Sparing

Instead of my usual practice, I was a sub for someone in the adult league. I was looking forward to it so I could sort of redeem myself from Saturday's league results, or at least make me feel better about myself.

Well it worked. Ted had wanted me to try cupping my wrist all night long, but I just don't have the strength to do that, to throw a good ball over and over, so once we started our game I said enough with that. I then proceeded to throw a 196, 189, 179, 169. Ya the scores went down, but honestly I was throwing a better ball by each game. The oil was starting to break down by the end of the 3rd and by the 4th, I just didn't have enough time to make the right adjustments. I finally had it all in place by the 10th frame.. drat! At least I was above average, 183!

Once thing about the Monday league is that it's scratch. You have 3 bowlers on a team, labeled A, B & C. The best bowler is A and C is the worst. I was sparing for the B bowler. So each player is against, the other same labeled player on the other team. For example B bowls against B. Whoever wins gets 2 points for the win, same with the other players, and then there's another 2 points for the team with the highest total.

Tonight I just so happened to be bowling against one of my coaches, Brian, who is also my teammates Dad. He usually gives me a hard time with stuff, and he actually gets on my nerves a lot, because he basically always tells me the same thing - stay behind the ball. But I can't just do it at your command!! I've been bowling this way for many years, it doesn't just go away. And he always makes these jokes about how if we miss something or get a brooklyn, he's go "I would have gotten that". It gets old now. So I definitely wanted to beat him tonight. I beat him 3 out of 4 games, and only lost to him by 1 in the last game. So ha.

One thing though.. I have respect for coaches who can actually throw high games, it shows they obviously know what they are talking about because they can apply it to themselves. Now Brian and I have basically the same average. He doesn't look like a very good bowler, BUT he is a pretty old guy and has knee trouble and maybe even joints in the hand problems. So I can't be too judgmental about that. BUT the fact that I beat him tonight kind of makes me want to tell him to shove it the next time he tries to "help".

On a side note, I kind of really feel bad for Chelsey. She bowls full time in this league, and the past few weeks I've seen her just tear it up, averaging over 200. To do that in league and then to come out to a provincial tournament and average only about 180 must hurt. She definitely needs to get her head space figured out for those tournaments. She just wants to win SO badly that it just consumes her and affects her game. She really is an incredible bowler, and if she was as cool & nonchalant in big tournaments as she is in league, I would have no chance, she would be right up there. But, alas, life doesn't work that way. Too many times do really good players bomb in tournaments because their head games aren't anywhere near their physical game. I also realized this today of Summar, 3 years post-youth. Incredibly good in league, but I beat her in World Cup this year, and last year at CNCs. Man, if I could only get my physical game where theirs are... I would be scary good! Actually I'm pretty sure Ted had said that once; that people would be scared of me.. But I don't know when or if that will ever happen. I might decide to work at it every week in the summer - if possible. But I would need Ted or Dan to help me out. Once again, we'll see!

Saturday Youth League

Bowling hungover is the worst. And yesterday wasn't the worst I've ever been. But because of that I felt totally out of it and bowling wasn't much fun. I couldn't make very good shots, the ball just didn't feel good in my hand. I was consistent enough at least I suppose, but the scores weren't near where I wanted them to be. I averaged 170 with a high of 180. My average is 182, but will drop once again.

I decided to stay after league to practice; why not? I didn't feel like going home to just sit around. Ted also stayed and we got some good work done. One of the things to note that we worked on was a two handed release. I had a lot of trepidation to do that (if you don't know what that looks like, google Jason Belmonte). Compared to the "normal" way it just seemed like it would be really difficult to change.

I was surprised to discover it wasn't!! Of course I look nothing like Belmonte, I have way less power going through the ball. It was also a nice break on my thumb - because of the use of the second hand, there's no need for the thumb to be in the ball to be able to hold onto it, thus you get waaay more rotation and rpms on the ball.

The purpose to get me to do that was to get me extending further over the lane, to end up with more fingers and less thumb. Or at least that's what I felt I got out of it. Now I'm kind of thinking I might like to actually change completely to that style, but we'll see. Ted and Dan had been talking about doing that actually; I think they were only ever half serious, but the fact that Ted got me doing that and then probably went to tell Dan about it, tells me it was more serious an idea than I thought.

So overall it was a great 1.5 hrs of practice and my arm is still sore today. Next up is sparing for the adult league (as in subbing for someone) so I can't practice, but I'm still going to go for the start of practice and warm up, maybe chat with Ted about what he wants me doing coming up soon. We've decided to give me a few weeks to see where I can get in maybe changing things, before drilling some new balls. I need at least 2 weeks to break in new stuff so I have about 3 weeks to figure stuff out.

