inmate Bowlers?

[Partagaspete]

Any Inmates like to roll a few? I am an average league bowler (170-180 ave.) and I really enjoy it. I currently throw a Roto-Grip Epic Saga with a Columbia Spirit as my back-up for dry lanes and ten pins.

Last year I bought my son his first hook ball. a Columbia Action packed (I think) and when he was gettin it I told him "I think it is too light for you." he is now about 18 and it is a 12 pounder...He didn't realise that there is a difference when a ball is drilled for your hand versus a house ball. Well last weekend he did the raqrest thing a 17 y/o boy will do, he admitted he was wrong and dad was right.

As luck would have it my house got in some discontinued but NIB Tracks at a very reduced price so I picked him up a 14 lbs. Power Machine for $80 bucks for CHristmas. But I noticed they also had a Robo-Rule for Dad...WTH at $80 bucks NEW it was a steal. Yes that included Drilled and inserts.

I'll post a review of the ball after CHristmas but I love the color. I refer to it as "multiple orgasm"

SOrry for the long story but I can't wait to throw these with my boy.

T

[ucla695]

Does the Wii count? :r :r

Otherwise, I only bowl every decade or so.

[croatan]

I bowled a lot in college. Carried an average in the high 220s then.

Don't really have anyone to bowl with now, so I'm very out of it. Went to the lanes maybe two months ago for the first time in a couple of years and bowled something like a 160s and a 180s. Kinda disappointing but I blamed it all on using crappy house balls and being woefully out of practice :)

[hotreds]

I loved to bowl, but my back just does not allow me to do so anymore. My wife's bank had a bowling night awhile back, after one game, I couldn't bend anymore. Very aggravating!

[BHowe]

I bowl, no tournies or anything, just a good old handicap league. I currently am averaging right around 190ish.

Love the sport and buy way to may bowling balls.

[TonySmith]

You guys carry nice averages. I like bowling, but no lanes close.

[dannysguitar]

I just started bowling again. 159 avg here. I suck. Roto Grip Illusion for me. Sweeps in Laughlin in April baby!

[Ashcan Bill]

I bowl Sunday nights in a pretty non-serious league. Right now I'm sitting at a 180 average. I figure I'm still doing passable for an old guy. :D

[RGD.]

I bowl on a Thursday night league - and sub on a Tuesday night team when needed.

Haven't bowled in over ten years - started last summer again as part of my rehab deal. Not doing to bad - not great either. High game so far is a 276. Most nights I have a good 1st and 2nd game but am worn out by the time the third game gets around. Also just can't seem to get past 7 strikes in a row - pissing me off. Most nights will have two games in the 195 to 240 range - and then throw a freaking 160 or some damn thing. Sucks on the average.

I'm rolling an Ebonite NV Complete and the NVD. I also have the Rapid Fire and Gravity Shift by Storm.


Ron

[jonharky]

I am on a league every Monday night 180 avg. Use a Rhino on oily lanes and a Head Hunter on dry

[jonharky]

I bowl on a Thursday night league - and sub on a Tuesday night team when needed.

Haven't bowled in over ten years - started last summer again as part of my rehab deal. Not doing to bad - not great either. High game so far is a 276. Most nights I have a good 1st and 2nd game but am worn out by the time the third game gets around. Also just can't seem to get past 7 strikes in a row - pissing me off. Most nights will have two games in the 195 to 240 range - and then throw a freaking 160 or some damn thing. Sucks on the average.

I'm rolling an Ebonite NV Complete and the NVD. I also have the Rapid Fire and Gravity Shift by Storm.


Ron

I have the same problem but in different order 2 weeks ago I bowled a 138 the first game (40 pins under avg) then bowled 235 and 245 there after

[Partagaspete]

I bowl on a Thursday night league - and sub on a Tuesday night team when needed.

Haven't bowled in over ten years - started last summer again as part of my rehab deal. Not doing to bad - not great either. High game so far is a 276. Most nights I have a good 1st and 2nd game but am worn out by the time the third game gets around. Also just can't seem to get past 7 strikes in a row - pissing me off. Most nights will have two games in the 195 to 240 range - and then throw a freaking 160 or some damn thing. Sucks on the average.

