Author Topic: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish ) (Read 4372 times)

Juggernaut · « **on:** November 15, 2008, 04:28:03 AM »

Like it says, been thinking about quitting bowling a lot lately. It may sound like whining, but I think the game/sport has sort of passed me by

.

Just in the past few years balls have gotten so particular and oil sensitive while oils have gotten more and more viscous. Oiling machines now have to be computerized just to be able to put out the shot consistently. I have tried to keep up with technological advances, but am tired of being told I need to buy 5 new balls a year just to stay competitive.

Ball companies haven't been any help. They design their latest missiles for top performance with no regards to longevity, and raising their prices to pay for their "R&D" to develop these "SUPER SPONGEBALLS". That's kind of like Ford motor company deciding to build and sell only top fuel dragsters and getting us to pay them to do it. Top performance with no regards for longevity. Lets see them persuade us that we need to go that route and buy at least 2-3 dragsters every couple of years.

So, after buying at least 3 balls a year, for at least the last 7 years and always being told I am throwing an "antique" that isn't designed to handle "todays" oil patterns, I have just about had all I want. Last league night did me in. I've been shooting really good this year, working very hard at it and got my average back into the 220's ( after a couple of years ), only to have the lane machine "malfunction" just prior to our league. It proceeded to put out a reverse blocked shot that I have absolutely no way of hitting with what's currently in my bag. And WHY should I carry a ball designed for that shot when I am never supposed to see it? I get tired of carrying 8 balls into my home house just to bowl 1 league. That was getting ridiculous.

Burn out? Maybe, but I don't know if this is the kind of burn out you can recover from or not. I've really tried to do the best I can. I've worked very hard to get good over the years, learning all I could about the game/sport, trying to keep pace with technology and was/am considered one of the good bowlers here, but I am tired of the never ending chase.

I'm not looking for validation here, just wondering why I should keep trying to perfect skills that can be/have been taken away at a moments notice by a vengeful laneman or a "malfunctioning" lane machine. If the ability to score well depends on such a tenuous thing as the pattern of lane conditioner on the surface of the lane, and NOBODY can guarantee that it is put out properly, or if I happened to have the "right" ball at the "right" time with the "right" drilling on it, why should I continue to spend my hard earned money on something that is fast becoming a fruitless endeavour, much like a dog endlessly chasing his tail and never catching up to it?
--------------------
Norm Duke was right

Good transactions list in my profile

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agroves · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2008, 06:17:19 PM »

You don't need 3 or 4 new balls a year. The guy leading our scratch league in average is throwing an Ebonite Cougar. He averges 235 in this house and 250 in another with that ball.

Perhaps, you need to find a coach and seek ways to make your game more versatile. I average 220+ and 200+ on sport conditions and I have a coach. That is one thing I have never understood between golf and bowling. Any golf fan knows who Tiger Woods swing coach is....but few bowlers could tell you who helps WRW...cause somebody certainly does.
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--"I see your opinion, I just don't give a f$%k."

Spider Ball Bowler · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2008, 11:13:14 PM »

If you really just don't have love for the game, then sell all your stuff on eBay and give it up. You say you've been bowling for a long time, so my guess would be that if you do give it up, you'll be back. The game hasn't passed you by, you've just hit a wall.

I am going to call you out. Right here right now. I am calling you a coward, and a quitter and I challenge you. Your scores vs. mine. One league a week. No money, no points, no nothing on the line, JUST PRIDE.

Before you go all "Ignore button" on me or start calling me names, this is not an attack. I obviously do not know you, or your game, or anything at all about you. You need the fire back. I am here to help other bowlers, and my friend it seems like you need the drive back! You love competition. Lets compete, lets make it fun.

(I only called you names to get you PUMPED THE F*CK UP!!! and tell me when you read that you didn't think "I wanna kill this guy! lol)

It's up to you, but I think it would be fun and hopefully might, even in the slightest, get you back into it. I know it would fire me up a bit, so really it would be beneficial to both of us

Again to restate my point for you (juggernaut) and everyone else, I am not starting a war of words, my name calling was specifically a motivational tool for Jugg to get fired up about bowling again. My techniques might not be sanctioned by motivational speakers congress

, but hopefully it will work for you Jugg!

