Post by: Neptune66 on January 23, 2009, 04:05:47 AM
Thought I would still be able to bowl with minimal pain as it's on side of the finger that does not lift the ball, but it hurts when releasing the ball. I don't use inserts, so last night, I bowled the last two games with only my thumb and ring finger in the ball.
I was actually reasonably accurate, but it I'm a speed dominant player as it is (not many revs) and leaving the middle finger out of the ball really flattened out the reaction....in a bad way. Was like throwing plastic. Was in or near the pocket ---when I could get some movement out of the ball--- but it was hitting very flat and leaving all sorts of 4's and 8's (am right-handed) and splits.
Maybe by tomorrow I'll be able to use my finger, but in case not, I was wondering if anyone here has ever tried bowling with just one finger and the thumb, and/or if there's some way to get more revs on the ball despite the literal lack of fingers.
?
Post by: Joe Jr on January 23, 2009, 12:14:49 PM
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Post by: gsback on January 23, 2009, 12:19:06 PM
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Post by: Neptune66 on January 23, 2009, 12:51:08 PM
:-)
As for throwing a knuckleball, it's funny. That pretty much describes the reaction. It would sometimes make a little movement just before hitting the pins (usually veering off target), but was essentially a straight ball all the way down.
As for letting it heal... tomorrow is not league, but is what I refer to as "competitive practice". It's very important to me to compete with my bowling buddies, and there are no teams and no one else will be affected. But I don't want to mess up the finger so bad that it doesn't heal before Tuesday's league, so I figured I'd experiment with the odd delivery (there's no discomfort as long as I leave that finger outside the ball hole) rather than abstain.
At least I'll be able to flatten out the ball the next time I find myself bowling on lanes that are toast ---without changing to a less aggressive ball.
As for putting my ring and pinky fingers in the ball, not sure how that will work regarding the span, but may give it a try. And I might.... decide to do the smart thing and just rest until Tuesday. But.... not likely.
Meanwhile.... it's back to soaking the damaged finger in hot water and hoping for a miracle recovery in the next 24 hours.
Post by: Buzzhead on January 23, 2009, 01:45:04 PM
You would look pretty funny trying to pick your nose with your toes..... LOL...
Take a few weeks off and let it HEAL!!
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FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!
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Post by: Moon57 on January 23, 2009, 02:34:35 PM
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.
Post by: Neptune66 on January 23, 2009, 02:53:55 PM
Anyway... although quite disappointed I picked up the infection, I can't say that I was surprised with a piece of the nail missing. I wonder, though.....if I had used latex gloves once the nail was damaged, if it might have prevented the infection .... presuming I could still get my fingers in the holes with them on.
Thank you for suggesting the index finger. Not sure it will be comfortable, but my index finger is smaller than the middle [problem] one, so it might work. There's the span issue again, but worth a shot.
I do still have one ball with grips/inserts in it too (I converted to no inserts about 18 months ago, but left that one alone). The hole is bigger, so it might work.
I do appreciate all the suggestions and comments. Even the ones telling me to rest it (except I probably won't listen to those).
Post by: supersid802 on January 23, 2009, 03:17:17 PM
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.........im amazing.......
Post by: Kid Jete on January 23, 2009, 03:20:46 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on January 23, 2009, 04:18:19 PM
Does the salt or alcohol make it less necessary to change the water every so often? An hour would be great! I would settle for tomorrow morning even.
Also... I found two balls that still have grips in them (out of about 18), and I can swing them comfortably by only putting my fingers part way in. So I'm going to do some soaking tonight and bring one of those two balls for insurance, and I should be ok one way or another.
I think....
Post by: Neptune66 on January 23, 2009, 04:20:18 PM
Post by: Kid Jete on January 23, 2009, 04:31:50 PM
quote:
I'm going to try the ring and pinky method too. Seems like I should be able to get some rotation on the ball that way---depending on what kind of span that grip produces.
The span should be fine... The pink is the farthest finger from the thumb so that makes up for it being shorter than your ring. The only issue might be the grip sizes but I would much rather deal with that than put the entire weight of the ball on one finger.