I'm rolling an Ebonite NV Complete and the NVD. I also have the Rapid Fire and Gravity Shift by Storm.


Ron



Dayam!

I hate to see what your like when your at 100%.

I am a tweener with medium rev's and throw at about 14 mph. I'd gues you to be a cranker.

T

[14holestogie]

I bowl regularly on Thursday nights and every other week in a Saturday couples league with RevSmoke and Pauline. A great excuse to break out a cigar in a warmer climate once or twice a week.
I average 200-210 with the occasional flash, but usually nothing spectacular or terrible. Games in the 190's to 230's usually. Had a couple 700's this year, a couple of 299's in past years.
I throw a 10 year old Bully for the most part. I get a lot of looks from the guys who are throwing new equipment it seems every other week, but I can usually hold my own against them with that old rock. More of a down and in type thrower, but I can still crank it up if need be.
I purchased a used Columbia Action Packed off Ebay for about $11 plugged, but need to see some more oil for that one. Perhaps it'll make the trip to Vegas in March for the USBC Nationals (24 years participation and counting).
You may think, Nationals, this guy must really be special. Nope, they'll take anyone's entry fee and humble you in the process. I believe in the close to 200 games I've thrown there, I've had a high of 277, but a whole lot more 160's. Probably a total of 10 600's, if that, but close to 100 400's. I think I'm averaging about 175 there in all my years. Humbling to say the least, but it's a great excuse to get out and about in the dead of winter.
Roll on.

[BHowe]

My current favorites are Roto Grip Cells in the original variety and the Pearl offering.
Hammer Black Widow Bite
Brunswick Twisted Fury
Brunswick BVP Rampage (spare and real dry lane ball)

And probably 15 others that just chill in the spare room closet. I'm sick.

[Moglman]

Good thread Tony. I haven't been out much over the past few years and thus my game is so off it's silly, not that my scores were ever that good. I don't have a feel for it anymore and need practice to come around again. I roll a Hammer Black Widow Pearl now and no longer have a spare ball. I'll pick one eventually. I tend to be an cranker, which leads to inconsistency.

[Mugen910]

In college I was a consistent 160-170 bowler...Now I'm a 140 if lucky. :tu

[Tikihut27]

I bowl in two leagues when I'm home. The National Guard sponsored my men's league- me and four Vietnam era vets- a Marine and a Soldier who were in-country, and a Marine and a Sailor who weren't. Team name: 5 Vets. I wanted "4 Old Vets and 1 Young Vet", but it wouldn't fit on the display. :mad:

My wife and the Sailor bowl with me and his wife in a mixed league. My wife bowls in three leagues, how about that.

I bowl about 190 or so and roll an old Chaos ball that is totally out of date, but works for me.

[Partagaspete]

My current favorites are Roto Grip Cells in the original variety and the Pearl offering.
Hammer Black Widow Bite
Brunswick Twisted Fury
Brunswick BVP Rampage (spare and real dry lane ball)

And probably 15 others that just chill in the spare room closet. I'm sick.



The week I bought my Epic Saga the Cell went on sale for less than I bought the Saga. I felt ill but I do like it so it's okay. I really can't wait to get back stateside and get some better quality more consistent lanes. My friends that go back (to different areas of the states) all tell me that they increase thier averages 8-10 pins almost instantly.

Since this is my first Particle (the track) Do any of you guys have any maintenance tips i.e. what to clean it with and such?. Someone mentioned that in the summer they leave thier balls in the car to "sweat out" the oils. ANy thought on this??

T

[rhdad42]

I'm in a Tuesday night league, just a lot of guys hanging out and having fun. I'm averaging in the low 170s this year, throwing a Lane 1 G-Force Evolution. I threw a 269 a few weeks ago, but have been in the proverbial crapper ever since. I might switch to my Buzzsaw for a few weeks just to try something different. I love the game and hate it at the same time.

[RevSmoke]

I bowl every other week in a Saturday night couples league with my wife. My teammate couple is 14holestogie (Tim) and his wife Cid. I carry a 176 average. Got my first 600 (a 676) last season. I have about a dozen 599s. This past Saturday I choked in the last game, only needed 18 pins in the last frame to get another 600 - got 7 on the first ball an missed the spare.

