Hi All! I was just wondering if you remembered how you threw your
12th ball for your first 300 game?  Were you nervous, did you throw
it over your mark, did you look up at the people watching you etc...
Just curious.  Thanks.
--------------------
Light hits wont do any good if the pins are all
in the pit.

Yes, I remeber when I throw mine. I was shaking bad. I missed my mark to the right and I turned around before the shot hit the pins. I was pissed. I hit my leg and every one yelled.
--------------------
Bowl To Win!!!

I let down on the speed for the 11th, and got a tripped four pin. Our team needed all 12 to win the match for the evening, so I just told myself "keep your speed up and stay on the shot." The last strike actually was easy... because I knew the team was counting on me.

The 11th was the toughest shot for me.  I hit half-pocket, and the 10 went down real late.  After that, the only thing I noticed about the 12th shot was I couldn't feel my feet, and it was very quiet.  The 12th shot hit my mark, and the speed was perfect.

I had my only 300 quite a few years ago now, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Bowling with a Teal Rhino. Finished my first game on a good note, finding my line and throwing the ball well, finished with a strikeout in the 10th. Started stringing 'em the next game and didn't really get nervous until the 10th frame. Then everyone on my league was watching and I was nervous as hell. Shakin' so bad I could hardly throw the ball, got no speed on it and crossed over for a brooklyn for the first ball in the 10th. Next ball, same damn thing....brooklyn. At that point I figured what the hell, luck was on my side and I threw my best ball of the game for the last ball in the 10th. Gave a whoop and ran back to high fives from my teammates and tons of congrats. Still pretty excited, but I managed to start the next game with a 3 bagger so my string of 18 still stands as my personal best run ever. I've had 2 290's since with spares to start and then 11 in a row, but those didn't make me nervous at all...nothing like bowling a 300!
Digs
--------------------
Never argue with an idiot....They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!  

My 12th ball was perfect - my 11th ball was awful and tripped a very late (4?) pin.  After the 11th, I just knew it was meant to be and relaxed and let the ball go.  I had never had more than the first 8 prior to this, so I didn't really know how I was supposed to feel.  I think that helped in a lot of ways.
--------------------
Hit the pocket and hope for the best

Well, since I'm now qualified to post on this subject . . .

I do remember the twelfth shot for my first, since it happened less than 48 hours ago.  I had been making small adjustments early in the game for late ten pin carry, and next thing I knew, I had the front eight.  The ninth was no problem, but I started thinking about it a little before I got up in the tenth.  In the past few weeks, I have had the front seven, front eight, and front nine, only to leave a ten pin.

I haven't had trouble with the tenth ball in the past, and when I finally got up in the tenth, I threw the ball pretty well, or so I thought, until it skidded a bit too far and went extremely light, momentarily leaving a 2-8 before a couple of well aimed pins tripped out both.  That got me pumped!  At this point in my bowling "career," I am not opposed to accepting a good break whenever I can get it, especially en route to a perfect game.

In the past, my eleventh shot has been the toughest for me.  For some reason, I get really nervous after getting the tenth one.  This time was no exception, but I took a deep breath and wasted no time throwing my eleventh shot.  It went half-pocket, but was in a good roll, so it blew the rack.

After each shot in the tenth, I turned around and gave a round of fives to my teammates and the members of the opposing team, and probably others, as well.  By this time, however, I was not really aware of what was going on around me.  When my ball came back after the eleventh shot, I picked it up and looked at the lanes on either side of me.  Seeing nobody on either lane (our league actually emphasizes one lane courtesy in its rules), I got up to bowl.  I was pretty nervous, but my mechanics must have been pretty sound, because I was able to throw the last shot on autopilot.  It was identical to the one in the eleventh, again blowing out the rack.

I didn't miss my spot in any of the twelve, even the tenth.  I suspect I got a bit amped and overthrew it just a tad.  It was a good wakeup call for the last two.

Afterward, I was amazed at the number of guys that came up to me saying they had no idea that I was even stringing.  I guess I'm sort of a low profile guy when I'm bowling - lol!

It's nice to have the monkey off my back, and it will be interesting to see how it goes if I ever get a chance to do it again.
--------------------
RW (THB)

I wasn't nervous at all, and the ball was a perfect strike.
Funny thing though, I went 3 and out in the first game, 300 in the second
and 1st, 2nd, 3rd frame in the third game.  In the fourth frame it hit me, and I felt like I was throwing the last ball in the second game.
--------------------
Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
 Visionary Test Staff Member
http://www.visionarybowling.com