I used to catch a lot of flak about bringing too many balls (6) and switching too soon and too often, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm cutting my own throat by being too conservative will ball changes.

I typically get the whole first game in with one ball, then start to feel the need to change around the second frame of game two. But I've been a little stubborn, trying to make the original ball work until later in that game.

Or, should I just not care how it's looked upon, and switch 100 times a game if that's what it takes? I'm starting to see that familiar pattern of "high first, low second, high third game" starting to emerge with my bowling lately. I know it's from not managing that first transition well, but I'd just like to get some feedback on when you guys decide not to try to make release adjustments any longer, and start making ball adjustments instead.

Jess

I usually bring 6 balls to league, knowing full well that I probably won't need all 6! I usually use three, but I must say, bringing the six balls has paid off handsomely this year.

I have had at least three instances where we bowled against top teams in our league, and for whatever reason.....the shot got changed......and I just happened to have the right piece available!

Now, with that being said, I usually start thinking ball change between the 1st frame and the 4th frame of the second game. It all depends on my carry, and who I am bowling against. If I am bowling against a player with a big sweeping hook, who crosses my line, then most definitely I will be making some serious ball changes, so that I can stay in my comfort zone.

I have been criticized all year about bringing so many balls to league. I merely laugh at them. They are my balls, first of all. I've drilled them for specific purposes, to do specific things. How else am I going to find out if all my studious knowledge, that I've picked up from BallReviews,......works, if I don't use it and gain even more knowledge regarding lane play?

If you don't use it......ya lose it! So I intend on using as many balls as needed, and as often as needed. Case closed.

As I often tell a lot of my friends...(and this is usually at tournaments, with a difficult pattern out)....I will always have options. I will never be shut out of a pattern!

This is the example that I learned from experience. When I first started league bowling, back in 1992, I lucked up by bowling with a very competitive team. They took me under their wing, as I had a lot of handicap back then.
We ended up bowling for the championship against the 1st place team. All year long we had bowled on heavy oil. I was great on heavy oil. For some reason, the championship match that season was placed on lanes with medium-lite oil. I was great for the first game. Being a novice bowler, I wasn't too  good on adjustments. My carry went away for the 2nd and 3rd games, and I was forced to move inside of my opponents, who were tearing up my track area. But I didn't know this at that time. So I endured two, back-to-back excruciatingly low games. I got split after split, and kept thinking it was a poor release by me that kept getting me these ridiculous leaves.

Meanwhile, my opponents merely chuckled, while they downsized to weaker pieces,
........never moved......stayed in the same track area.....and kept right on striking! I was sure to make note of what they did, and how they did it!
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