About 20 years ago I was bowling in a mixed league. One lady on our team threw hard and straight at the pocket from the right corner. We were in a close game when she got up in the tenth working on a spare. She proceded to fire the ball across the lane and take out the 7 pin. On her second shot she managed to fire the ball across the lane to the exact spot where the 7 previously stood for a total of 1 for the frame. We lost the game.
The most expensive frame that I am familiar with, but did not see in person, was achieved by my friend and BR contributor tommygn. He split in the first frame of the league night for a 9 count fill. If you're going to open, the first frame is probably the least expensive. However, he proceded to strike in the next 47 frames of the four game league and set the standing record for most strikes in a row. That first frame cost him a 900 series and the first ever 1200 four game series! He did also set the house record at 879.