have a lot of respect for Rowdy. And at times you need to call him on it.

[NeoWidow18]

IMHO Can-ham, this is his rant topic. Bubba Ray choose to keep this open so he wouldnt go all over the board and rant. If you dont like whats being said in his topic then thats to bad. Go post some where else.

[BubbaRay]

Why oh Why does it always revert to this.

[NeoWidow18]

Why oh Why does it always revert to this.

Because some people just cant let stuff go. They ahve to voice there stupidty.

[BubbaRay]

I was just making a staement out of disgust. The one thing that bothers me the most is the name calling. If any one wants to call some one out on something do it, but apologize for the name calling. It's not needed and I will delete it when I see it. And it is not censorship neither

[NeoWidow18]

I was just making a staement out of disgust. The one thing that bothers me the most is the name calling. If any one wants to call some one out on something do it, but apologize for the name calling. It's not needed and I will delete it when I see it.

Oh sorry. It wasnt diretcted at anyone. but I will apologize.

[BubbaRay]

No No Neo, Not you. It was Can calling Rowdy and ass. I meant he coulod call him out on something but no name calling. No one deserves it.

No need to apologize Neo

[can-ham]

Rowdy I'm sorry for calling you an ass. I know I can be an ass and I don't take offense when someone calls me on it, but yes Bubba I do apologize for the name calling.

[BubbaRay]

I never said you didn't. Can, nothing against you. Anyone can call someone else outon something, I just ask not do any name calling. We all can be an ass now and then in our own way. Any yes, even myself

[NeoWidow18]

No No Neo, Not you. It was Can calling Rowdy and ass. I meant he coulod call him out on something but no name calling. No one deserves it.

No need to apologize Neo

Oh ok. I wasnt sure who you where referring to.

[can-ham]

Barnes is a good bowler for sure, But he is not near the most versatile player out there. You ever hear of a guy named Weber or Duke. Now those are two guys to model a game after.

It's easier this year to follow Barnes as he's on T.V. almost every week. Haven't seen Duke yet and only saw Pete once. I also enjoyed watching Brian Voss, before he retired...

[can-ham]

Hey Rowdy, after rereading your original post I completely missed your point the first time. Seriously I apologize to you, bubba and all for the dramma.

[hbhammerhead]

great way to start out a new year...GEEZ! :eek:

[Stampy79]

Well now I take offense. I am not a fat person at all and I am a typical bowler. That is why the sport is struggling also. There are people out there who stereotype bowlers just like other sports or anything else. Can Hamburger, I dont know where you live but I will take you on on any shot with any equiptment you want anywhere at anytime and you still wont have a clue what happened even when its over ! Most of the posts in here are just "in general" so I figure it applies to anyone who takes offense to it or the way it was written ! SO basically if the shoe fits , wear it! I am done

[xGatez]

If most bowlers arnt fat how come every shirt i see on ebay is 2XL. :rolleyes:

[BubbaRay]

Ok we are not going to go off topic again and start something about Bowlers being fat or not. It's stops here or I'll stop it.

[can-ham]

Well now I take offense. I am not a fat person at all and I am a typical bowler. That is why the sport is struggling also. There are people out there who stereotype bowlers just like other sports or anything else. Can Hamburger, I dont know where you live but I will take you on on any shot with any equiptment you want anywhere at anytime and you still wont have a clue what happened even when its over ! Most of the posts in here are just "in general" so I figure it applies to anyone who takes offense to it or the way it was written ! SO basically if the shoe fits , wear it! I am done

Hey Stumpy this was not meant to offend you or any one, just an observation. I've never claimed to be better than anyone and I'm not trying to prove anything. That being said I actually would enjoy rolling with you and Rowdy, I know it would be fun and I would probably learn something...

http://worldpeace.org.au/images/stickerPeaceNowww.jpg

[TenPinSniper]

Bubba I say lock this thread, if Rowdy wants to start a new thread that cool. But his one has went to crap in my opinion.

You know something the problem whining started way before I got into bowling 10 years ago.

From what I have gathered and witnessed, it started long before I or Can-Ham started bowling. Personally I feel it started probably late 70's and got to this position by the 80's, now some of the new bowlers are following the lead. I'll admit, even thought I've consider myself a bowler, we all have probably moaned when we a trouble on shot, but I've learned more on tough shots. I think most people here know, that I'm a big advocate of Sport Bowling, it is for every bowler no matter what level.

Sport Bowling is good for everyone at all levels, because it will help determine things that need to be adjusted in each of games. Because we all need it.

My alley got a new lane machine, I disliked some of patterns they tried, but it was cool to see variation of easy shots. But, what got me excited was this newer lane machine is capable of PBA and/or Sport Shots. So, whatever happens with the house shot is cool. I'll learned to shot the new house pattern, but I hope to be there when they run a Sport League this Summer.

I remember some article talking about adjust of modern game being bigger than the old, or that they could be very rewarding... these articles came from American Bowler (Old ABC Bowling Magazine).

[xGatez]

You know this is the only forum i go to that drama isnt allowed to happen. Its crazy to think that people are not allowed to be passionate.

[idlehourlegend]

You know this is the only forum i go to that drama isnt allowed to happen. Its crazy to think that people are not allowed to be passionate.

Why would you actually want drama? Theres enough in life already I dont see why there should be any on here, we are here to help people and learn and have some fun doing it, but not start stuff with each other thats just childish.

[TenPinSniper]

One of the better I go read alot is big on not thread crapping. (Taking thread to far off topic.) You can own someone, but everyone is pretty good about letting things go over there. For the most part, just let it go.

Whether this thread dies or lives on, this bickering needs to be let go... it seems there is alot of I know more than you or better than crap recently.

We all need united and let the USBC know our feelings on things... like Honor Awards. How much more will they take from us.

They already cut it down to one per season.

[xGatez]

Please, if anyone takes the internet seriously they shouldnt be on it.

Besides you maybe know alot about bowling but you are only 16, i think when it comes to life you still have quite a bit to learn.

[idlehourlegend]

Please, if anyone takes the internet seriously they shouldnt be on it.

Besides you maybe know alot about bowling but you are only 16, i think when it comes to life you still have quite a bit to learn.

I could get mad about that, but then I look at the bottom of your sig, Im done with this subject, not getting anymore involved, wash my hands with this thread, I had an opinion and then I get told Im immature, believe me Im really mature for my age, Im done with this thread say whatever you want cause Im not looking at it.

[xGatez]

making fun of my bowling scores is really mature.

Besides you have been bowling for what 13 years?

I have been bowling for almost a year.

gee i wonder why you are better than me. :rolleyes:

[BubbaRay]

Ok I have had enough


THREAD CLOSED


Rowdy, start a new Rollin with Rowdy Thread