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Author Topic: First Regional!  (Read 4675 times)

n00dlejester

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First Regional!
« on: July 28, 2009, 03:07:57 AM »
Hey BR folk,

I am doing my first regional soon!  I was wondering 2 things for those who have experience:

1)  Just general pointers and advice
2)  Where on EARTH do I get a shirt with my name on it?  lol

Thanks!
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BrianCRX90

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2009, 10:47:21 PM »
Don't make David Traber mad!
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Nicanor

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2009, 09:16:51 AM »
The double jumping timing screwed me up during my first PBA event.  I stepped up on Mika a couple of times and he was three lanes away.  He was really cool about it though.  What was screwing me up some is that my lane partner (on the opposite lane) was Jason Hurd.  If he threw first and didn't get a strike, he wouldn't wait for me and my turn, just picked up his ball stepped up on me and threw at his spare.  I could've complained but I didn't.

So if you're not already familar with the double jump rule, I would recommend getting familiar with it very quickly so it becomes natural to you.

Good luck.




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Edited on 7/29/2009 9:19 AM

Edited on 7/29/2009 9:20 AM
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tommymo

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2009, 09:33:27 AM »
The double jump rule seems confusing at first but it is actually cool.  It becomes second nature to you.  You'll find yourself trying to do it during league if you bowl in a few during the year.  I know I did.

You're not there to "show" these guys anything.  Don't try to be someone you're not.  Play your game and don't be afraid to talk to the guys on you're crossing with.  Most of them are very nice and have some funny stories and a lot of insight on the game.  I was able to pick some of their brains and ask for some advice.  Go in with no expectations.  Be a sponge and absorb everything.  And don't just give up if you struggle.  I hate seeing most of our "house" bowlers just going through the motions because they are -120 after 5 games and the cut is +80 or so.  This is your chance to learn, what you learn now could mean the difference in making the cut next time.

Have fun, stay positive and remember that you're a professional too.  Act like it.
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janderson

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2009, 04:13:03 PM »
quote:
if you break a rule your going to get fined.


Excellent point and advice I give to anyone bowling a regional (other than what has already been stated): guest are subject to fines as per the same rules as the PBA members. Make sure all of your equipment is legal and you understand the rules regarding noting your equipment on the score sheets, which of your lane parters' scores you are responsible for, smoking/drinking in the bowling center, coaching, lane courtesy, and withdrawing. Those are the rules most different from other tournaments.

Someone else please chime in if you've seen a gotcha.

On the lane courtesy, I've noticed that most guys will wait their turn as they should, but if you're not ready to go when it is your turn, they get more upset than if you walk up on them.

Good luck, bowl well, and make your spares.
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BrianCRX90

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #20 on: July 29, 2009, 04:58:39 PM »
I've never bowled a PBA event (yet!) but I've seen dozens of PBA tour and regional events.

Basically from observation on the pair courtesy is you stand on the pair you are about to bowl. First thing is, be prepared when your name is up. Don't go to the snack bar, don't chat with David Traber about race cars, don't wonder off...etc. When you are ready, pick up your ball then look a pair to your left and to your right. If for some reason it looks like another bowler is going to step up first, pay attention or just make the first move and go up there. However, do not do what league bowlers (some league bowlers) and step on the approach before you have the ball and certianly don't wait on the approach for your second ball. Never double jump like a overated league bowler or open play teenager and grab another ball off the rack and shoot your spare right away. That is doublejumping, a term many in my leagues seriously are too dumb to understand...or maybe they do and just don't care.

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Steven

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #21 on: July 29, 2009, 07:17:18 PM »
quote:
If for some reason it looks like another bowler is going to step up first, pay attention or just make the first move and go up there.  


Actually, this isn't accurate. Here is the exact description from the PBA website:

 
quote:
A “Double Jump” occurs when, following another player’s delivery on your pair, you step onto the approach before one (1) competitor on the pair to your left and one (1) competitor on the pair to the right have thrown a shot.


In other words, you have to be paying attention before it's your turn to be sure you're going up in the right order. You just don't "make the first move and go up there" because it looks convenient.

