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Jeff Davis
Have you ever considered the similarities between competence in bowling and pool? Certainly, both require decent hand-eye coordination, but a deeper consideration may uncover some parallels. I will concede that bowling takes more strength and physical activity than shooting pool, but some of the same skills are present in both sports. Pool is very much a sport of angles, from where the object ball is hit to bank shots to the position where the cue ball is struck by the cue. Good bowlers will agree that angels play a big role in bowling as well; USBC Specification and Certification research has noted the optimum entry angle for a strike ball is six degrees and the perfect strike occurs when the center of the ball is at the 17.5 board when it hits the 1-3 pocket (1-2 for lefties or backup balls). Each board in a bowling lane is approximately 1.06 inches wide and good bowlers will adjust their foot position or targeting by some number of boards to attain the best angle on the pins.
Both bowling and pool require a consistent stroke and muscle memory figures prominently. Speed matters in both sports. Bowlers usually roll at a fairly consistent pace, but lane conditions may require a change in delivery speed for best results. Bowling and pool are both games of concentration – the focus needs to be on the target at hand. And I believe a positive mental image leads to good results in both – if you think you will make the shot you are far more likely to be successful.
Most bowling centers have pool tables for rent; JP’s Classic Lanes has pool tables, as well as ax throwing and an arcade.
The results below begin with the Thursday Commercial League’s Dec. 14 session and go through the Senior League’s Dec. 20 bowling.
The Keeping It PG squad continues on a great roll in the Thursday Commercial League, maintaining their position in first place with a record of 19-5. Wilson’s Proformance and Rollin’ Dirty are in the hunt with 17-7 marks in second. A familiar name, Kyra Jenkins of the Tierra Del Sol quintet, paced the ladies blasting a 244 game and 600 series. Louis Lufkin, bowling for Donnie’s Heat, had a hot hand, rolling a 265 for men’s high game honors and Wilson’s Proformance’s Shayne Wilson was on target bowling a 687 series.
Sunday’s This Ain’t Yo Momma’s Bowling League is on break until next year, so this is a good time to highlight some of the best performances of the season to date. This week will spotlight some of the best team action so far this year. Trainwreck’s Mini-Me’s owns the season team high scratch game, tallying an 856; that’s an average of 214 for each bowler. The Adriana’s Boyz quartet scored big with a team series of 2,393, an average of over 199 per team member over three games.
The Fall Goldies continue to lead the Monday Trio League with a season mark of 18-10 but the competition is tight. Stone & Gang are only one-half point out of first, and WWM and Spare Me both come in with 16-12 records. Joe Stern on the WWM three paced the men with a 247 game and 636 series. Spare Me’s Debby Essary continues to be on a roll, scoring a 212 game and 582 series to lead the ladies.
Carrie’s Gang slipped a little but still leads the Tuesday Mixed League with a season tally of 217. Money B! is closing the gap, putting together an 1810 season total. The Odd Ones remain in third place at 16-12. Irish Pride’s Mike Holt was the class of the men, boasting a 267 game and 681 series. The Strikers Tina Phillips certainly threw a lot of strikes to take ladies’ honors with a 213 game and 559 series.
Eight teams in Wednesday’s Senior League sport records of .500 or better, but the leaders are beginning to stretch their advantage. The Men Folk are strong in first place with a record of 43 – 21. Strike Force, Pin Pals, and S & P are within striking distance at no more than five points back. S & P’s Billy Painter came on strong with a 247 game and Robert Smith on the Strike Force squad rolled a fine 642 series. Linda Senter, bowling with the We Usta team, appears in the honors column again with a 185 game and 524 series to lead the ladies.
Until next week, good luck and good bowling. And a Merry Christmas to all.