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Author Topic: Minds of Their Own  (Read 1837 times)

moondays

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Minds of Their Own
« on: June 19, 2003, 09:41:53 PM »
On a light-hearted topic:  How many of you have noticed that on occasion a ball seems to "know" when it's in trouble and about to be replaced?

This past fall season, my Danger Zone has seemed to know this information.  There were times that no matter what I tried, the Zone couldn't carry the 10.  So I pull out my Teal Rhino and set it next to the scoring console, and suddenly I start carrying the 10 with no adjustments.  This has happened so many times that my teammates would tell me to put the Teal on the floor to instill some fear in the Zone when I started leaving single pins.  

This summer, I'm dropping to 15# and I bought a Deuce to replace my Zone.  The Deuce is doing okay (180s) because I'm still learning how to throw 15#, but now my Zone is doing even better than it did last fall.  The first time I pulled the Deuce out for league, I shot 189 and 192.  The Zone came out in Game 3 for a 235.  Maybe it's trying to tell me not to retire it.  

My dad has a similiar situation.  He bought a Mutant back in March and it hasn't done a thing for him.  He's always saying that it's his $280 spare ball.  Pro shop guys have been baffled as to why this ball wouldn't move for him.  So this summer he bought a Deuce with the same full-roller drilling pattern.  The day that his Deuce arrives, the Mutant comes to life and he shoots 667.  He's used the Deuce since it arrived with more success than the Mutant gave him since he got it, but this morning he called me and said he threw some practice games last night with the Mutant.  His score:  662.  I had to laugh because the Mutant wouldn't move for him even if the lanes were bone dry.  Now that the Deuce is here it's moving like a banshee.  

I was just wondering if anyone else has had old equipment or new equipment that just didn't work suddenly come to life as soon as you start thinking about replacing it.

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On league night, a realm of untold destruction and horror is formed.  Innocent pins are unsuspectingly pulled into this terrifying realm.  Their lives are changed forever by the terror that is unleashed upon them for the next 36 frames.  They stand in fear as they await their fate when they enter...The Danger Zone.  (Only those damn 10-pins have lived to tell the gruesome tale.)

 

9andaWiggle

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2003, 01:22:18 PM »
Hmmm... Maybe we should thank them for a fine performance from time to time.  Maybe sharing some praise instead of hogging all credit for our scores would be incentive for them to do well more often!  Think I might try this - could be a welcome change from the profanities they usually hear!
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9-

Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...

I wonder where they went? ;)

charlest

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2003, 01:26:07 PM »
I have often had to threaten one ball with another by taking the new one out of the bag and placing it on the rack. It seems the only thing they know is pressure, UNLIKE us bowlers ....  
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Rock77

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2003, 01:59:18 PM »
It has happened to me and continues to happen to me on a regular basis with my Zone Pro Azure. I keep wanting to retire the ball and purchase new heavy oil equipment to do so and then I will come out and shoot 650 with the Zone. Makes you wanna keep the ball for that much longer!!
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How am I supposed to knock all 10 down with one ball?!?

Michael DeSantis

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2003, 02:42:33 PM »
Sometimes I like to taunt my reactive and particle "heavy hitters" when they start slacking off by putting my old Gyro urethane on the rack.  I know those other balls start to quiver when I threaten them with that old green guy. Sometimes, when the newer balls are really stubborn, I am  forced to throw the Gyro for a game or so to teach those young orbs a lesson.
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"Chopping Wood For over Two Decades"
"Chopping Wood For over Two Decades"

CB

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2003, 01:41:41 AM »
I had to laugh as I read this post.  I was in Reno Thursday and Friday bowling Nationals and had a similar discussion with one of our group.  I told him I was getting ready to trade out the Vicious Pearl for another ball and low and behold the ball starts striking.  It didn't want to go back in the bag with the smelly socks  I sometimes think they are alive and want to see just how far they can push it

As for retiring equipment, I found out it is never really retired.  I haven't used my Blue Hammer since 1996 and this past season, it was my go to ball at one of the centers I bowl.  Nothing else would stay on the lanes.
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I have no life, therefore I bowl or I bowl, therefore I have no life? Okay here is the truth I bowl, therefore there is life
USBC Bronze Certified Coach


mumzie

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Re: Minds of Their Own
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2003, 02:07:34 PM »
I will tell the ball it has one more chance - I'll whisper that into the thumb hole. More often than not, it starts to work. :-)
Don't know why, but I suspect the "smelly socks" really do have something to do with it.
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I start each day with yoga and meditation. I put my right foot under my left thigh. I put my left foot under my right thigh. I arch my back as much as I can, and then I begin my mantra: Ouch, oh, that hurts.
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