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Motel 6 Classic – Las Vegas, NV – Viper Pattern January 24 – 28, 2007
Hello sports fans! This week we are in good ole Las Vegas this week. I always look forward to coming to Vegas. This week we are bowling on the Viper pattern. This is my 2nd favorite pattern next to the Cheetah. After last weeks finish in 9th, I’m looking forward to stepping my game up this week. It’s getting close to crunch time. We only have 7 more events remaining, and if I want to earn a spot to the Japan Cup I have got to start winning in a major way. I feel pretty good, and I am throwing the ball great, as well. We are bowling at the Sunset Station this week, one of the newer Casinos and bowling centers in the area. The pins fly all over here so the scores should be high. I don’t mind a carry contest as long as I am invited. I haven’t drilled anything up lately, so this week I think I am going to drill 2 to balls. I nhat 2 balls I am going to drill yet, maybe a Widow or a Vibe. I don’t have many Vibes so I’m leaning towards a Vibe. I will have a better idea after practice. Would you believe they have a line on the bowlers this week? Only in Vegas, can you actually bet on the bowlers. First fantasy bowling, now a bowling sports book? What’s next a bowling reality show? Sweet. Well lets get started.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. After trying all of my balls I came to the conclusion that I didn’t know which balls to throw. Everything I threw struck. I mean everything. Even my spare ball struck. What to do, what to do? I mean I struck so much that I didn’t want to bowl anymore, because I didn’t want my shot altered. So I worked on my spares for the rest of the practice session. This is the best look I’ve had since I’ve been out here, even better than Baltimore. That’s scary (for the other guy of course). I’ve got a real good feeling about this week. Let’s see if we can manifest this feeling into a victory. Wish me luck.
Thursday, January 25, 2007 – 11:00 a.m. After 15 minutes of practice I narrowed it down to 2 balls, my blue Vibe, pin outside the ring finger, CG in with a hole, and sanded with a 1000 abralon pad. My other ball of choice is my Widow, pin over the ring finger, CG out, and the Mass Bias by the thumb, with a small hole, hit with a 2000 abralon pad. I decided to start with my Vibe because it was more controllable in the front. When the lanes get tighter then I will go to the Widow. 1st game 258 Great choice 2nd game 268 He’s heating up 3rd game 290 BRILLIANT!! Is that 800 for three games? OHH BABY!!! 4th game 238 I moved to the other end where the lanes were tighter so I switched to my Widow 5th game 258 This is unbelievable 6th game 279 I had the front 9 then left a 10 pin. Man I wanted a 300 7th game 253 If I carry the 1st one in the tenth I set the 7 game scoring record. I missed it by 9 pins. Jason Couch tied the record (453 over). I had 444 over for 7 games. That’s the best 7 game block of my life. The bad news is I missed breaking the record. The good news is that I always bowl better the 2nd block. I said earlier that I was going to drill a ball or 2 this week but why? I ‘m not changing a thing, absolutely nothing. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
Thursday, January 25, 2007 – 6:00 p.m. After 15 min. of practice, the same balls I used earlier seem to give the best reaction. I am worried about the surface though. The lanes are a little dryer then the 1st block. I didn’t have time to bring the surface back up, oh well, lets see what happens.
1st game 192 I started with my Widow. It seems to be too much, although it was making its move at the right part of the lane, it was using up too much energy. 2nd game 216 I switched to my Vibe, better reaction. The carry isn’t that great though. I guess I won’t be setting any records this block, but I definitely don’t want to lose any ground, so keep your head in the game. 3rd game 245 Better! The Vibe is carrying now. A three bagger and a 4 bagger. 4th game 224 The other end of the house is always tighter, so I switched back to my Widow, three doubles and three 7 pins. Not bad, could be better. 5th game 257 Yes Sir back in the swing of things. 6th game 260 Can I catch Jason, lets see 7th game 196 2nd high qualifier. Brilliant, my highest qualifier yet. Good job, my mom is happy, my girlfriend is happy, everything is alright. Now its party time, see you tomorrow.
Friday, January 26, 2007 – 9:00 a.m. It’s match play and my 1st competitor is Brian Himmler. We’ve danced before, and I owe him one. The last time we bowled in match play he swept me, so hopefully I can return the favor. 1st game - Close one. I had to strike out to beat him. That can’t happen again. It’s blatantly obvious that I have the advantage. Get it together Billy “O”.
2nd game - Right now I have the mental advantage over Chief. Now to reinforce the fact that he can’t win this match.
3rd game - Can you believe it. He is throwing a back up ball, playing the same part of the lane as me. One more game to go. Don’t let up now BURY HIM NOW!!
Congratulations to me on my 1st match play victory this season! Long overdue and greatly appreciated.
No time to celebrate because I have the best bowler in the world next. For those who don’t know who that is, Walter Ray Williams, Jr.
Friday, January 26, 2007 – 2:00 p.m. This is going to be a good match. Time to slay the dragon. He’s the best out here, but not today. He is going down.
1st game Neither one of us was striking. This was a close game all the way down to the wire. I forced him to strike on the fill ball, and like the true champion he is, he did.
2nd game - I don’t like being down after the 1st game. It is mandatory I win this next game. Great open the 1st frame. Let’s go no playing with this guy. Yes spare in the 10th, now bring the count. Good job. 1 to 1.
3rd game - The strangest thing happened after the 2nd game. We had to switch lanes because one of the boards by the 2nd set of dots was a little higher than the others. I never heard that before, but whatever, I didn’t like the look I had on that pair anyway, Walter lost his carry as well. Brilliant.
Game 3
Games 4 and 5 were lights out for Walter. I can’t believe it . I beat Walter Ray after he made us move. Game 4
Game 5
How big is that? That’s huge !! Ok enough celebrating, it doesn’t get easier, it gets harder. Chris Barnes next! He dominated his last match, I hope I can weather the storm. What am I talking about, he is going down. Here we go.
Friday, January 26, 2007 – 6:00 p.m. - 1st game. One more match to go before the show. I’m so close that I can taste it. I know Chris isn’t going to roll over and play dead, so I’ve got to be on point. Here we go. I got out the gate pretty good, just a couple of bad frames, including a 9 miss. I deserve to lose. Ok shake that off and bring the pain.
Game 1
2nd game - Start off with a three bagger, then the left lane got a little tighter on the back end, and I couldn’t carry that dreaded 7 pin. Now I’m 2 down. Ok, you’ve been here before no big deal. You’ve got the right lane down pat. The left lane slow the ball down just a hair, that should allow the ball to finish.
Game 2
3rd game - Front eight, 10 pin, sheet. Now that’s what I’m talking about. Man he took me to the wire. It shouldn’t be this hard, but if you want to make it to the king of the hill then you have to battle. So let’s get it on. Game 3
4th game Got started good, 4 in a row, 7 – 10 split, then strike out. Chris is going thru transition. I am going to take advantage of that.
Game 4
5th game I new I had a problem when I didn’t start with at least a double. Now I’m going thru the transition. Time for a ball change. Game 5
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