Post by: echidapus on January 23, 2009, 08:31:26 PM
290
298 (tonight)
752
742
Should I use my middle finger ever again? I can't wait til I can use it. I will be a cranker then
ps. also the first night back my thumb got chewed up and bleeds every time I bowl and hurts like a b**ch
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High game 300
High series 804
High triplicate 774
High average 221
best game. when I was 6 I bowled a 158
Post by: DukeHarding on January 23, 2009, 09:06:52 PM
If it's really infected (w/pus), I wouldn't do it.
But if it's red and painful super glue will kill the skin and the infection.
I would recommend letting it heal naturally....
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Duke Harding
www.dukeharding.com
Post by: normy on January 23, 2009, 09:46:56 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on January 24, 2009, 08:57:10 AM
But this wasn't as much a skin issue as pus (or whatever you'd call it) under the skin. Was the pressure that was causing the pain. I've bowled with bleeding fingers and thumb and even bowled pretty darn good too. This pain, for some reason, I found much more distracting, and threw me completely off my game.
Anyway....it's still tender today, but nowhere near as bad as it was Thursday night.
Edited on 1/24/2009 10:01 AM
Post by: nd300 on January 24, 2009, 02:34:47 PM
Watch for red streaks traveling down your finger and redness extending past the immediate area that's already infected.That's the sign that the infection has gotten into said sheath.
That calls for an immediate trip to the doctor for treatment.Be careful,please.While it's good to keep using it,you could cause permanent damage.
The alcohol or salt water can help get rid of the infection.Epsom salts (available at any drug store)are another good agent to use with the hot water.
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Chris
JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........
Post by: Neptune66 on January 25, 2009, 07:56:46 AM
It's red and shiny from the cuticle about halfway to the joint.
I'm not bowling again till tuesday, and just going to soak it as much as possible. Would taking advil round the clock help at all?
Edited on 1/25/2009 8:57 AM
Post by: Neptune66 on January 25, 2009, 08:20:44 AM
The degree of swelling and pain have lessened, though. It's just that the overall area affected has expanded some.
Post by: leftyinsnellville on January 25, 2009, 08:43:56 AM
I used superglue on a freshly smashed ring finger to glue a flap of skin back down and bowled fine. It also stings like heck when applied, but really holds up well. Right after applying the glue you might try patting it with some easy-slide. It will have a very smooth overall texture that lessens friction a little on release so it won't be quite as painful.
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( o )( o )
Post by: nd300 on January 25, 2009, 09:00:52 AM
If it's increased "some",I'd respectfully suggest a trip to a walk-in clinic just to make sure there's nothing going on that would warrant the doctor having to lance the area,drain the pus,and you end up missing work depending on how much manual dexterity you need in your line of work.
Better safe than sorry when it comes to something like that. I'm a former 20 plus year EMT and E.R. staff worker.To keep it short and simple,I got burned out after that long at it,which is why I'm not doing that anymore.
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Chris
JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........
Post by: 1MechEng on January 25, 2009, 11:38:30 AM
Keep it covered for a day or two like this. You will heal quickly.
Hope this helps!
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Dan
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Engineering * Bowling = a fun and practical application of rotational kinematics.
Bowling Nerd Herd (TM) Member
Post by: Neptune66 on January 25, 2009, 11:59:22 AM
As for puncturing with a needle. I have done that sometimes in the past, with some success, but usually more tempted to break the skin with a needle when the area with the pus is more pronounced. In those cases, the motivation and expectation of seeing the pus released (and the pressure and pain along with it) is stronger than my reluctance to feel the pain of the pin.
At this point, I think I waited too long maybe. Thursday, the inflamed area was much worse, but also easier to isolate. Today, though, it's diminished and spread out some and it's actually less obvious where to poke it. So, would take a pretty strong penetration with pin (I think) to open it up.
I think i'll wait and see what it looks like tomorrow .... after more soaking today... and then decide what to do.
Course...part of the reason I dont soak it as much as I should is cause I am always bowling or typing at a keyboard.
