I went bowling this weekend with a friend and it brought back a story I did several years ago for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. I thought I’d dust it off and share it with you all. It’s a perfect example of team work.
The ball rolled down the lane sliding to one side then curving to the center just before it found the head pin. STRIKE! That was my first strike of the day. It only took two games to achieve it, but I got one!
Bowling is a game enjoyed by many, including myself. For me, the game is a bit different. I use what’s called a bowling ramp. I would hate to see what I would do if I actually swung the ball. I know for one thing it wouldn’t have much force behind it. Furthermore, it would probably go flying backwards, knowing my luck, instead of forward. The ramp allows me to push the ball down the ramp and have enough momentum to go down the lane. But, believe me, it’s not as easy as it looks.
When I go bowling, I’ll go with others because I need assistance with a few things. First off is the bowling shoes. I could probably work around this problem by buying my own shoes with Velcro straps, but that would take away from the experience of the often uncomfortable, used by everyone, feel of the shoes at the bowling alley.
I also need help with getting the ball on the ramp because I like to use heavier weights. I find the heavier weights are a little easier to control than lighter ones. So for me bowling is a team effort.
When I go bowling, many people think that I have an advantage using the bowling ramp versus the regular method. This is simply not true. One of my very first games I was lucky to break 25 points. No strikes and no spares, they were all open frames. A few gutter balls too. It’s just not as simple as pointing it down the lane and pushing the ball.
Most bowlers know that no two lanes are a like. Some might be greasier than others. When throwing the ball, some lanes seem to angle more to one side than the other. So you have to compensate by throwing to one side or the other. The same principles apply to using a bowling ramp.
Another problem I get from using the ramp is when the ball jumps off the end of the ramp it might slide more to one side because of the lip of the ramp. I have to often hold the ramp as tightly as I can to keep it from jumping.
To those that say it must be easy, I say, (with a sly smile on my face). “Go ahead and try it.” A bowling ramp allows me to participate and enjoy what many do naturally, bowling. For those interested, my bowling average is around 150.
So far, I have gotten only one turkey. With a little more time on the lanes, I may get some more strikes. Maybe, one day, I might even have a 300 game!