It is a nice night to get out with the wife and maybe enjoy a cigar.

I'd love to bowl more often, but the leagues here for men are either Wed. or Thur. night and I have a service on Wed. and a Bible Study on Thurs.

[MithShrike]

I'm going to start league again in January. I was a 165 average bowler over summer league when it started and then thanks to a new schedule and no chance to practice I dropped down to about 145 average.

I'm a stroker with low revs and about 14mph. I throw a MoRich Solid LevRG drilled for consistency. It's a really smooth arcing ball. My two handed bowler friends laugh because I might cover 5 boards on the lane when the pattern breaks down. For my spare ball and dry lanes I throw a RotoGrip Neptune drilled straight up so the ball pretty much goes straight. Both of my balls are 14lbs.

Lately I've just been bowling for fun. Smoke and drink and throw some rocks down the lane. Going tonight with some friends.

[Footbag]

I averaged 170 in a HS league, but didn't stick with it. I go every so often these days, but a bad back keeps me from rolling more then 2 games at a time.

These days when I go I get frustrated because I lost my ability to pickup the 10 pin.

[RGD.]

Since this is my first Particle (the track) Do any of you guys have any maintenance tips i.e. what to clean it with and such?. Someone mentioned that in the summer they leave thier balls in the car to "sweat out" the oils. ANy thought on this??

T

Stop by your Pro shop and discuss it with them. I use the Ebonite ball cleaners for quick touch ups. Otherwise every two weeks I stop by and let the shop clean them. My NV Complete they put on the drip machine then spinner - the NVD gets hand cleaned on the spinner and then a 2000 or 4000 grit light sanding depending on how the lanes have been.

Sometime I will just invest in my own ball spinner - but since I have spent enough money they don't charge me for the cleanings. Not that it's that much anyway - $4 bucks if my guy Gee isn't there.


Ron

[MithShrike]

Since this is my first Particle (the track) Do any of you guys have any maintenance tips i.e. what to clean it with and such?. Someone mentioned that in the summer they leave thier balls in the car to "sweat out" the oils. ANy thought on this??

T

Do not put it in your car to release the oils. Yes the oil will come out of the coverstock however it will also soak in at the same time. Not only that, it is unevenly applied heat, this is not ideal.

As to what to clean it with, use a microfiber towel to wipe down the track (where the oil is on your ball) and I recommend Ebonite Clean 'n Dull, it will take out the belt marks and if you're on synthetic lanes it will take off the gunk from the dry side.

If you notice your ball is not hooking as much as you would like first clean it. If still new, talk to your pro shop fellow and ask him to sand it down some. A lot of people are using 1500-1000 grit Abralon. Although you may notice too much hook and may want to polish it.

After using your ball for a while you may notice it 'dying.' I recommend hot water and unscented dish detergent. Let it soak for about 30 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly. If that does not work you may want to try an Ebonite Hook Again. If still nothing, you'll want to get it resurfaced.

Good luck in your bowling ventures.

[BHowe]

Pete,

I personally use Black Magic, Lane One, or Clean N' Dull after each ball has been used and before it goes back in the bag. This seems to keep the balls performing very well.

When they get to the point where they have a pretty good track I take it to my favorite pro shop to have them throw it on the spinner and clean it up.

I too, would love to have my own spinner here at the house. I'd play a lot more then I already do with different polish and abralon pads.

Brandon

[Boobar]

I have been bowling in a Monday night league for the past 5 years. I am currently carrying a 187 average. I throw a 15lb Track Mean Machine and I managed to put up my first 700 of the year a couple of weeks ago (705).

[RGD.]

Well I subbed on the Tuesday night league last night - lanes were dry as crap. Typical night as of late - 188 first game - 245 the second game and a freakin 163 the third game. I can't buy a 600 it seems.


Ron

[MithShrike]

Went last night. I averaged 147 over four games and after 46oz of Guinness. The lane was ridiculous. There was heavy oil 50 ft out and no dry on the sides. My friend the two hander couldn't get much more than a smooth arc even with his crazy revs. I was throwing pretty much straight at the pocket.

[Partagaspete]

Thanks for all the advice on cleaning. I didn't think leaving it in the car was such a great idea. My Pro-shop guy is pretty good so I am sure I can get him to throw it on the spinner. and I'll see what he has for cleaners and select something from the ones you guys have listed.

