I was wondering how many of you average higher in a mixed league (if you bowl in one)?  If you do, what do you think the reasons are?  

I know my reasons.

First, it is fresh first shift oil.  They are stripped and oiled.  It is the same shot every week.  

Second, is that in this mixed league there are many lower average bowlers.  Therefore nobody is in my line of play most of the time.  In fact I typically only need to move a board or two left the whole afternoon.  

Third, we move faster than a 5 man team on average despite the lower averages.  

I’m averaging 10-15 pins higher on this league compared to the men’s league.  I don’t get oil on my men’s league and the lanes are different every time I walk in.  They constantly break down and you're always moving all over the place.

Please, let's not bring up old quitting issues!!!  That mess is over!


Edited on 12/4/2003 11:43 AM

Well, since I bowl in two primarily guy leagues, all my leagues are mixed.
But - I bowl in two handicap leagues, and two scratch leagues.
Mon. Handicap - lots of beginners. Lowest average. (went from 172 to 190...)
Tues. scratch - high cap league - tougher shot than last year. Second high average - 207
Wed. Scratch - variable shot (based on how much open play before league, etc) second lowest average - 204 (of course, the 453 series a few weeks ago took its toll on the ole average)
Thurs - handicap. Bowling great - highest average. 213

Sawbones: You're right -- it's the time vs. the type of league, but in general, the scenario Bennett outlined is correct.

In most houses, the mixed handicap leagues bowl at 6:00pm and the competitive classic leagues follow at 9:00pm. At least in the 4-5 houses I'm familiar with, the lanes are oiled with a fill-in pattern or even stripped and re-oiled immediately prior to the 6:00pm leagues. This is necessary to ensure that there is enough oil left for the 9:00pm leagues to work (even if the break down patterns turn out dysfunctional).

Personally, I much prefer bowling in the 9:00pm leagues. Not just because the leagues are competitive, but because the path to the pocket is far more challenging. Having to deal with oil transition and constantly moving just adds to the competitive equation. What Bennett looks at as a negative is actually considered to be a positive by many bowlers.

There is little satisfaction in averaging 230 on clean lanes with fresh backends (unless you like being a robot).
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"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

SawBones,

Leaving Steven out of the picture, I do agree with your last post.  I really struggle on 3rd and 4th shift conditions.  But, on the other hand who can blame me for wanting to bowl on fresh conditions?  I may want a 220 average like everybody else around here.  

If I tell Joe Blow that I stuggled to hit a 200 average, he will look at me like "so what, I averaged 205"  If I tell him that I finished 223 for instance, then he may think that I'm good when I'm not.  

We both know the 200 is harder to get as I'm the only one averaging 207 on that condition in my league.  I'm sure bowlers on this league would average 210-220+ if they were on a softer condition.

Edited on 12/4/2003 3:26 PM

Steven,

With a 2nd shift one can chase the oil to stay in the pocket.  That is what our team did.  

3rd and 4th shift there is no oil to chase.  Even inside is dry.  The ball return extends out so far that even if I wanted to I couldn't stand in front of it.  Playing 4th or inside of 4th arrow will hook as much as outside the only difference is you'll run out of room.  So after getting burned playing inside I just worked with a weaker ball and played outside.
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Just like any other bowler I may want to have a 220 average like everybody else around here, so give me fresh oil.  

Steven and SawBones,

I'll talk to my pro shop guy about this.
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Just like any other bowler I may want to have a 220 average like everybody else around here, so give me fresh oil.