Author Topic: Does versatility really count in the PBA? (Read 1213 times)

trash heap · « **on:** February 16, 2010, 01:00:13 AM »

You hear this term thrown around but I see many pros playing the same way (Well at least what I see on TV).

Example: Mike Scroggins. I don't think I ever have seen Scroggins play inside. He has won some titles.

You hear about how versatile some pro bowlers are. But is it neccessary? Why not fine tune you skills to one type of style and get the right ball drilled to fit that tyle and the lane condition you are on.

pop_1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2010, 09:13:14 AM »

From what I've seen over the years, the lanes play different during the week than they do on TV. On TV WRWJ usually plays pretty straight. I've seen him play over the left gutter during qualifying rounds. I agree that being veratile has a lot to do with whether or not you see these guys on Sunday.

stopncrank · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2010, 09:24:13 AM »

I think most of the Pro's are versatile enough to play anywhere. Ive seen Scroggins play inside of 10 a few times. Seen Walter Ray play inside several times as well.

I think the versatility helps make more shows consistently. Guys like Duke, Voss, Walter Ray, Pete Weber, And without a doubt Chris Barnes are on tv more than anybody else because they are never "locked out" so to speak. By being versatile, it gives them more options, which in turn gives them more opportunity to make shows Consistently.

Guys who refine their skills to one set style or shot are limiting their chances of making shows. Take Dale Traber for instance. First, Dale is a great bowler, a lifetime better than i'll ever be. Dale is one of if not the best at playing the outside portion of the lane. When you give him that shot, he'll make the show probably 90% of the time because thats his bread and butter. Force him to move inside, and his chances drop alot.

On the other end, guys like Chris Barnes are never really shut out. He can go from playing the outside like Traber, to playing 5th arrow like Robert Smith in 1 frame. Then, all it comes down to for a guy like Barnes is ball matchup, because he has all the physical tools to play anywhere on the lanes.

What you really need to do is attend a PBA event in person for a few days. What happens during the week is ALOT different than what we see for a couple hours on tv. A couple friends and myself attended our first Pba event in 1996 in Hampton Roads, VA. I wish i would have had a camera to capture my friend Alan's face when he saw WRW playing inside of 20, it was priceless to say the least because he always bashed Walter for playing straight.
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Russell · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2010, 12:31:15 PM »

quote:
Versatility is more than what parts of the lanes the players are playing.

There are parts of the lane that some players can not play do to their speeds, rev rates and physical games.

The versatility comes into play with ball roll manipulation and creating different kinds of spins in the area of lane they are playing.

Every player on the tour can manipulate ball rolls, and create a variety of different types of spins.

That is the one part of the game, that people have a hard time seeing when your watching bowling.

You see the hook guys always playing in, but they are playing in with 4 or 5 different types of releases and spins on the ball.

Edited on 2/16/2010 10:36 AM

+1
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David Lee Yskes · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:01:34 PM »

Yes and No !!!!!!!!!!!

If the PBA would take away the 45mins the Pro''s have to burn up a track ( on the tv pair), then yes being versatile would be a big plus.

Not knocking anyone, just going to point out some obvious people. When was the last time you seen WRWjr playing anything but up 5 or 10??? and the same goes for scroggins..

then you''d see those guys playing else-where on the lanes. I''ve never seen WRWjr make the show on the Chameleon pattern, or Scroggins if my memory is right. Or what about the Shark pattern?

I''ve love to see a TV finals where they ( showed ) them running the lane machine, then giving the guys 10mins of practice on the tv pair, and then start the show... the other guys would have a pair of lanes off to the side to still practice on, but they would have to leave the TV pair alone. Once thier turn came to bowl on the TV pair, they are given 4 shots on each lane and thats it.

Then you''d see versatality come into play.

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Edited on 2/16/2010 2:02 PM

StormNation2 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2010, 01:14:33 PM »

If anyone watched the xtra frame match between Chris Barnes and WRWJ this past week, they talked a lot about this. They said WRW played inside 4th and 5th arrow all week till match play, then he was able to make the move right and burn in the track where he wanted to because the lanes were playable outside. I believe they said the same about Chris. If you watched that match Chris started out playing the same break point as WRW. Then once the lanes started to go away there Chris moved inside and was able to find his groove. WRW, started out playing that match outside but quickly lost the carry and his look to the pocket. So he tried moving inside to where Chris was and just couldn't get as clean look at the pocket as Chris. Probably was ball selection, but my point is that WRW still qualified decent playing deep inside. But, once the lanes were playable outside WRW quickly moved out there and took advantage of it.

Versatility is key on tour because as others have said the lanes almost always play completely different on TV and matchplay then they do in qualifying.
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SFXJVH · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2010, 03:34:05 PM »

Players are allowed to practice on the TV Pair 20 min prior to showtime. At least this was the case in Dublin, Fountain Valley and Reno. This is only 5 min more than every pro is allowed to practice before each round of the tournament. They are able to practice prior to that on pairs next to the TV pairs for a larger amount of time. That being said...

Versatility gets a player there week in and week out. Rarely does a player just stick with his "A Game" and when it comes around win with it. Even when Scroggs wins, or anyone else for that matter, the look on TV, like a few have said before could be completely different from what it took to get them there all week. Equipment has made physical changes a little less important and equipment selection a larger piece of the puzzle...but dont get it twisted, you still have to do both at an extremely high level to be a factor on tour.

You stated this is what you''ve seen on TV and thats a very important part of the question. I spoke with Ciminelli before he bowled the Masters TV Show and he said the way Scroggs and himself broke them down was very important because he expected to play the lane a little differently than he had all week. Its a constant battle every player goes through each game, pair, day and week.

The Xtra frame was great this week in reno, not only because you get to see so much action and hear constant updates, but you get a chance to see how the guys play the pairs and what adjustments they are making as the tourny progress'' and determine which moves are the most common and successful. Its definitely a nice addition.

Edited on 2/16/2010 4:35 PM

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2010, 09:27:43 PM »

i'd say versatility is very important for success in the pba. look at rudy kasimakis, brian kretzer, and tim mack. these three players have yet to win a pba national title because in my opinion they are not versatile enough to compete every week.

Author Topic: Does versatility really count in the PBA? (Read 1213 times)

trash heap

Does versatility really count in the PBA?

pop_1

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

stopncrank

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

Russell

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

David Lee Yskes

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

StormNation2

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

SFXJVH

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?

DON DRAPER

Re: Does versatility really count in the PBA?