My bowling coach in college used to freak out at me because I could rattle off stats regarding other teams and bowlers while we were in a tournament and he would tell me to focus on my own game. I told him what does it matter, as I was throwing 240-250 games and this helped me relax. Are there any special techniques you use in league to help you relax before you get ready to bowl? Any special pre-shot routines?

As an aside this evening, I saw on the pair next to me during a 5 man league I sub in one team shoot 1137 scratch and lose to a handicap team (a 160 bowler shot a 256 at them). The person who was matched up against this person bowled 224 to start, then left a 4-6 split to start the second game. Went off the sheet for a 279, then started with the next 7 in a row to start the third game before leaving another 4-6 split to end the streak...and on my pair I saw a teammate leave a solid 5 pin in the pocket that was spinning around like a top after hitting the 6 pin, as well as another lefty coming from second arrow leave a pocket 9-10. The strange happenings in a league night, especially when we had to deal with a 1/2 hour of lane breakdowns to make it a 3 hour night bowling...

Matt