It flows well once you're in rhythm and paying attention. It was a little awkward in my first regional, but you get used to it quick. If you do double jump, you will most likely be called on the carpet. Hopefully it will be by another player who is polite instead of someone looking to rip another hole in you.
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supersid802

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #22 on: July 29, 2009, 11:17:26 PM »
My first regional was a great expereince. The double jump rule is the thing that got me. I understood it and followed it, but towards the end of the day when people are mad or upset about scores people tend to just run up there and fire away not caring about the people around them or rules. Other than that have fun and be ready for actual transition from people playing lanes correctly, not like in the PBAx expereince league where people are playing deep, up five, or anywhere between
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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #23 on: July 29, 2009, 11:50:53 PM »
quote:
My first regional was a great expereince. The double jump rule is the thing that got me. I understood it and followed it, but towards the end of the day when people are mad or upset about scores people tend to just run up there and fire away not caring about the people around them or rules. Other than that have fun and be ready for actual transition from people playing lanes correctly, not like in the PBAx expereince league where people are playing deep, up five, or anywhere between
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.........im amazing.......


Definitely, the last one I went to there was a guy all sorts of ballistic about someone who apparently double jumped.  Come to find out this guy was like -150 after 6.
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n00dlejester

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #24 on: August 10, 2009, 09:50:27 AM »
Well, I am back from my first regional, and talk about a serious blast.  I had so much fun bowling both the practice sessions and my squad, and even watching some familiar faces bowl in the other squad.  

So the pattern was on the Cheetah, the new 35 foot one.  This pattern on whatever lane surface it was (I couldn't tell if it was newer or older Pro AnvilLane) created a whole crapload of hook.  Very fun, lol.  I bowled the A squad.  I started off going 167, 246, 160.  I wasn't too bummed, because I had a decent look but my spares were pretty light and I had a few pocket splits (4-9's mainly).  Then the next five games I went 214, 226, 225, 228, 218.  I was very proud of how well I stayed on top of transitions and the differences from pair to pair.  I missed a few easy spares in there, but also made a few wild ones (including the Greek Churhc! lol).  All in all, I was very proud of my bowling, ended up +84 and cashed by 1 pin, lol.

On my pair were a bunch of characters.  One guy kind of had a holier than thou attitude, and the other two were quiet but really nice and helpful for me.  They taught me the double-jump rule, and it is by far the best courtesy rule ever.  I only ever jumped one person, and it wasn't until the 5th game and he was really nice about it.  One thing did leave a bad taste in my mouth though, I had a ball on one of the chairs near the back of the tables - I was going to throw it on my fill shot just to see what it would do.  But the guy with an attitude bowled really badly that game, and decided he wanted to sit where my ball was.  So he waited until I was on teh approach, and he took my ball and just dropped it onto the floor.  I thought that was pretty rude and he could have went about that a bit more maturely.  But all things considered, not a really bad thing to happen.  

During the B squad, I was hanging out with a few familiar faces that were bowling, and a few of the guys who stuck around from A squad started chatting with me and were helping me with some gear and equipment questions.  They were very nice and all in all, I look forward to doing another one.  

Thanks to everyone with the advice, I kept in mind to just have fun and remember it's only a game, and that really helped me have fun with it after my crappy games and it ended up earning me a check.  Good times, and definitely great oldies.
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charlest

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #25 on: August 10, 2009, 10:03:25 AM »
Congrats, Steve!
Cashing in your first is a major accomplishment. Not pissing off any of the prima donnas is another.
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CharlieBrown

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #26 on: August 10, 2009, 10:57:11 AM »
Congrats on cashing! Well done!
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themagician

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #27 on: August 10, 2009, 11:08:40 AM »
Awesome job on turning things around and cashing man!
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Mike Austin

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #28 on: August 10, 2009, 12:09:33 PM »
Nice job on your first tournament!!!  EXCellent!!  By and large, PBA members love helping the new guys.  You obviously have some snap, or you wouldn't have gotten the response from the others that you did.  They tend to shy away from guys that are just total idiots and/or think they know everything already.  Just like in life, they are generally good people.

Way to hang in there mentally and finish the block strong.  A good experience that you should be able to use for confidence in the future.  I can still remember my first one, about 23 years ago!!  Nice job!!

Good luck to ya....
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al_g

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #29 on: August 10, 2009, 02:00:43 PM »
Congratulations! Well done.

And thanks for sharing your experience.
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Danes07

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Re: First Regional!
« Reply #30 on: August 10, 2009, 02:31:29 PM »
Cashing in your first regional....Well Done!!!!

What I like the most is that after bowling a couple of medicore games you didn't get down on yourself and came back and fired a bunch of a good games right in a row to get yourself into it...a lot of guys wouldn't have done that...I really applaud that!!!

I will say though, that if someone had just dropped one of my bowling balls on the floor, he definitely would have gotten a piece of my mind.  I credit you on being the bigger man, but that would have torqued me....there definitely would have been some words spoken.

Congratulations though...hope you keep bowling well in any more regionals you bowl in!!!!
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