I just got home from league and I'm feeling odd.  Our season is about over.  The last few weeks, and the entire season in general have left a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth.  I'll start off by saying this is the best I have ever bowled, particularly the last month.  I bowl 2 leagues.  I am tied for high average on Mondays, and got the high average locked up on Wednesdays.  I'd never even come close in the past.  After floating around 200 for a few years, I cracked 230 which is obviously a huge jump.  I won my first adult tournament.  I had honor scores and a new personal high series.  These are all accomplishments that I'm extremely proud of...I worked very hard at my game and also at gaining knowledge.

Now on to the negative feelings.  In both leagues our team is going to finish, at best, middle of the pack.  I can understand that in handicap leagues the best teams don't always win, but those are still disappointing finishes.  On Wednesdays we have 2 guys that don't seem to care a lick.  One leaves for the night before the team is even done.  They throw their shots and walk back before the ball even hits the pins.  It doesn't even bother me that much that they are not great bowlers, but what really gets me is that they don't seem to enjoy being there at all.  It's gotten to the point where I'm only bowling for myself and not the team.  

Due to my hot streak, I've become used to shooting large numbers.  Now when I don't, I get frustrated.  Tonight I had a pretty good night-667, but because we got waxed and I didn't shoot 700 I am unhappy.  I had 707 Monday and was unhappy because I didn't gain enough ground in the average race.  Those scores are nothing to be upset about, but my expectations have been raised.  Heck, I'm still fuming because I whiffed a 10 pin to cost me my King of the Hill title Saturday.  

Bowling is the only thing I'm even a little bit good at.  I look forward to going, but right now I'm at a kind of cross-roads.  I know I'm not always going to bowl well or score well.  That bothers me.  Not winning as a team bothers me.  I don't know if I can improve beyond what I have done this season.  I know a ton of bowlers would be incredibly happy to have accomplished what I have.  I am, but it feels almost...empty?  What is wrong with me?  I'd like to hear what you guys and gals have to say.  I've always found most advice here to be very helpful.  

Don
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"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage.  Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me. The problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem."
~Dusty Baker being a total fool

You could try bowling with a more competitive team or find team mates that take the game as serious as you do. Try challenging yourself by getting into scratch leagues or a Sport Condition/PBA Experience league. A friend of mine went through the same thing. He took a few weeks off, made sure to have a sub, came back and is enjoying bowling again. The way it sounds to me though is that you might need more of a challenge.

Thanks for the responses so far.  The last 2 summers I have bowled in a USBC Sport league.  I also bowled it 4 years ago.  I was actually thinking about not bowling it this summer, but I am reconsidering it.  There is also going to be a new PBA Experience league starting next fall.  The problem is that it is on Mondays, and I really like the guys I bowl with that night.  I've been on that team for 6 years.  No I don't like losing, but it's not always in our hands either.  It seems that every team gets hot against us, and we always lose a lot of close ones.  The friendships that I have made from that league far outweigh our low finishes.  

I readily admit on here and in person that I'm a hack.  I'm not too proud to admit that I averaged 166 on Sport conditions last summer.  I wasn't even humbled by it...I knew it was a totally different game and expected what I got.  I really do want to continue to improve my skill and knowledge, so maybe bowling on the brutal shot will help. I also don't bowl hardly any tournaments.  I think that would help me also.  I think the best solution for now is to not touch a ball until summer leagues and tournaments start.  I know I will miss the game and hopefully it will start the fire burning again.  

Don
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"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage.  Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me. The problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem."
~Dusty Baker being a total fool