It has been a while since I posted a blog.  I changed jobs and am now teaching in a Middle School.  After 10 years at the same elementary school teaching 4th & 5th grade for the last 8 years, my administrator decided she was going to force me to teach 3rd grade.  I transfered and am now teaching 6th grade math, science, and history.  I love it, the days just fly by.  The time impact is getting used to a new curriculum.

My administrator wants me to start up a bowling club at the school.  Not only that, but she would like to see it spreading to other schools and having competitions.  A major undertaking, but exciting.  I may suggest a bowl-a-thon fundraiser for the school.

On to the bowling.  I went through a major mental game breakdown after bowing horribly at Nationals in Reno, CA State Queens, and a WWPB tournament in Visalia, CA.  My confidence was destroyed and I was convinced I would never amount to anything as a bowler.  There was a breakdown in communication with my coach.  I was ready to call it quits at the end of the current season for at least a year.  The condition that would allow me to return would be when I could be happy as a low average house bowler.  I was probably at the lowest point I have been at in a very long time, even lower than back in April.

After exchanging several emails with my coach, the air was cleared.  My first coach, Bill Stempke, offered some complimentary coaching.  The coaching consisted of providing me with a series of Dick Ritger Drills to help improve my game.  The best one was a drill to maintain a consistent tempo.  In your mind you say short, short, then slide.  This keeps the tempo and reminds you to keep the first two steps short, then a step and into the slide.  That was about 3 weeks ago.

Aside from my home center, I am seeing the benefits and getting good results in two leagues.  Sundays I bowl an Adult/Jr Gold league at Rocket Bowl in Chatsworth, CA.  My partner is a great kid.  This past Sunday he walks in and tells one of our opponents "My partner is going to shoot 300."  I didn't shoot 300, but did have a great night.  Before I get to those scores, here are the previous two weeks.  Two weeks ago 201-208-168=577.  One week ago, 195-206-246=647. 

This Sunday we are bowling my friend's son.  He greets me with "You're mine!"  I laughed and said "so we're bowling you."  He told me yes and he was getting the points, it is a match point league.  I said okay.  Game 1 I thought he had me.  In the 10th I got a double, he was finished with a 212.  He tells me even if I gutter, he lost, I had a 214.  I got an 8 on the last shot for a 222.  Next game is not even close 159 to my 213.  Before the last game he tells me he's getting the point.  I told him no problem, but he has to earn it, I wasn't going to hold back.  We stay tied for the first 2 frames then he gets a 7 on the 1st ball of the 3rd and I struck.  He never recovered 172 to my 255.  On my way home I mentally added the series and had to laugh.  I had told a friend of mine that I was going to shoot 700 before the end of the season, i got withing 10 with a 690.  Up from a 165 to a 185 in 3 weeks.

My sport league at Corbin Bowl in Tarzana, CA is also going well.   These are all 4 game series, Two Mondays ago 684, last Monday 672, and this Monday 152-199-160-198 for 709.  Up from a 152 to a 160 in 3 weeks. 

Then there is my home center, Mission Hills Bowl in Mission Hills, CA.  I just cannot figure out the shot.  I am fluctuating between a 168 and 170.  Oh well, one of these days...

The confidence is building and bowling is fun again.  Bowl Well!