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.

It was wonderful!

Not even 24 hrs. since the live broadcast and JamminJD let the cat out of the bag.
"I like Prather game a lot.  Glad to see him win."
I recorded last's night, but now I don't have to watch it...….THANKS JamminJD!

Quote from: Bowlaholic on February 10, 2020, 02:13:46 PM

Not even 24 hrs. since the live broadcast and JamminJD let the cat out of the bag.
"I like Prather game a lot.  Glad to see him win."
I recorded last's night, but now I don't have to watch it...….THANKS JamminJD!

I mean, the title is " My TOC TV finals experience - potential small spoilers"

Maybe stay out of this thread until you watch it?

Agreed, and it's not like the PBA isn't blasting the results all over social media, in this day and age you won't be able to avoid spoilers if you go on the internet

Back on topic, I've been to a few shows and watching all the background stuff, practice, and the interactions with the reps/coaches is super cool. Always a very informative and fun experience

Last season in my haste to recognize Norm Duke for his win in Indy, I was viciously called out for "spoiling" his win for many of you.  As a result, I was raked over the coals by many, stating I should have waited a minimum of a 3-4 days to a week before honoring Duke, which would give many of you the chance to view the telecast.
All of a sudden it is now OK to reveal the winner in less than 24 hrs.
Fine, but why the double standard???
By the way Mr. Northface28 was the main actor in the my takedown for the spoiler alert.  Now he is OK with it.
This is my final post on BR.  I have heard over the years how nasty things can get here, I now know what others have stated.
Mr. Northface28, I have read your many negative posts over the years and I have concluded your just one miserable person.  Kiss my you know what!!!
 

Fine, but why the double standard???

Uh, because you put it right in the title of your post where anyone even browsing the homepage without opening it would have the tournament spoiled.  You know, for not using common sense and consideration.  It's not a double standard.  Here, the OP did not name the winner in his title, and even included the words spoiler alert for those that haven't watched it yet.

Also, for the official record, as rude as northface can be on here, I don't see any commentary from him on the thread you're referencing.  It is, in fact, a pretty varied showing of people telling you how inconsiderate you were.  So to say he was "the main actor in my takedown" does not appear to be terribly truthful.

https://www.ballreviews.com/pba/congrats-to-norm-duke/

The guy complaining is not complaining about me or my post....he’s complaining about the first response to my post by another user.....