So while all this sounds very promising for the future, it doesn't make me feel good about CNCs. I think it's really going to throw me off, there are so many different things that I've been trying, that I don't know what to do to be at my optimal best. But at least I'll have those 2 weeks to settle into "normal", I'll ask Ted to come out or even Dan if Ted is busy. Even though I know I can't win, I still want to show everyone that I am a force, and that they should be watching out for me in the future..

ATPA Scratch Qualifier

Yesterday in Calgary was my last chance to make a national championship tournament for the year. This was for the CNCs, the Canadian National Championships - Team Canada Trials.

Now when I talk about qualifying, it doesn't mean you have to win or else you can't go, it's just that the Alberta Ten Pin Association won't give you $1000 towards the tournament.

So for youth, there's actually two ways we can qualify. The Alberta Youth Scholarship that was held in about November or so. The top 2 boys and top 2 girls get the money. Then there's also the ATPA qualifier. It's a more difficult tournament though because it's also the qualifier for the adults. Same as with the other tournament, the top 2 boys and top 2 girls qualify. For the adults it's top 4 men and top 4 women.

Since the youth tournament had already been held, I really had no one to compete with. It's quite a competitive tournament so unless you're "experienced" (when it comes to youth at least), you're not going to find many people trying to go. As a result I was up against 2 other girls, a 16 yr old and an 18 yr old. I had to beat only one of them. But I know these girls and they aren't the greatest bowlers so I wasn't worried.

I started off great with a 211 but after that I kind of fell off, I was somewhat consistent but the shot they put down was kind of weird. Not necessarily difficult, but different I guess. And after 5 games it really dried up quick, adding to the challenge, meaning balls hook a lot more with less oil, and we still had 5 to go.

Game 7 I lost my switch grip. It somehow fell out of my ball and they couldn't find it in the pit behind the pins or in the ball return. Greeaaat.. But at least I came prepared and brought another ball that doesn't need the switch grip. Or else I'd have to use someone else's and cram a shit ton of tape in there to get it to fit my thumb.

In the end I can't really take a lot of this tournament besides the $1000 and the fact that I ended up throwing a really good ball. It hard to feel good about your scores when ALL the scores all low, but I guess in comparison to others you see you still did well. It just doesn't really feel like it for some reason.. But anyways, I ended 120 pins or so up on 2nd place.. yeah.. haha. Either way, I'm just glad I got that money!!! I'm super stoked for the end of May now. I think it takes place about the17th-20th in Toronto.

So I'll be going to the pro shop and complaining about losing the switch grip (maybe faulty installation??). Then end of April I'll get a new ball (hopefully I win one from the year end banquet, but if not, it'll be an early birthday present from my parents).

Now to spend next to no money and hopefully find a job that will begin Beginning of May and will let me take that time off!!

Now it's just normal league which ends end of April.

Monday Night Practice

Well Ted (my coach) didn't actually really have much to say about the tournament yesterday. I guess the way it was working out was that it was a tough shot and the way I throw the ball didn't match up too well with that. And we figured out (during practice) the reason why I couldn't bend my knee/stay down. I was leaning forward way too much. So we got the figured out today.

We also changed my hand position from tilted to the right (trying to get more hook on the ball) to a flatter position so I wouldn't rotate my hand too early in counteracting against the other position. I was also trying to work on keeping the center of the ball more at the base of my pointer finger, since that's the strongest point of the hand.

There was also another coach there and he had a video camera so we were analyzing our approaches from different angles. From that we saw that you don't see my fingers at all in the back swing, ie. I'm not staying "behind the ball" like I'm supposed to, a result of my wrist "breaking". So we tried to keep my wrist cocked in order to keep it a bit straighter during the swing. That didn't work at all since I have next to no muscle in my wrist.

After about 2 hours it was: ok, just throw the ball, and hope these things stick. Well Dylan and I had then decided we should prebowl. After 2 hours of practice my arm was pretty sore and I was iffy about it but said sure why not. Good thing I did! I wish I had taken a picture, but I got a new high score! (Though unofficially since it's not during sanctioned play) It was this: 9/ XX 9/ XXXXXXXX for 269. Then 236! Then 209. And then a lowly 170, but my thumb was swelling from the heat and too many "games" (we didn't bowl actual games during practice.

So that makes me feel better. I just have to get better at bowling on tough conditions I guess. At least I'm consistently good on easy shots now. Now to transfer that to different oil patterns.. They should really start doing that for league now..

Now to rest up the hand and arm and then head down to Calgary Saturday morning for CNCs qualifier.

Edmonton Youth Scholarship All Events

This is by far the best tournament of the year - lots of fun, low pressure.

So this is how it works. It's a tournament comprised of team, doubles and singles events. 3 games for each shift. There is also a "mini tournament" of 3 games on a difficult oil pattern, which we call a sport shot. As well, there is a skills competition where specific pins are set up and we get points for making the spares; with more difficult spares garnering more points.

