Archive for General
Walter Ray Williams, Jr: The Next Two-Handed Bowler?
Posted by: | CommentsWhile some would argue that two handed bowling is ridiculous, it’s hard to argue with the fact that three bowlers are currently participating in the World Series of Bowling using the two handed delivery. Right handers Jason Belmonte and Osku Palermaa as well as the lefty Cassidy Schaub all can be seen tearing up the lanes, delivering balls with rev rates that are off the charts. But recently an unlikely bowler has adopted the two handed delivery and it comes from none other than arguably the best bowler of all time, Walter Ray Williams, jr.
Jason Belmonte Demonstrating the 2-Handed Delivery
During the World Series of Bowling, after having little luck with his normal approach Williams decided to take a page out of Belmonte’s book and throw the ball with 2 hands. Belmonte in a recent interview on PBA: 39X60 initially smirked watching it, as he assumed Williams was just screwing around in the tenth frame. After the ball went dead flush knocking all ten pins back, Belmonte realized that it was the first frame of the fourth game. Williams was not only bowling with two hands, he was bowling to win.
Williams admitted “we’ll probably have to work a little harder in the future, but this is all I’ve got right now.” He went on to say “[you] never know when you need to take another trick out of the hat.”
As a surprise to everyone around including Belmonte, Williams had scrapped the style that had given him the most tour titles in history and adopted a lessor known strategy to combat the current conditions he was facing. So much for all the arguments that Williams is one dimensional (bowlers often proclaim Williams is only good at throwing the ball fairly straight). And who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
With this dramatic shift in approach this late in his career, I wonder if this will ever amount to anything for Williams. I think this style could give him a look that he is lacking for instances where he would like to move inside and generate some serious revolutions. It still makes me wonder if he can perfect this style and have any success with it before his career is over, but it certainly will be fun to watch if he ever decides to do it on a televised event.
I think this is a lesson to all bowlers, as many often think they know all there is to know about bowling and keep a fairly closed mind. This is what separates the “league bowler” from the world champion bowler. For Williams to be able to have no fear or reservations about throwing the ball in a controversial manner, throwing out 26 years of perfecting his own style on tour, speaks volumes to the bowler that he has become. This is simply why he is a champion and arguably the greatest our sport has ever seen.
Bowling Etiquette: 8 Simple Rules
Posted by: | CommentsI’m not going to lie to you, etiquette is a really difficult word to spell. So much so that I was tempted to call this article bowling courtesy, but then I realized I didn’t know how to spell that either. Anyway, so this will inevitably turn into a long rant on respecting the sport of bowling, so if you aren’t in the mood, I suggest you scroll down and click around to find something else to read. If you are still on board lets dig in.
I remember the first thing my Dad taught me about bowling and it wasn’t what ball to throw, how to throw it or anything of that sort. It was something called lane courtesy. He told me to check to the left and right to see ensure nobody else was going before I lined up to bowl.
I think this kind of thinking is absent from today’s game. I see time and time again people bowling who don’t understand the basics. I’m betting it’s not even their fault, as they just probably were never taught. So I’m always indecisive as to whether to sound snobby and try and educate or to just deal with it and try and sneak my shots in when I can. Sometimes I do the former, but other times I do the latter. What do you think is the right thing to do in that situation?
Let’s talk etiquette. Websters dictionary defines…, just kidding this isn’t a research paper. Etiquette is a fancy word that basically takes into account the general consideration of other people. When you are bowling there is a few things you need to in order to avoid interfering with others.
Stay off the approach unless you are bowling. If it’s not your turn, get off the approach. If your ball is finished knocking pins over, get off the approach. If you need to mentally regroup for any reason, whether it be a distraction, or anything else, get off the approach and start over.
Who has the right of way? Much like pulling up to a stop sign at the same time as another car, getting up to the approach at the same time as another bowler is inevitable. In bowling there is a simple rule, the bowler to the right has the right of way. And if you are thinking you can get setup on the approach to bowl at this time while waiting on the other person, please refer to rule number 1 (OMG are you seriously on the approach right now!)
Other good tips, and by tips I mean rules:
Stop running out shots. People are getting set to bowl next to you, and it is destracting. If you have the approach all to yourself and you want to be ridiculous, then by all means go for it.
