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Jeff Davis
We all know that good footwork is a big part of scoring well in bowling, but have you ever thought about the importance of footwear to your success? Of course, it should go without saying that comfort and proper fit are the first considerations when selecting shoes for the lanes. But there are other aspects to getting the shoes and taking care of them. Consider walking stability, traction, balance, durability, design and style to be key factors.
If you are in the right shoes, what is next? The cardinal sin in bowling alleys is to wear your shoes off the lanes in places where they can pick up dirt, debris, grease, etc., that can affect not only your bowling but can foul the approaches for everybody. There are a variety of reasonably priced covers that easily slip over your shoes if you need to leave the immediate seating area. If your soles do pick up some grime you can use a stiff brush to clean them. Be careful not to brush too briskly and brush from the toe back toward the heel.
When I was getting outfitted in JP’s Pro Shop I lucked into some shoes – the only ones in stock that fit me – that have an interchangeable sliding sole. Our local lanes have wood approaches, but a trip to Plano Super Bowl, which has tackier synthetic approaches, convinced me of the value of having different slide possibilities. By the way, there are products, notably Easy Slide, that can make the slide easier. A huge caveat, however, is USBC Rule 12 that states any substance that alters the approach condition for other bowlers is not allowed, and its use must be discontinued immediately if it affects other bowlers.
The results below begin with the Thursday Commercial League’s Feb. 15 session and go through the Senior League’s Feb. 21 bowling. The various leagues divide the season into quarters or halves. The standings reported below reflect the current marks, not the overall season.
Graham International is at the top of the Thursday Commercial League with an impressive 19-5 standing, followed closely by Rollin’ Dirty and Dirty Hands E, tied at 17-7. JP’s Classic Lanes General Manager Tarry Davison came “oh-so-close” to perfection, smoking a 299 for Graham International. He continued on a hot roll posting at 750 series to pace the men. Adriana Brena bowling with the Rollin’ Dirty quintet tossed a fine 233 to lead the ladies high game scoring and Money B’s Brooke McClure appeared again on the high scores with a 611 series.
Sunday’s This Ain’t Yo Momma’s Bowling has begun their reset with three teams – Classic Crazies, Jenkins & Company and Cowboys Super Fan – coming in unblemished with 4-0 records. Familiar names again posted high scores for both the ladies and men. Kyra Jenkins on the appropriately named Jenkins & Company foursome scattered the pins for a 245 game and 619 series. The Classic Crazies’ Shayne Wilson blasted a 279 game and 746 series.
The Fall Monday Trio League is led by the Spare Me threesome with a 16-4 tally. WWM, Odd Ones, Fun Bunch and Sisco’s Crew are in the hunt with records above .500. Spare Me’s Debby Essary continues her strong run of high scores, rocking a 234 game and 633 series to lead the ladies’ scoring. Doug Williams, bowling on the WWM squad, cracked a 236 game to lead the men and Joe Stern, also on WWM, rolled a 620 to take the men's high series.
The top five spots in the Fall Tuesday Mixed League are shaping up to be pretty competitive, led by the Strikers at 20 ½-7 ½. Other teams in the hunt are Cletus’s High Rollers, Carrie’s Gang, Money B! and Thompson’s Tornado with records above .500. Tarry Davison, rolling on Irish Pride, showed Thursday was no fluke, smashing a 285 game and 773 series for the men. Carrie Shields, bowling with Carrie’s Gang, topped the ladies with a 233 game. The Odd Ones’ Kyra Jenkins paced the ladies with a 579 series.
The Wednesday afternoon Senior League continues to be ultra-competitive with 10 of the 13 teams boasting records of at least .500, led by S&P at 19-9, We Usta posting 18-10, and Pin Pals tallying 17-11. Joe Skaggs crashed a 234 to lead the men’s scoring and S&P’s Billy Painter put together three consistent games for a 618 high series. Mighty Mo’s Bunch Mozelle Rutledge rolled a 182 for ladies’ high game and Lori Guffey, bowling on the Mine’s In Tha Gutter team, put three solid games together for a 514 series to top the ladies.
Until next week, good luck and good bowling.