So, we're 3 weeks into the new season and I must say what a difference a season makes.

 After having a somewhat successful season, but still below expectations, the team decided to make a move.  Instead of bowling at the local Eagles building, we found out that the Carlisle Barracks was accepting teams for their Tuesday/Wednesday league.  It's a little more expensive than bowling at the Eagles, but the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

First off, no smoking.  That means we don't leave the place smelling like we bowled in an ashtray the whole evening.  Also my contacts don't bother me and I feel much better at the end of the night.  Second, the lanes are MUCH MUCH better.  I expect a challenging shot from a center, but not one where the lane changes mid-way through the game and you're left wondering what to do from one week to the next.  It would be different had that been a choice of management, but I think that could be chalked up to the lack of experience or good equipment at the Eagles.  Here at the Barracks, it seems the equipment is well-maintained and so are the lanes.  Third, the attitude of the bowlers seems to be different.  A lot of that can be attributed to the lane conditions, I'm sure, but it's nice to walk into an environment that doesn't seem to be hostile.  Everyone is there to bowl well and to have fun.

I missed the first week of the season because my wife, some friends, and I were on vacation (Disney World), but I came into the second week with no expectations and hopes that I would do well to start.  The league is based on points, not games won, which is different for me, but brings its own challenges.  Before if I had a bad game, I knew I could count on my teammates to pull us through.  Now with a head-to-head matchup with a person on the opposing team, I find myself trying harder than ever before.  The league also adopted a rule for this year that sets a person's average for the first 4 weeks they bowl as their highest average from the previous year.  Apparently sandbaggers have caused some past issues, but this should help things along.  Luckily for me, even my best average last year wasn't too good, so I can get some handicap.  I must admit, though, I'm starting off the season well.  A 570-something series, followed by a 630-something series the next week has given me some confidence that things are looking up this season.

What do I expect out of this season?  First off, I'm hoping to get my first 700 scratch series ever.  Considering that I've been bowling since 1990, I was hoping I would have had it by now, but not so.  I jokingly told my best friend Brad, who is on the team, that if I didn't get it this year, that I was done.  Jokingly may turn into seriously if it really doesn't happen.  Next, given the start for our team, I'd like to see us win another championship.  It's been about 3-4 years since we won our last championship and we've been hungry for one ever since.  Plus I've been promising a trophy for my workplace, our sponsor, for the last 3 years now and haven't been able to deliver.  I'd just like to justify their donation to the team for once!

Well, I hope to update this more often as the season progresses, just in case anyone would be interested.  I also hope to hear from some of you here on Bowlspace about how your leagues are going.  Good luck to all of you and I hope to hear from some of you soon!

Take care,

"The Enforcer"

I'm going to ask you all a question that you probably have asked yourselves at one time or another.  Hopefully if you're still reading it, you found the answer to the question and might be able to help me out...

 "What am I doing wrong???"

I've been bowling since I was 10 years old, which was in 1990.  I've seen some high points and I've seen some low points, but never as low as what I feel they are right now.  Sure my team in the Eagles' Mens' league is currently sitting in a solid 3rd place right now after clawing back from a dismal basement-dwelling position, but I'd like to feel like I'm helping the cause a little.

I've always been a good 180-190 average bowler, which I consider to be somewhat decent in the grand scheme of things.  I've never had a 700 series, but I've been very close, close enough to smell it and want more.  For some reason, though, I've taken a backslide this year.  I've dropped to a low-to-mid 170 average and I can't hardly see 600 most nights.  It's been a struggle this year just to keep up average some nights.  Sure the bowling alley is under new management, I'm sure they don't have the best equipment (we're only a 10 lane facility), and everyone had their share of problems at the beginning of the season while management was adjusting, but those guys seem to have settled in by now.  That leaves good old me behind to sweep up after the elephants.

I'm using a Ebonite TPC Shooter, 16 lbs, on wood lanes that have a moderate amount of oil on them most nights.  After about a game to a game & a half, the lanes start to dry out considerably and adjustment is necessary.  I make the necessary adjustments, I roll the ball the way I have my 1st game that turned out well, and perhaps out of some mental block, I don't do as well.  I try to correct my problems one at a time, but it seems like the more I try to correct, the more goes wrong.  I pull the ball, I roll the ball too hard, I get too fast with my feet...it's always something.

I guess what I'm hoping to see is what everyone else does to overcome these issues.  I'm also looking for someone to tell me that maybe I'm just having a bad season and that I'll be back on the horse next season, if not soon here at the end of this season.  Anyone out there?  Let me know what you think.  I appreciate the feedback.