With tomorrow being Christmas I will have my new ball and so will my son so we will probably go throw them this weekend. Thanks again.

T

[Buckeye Jack]

This is the first winter in 16 years I'm not bowling a league. I've bowled as many as 3 a year for a few years. We were bowling in a $10,000 league at the start of the year, got to week 10 and one of the guys quit. With the combination of $25 a week and finding a decent enough bowler to fill his spot and be competitive, we ended up having to quit the league.

Generally between 185 and 200 avg. Hight game is 289 and high series is 724.

[BHowe]

Last night in league, I couldn't miss in practice. Had 5 or 6 in warm up.

Then threw my first one in the ditch. After that I had the net 7. Then a big dirty split for a 225. Then the lanes changed. Struggled to strike in the second game with a 177, then in the 3rd I lost what is normally a pretty solid spare game. 172.

Pretty rough night.

[Partagaspete]

Last night in league, I couldn't miss in practice. Had 5 or 6 in warm up.

Then threw my first one in the ditch. After that I had the net 7. Then a big dirty split for a 225. Then the lanes changed. Struggled to strike in the second game with a 177, then in the 3rd I lost what is normally a pretty solid spare game. 172.

Pretty rough night.

I feel ya'. I haven't bowled a 600 yet this year. Not that I am as good as many here by looking at this this thread I normally would have a couple. But I am in it for the fun and I don't get all worked up like I see some guys. Afterall it is squadron intramural's NOT the PBA.

T

[MithShrike]

I went last night. Over four games I averaged 161. I had one 200 game. I was really pleased. The damn lane was oily as hell. I had to play straight up the middle with maybe 2 boards of hook on the backend into the pocket or play along the 4 board so that it would grab the dry about 45 feet out at about the 5 board and then hook into the pocket. I made a few split conversions that I was really happy about.

I think I need a new ball drill more aggressively for heavy oil patterns like this. I have a MoRich Solid LevRG drilled for an even arc and it works well on medium and light oil. I have a RotoGrip Neptune that is drilled rather passively and it works well as a spare on medium and heavy and hooks out of the park on dry lanes.

I'm thinking about a Storm Revolution, a Storm Virtual Gravity, a Motiv TX1, or a Brunswick Maxx Zone. Hmmm...

[Starscream]

135 average. Haven't played seriously in years.

[piperman]

Went last night. I averaged 147 over four games and after 46oz of Guinness. The lane was ridiculous. There was heavy oil 50 ft out and no dry on the sides. My friend the two hander couldn't get much more than a smooth arc even with his crazy revs. I was throwing pretty much straight at the pocket.


Where to you bowl at? I was bowling at McRay lanes on Wednesday Night (Wednesday night Madness) Last year, skipped this year, need to get back into it.

[Partagaspete]

[QUOTE=Partagaspete;135018]"I feel ya'. I haven't bowled a 600 yet this year."

Until Last night.

Like I said I LOVE this new Track it hits harder than anything I have ever, and I mean ever seen.

LUV IT!!!!

215-233-208 (I think)

We knoked the hell outta my Wife's units team. She doesn't bowl or anything but I got to give her some noise.

T

[Scottw]

I have bowled 8 300 games on Wii sports. That's about it for me these days.

[Partagaspete]

I have bowled 8 300 games on Wii sports. That's about it for me these days.

LOL, I bowled one on Wii and retired. My kids are pissed I wont give them a chance to beat the King.

T

[Ashcan Bill]

[QUOTE=Partagaspete;135018]"I feel ya'. I haven't bowled a 600 yet this year."

Until Last night.


215-233-208 (I think)



Nice series! :tu

[RGD.]

I had my pro-shop order in this ball for me:

AZO Pure Tactics (http://www.azobowling.com/)

I have been using the Ebonite NVD for the oily lane conditions. The NVD has a Traxion Reactive matte finish sanded to 2000 grit, but the problem is that after the first game the ball picks up so much oil it's just really inconsistent. And of course I can't sand it during league play.

So talking with my pro-shop guy we went with the AZO Pure Tactics and it's UHP Hybrid Reactive coverstock. It's polished so no need to sand and I can use a cleaner on it if needed.