If you're interested Jugg, PM me. I bowl on Monday nights in a 5 person league. We can start our own thread of scores or just pm them to each other.

If you're not interested, I really hope you can find in yourself what it was that once made you love this game. It is a great game, a very frustrating game, and a rewarding game. You should know there are tons of people on this site willing to help you at all hours of the day, myself included. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide!
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Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

Juggernaut · « **Reply #18 on:** November 16, 2008, 12:07:06 AM »

quote:
re-reading your post it seems your major complaint is you didn't score what you are used to because the oil pattern was not correct

CORRECT

quote:
or at least not to your liking

What I LIKE is irrelevant, what is correct is not. A reverse block lane is not correct for amatuer league bowlers and Dick Ritger has used the term "graveyard" to describe it.

quote:
and a 160 avg. bowler outscored you.

Which probably wouldn't have happened if the lanes weren't screwed. He might have still beaten me, but he would have earned it.

quote:
Lower average bowlers are always going to be affected less by lane conditions as their games are typically straighter and simpler than higher average bowlers. Sounds to me like you gave up and either didnt care about making spares or were leaving alot of splits. It happens. Get over it.

It was the splits thing. I'm still working on getting over it.

quote:
Was feeling you a bit but not anymore. I am 52 yrs old, don't buy a ball every year and am still competitive in league. Nothing worse than a 220 average bowler crying when he doesn't get his shot and doesn't score like he is used to.

How about complaining about being screwed? Does that count as "crying" about not getting "my" shot? I'm not "crying" about not getting "MY" shot, I'm complaining because there was NO SHOT, just oil randomly scattered on the lane by a wild, mindless, rampaging oil machine that nobody botheres to maintain properly in the first place to prevent it from going haywire.

quote:
Just exactly what does the lane man and the guys you are bowling against owe you? The answer is nothing!

WRONG! The problem has been bad in the past and the new owner even had a meeting with the leagues this year before they started to assure everyone that the problem was being taken care of, and that the machine would be overhauled and maintained to prevent this very thing from happening. In this instance, I think the laneman "owes" us the same shot every week, or at least a close semblance thereof.
--------------------
Norm Duke was right

Good transactions list in my profile

My Bowl.com member page

dolbydigital · « **Reply #19 on:** November 16, 2008, 12:25:48 AM »

quote:
If you really just don't have love for the game, then sell all your stuff on eBay and give it up. You say you've been bowling for a long time, so my guess would be that if you do give it up, you'll be back. The game hasn't passed you by, you've just hit a wall.

I am going to call you out. Right here right now. I am calling you a coward, and a quitter and I challenge you. Your scores vs. mine. One league a week. No money, no points, no nothing on the line, JUST PRIDE.

Before you go all "Ignore button" on me or start calling me names, this is not an attack. I obviously do not know you, or your game, or anything at all about you. You need the fire back. I am here to help other bowlers, and my friend it seems like you need the drive back! You love competition. Lets compete, lets make it fun.

(I only called you names to get you PUMPED THE F*CK UP!!! and tell me when you read that you didn't think "I wanna kill this guy! lol)

It's up to you, but I think it would be fun and hopefully might, even in the slightest, get you back into it. I know it would fire me up a bit, so really it would be beneficial to both of us

Again to restate my point for you (juggernaut) and everyone else, I am not starting a war of words, my name calling was specifically a motivational tool for Jugg to get fired up about bowling again. My techniques might not be sanctioned by motivational speakers congress , but hopefully it will work for you Jugg!

If you're interested Jugg, PM me. I bowl on Monday nights in a 5 person league. We can start our own thread of scores or just pm them to each other.

If you're not interested, I really hope you can find in yourself what it was that once made you love this game. It is a great game, a very frustrating game, and a rewarding game. You should know there are tons of people on this site willing to help you at all hours of the day, myself included. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide!
--------------------
Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

well,i like the approach u use to spur our mate back to the game here
--------------------
my current arsenal....
secret agent
power agent
shift
attitude shift
gravity shift
rapidfire
surefire
spitfire
x-factor reloaded
tropical storm
jolt solid
storm spare
cell
thunderstruck pearl
street rod solid
street rod pearl
dimension
perfect dimension
rapid fire pearl
fired up II

BOWL UP A STORM

Atochabsh · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2008, 01:58:51 AM »

I think there are some mitigating factors here that have to do with poor ownership and poor management.