Do not bring food or drink anywhere near the bowling approach. You will inevitably spill it and that leaves a sticky situation. It can actually turn quite dangerous if someone takes a bad fall from sticky shoes.
Be ready to bowl when it is your turn. Try and time your trips to the bathroom and snack bar accordingly (i.e. right after you complete your frame). Now if you gotta go, you gotta go. I don’t want to hear about any accidents as a result of this rule.
Don’t use profane language. I see this a lot in youth league especially and sometimes it’s from the kids and sometimes from the parents. I sometimes curse like a sailor(typically not bowling related) but I’ve been pretty good lately at keeping myself in check. You should try and do the same.
The pin doesn’t care what you have to say
Keep the spare ball off the ball return. Sometimes the ball return is crammed with bowling balls. If you have more than one on the rack keep your spare ball off to the side so it doesn’t jam up the ball return.
Be Ready. When it is your turn to bowl, get up there and be ready to bowl.
Shut Up. Don’t talk to someone who is about to bowl. This is a time where concentration is key. If you don’t let them focus on their bowling they will inevitably falter.
I hope I have inspired you to share the rules of the game, and by that I mean the rules that extend beyond foul lines, ball weights and scoring. I also hope that you will personally take responsibility for your actions on the lanes. There are some grey areas to bowling etiquette that we’ll discuss in later articles, like burning up someones oil with a super sanded ball so you eliminate their chances of scoring. Do you have a bowling etiquette “rule” you’d like to share? Leave a comment below.
On a side note, fall leagues are forming really soon, so get down to your local alley and sign up today.
4 Reasons You Should Bowl
Posted by: | Comments1. Bowling is Physical. You need to move more. Our sedentary lifestyles often lead down a path towards obesity and other chronic diseases. Why sit on the couch channel surfing when you can head to your local alley and bowl a couple games. In fact, bodybuilding.com says bowling can burn over 200 calories in just one hour of playing. Do that a few times a week and over the course of a month it can surely add up to something more substantial. Now I’m not saying bowling will turn you into the next Mr. or Mrs. Olympia, but being that bowling is not as rigorous as many other sports it is a great place for many people to start.
2. Bowling is a lifetime sport. Whether you are 4 years old or 104, bowling can be played throughout the entirety of your life. Heck if a 78 year old, legally blind man can bowl a perfect game and a 106 year old can participate in a weekly league, you have no excuse. It’s a proven fact that finding a physical activity that can be performed for the duration of your life will lead to a better quality of life.
3. Bowling creates a social environment. With the advent of video games, cell phones and the internet, people are turning themselves off from typical human interaction. This is why you need to take a trip down to your local lanes. There you’ll find people from all walks of life. According to the USBC (Bowling’s Governing Body) over 67 million people bowled last year making it the nation’s number 1 participatory sport. Think about all those people you can meet, all 67 million!(well not really, but it’s a big number nonetheless)
And for all of you guys on the prowl it’s worth noting that 49% of the bowlers last year were female. Rather than bowling solo on your Nintendo Wii this Friday night, why don’t you head to the lanes with a couple friends and meet some people? Often you will be assigned to a pair of lanes with total strangers bowling alongside you. Don’t be shy now.
49%! I'll take those odds.
4. Bowling has something for everyone. Whether you are looking to be the next PBA superstar like Chris Barnes or Kelly Kulick, or are just looking for a little competition, bowling has much to offer.
Friday and Saturday Night you can often find “Disco Bowling” or something similar in which there will be trippy lights, fog machines, loud music (often of the electronic variety), black lights and the like.
For those looking for a little something more organized weekly handicap leagues from youth to adult are available at your local bowling center. Various league formats from doubles, trios and the standard 4 person teams are available at most centers on a weekly basis giving you some continuity to your game. Leagues will typically have a handicap system in place so even when you are just starting out you can still be competitive.
For something even more competitive and challenging, there are scratch leagues and tournaments that are often played for a substantial amount of money. Some centers are even offing PBA leagues which feature the same conditions the professional bowlers encounter.
Additionally. specialized youth programs that lead into more structured high school and collegiate bowling programs are great for the student/athlete.
Bowling even has specialized equipment to allow handicap people to bowl, and children at ludicrously low ages.
That’s a wrap. You probably get the message by now, but if not I’ll leave you with this, bowling can be all things to all people. Get out there and bowl already.
