Granted sport shots are suppose to be more difficult.  Many bowlers especially the ones new to the sport have really no idea.  When they see the pros performing like they did today what questions does it raise?  When scores on the house shot have gotten out of hand how can people relate to both sides of the sport.  I think it confuses many people including a lot of fans.  I have never seen so many open frames on a PBA telecast as there were today.  Problems with one bowler    Ok but all 4 struggled.

 

Smash49

The open frames are inexcusable. It honestly seemed like they weren't mentally prepared for the show. 2 of the bowlers hadn't been on tv in a long time. One head case who can't get out of his own way, and one inexperienced player. Then I also feel the abbreviated formats lead to the lesser talented players to be near the top. There's a reason the old saying "the cream rises to the top" is true. Another thing I saw was the pair was not going to be very nice. The right handed players were VERY fortunate Patrick Allen couldn't get his ball reaction down. We all know how much of a double-edged sword it is to be the only left hander on the show. But since it was nothing but righties who hook the ball, the pair wasn't going to yield that high of scoring pace when their personalities and bowling games force them left. The normal league player can't see the differences, so they will just go on with their day averaging 200+ on a house shot, and that's all that will happen. 

And if I could say this, I am feeling pretty horrible for Rash. Yeah he doesn't have the best public appeal and has angered many people. But I don't think anyone would wish someone else to go through what he is going through. As a competitor, it's heart breaking. Here he is, the best at his craft and he can't get the desired result.  

 

 

Edited by imholte08 on 2/19/2012 at 3:42 PM

 

It was nice to see Allen back on a show for the first time in a while.  I do have to question ball selection as he was throwing a Storm 2Fast/2Furious.  Those are usually not able to handle heavier volumes and the shot was not consistent.  Maybe he could have gone with something slightly stronger/made a slight adjustment, and it could have been a different story.

Dave Wodka...although it was nice to see him back on a show after 11 years, the results were not pretty.  A missed 3-6-10 spare to open things up, a gutter ball, and he was flat out not comfortable.  I also have to question his approach issues.  Since he was sticking a lot during the first game, wouldn't it have made sense to change the sole or work on the shoe in between frames? 

I for one am glad to hear they had problems.  Too many of the matches at the WSOB this year were determined by who can put 5+ strikes together and crappy spare shooting, and not enough by who can keep their wits about them and make good shots.  I think even for the pros 230+ should be the exception, not the rule.

 

I haven't seen the telecast yet.  Were they having trouble with the heads on the left lane again?

With all the talk about the Pro Animal patterns, I think by now, alot of the average bowlers know it is a tough shot.  Regardlesas or the lane condition, when you are a Pro and throw you spares straight, there is no excuss for missing spares, especially single pins.

 

Looked to me when Barrett moved in, he had the right ball and layout where I feel, Rash did not.  His ball was not finishing as well as Barretts making him try to throw the ball a bit straighter with a lot less entry angle.  I think Rash should have switched to a stronger backend ball for the final match.

 

Either way, I was happy not to see Belmonte and the show.  Getting a bit tired of 2 handed bowlers.