We all know that bowling is mainly comprised of handicap bowlers of various averages. But what really hurts is when you have owners that are absent, don't care and/or don't bowl, a manager that doesn't bowl and a lane mechanic that dosen't bowl. When you get that combination its pretty tough to have consistent lane conditions. And all league bowlers really want are consistent lane conditions. They can handle getting "shot A" as long as they are given that shot on a consistent basis. Doesn't matter if its a house shot or something a bit more difficult. Bowlers will adjust as long as they are given a chance to do so and one or two weeks is not enough between changes. Or else they'd be in a travel league.

When this happens (and it happens alot) it is very frustrating to bowlers that are "proficient" in the game. You can name your level of average, it really doesn't matter. Lower average bowlers will not be as effected by changing lane conditions as the 180+ bowler. In fact given a challenging lane condition for whatever reason, lower average bowlers can make lane play even more difficult.

All you can do is stick it out until you stabilize your average, move onto another center or drop handicap leagues totally. And that last suggestion maynot be an option depending on what's available and your average level.

Erin

rexb300 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 16, 2008, 05:02:32 AM »

I know your pain same problem at my house
I bowl at a house never been easy but had about 12 200+ average bowlers
last season. this year 0 new manager also laneman don't have a clue.

What you can do is take only 2 balls and spare ball and a notebook keep a log
try moving with feet and hand postion ect like a 2 ball league
learn from this season I am quilty of this that 5 balls think thats the answer
so I am trying more stuff with less balls
but in last 4 weeks only had 3 200+ games and its not me
had a bowler on my team shoot 396 two weeks ago he said quitting
came back with 478 this week .

I like the spare practice been its not fun on league.
I am going to a easier house next year only 1/2 drive more.

one bad week is nothing.
RB

Juggernaut · « **Reply #22 on:** November 16, 2008, 08:49:37 AM »

quote:
I think there are some mitigating factors here that have to do with poor ownership and poor management.

We all know that bowling is mainly comprised of handicap bowlers of various averages. But what really hurts is when you have owners that are absent, don't care and/or don't bowl, a manager that doesn't bowl and a lane mechanic that dosen't bowl. When you get that combination its pretty tough to have consistent lane conditions. And all league bowlers really want are consistent lane conditions. They can handle getting "shot A" as long as they are given that shot on a consistent basis. Doesn't matter if its a house shot or something a bit more difficult. Bowlers will adjust as long as they are given a chance to do so and one or two weeks is not enough between changes. Or else they'd be in a travel league.

When this happens (and it happens alot) it is very frustrating to bowlers that are "proficient" in the game. You can name your level of average, it really doesn't matter. Lower average bowlers will not be as effected by changing lane conditions as the 180+ bowler. In fact given a challenging lane condition for whatever reason, lower average bowlers can make lane play even more difficult.

All you can do is stick it out until you stabilize your average, move onto another center or drop handicap leagues totally. And that last suggestion maynot be an option depending on what's available and your average level.

Erin

Erin,

Thank you, you have explained the situation here completely, and obviously better than I did originally. I never wanted to be catered to, just have the same shot from week to week. I have been in tournaments and I have bowled travel leagues, and I knew the lanew would be different from week to week, that was fine. Bowling league once a week in the same house, a bowler should be able to do that with only a couple of good balls and not need any "specialized" equipment. When you get inexperienced owners who spend tons of cash on paint, glass, and driveways, then tell you that a lane machine is too expensive but nobody knows how to fix and maintain the old one, this is what you end up with. A great looking place for birthday parties and the like, but not somewhere you could shoot consistent scores on a high level.

