Was an awesome day in Fairlawn....other than being cold and snowy...especially after the finals were over.
Doors were supposed to open at 3, didn't open till 315. Long line waiting. As we waited, Chuck Gardner came out and hyped us up for the finals....then Carmen Salvino and his wife came up and was telling everyone how he wanted them to cheer as loud as we could for every strike and what not. He spent probably 15 minutes with his wife yelling as loud as he could so everyone could hear him.
Once inside, my seats were directly behind the practice pair: 37-38. The guys were practicing. Tons of urethane on the practice pair, including Prather with not one but TWO sand blasted Pitch Blacks. Looked like he hit it with roof shingle grit sand paper. The Volatility looked really good in Rash's hands on the pair. Simonsen was deep inside with an Omega Crux....was surprised by his ball choice on the show. That shot was NOT working on the practice pair, but I know how different they can be. Belmo looked completely lost from the moment he threw the first ball on the practice pair. It duck hooked left almost immediately and I saw the confused look in his eyes. He turned around to his rep with a puzzled look.
So about 4-415 or so the guys went to the TV pair to practice. The lane man reoiled the practice pair when they did. Not just once, but oiled 37, went to 38, came back to 37 and hit it again, and back to 38. We could see every spot someone laid the ball down because of the blue oil, which was also used on the practice pair.
Before going on the air someone taped the lanes. We assumed because of the $1 million bonus for a 300 game.
During Belmo's match, during the TV break, he came down to the practice pair to check his phone. Thought that was sort of weird but whatever.
Prather came down to the practice pair to grab the Omega Crux during the Simonsen match.
All the pros were very accommodating to anyone who asked. Took every picture and signed everything, at least behind the practice pair. Can't speak for anywhere else.
It was a great time to be had. If you can get to a TV finals of a PBA tourney, I suggest you do it.