So it came in - had it drilled real aggressive. Went out and threw a practice game with it - 234 right out of the box. Double, split, double, split, strike out until the last of the the 10th which was a split. 9 strikes, 3 splits. Not bad, not bad at all.

This ball hits like 2 semi's at the same time. So if you are looking for a good medium to heavy oil ball - you may want to give this one a look at -

Picture on their site shows gold/yellow writing - but it actually has orange.


:ss

Ron

[physiognomy]

I hadn't bowled in about 4yrs before I went 2 or so weeks back... I was pleasantly surprised with scores in the 130-140 range. I'd like to pick up my own ball some day, but wouldn't know the first place to start.

[Partagaspete]

I hadn't bowled in about 4yrs before I went 2 or so weeks back... I was pleasantly surprised with scores in the 130-140 range. I'd like to pick up my own ball some day, but wouldn't know the first place to start.


I would tlak with your pro-shop guy a lot really goes into it. What weight, aggresiveness, typicla house oil patterns, etc, etc. However you may find a better deal once youo are ready to purchase from an online vendor.

T

[Partagaspete]

I had my pro-shop order in this ball for me:

AZO Pure Tactics (http://www.azobowling.com/)

I have been using the Ebonite NVD for the oily lane conditions. The NVD has a Traxion Reactive matte finish sanded to 2000 grit, but the problem is that after the first game the ball picks up so much oil it's just really inconsistent. And of course I can't sand it during league play.

So talking with my pro-shop guy we went with the AZO Pure Tactics and it's UHP Hybrid Reactive coverstock. It's polished so no need to sand and I can use a cleaner on it if needed.

So it came in - had it drilled real aggressive. Went out and threw a practice game with it - 234 right out of the box. Double, split, double, split, strike out until the last of the the 10th which was a split. 9 strikes, 3 splits. Not bad, not bad at all.

This ball hits like 2 semi's at the same time. So if you are looking for a good medium to heavy oil ball - you may want to give this one a look at -

Picture on their site shows gold/yellow writing - but it actually has orange.


:ss

Ron

Is that a 234 series? that's sweet either way. I bowled a 243 in the third game last week along with a respectable 189 in the first. THe lines were dry so I should have put the Track away sooner. I had a 14? in the second. The 243 was with my RG. I do still love that ball too.

T

[RGD.]

Is that a 234 series? that's sweet either way. I bowled a 243 in the third game last week along with a respectable 189 in the first. THe lines were dry so I should have put the Track away sooner. I had a 14? in the second. The 243 was with my RG. I do still love that ball too.

T

Series? No. That was just one game straight off the drill press with no warm up.


Ron

[big a]

I bowled a lot in highschool. I even got a lot of school paid for in bowling scholarships. I havn't been able to bowl much latly but i plan to get in some more legs soon. I had a 200+ avg on house shoots and 170ish on sport shots/tournament shoots. I even have a couple balls i would let go for a good price or trade :ss to help some people get started. At one point i had 14+ bowling balls. Now i only have 7 but only throw 3.

I would tlak with your pro-shop guy a lot really goes into it. What weight, aggresiveness, typicla house oil patterns, etc, etc. However you may find a better deal once youo are ready to purchase from an online vendor.

T

You need to watch out with buying online. Sometimes the quality sucks. Also proshops will charge a arm and a leg to drill stuff that is not purchased there. They have to make their money somehow. But i agree with above, talk to them and get a good started ball that is drilled finger tip. After you learn to throw the finger tip while putting some rotation on the ball then it will be time to move up to some more aggressive balls

[Partagaspete]

You need to watch out with buying online. Sometimes the quality sucks. Also proshops will charge a arm and a leg to drill stuff that is not purchased there. They have to make their money somehow. But i agree with above, talk to them and get a good started ball that is drilled finger tip. After you learn to throw the finger tip while putting some rotation on the ball then it will be time to move up to some more aggressive balls[/QUOTE]

Just like cigars "Know Thy Vendor" Always buy drilling insurance (you'll get the better quality ball they have and even if it does encounter a problem you will be insured. My house charges 30 bucks ti drill a ball you bring in so add that to the cost from the online vendors to see if it is worth it.

T