After talking with a friend here at the center, and the encouraging advice I have recieved here, I am pretty sure I am going to stick this league out and see what happens. Jus lower my goals and expectations to a level where I can accept having a bad shot too many times. Kind of hard to perform at your best when you don't have the best conditions to do it on.
--------------------
Norm Duke was right

Good transactions list in my profile

My Bowl.com member page

Strider · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2008, 09:15:55 AM »

I don't get it. Obviously the shot is fine 99% of the time because you are averaging 220. Equipment can and does malfunction. You're car, your computer, even your toaster can break down at a moments notice. It's not like you're the lone lefty and immediately after shooting an honor score that they deliberately flooded your side for many weeks. One week with a bad shot and a 220 average bowler wants to quit??? Maybe that's what's wrong with bowling today.

Bowlers have always been at the mercy of the lane man. If you're just now figuring that out, maybe you've had a very good lane man for so long that it's unacceptable when you get what many league bowlers get all the time. If it's a tough shot, deal with it. Of course scoring will be down that night, but the better bowler should be able to figure it out better and faster than a recreational bowler. All you have to do is out score the guy next to you or team on the same pair. It's not like a tournament where you have to out score the entire house and you got a pair oil differently than everyone else.
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Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

86camaroman · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2008, 09:35:48 AM »

Can I ask you a question what does your average have to do with anything you are mad because it is washed away. Thats the problem with the game everyone wants to average 220plus on an easy shot. If you are a good bowler you can adjust to a harder shot. Everyone else was bowling on the same condition you were stuff like that happens the game is not about averaging way above your skill level its about having fun and getting even better. I have a pretty high average but would rather bowl a sport shot league to make me better problem is there isnt any around here in the winter time. The game should be about repeatability for serious bowlers and fun for not so serious bowlers. I would think you would be glad to have a tough shot every now and then to get your competitive spirit going thats where you want to shine not on an easy shot. My thought for you is if its not fun quit and if you dont want to learn and get even better then quit. You dont need 8 balls to combat lane conditions.

six pack · « **Reply #25 on:** November 16, 2008, 10:24:31 AM »

I used to get down sometimes about bowling until I thought about it for awhile and decided I would rather bowl then watch TV or go to the movies or take up ship building in a bottle.yes I do enjoy bowling high scores but thats not going to happen all the time.I also enjoy the game in it's pure form,reading patterns,making adjustments,taking my lumps when they come to enjoy doing better next game,next week,etc.etc.trying new layouts are exciting to me also,adjusting my game and making advances as a bowler.as far as setting goals for my self I don't aim that high.I want to bowl a clean game then a clean series.I want to have good mechanics and enjoy when I have my release working well and I can make those fine adjustments.bowling for me is a pastime,a hobby,a reason to get out and enjoy the company of others.I'm not going to make a living out of it or get to down when I hit a slump.
as for the bowling balls of today you don't need all that stuff.yes I do enjoy the latest and greatest offerings of today but there just toys to me.I take 1 solid and 1 pearl of many to chose from.this season I've shot some 7's and I've shot some 4's.I had a 123 game and a 298.you can't change the way the lanes will be so you just do the best you can.someday if I find myself not enjoying the game anymore I will walk away with no regrets because it won't be because I can't shoot the high games,series,average.it won't be because I can't keep up with the other bowlers or the balls or the lane patterns.it will be because the thrill of the game has left me.so if that has happened to you then move on with no regrets.
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The harder I try the harder they fall

JD74 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 16, 2008, 10:58:32 AM »

Actually being a lefty, I have seen the house flood the left side after I have or other lefties have shot an honor score, its one of these houses that they dont want a lot of honor scores in it because they dont want the USBC coming in to check the lanes/shot etc. They know when a good lefty gets on he can shoot huge scores because we are alone on our side most of the time, even though on my team we usually always have 2-4 lefties on any of my teams because I hate hearing the excuses, and on all my teams its me (very high rev high power 2 handed lefty) and another high rev high power lefty, so our side dries up fast, so I dont hear the excuses from the righties anymore when Im averaging 220-230. As for the house flooding the shot, that actually helps me so I dont complain about it at all, but lots of people here do, its all about knowing your equipment/game and being able to adjust to anything they put out, that's what seperates the men from the boys in the game of bowling. Just my .02 on the subject.
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Lefty
480 rpms
300
800(1)
Average 220+

http://ebonite.com/
BOWL TO WIN!

