Close...but no cigar

[elzercat]

So...My son's new ball finally showed up (after 6 weeks...yes 6 weeks...don't get me started on that)..an 8lb Ebonite Maxim. He was sooooo excited. So I took him to our local lanes...since they were close and we were only going to bowl 2 games. I have been experimenting with the Venom and the Bite lately. I have been more of an continuous arcing type of guy. I have been having a heck of a time at my normal lanes with these balls. So much that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep them.

That was until I threw a 299 in my second game...silly 7-pin! :p I'm right-handed...everything seemed good. The ball may have gone out about a board further and came in ever so slightly lighter than the other 11. It was still a good pocket shot...but not good enough.

Well...now my opinion has been changed. When my son and I went to the lanes...I decided...I'll take the Venom and Bite...to see what they do outside my normal house. The local lanes are natural wood. Boy...did I get a different look out of these balls. The lanes were a little too much for the Venom, so I went to the Bite. The first game was a respectable 222. Both games, I was standing about 20, throwing 15 out to 5 or so. The Bite just looked so much better than it does at my normal house. Where I usually bowl...both the Venom and Bite really jump and are speed sensitive.

So...throwing a 299 with the Bite...it's earned its permanent spot in the arsenal as well as its buddy the Venom. May not work at my lanes...but come tournament time, I will feel more confident if I want to switch to the Bite or the Venom.

Oh...sorry! My son loves his new ball.:D Funny...he says it feels weird. I said...that's because it fits your hand. It's not a house ball that I tape up for you. LOL It took a little getting use to, but he adjust and started throwing it well. He's ready for his league tomorrow morning.

[VmsTopGun]

So...My son's new ball finally showed up (after 6 weeks...yes 6 weeks...don't get me started on that)..an 8lb Ebonite Maxim. He was sooooo excited. So I took him to our local lanes...since they were close and we were only going to bowl 2 games. I have been experimenting with the Venom and the Bite lately. I have been more of an continuous arcing type of guy. I have been having a heck of a time at my normal lanes with these balls. So much that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep them.

That was until I threw a 299 in my second game...silly 7-pin! :p I'm right-handed...everything seemed good. The ball may have gone out about a board further and came in ever so slightly lighter than the other 11. It was still a good pocket shot...but not good enough.

Well...now my opinion has been changed. When my son and I went to the lanes...I decided...I'll take the Venom and Bite...to see what they do outside my normal house. The local lanes are natural wood. Boy...did I get a different look out of these balls. The lanes were a little too much for the Venom, so I went to the Bite. The first game was a respectable 222. Both games, I was standing about 20, throwing 15 out to 5 or so. The Bite just looked so much better than it does at my normal house. Where I usually bowl...both the Venom and Bite really jump and are speed sensitive.

So...throwing a 299 with the Bite...it's earned its permanent spot in the arsenal as well as its buddy the Venom. May not work at my lanes...but come tournament time, I will feel more confident if I want to switch to the Bite or the Venom.

Oh...sorry! My son loves his new ball.:D Funny...he says it feels weird. I said...that's because it fits your hand. It's not a house ball that I tape up for you. LOL It took a little getting use to, but he adjust and started throwing it well. He's ready for his league tomorrow morning.


if his league has any oil, you'll have to take that maxim down to 2000;)

[BubbaRay]

Congrats on the 299. WHEW!!!!!!!! you had me gong for minute that you weren't going to keep those two in your arsenal.

As for your son, I hope he enjoys his new ball and watch out. he has some incentive now to bowl. He's gunning for you watch out!

[elzercat]

Congrats on the 299. WHEW!!!!!!!! you had me gong for minute that you weren't going to keep those two in your arsenal.

As for your son, I hope he enjoys his new ball and watch out. he has some incentive now to bowl. He's gunning for you watch out!

Thanks. I should have known better than to base it primarily on my normal house...which has a bad rap for being one of the toughest houses to shoot in. This based on a lot of pocket shots that stone 7-10 spilts, 8-pins, 9-pins more than 10-pins. Guy that works there says a lot of our guys have success in tournaments...because they carry more. I am starting to wonder about that...because I threw my 300 and 299 in 2 different houses. :eek:

Yeah...I think he likes it. He already asks...when am I going to be bowling like you? I tell him...trust me...it won't be long before you are beating your old man. Later when we got home, he was showing his sister the ball. I was on the phone with my dad...I turned around and he was sitting on the recliner watching TV...holding his ball. :) Then as I put him to bed tonight...after the "Good night...Love you Dad." He said..."I can't wait for tomorrow morning."

[elzercat]

if his league has any oil, you'll have to take that maxim down to 2000;)

Now that's funny! :D He was eyeing up the Bite...but I think because he like the Widow on the ball.

