Tonight in league I couldn't find a line to the pocket.  If I went 10 or inside of 10 the ball slid and hit the head pin high, or as my friend said in the face.  If I went outside of 10, the ball flew past the head pin. My "Cookie" coach, Rick, suggested a few adjustments I hadn't tried and the results were the same.

By the end of the 2nd game I was ready to go to plastic and stay outside of 10.  I told Rick what I was thinking.   He said, try 5th arrow.  I thought he was kidding at first.  After asking him if he was crazy, I said okay.  I played 5th arrow and ended up with my highest game of the night.  It wasn't great, but it was 30 over game 1 and 19 over game 2.

Another friend and fellow lefty came into the center.  I told him I had played 5th arrow.  He laughed and Rick explained why.  I then joked that they were going to take my Lefty card because we all know lefties only play the first 2 arrows and occasionally the 3rd arrow.  My lefty friend said the 3rd arrow is for 7 pins only.  The discussion went on and my lefty friend said I was becoming a left handed righty.  Rick said no she's a tweener, somewhere between a lefty and righty. 

I have to say it was fun playing 5th arrow.  It will take some practice to build the confidence and get more consistent at it.  My greatest concern is I wouldnot be able to get far enough right on the left lane, but no problem.  So I'll accept the title of tweener if it means another adjustment I can use!

I just finished competing in our local City Tournament (NLACUSBC).  It was interesting and another great learning experience.  I came into the tournament with a 184 book average from a short season Adult/Youth League I bowled last season.  My current high average is a 163, so I knew it was going to be interesting.

Yesterday was Team Event at Santa Clarita Lanes.  I hadn't bowled there in several years and we followed their Youth League with no re-oiling.  There were some flying backends which gave several of the bowlers a major challenge.

I came in looking at this as a test of my new perspective and attitude towards evaluating the day.  I haven't bowled any tournaments since the change and was a little concerned I'd fall back into old habits.  I didn't despite my high game of 167 and low of 142.  I kept focused on execution and felt good about the day.

My only disappointment was my spare shooting went down the tubes in the 3rd game.  I have no one to blame but myself.  I didn't eat at all before bowling and we bowled at noon, no breakfast or lunch.  By the 3rd game I was mentally fatigued and had reduced ball speed.  We talked after and the first question was what had I eaten.  When I said nothing the response well what do you expect, your body needs fuel.

Today I had a small bowl of rice with a little cheese mixed in and brought a few low calorie carb snacks for between singles and doubles.  What a difference.  I was rolling the ball just as strongly in the 6th game as in the first.  I was more consistent in my spare shooting.  I still had trouble carrying strikes.

Team Event: 168 - 151 - 142 = 461

Doubles Event: 162 - 155 - 158 = 475

Singles Event: 163 - 187 - 165 = 515

To finish the day I had league at 6PM.  We were scheduled on lanes 1 & 2.  I had a small portion of rice when I got home from City around 4PM and then got  an egg salad sandwich at the center at 6PM.  I maintained a good attitude the whole night and we had fun joking around with the other team.  I had the stamina to roll the ball well throughout the three games.  I made some bad adjustments, but was very pleased with the night.  

My "cookie" coach was on duty and came down to observe several times over the night. We talked after league.  He said the best shot he saw me roll was the first ball in the 10th frame of game 3.  I told him how appreciative of everything he has done for me and believing in my potential even when I had given up.  His reply is this was his pay off, seeing the confidence soar and the product evolving.  I shared with him comments others shared with me about the positive improvement.  He was thrilled to hear others are noticing the changes.  He is also glad to see me enjoy bowling again.  

Tonight's scores 176 - 158 - 173 = 507 with a 163 sheet average.

Thanks for reading and bowl well!