It's been awhile BR...I see many OG's are still here and see a lot of newbies too posting. at least bowling is alive on BR lol....(not the same without Sawbones and the lady from orange county CA. - forgot her name)

Anyway, just want to get this off my chest. I don't think I'll ever be the bowler I wanted to be.

Ever time I see my game improving, life puts bowling on hold. I've been coached by many great minds of this sport, and each of them gave me the tools to improve my game. I witnessed these improvements every time, but life put my bowling days on hold.

First, it was a career change many years ago. Then came relocation to a new state a few years later. After that, I went back to school. Now, I'm a daddy.

Some of the coaches that helped me over the years are still posting on BR, and I'm thankful for their help. I'm just fortunate that I've worked with these men and woman and took pieces which molded my game. It's just too bad I couldn't keep the wheels rolling. Plus mentally, I was stressing a lot over the last 5 years which really didn't help me too.

Hopefully one day I can achieve my goals once I return to bowling with a clear head and a settled life. And one thing is for sure, I will always be a bowler(ing) in a league or not.

To the friends/coaches, yes I have a newborn. hopefully, you all get my text/pic of my baby girl before you read this. lol

While I'm new around here, I can definitely understand. Mine is mostly due to work and shifting my schedule to the point I just can't league bowl anymore ( I work a rotating two week on nights, so I don't have consistent days off).

I used to bowl 3 leagues a week, and was just starting to do local  tournaments and things. Since then I've had two factories close on me and I got married.

I've been trying to teach my wife to bowl lately ( she has never done it much and her footwork is a nightmare) but she just doesn't see that its worth the money to do ( she goes on nights where they have 1 dollar games)

A plus though is that she enjoys watching me bowl, in her words " Its always neat to watch someone do something they are good at ". She lets me do it, and is gonna let me rebuild my arsenal being mine is getting pretty outdated ( newest is an Eraser PBT).

Sometimes it makes me sad to think " what could of been", but I figure if nothing else, once I retire I'll have that something to do other than sit around the house 

Congrats on the new baby. 

I know exactly what your talking about. When I was younger I would bowl three winter leagues a year and one summer league, but then life got in the way. The career, then family and kids. I didn't bowl for almost eight years, then I got back into it very slowly over the years.

But now that the kids are grown, and life has slowed down. I'm back into bowling full bore. Two winter leagues and one summer league, and bowling in the National Tourney again. So if you still have the itch down the road, you can get back into it when your older and its still fun.

Very well said "notclay" and thanks guys for your comments, thoughts, and sharing your experiences. It's amazing to know we still got smart folks up in here! I know a few ppl who had put bowling before their kids. And they're not all fathers....

I can wait to return. At least mommy allows me to practice once a month. But it's tough.. No leagues, tourneys, no racing (RC), and no golf...hopefully I can go to Austin on Nov to watch F1 live on US soil! The family is "planning" on going....

xrayjay,

 Never, and I mean NEVER, feel a second of regret for putting real life ahead of something that only a few will ever make into a profitable situation.

 I never actually made it into the PBA, but I DID put in way to much concentration and effort trying to get there. I actually made it to the point I was decent enough to compete, but had my sponsor pull out on me at the last minute. Now, looking back, I am glad it happened.

 I missed far too much stuff with my family. Birthday parties, school recitals, PTO organizational activities, sports, etc....., you name it, I probably skipped it on my way to try to become a professional bowler and living MY dreams.

 Shortly after my sponsor fell through, my job situation changed drastically, and I had to totally give up bowling because my hours and my income no longer allowed for it.

 I spent 4 years away from competitive bowling. While I have never been able to reach the levels of ability that I had at one time (due to my age and not wanting to put that much effort into it again), I have discovered how to enjoy my REAL life with my wife, kids, and friends.

 Bowling is life for a select few, but I now understand what many of them had to "put on hold", or do without, to become the successful professionals that they are. Looking back now, and knowing what I know, I honestly do not think the sacrifices are/were truly worth it, at least not for me. I now worry far more, and much more greatly regret, the things I missed out on with my wife and kids than I ever will about what I missed out on the tour.

 Good to see you drop by. Haven't seen you around here for a while. Stop in and give us a shout every once in a while.

Thanks guys for sharing. Really enjoyed reading your experiences and advices.

I'll drop by ever so often, still a great forum for bowling and politics lol