[BubbaRay]

Thanks.
Yeah...I think he likes it. He already asks...when am I going to be bowling like you? I tell him...trust me...it won't be long before you are beating your old man. Later when we got home, he was showing his sister the ball. I was on the phone with my dad...I turned around and he was sitting on the recliner watching TV...holding his ball. :) Then as I put him to bed tonight...after the "Good night...Love you Dad." He said..."I can't wait for tomorrow morning."


Let us know how tomorow morning goes. He has the enthusiasim it sounds like.

[CAKING2001]

Glad you have decided to keep the balls. I have learned over time that no ball ever reacts the same way at two different houses. For some reason, I am even guility of this is thinking that just because the ball doesn't do well at my own house that it will not perform when out on tournaments. Just remember the ball can only do so much the rest is up to you the bowler.

Good job on the 299, now repeat it when the "lights" are on so to speak.

And that is awesome about your son, lets hope he staying with it and gives you a run for the money in a few years :).

[elzercat]

Let us know how tomorow morning goes. He has the enthusiasim it sounds like.

He's in a bumper league and is doing pretty well considering he just really started bowling this summer (meaning focusing on his game and listening to me coach him). He is averaging 110! Much higher than I anticipated at the start of the year. His highlight game week 2 when he threw a 123...his highest game. Then doesn't he follow it up with a 147! That game contained a legitimate turkey...three balls right over second arrow and into the pocket! I nearly fell out of my seat.

Yesterday with his new ball...he threw a 114 his first game...then an 88 his last game. That last game he did get ripped out of 2 spares that I thought he had, but the ball deflected. It's scary...his form is actually taking shape...and it's something he is developing himself...well for the most part. :) He has a consistent 5 step approach (unlike his old man's 4-step). He stays at the line and is following through. When he focuses on keeping his body square at the line...he throws decent shots.

[CAKING2001]

He's in a bumper league and is doing pretty well considering he just really started bowling this summer (meaning focusing on his game and listening to me coach him). He is averaging 110! Much higher than I anticipated at the start of the year. His highlight game week 2 when he threw a 123...his highest game. Then doesn't he follow it up with a 147! That game contained a legitimate turkey...three balls right over second arrow and into the pocket! I nearly fell out of my seat.

Yesterday with his new ball...he threw a 114 his first game...then an 88 his last game. That last game he did get ripped out of 2 spares that I thought he had, but the ball deflected. It's scary...his form is actually taking shape...and it's something he is developing himself...well for the most part. :) He has a consistent 5 step approach (unlike his old man's 4-step). He stays at the line and is following through. When he focuses on keeping his body square at the line...he throws decent shots.

That is the bad thing about those light balls the pins in some cases weigh more than the ball striking them. Don't worry about when that happens nothing you can do other than wait till he is old enough and big enough to throw a bigger ball.

Just wait by it will all get better and you sound like my dad. In the respect of you will get frustrated when we don't do what we should do, but when we are doing what we are your right there along with us, wishing and hoping that the shot goes the way that it should.

Just remember coach/dad he is still young and will still be a kid and want to play and horse around.

But again congrats on your boy,sounds like your gonna have a lot of tournament travel coming up in a few years with him.

[v.redmon]

That is great I like to hear about the youth taking the frist step and learning and with dad as his mentor that makes it that much better for both of you.

[elzercat]

Yes...it has been fun for both of us.

Interesting note....He has gotten more control of his ball...and I was starting to wonder if he was using the bumper as a crutch. So on Sunday..as usual...we went bowling. The kids bowled the first game with bumpers (92 for Nick and numerous bumps on the right hand side). My daughter only bowls one game. Nick wanted to bowl another one. But this time I told him...I am putting te bumpers down. His eyes widened! :eek:

So I told...now...focus on hitting that second arrow...don't through it in the gutter. He only threw 3 gutters all game (1 of which was on a 6-pin spare). He finished the game with a 108...his first legit 100 game. He even said that he was concentrating a little more because he didn't want any gutter balls.

[Old Scratch]

This is awesome, Elzer. None of my three kids have gotten into the game like their old man wishes they had. I encourage them to try and even bought balls for them, but they haven't stuck with it. I'm not going to push them if they aren't interested. Count yourself lucky that your son is excited about the game. Some of us are jealous... :o

[elzercat]

I try not to push him..he is 8 after all. I back off when I need to and "encourage" him when he needs it...but at the same time remind him...have fun..it is just a game after all.

[pkrplayer]

If anything, I hope he take the last bit of advice "have fun, it's just a game." When I am no longer having fun, I will hang it up.

It is great when you get your children started. My oldest and youngest both like to bowl. I was on a short season no-tap league with the oldest last year. The handicap system was 17 and under 7-pin no-tap, women 8-pin no-tap, and men 9-pin no-tap. The best night was when my son shot 254, 300, 300. It was fun to watch and see him get so excited about something at 17.