Post by Zoo Master on Oct 23, 2003 11:46:18 GMT -5
SCENARIO #1:
NOVEMBER 18, 1964. A scratch bowler in Milwaukee steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the city. He has the first 9. Every other bowler in the building stops and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent.
He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he’s thrown for 4 years. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt. He’s only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a row and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don’t know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration.
He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot – a little too fast – but the ball catches a piece of the headpin and he carries a wall shot. 300!! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor calls the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can’t wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife.
SCENARIO #2:
NOVEMBER 18, 1997. A scratch bowler in Dallas steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 228, he is 15th on the average list for his league. He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 57-58, realizes he is about to shoot 300. The bumper bowling party taking place 6 lanes to his right continues to make a ruckus.
He picks up the Quantum he bought 3 days ago. He has 7 more balls with him. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his "No Fear" T-shirt, not because he’s nervous, but because the air conditioner isn’t working. He’s attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, saying he should try to shoot the first 292 in ABC history.
He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot –too fast and 3 boards left of his target– but the ball slides in the puddle and rips the rack, the headpin flying across the deck and clubbing the 10. 300!! His teammates laugh and tell him he has no guts. The young lady at the desk calls the ABC and gets their answering machine. They’ll be out to check the lanes in a few weeks. She puts a group of open bowlers on lanes 57 and 58. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in their seats.
He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $40.00. He doesn’t even want his ABC ring.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE FOUNDATION?
Your membership dollars will fund research into lane conditioning. Research that will lead to better lane maintenance products and methods that we can then share with proprietors. The end result? Better, fairer, more consistent and more logical lane conditions for your league. Bowlers getting recognized for good performances, instead of everyone walking around and saying, "oh he just did that because the lanes were walled for him."
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Stop bitching about lanes. Encourage your teammates and league members to do the same.
Learn how to appreciate the art of playing lanes. There are 7 arrows on the lane, not 1!
Watch David Ozio, Brian Voss, Parker Bohn III, Tammy Turner, Aleta Sill, or Kim Canady the next time they are on TV. Really observe their fluid, flawless, athletic styles. Then go and get yourself videotaped while bowling. Watch your tape. Do you really think you’re good enough to be averaging 220? 200?
NOVEMBER 18, 1964. A scratch bowler in Milwaukee steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the city. He has the first 9. Every other bowler in the building stops and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent.
He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he’s thrown for 4 years. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt. He’s only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a row and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don’t know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration.
He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot – a little too fast – but the ball catches a piece of the headpin and he carries a wall shot. 300!! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor calls the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can’t wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife.
SCENARIO #2:
NOVEMBER 18, 1997. A scratch bowler in Dallas steps onto the approach. Currently averaging 228, he is 15th on the average list for his league. He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 57-58, realizes he is about to shoot 300. The bumper bowling party taking place 6 lanes to his right continues to make a ruckus.
He picks up the Quantum he bought 3 days ago. He has 7 more balls with him. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his "No Fear" T-shirt, not because he’s nervous, but because the air conditioner isn’t working. He’s attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, saying he should try to shoot the first 292 in ABC history.
He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot –too fast and 3 boards left of his target– but the ball slides in the puddle and rips the rack, the headpin flying across the deck and clubbing the 10. 300!! His teammates laugh and tell him he has no guts. The young lady at the desk calls the ABC and gets their answering machine. They’ll be out to check the lanes in a few weeks. She puts a group of open bowlers on lanes 57 and 58. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in their seats.
He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $40.00. He doesn’t even want his ABC ring.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE FOUNDATION?
Your membership dollars will fund research into lane conditioning. Research that will lead to better lane maintenance products and methods that we can then share with proprietors. The end result? Better, fairer, more consistent and more logical lane conditions for your league. Bowlers getting recognized for good performances, instead of everyone walking around and saying, "oh he just did that because the lanes were walled for him."
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Stop bitching about lanes. Encourage your teammates and league members to do the same.
Learn how to appreciate the art of playing lanes. There are 7 arrows on the lane, not 1!
Watch David Ozio, Brian Voss, Parker Bohn III, Tammy Turner, Aleta Sill, or Kim Canady the next time they are on TV. Really observe their fluid, flawless, athletic styles. Then go and get yourself videotaped while bowling. Watch your tape. Do you really think you’re good enough to be averaging 220? 200?
