246, 247, 186  Gamebreaker

Week 2 of Chameleon.  Welll...I was completely lost in practice.  Tried to continue with the same line I was playing last week...not any luck at all.  Ball was not reacting at all on that part of the lane.  Noticed another bowler with a similar roll to me was having better luck getting to the pocket going much straighter down 5.  Was able to try a final ball in practice ...that seemed to be where I needed to be.  Pretty much in the pocket all night going straight up 5.  Last game leaked a few shots too far right and payed the price.  All in all felt pretty good.

Team-wise, all four of us seem to be happy with this pattern...winning 22 of 25 match points two weeks running.

188, 184, 192 - MoRich Shock & Awe; Gamebreaker

Well, Seems like I took other step backwards on Monday.   Started off with the MoRich thinking that the earlier roll I get with that ball would give me a little better forward roll into the pocket.  Problem was this was getting me a little too high into the pocket.  Many 4 pins, a 4-6 split, not a double to be found in game 1.  Switched to the Gamebreaker mid game 2 and seemed like I had a better reaction...but the left lane was hooking out the door...not able to stay off the headpin on the left lane...so games 2 and 3 were pretty much mirrors of game 1...Nice and consistent...just not very good.  Maybe next week I'll give the SmashZone a try.

209, 257, 266 Gamebreaker

Third quarter of the league started tonight, Chameleon pattern. I have had very mixed results on our first two patterns, Shark and Cheetah, and our team is smack dab in the middle of the league overall standings. I have had pretty good luck winning macth points but my scores have not been anything to write about (194 ave).

I was able to play the Chameleon using my A-game, pretty much 12 out to 7, and was able to consistently get to the pocket. First game I didn't carry a strike on the left lane until mid game...was able to eek out a 209. Game 2 and 3 were much better carry (just a small speed adjustment) and went 257 and 266. Game 3 had the front 8 and got a bit firm with the speed...ball just didn't finish and I left the 5-7. Failed to cover and punched out..oh well.

Hopefully this pattern will allow me to continue to be successful playing my A-game. Time will tell. More later...

Solid night. 209, 213, 240. Gamebreaker.

Had a little trouble with my carry the first two games, but I was right in the pocket...so I stuck with it. Game 3 the lanes came around to me and I got a little more carry. I need to see about trying a different ball for maybe the first game and a half or so...maybe next week.

Well....just got back from nationals in Reno.  As always, a challenging shot.  As is my usual m.o. at this event I have moments of success, followed almost immediately by moments of failure.  I actually held it together and had a couple of pretty nice 200+ games.  I didn't throw a split until my third game of doubles (5+ games in...I was happy with that).  Since I was struggling to throw strikes consistently spares were the key...unfortunately I did not execute particularly well in this aspect...every missed spare (with the exception of my split) in teams & doubles was completely makable and normally what I would consider routine.  I think I left (and missed) more 4 pins in that 6 game block than last fall season.  Singles, however, I ended up experiencing too much over/under with my pearlized equip, but was not getting enough reaction using my solid/particle stuff...no luck carrying at all along with the splits & washouts lead to a completely dissatisfying set.  Time to start looking forward to next year....