Regardless... I do appreciate the suggestions and am listening. Just undecided at the moment.
Post by: echidapus on January 25, 2009, 12:53:20 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on January 26, 2009, 09:41:58 PM
The idea was/is to some day be competitive enough to bowl lefty occasionally to give my right arm a rest, or in an "emergency" situation. Unfortunately, though improving, I'm only averaging around 100-110 so far (vs 200 right-handed).
Anyway... my middle finger is 90% healed tonight (just a tad of pinkish/shiny inflamed area, and virtually no pain --- feels like a light bruise). So...am fairly confident I'll be able to bowl with normal delivery Tuesday night.
Post by: Neptune66 on January 29, 2009, 11:01:04 PM
Unfortunately, after struggling the 1st game (still anticipating strong pain) and improving and throwing a reasonably good game in the 2nd game, the wheels came off in the 3rd one. Good news was it had more to do with having lost my confidence that I could throw with normal speed and revs (for me) than any actual physical limitation.
Wednesday night I was just bad. Maybe a little hesitation to let it fly, but mostly just bad bowling. Then tonight came around and I finally was delivering as solid a shot as I have since 2009 began.
So.... until the next injury...I'm good.
Down the line, I'm still going to do some experimentation (during practice---not league) without the middle finger in the ball, so I'm ready for next time----if there is one--- and I'll also have a way of dampening the ball's reaction on purpose, if I find myself on dry lanes and don't want to switch balls.
Anyway...thanks to everyone for their input a few days ago.
Edited on 1/30/2009 0:02 AM
Post by: Nbgiant25 on January 30, 2009, 06:17:18 AM
quote:
Your middle finger is creates the rotation, so i'm surprised you weren't throwing a knuckle ball down the lane. Just take a week or two off and let your finger heal.
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www.Columbia300.com
Columbia bowls the world over
I'll concur with this recommendation. I just found out last night that I have a severe compound sprain in my bowling thumb, which probably wasn't helped by the fact that I tried to bowl the last couple of days on it. Unfortunately, I have to miss our collegiate conference championship tournament because of it, but I'm taking the time off for it to heal fully so that I can return for the Hoosier in 3 weeks. Just relax for a bit so that you can come back and fully enjoy bowling when you are healed.
Post by: Neptune66 on January 30, 2009, 07:47:04 AM
Post by: isner baby on January 30, 2009, 09:54:57 PM
Post by: Neptune66 on February 01, 2009, 03:50:15 PM
So... I was ok? (as it turned out, my scores were terrible and we lost the games anyway, but still curious.)
Post by: echidapus on February 01, 2009, 05:34:26 PM
USBC rules allow for only one X-hole per ball, and define any hole not used for gripping as an X-hole. if you're not using any equipment with X-holes, you're fine, but if you are, you're in violation of USBC rules by not using middle finger.
FWIW
If you aren't using your middle finger, BUT it is covering the finger hole, I do believe you are allowed to have the extra hole. If your middle finger isn't covering the hole, than it would be in violation.
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High game 300
High series 804
High triplicate 774
High average 221
best game. when I was 6 I bowled a 158
I have a 16# morich awesome finish I want to trade. 1 season on it. I am looking for 15# stuff
Post by: Neptune66 on February 01, 2009, 06:49:10 PM
The rule about the finger needing to be over the hole is interesting. I can't imagine where else I would have put my finger, so of course it was over the hole. Maybe the rule is just worded that way because no one would put a weight block hole in that location, and the true intent is to limit the number of weight block holes?
Maybe it's just semantics, but I always thought (just on hearsay...not from actually reading the rules) that the number of holes a ball was alowed to have was regulated. Not hoe many of those holes were being used. In other words, it would be one thing if I had a ball drilled with no middle finger hole. But on the other hand... if I chose to deliver the ball by palming it, using none of the holes in the ball, would that be illegal?
Not that I would ever want to or be able to do that. Just seems that policing where a bowler places his fingers on or in the ball, would be very hard to enforce. Regulating the number of holes, however, is very cut and dry.
Just thinking out loud. Feel free to correct me if I'm looking at this all wrong.