I stepped away from the game of bowling around the time my brother died (November 7, 2011) It wasn't because i wanted to. I was in severe pain. with a bad knee and bad shoulder. Later would find out that i have what is called a bakers cyst on my miniscus in my left knee. Probably stemming from years as a high level tennis player and never learning how to slide with bowling. My wrist issues aren't bad. It get sore and tight. But nothing awful. I had x-rays on my shoulder at one point in time that showed no structural damage. it's a lot like my wrist, just gets tight from time to time.
In the time since November 7, 2011. Ive done a multitude of things, I began waiting tables, I got engaged. I got un-engaged (hallelujah) I stopped waiting tables, I put boats together, I played poker for a living for the last time. (more on that in a bit) I started waiting tables again.
Around here, the biggest league is on Tuesday night. It's probably 24 teams or so. I got to where i would go up to the bowling center after i got off work on Tuesday and visit with old friends. After a few weeks. I (we) decided that it was time for me to try again. It had been more or less 5 years since i bowled seriously. So we were going to have to take it slow.
I bought a used ball off of Ebay. It was a Track 503T and i decided to bowl a 10 week No tap league with my sisters boyfriend to see how i felt and would hold up for the long term. About 2 weeks into it, i was talked into subbing on a summer league, and ended up taking a full time slot on that team. I have bowled a couple of tournaments with a few more lined up..... So much for taking things slow. I guess ive never really had that gear.
Since then, Ive shot 300 with the used ball off of ebay, ive bought 2 more off of there very cheaply and one was 16 pounds that i thought was 15, and gave it to my buddy Taylor. Another was a 15 pound mission 250k that i plugged, drilled, rolled it for about a game and put it away to be given away to whoever may want it.
Ive drilled a Rotogrip Hectic, Hyper Cell-Skid, Ebonite Gamebreaker 2, Track Paradox and will be drilling a No Rules from Rotogrip this week.
Right now, my go to ball is the Hyper Cell-Skid. I have no need for the GB2 on a league shot, But, on something a little longer or with more head oil i can use it and have a really nice reaction.
Ive been practicing twice a week about 7-10 games at a time. But after talking with someone who's opinion i value. Im going to start practicing 3 days a week and going to 4-6 games per session. I feel that the smaller practice sessions will allow to build my game up rather than possibly wearing it down.
Yesterday we had the first day of travel league. I bowl out of the East Texas version of TCBA and have a pretty solid team. I didn't bowl very good yesterday and lost a bit of money in brackets. I may have lost money, But I learned a lot as well.
Im truly excited to be back in the game and working hard to get myself ready to compete on a bigger level. have 6 games today and a positive outlook.