Skills is divided into 160 average and under & 161 and over. The field usually gets cut to the top 6 in each, and they move on to the second round & more difficult spares. The winner wins a bowling ball, and gets their name on a plaque. This year I got 12 points, but the cut off was 13 points so I just missed making the cut - I think I was the same for last year as well.

For payouts, I'm not 100% how it works, but I think the amount depends on how many entries were in each event and division. So each event will pay different amounts. The big thing about this tournament is in the name - All Events. They take your combined scores from teams, doubles and singles (but only from the first shift of each, as you can enter as many times as you like). It's also scratch and handicap, so there's 8 ways of winning.

Now for my results. Keep in mind, my average is 179, so for each shift, an average total would be of about 540.

Teams: 629, 210 ave
Doubles: 590, 197 ave
Singles: 637, 212 ave
-----------------------------
All Events: 1856, 206 ave

(2 high games of 227)

Teams scratch I think we ended up either 3rd or 4th for scratch and maybe 2nd or 3rd for handicap. So we'll hopefully cash a bit of money.
Doubles was a lost cause because my partner didn't do too well.
For singles scratch, the lowest I could end up is 2nd but I think I managed 1st so that should be a decent payout. I'm not too sure how I fared in handicap, but considering I was 33 pins above average I stand a decent chance! I won't be cashing for all events because so many people had really high scoring games this weekend, but that's all right.

Now for the sport shot. I had never done it before and didn't know what to expect. I've shot difficult patterns at world cup and of course CNCs and sort of from CYCs but I still wasn't sure what would be out there. My first game was a tough 154, lowest of the day and tourny for me, but it was about what everyone else was doing as well. Near the end of that game I decided to try a different line (stand and aim elsewhere). It paid off for the rest of the shift and I added a 214 (second highest for the shift - a girl I was bowling with had a 216 that same game) and then a 198, for an average of 188. I came tops in girls and second overall, only 7 behind the top boy (though overall doesn't matter). I'm not sure if I get paid for it, because I won a bowling shirt, coupon for the pro shop and a kit from the pro shop. Fingers crossed that I do though.

So it was a heck of tournament for me. There were so many high games though. There was a 300, a 299 and a 289. All boys of course. I'm really proud at how consistent I was, always around that 200 mark (besides that 150 game, but that's forgivable). And I also figured things out on my own, for the most part.

It's a good thing it came at the end of reading break so I was nicely rested and relaxed. It's also a good warm up for YBC provincials next Sunday. I just need to get my mental game back and not put too much pressure on myself.

That Dream Of Mine

What a horrible title THAT was for a post.
But anyway. I just wanted to touch base with how those goals of mine have gone this year.

#1 - I DID bowl most of the summer! I believe Once July hit me and the guys were going every week to Gateway. And it was a blast. I owned them all and averaged about 200 each week. And then sadly league started and I don't know where that went. But I'm back to that now :)

#2 - I ended up getting 2 balls from that lady I know but they were useless. They had been used to much, and re-drilled too many times. But I did get switch grip. Though honestly I'm starting to think maybe I should have put that towards a new ball instead, my one strike ball is about to hit the dust..

#3 - I haven't done all the tournaments, because, well, that's a shit ton of money to be throwing away like that. I did world cup this year though which was a neat experience. I wouldn't do it again unless I thought I could win though. That's $60 down the drain.

The season is not yet done and I'm unsure if I'll get to CNCs this year, but either way I should keep practicing. I don't know why I hadn't been going even just by myself. I kept waiting for practice to spring up, but more than anything I just needed to get a lot of games in. Chelsey seems to bowl 2-3 times a week (or at least 3 now in preparation for tournies (she does youth & adult league)) and it's seemed to pay off so far. She kicked a lot of butt this weekend, averaging 217.

So really, for now that's my only goal. Practice. But it is easier said than done. Chelsey is done school, I'm still trying to get into a program. She has a lot more time, and not to mention more money than me. And a wish would be to get a new ball. I didn't win any of the 5 on raffle at the tourny this weekend which blows, because I doubt I'll have enough to buy one myself. I've been trying to subtly hint ato my mom to buy me one but I don't think that'll ever fly. Which honestly really pisses me off. She doesn't support me in any way financially, and she used to pay for bowling all the time, is it really too much too ask to chip in a bit for a ball? That's probably a bit selfish of me, but still..

Look forward to a recap of this weekend's scholarship tournament, previous tournaments and tournaments to come!

New Plan

Alright, when I originally created this blog, I intended it to be a sort of memoir. Keep track of my progress and have memories of these awesome national tournaments. I've decided now that I'm just going to turn into a full out bowling blog. It's tournament season this month and for the next few weeks, and I'd like to share what my experiences have been. It may very well be the case that no one reading this has that much interest, but for myself, it would be nice to look back at what I accomplish throughout the year.

So I need to change the title of the blog.. I'm kind of liking the name #yegbowling (you know, to go with the twitter trend). Any ideas? Let me know!