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Jeff Davis
Last week’s report in this space focused on the future of two-handed delivery. This week, I want to cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of using this style. These tips have been gathered from various sources including professional bowlers and bowling coaches.
To be honest, some of the information I saw was so heavy into physics that my brain exploded. I will try to keep it simple. The primary advantage of the two-handed delivery appears to be more power striking the pins. This power is generated by more ball speed and increased revolutions. One source included more path control since the “off” hand supports the ball more firmly than a thumb. Another supposed benefit is the ability to play different angles depending on lane conditions.
Disadvantages mentioned include more difficult spare shooting and decreased accuracy of the ball’s release. Also, and quite significant, are the facts that two-handed bowlers need to have a high degree of flexibility and athleticism, and the delivery can put a significant level of torque on the body, potentially resulting in lumbar issues.
The consensus seems to be that two-handed bowling is here to stay, and as younger bowlers come on the scene it will become more widely used. Most agree, however, that the traditional one-handed delivery will remain the predominant style.
The results below begin with the Thursday Commercial League’s Feb. 29 session and go through the Senior League’s March 6 bowling. The various leagues divide the season into quarters or halves. The standings reported below reflect the current marks, not the overall season.
Three teams are breaking out in the Thursday Commercial League. Graham International continues atop the standings with an impressive 26-6 record. Rollin’ Dirty and Dirty Hands E are staying in the chase, with marks of 2210 and 20-12 respectively. Grip-N-Rip’s Derek Torrey fired the third near-perfect game in the 2023-2024 league sessions, scoring a 299. David Strain on the Graham International quintet led the men with a 765 series. Tina Phillips, rolling with Donnie’s Heat & Air, came on strong once again to lead the ladies with a 202 game and 571 series.
Sunday’s This Ain’t Yo Momma’s Bowling League has begun their reset with seven of the 14 teams showing records of .500 or better. Split Happens is in the lead, tallying 9-3, but six more teams are within two points of the top. Kelly Shields, bowling on the Adriana’s Boyz quartet, paced the men with a 237 game and 633 series. Familiar names again took honors in the ladies’ scoring. Brooke McClure on Trainwreck’s Mini-Me had the high game at 214 and Kyra Jenkins of the aptly named Jenkins & Company squad rolled a 569 for high series.
Spare Me is starting to pull ahead in the Fall Monday Trio League with a great 22-6 record. Sisco’s Crew, Fun Bunch and Odd Ones are clustered behind with 17-11 marks. Once again the bowlers we are familiar with topped the scoring. Spare Me’s Debby Essary has led the ladies at least the last three weeks, most recently smoking a 214 game and 585 series. Doug Either on the Sisco’s Crew three again led the men with a 247 game and 689 series.
The top four spots in the Fall Tuesday Mixed League are shaping up to be pretty competitive, led by the Strikers at 24 ½ -11 ½. Other teams in the hunt are Cletus’s High Rollers, Carrie’s Gang and Dunahoo & Friends. Katelynn Shields was on target for Irish Pride, blasting a 246 game and 611 series to lead the ladies. David Strain, rolling on Cletus’ High Rollers, tossed a 267 to lead the men and Carrie’s Gang’s Mike Gilliand fired a 701 high series.
The Wednesday afternoon Senior League continues to be ultra-competitive with nine of the 13 teams boasting records of at least .500, led by S & P and We Usta at 24-12, and The Men Folk at 21-15. The same bowlers as last week led the men. S & P’s Billy Painter rocked a 216 and Mine’s In The Gutter’s David Vansickle knocked out a 567 series. Also bowling for the Mine’s In The Gutter team, Kathy Price took all the honors for the ladies with a 180 game and 502 series.
Until next week, good luck and good bowling.