911chilli · « **Reply #27 on:** November 16, 2008, 03:02:11 PM »

typical 220 avg. whiny puke when he doesnt bowl well, just quit you b**ch!

Juggernaut · « **Reply #28 on:** November 16, 2008, 03:51:40 PM »

quote:
typical 220 avg. whiny puke when he doesnt bowl well, just quit you b**ch!

WOW, another typical no-nothing that hides behind his computer and resorts to name calling. Good-bye, 911chili

quote:
It's worse than I thought. You want to be able to park in the same place, sit in the same chair on the settee, pull out the same ball, stand in the same spot, throw the ball the same speed, on the same line, with the same amount of hand, week after week after week. That is not what bowling is supposed to be.

Yes, that IS what I want at the league level I am bowling on. And, at this level, THAT IS what bowling is supposed to be. If I want any more challenges, I'll join a pba or travel league. I have bowled those in the past and done well, I just don't think a recreational league should be like those events are.

quote:
May I suggest a new sport? How about shooting fish in a barrel?! That might quench your thirst for sameness and boring times.

How about shooting your mouth off without anything of any consequence to say?

quote:
The sport is better off without guys like you who can't handle tough shots and then cry about it when they encounter one.

You know what? I would expect more reason from someone your age. You don't really know me, what I am capable of, or what I have done for bowling. Without guys like me, bowling would be dying even faster than it already is. I work hard at the game and at keeping it going by teaching it to new players and trying to recruit them all the time.

quote:
Can I ask you a question what does your average have to do with anything

It is what the handicap is figured off of and with the lanes being screwy, there was no way I could make up the difference I was giving away.

quote:
you are mad because it is washed away. Thats the problem with the game everyone wants to average 220plus on an easy shot. If you are a good bowler you can adjust to a harder shot.

No, not mad, just disappointed. Yes, I want to shoot 220 on an easy shot, that's why I am in a mixed handicap league. I've had many years of competitive bowling and just want to play the game and enjoy it for what it is. If I wanted a challenge, I would go out on tour or join a PBA league. I'm tired of that and just wanted to have some fun for a change.

As for adjusting to a harder shot, that's not a problem. But trying to adjust to NO shot is impossible. A reverse blocked lane is one of the lowest scoring environments you can have, especially with the volume of oil out there today.

You guys who are being so brash and judgemental shouldn't just judge me without knowing what I am talking about. I understand the philosophy of harder conditions and enjoyed that challenge for a long time, holding my own against some very good bowlers around the area on many different conditions.

For a couple of years now, I have pulled back from so much competitive bowling and just relaxed and had some fun. My average has hovered around 210 and was good enough for me. I was just starting to get some of the old fire back when all this happened and, no, it wasn't "just" this week, it has happened quite a few times actually. I just don't see what the purpose of trying to get really good at something when all your work, effort, and skill can be negated by someone, either by accident or on purpose, with just the flick of a switch.
--------------------
Norm Duke was right

Good transactions list in my profile

My Bowl.com member page

Edited on 11/16/2008 4:54 PM

911chilli · « **Reply #29 on:** November 16, 2008, 06:10:34 PM »

YEAH YOU HAVE A REAL COMPETITIVE SPIRIT, QUITTER! thats what happens with a tuff shot, don't take up golf you don't have the mental tuffness for that sport.

Edited on 11/16/2008 7:19 PM

Nordic Bowl · « **Reply #30 on:** November 16, 2008, 06:39:06 PM »

Just have fun when you play. You win some and you lose as well..
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http://www.bowlingdude.com/

Author Topic: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish ) (Read 4372 times)

Juggernaut

Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

agroves

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Spider Ball Bowler

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Juggernaut

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

dolbydigital

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Atochabsh

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

rexb300

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Juggernaut

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Strider

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

86camaroman

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

six pack

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

JD74

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

911chilli

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Juggernaut

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

911chilli

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )

Nordic Bowl

Re: Been thinking about quitting lately...... ( longish & rantish )