Let's talk about spare shooting......again

Let's talk about spare shooting......again Image

• By JEFF DAVIS Columnist Jeffd1869@gmail.com

Jeff Davis Fri, 05/10/2024 - 21:55 Subhead | JP's Classic Lanes Body

If you have read many of these reports this past fall and spring, you would think I am obsessed with shooting spares. And you would not be far from wrong. I know I could raise my average 10, 20, 30 pins if I consistently picked up my spares. I came across a technique referred to as the “3-6-9” approach. I’m going to give it a try and maybe it will give you a starting point if you want to get serious about converting those leaves.

The first step is to establish your initial alignment for hitting the 1-3 (1-2 for lefties or back-up balls) pocket. The 3-6-9 spare system is based on lateral adjustments, either right or left, of your foot position. The very basic element is for spares on the right side of the lane, move your feet left, and conversely for left side leaves move your feet right. Also, obviously the key pin in any leaf is the pin nearest you. So move your starting position and use the same aiming point you do for your first ball. And here is the formula: two pins move right three boards, four pins move right six boards, seven pin move right nine boards. Do the same, moving to the left for 3, 6, and 10 pins. Try not to wander off line and deliver your shot with the same speed and release of your strike ball. Make adjustments as required for your particular delivery.

The results below begin with the Thursday Commercial League’s May 2 session and go through the Senior League’s May 8 bowling. The various leagues divide the season into quarters or halves. The standings reported below reflect the current marks, not the overall season.

Graham International and Rollin’ Dirty maintained their first place tie with 23-9 records. The Pawn Shop also had a good week and remains in third position at 21-11. Tina Phillips was on target all night to lead the ladies, firing a 226 game and 562 series. Dereck McClure blasted the big game for the men at 279 and J P’s Classic Lanes General Manager smoked a 749 to pace the menfolk.

Full Throttle kept their motor revving, taking all four points to lead the Sunday This Ain’t Yo Momma’s Bowling League standings with a 33-11 tally. Split Happens surged forward to claim the second spot, barely behind with a 32-12 record. Trainwreck’s Mini-Me’s Derek McClure tossed a 279 for men’s honors and Classic Crazies watched Shayne Wilson pop a 671 to lead the men’s series scoring. Adriana Brena, appropriately bowling on the Adriana’s Boyz squad, took both honors for the ladies, tallying a 202 game and 502 series.

WWM remains the team to beat in the Monday Trio League, posting a 22-6 reset mark. Stone & Gang brings up second place, currently standing at 18-10. Russ Boyd was “the man” Monday, knocking out a 243 and David VanSickle stroked a 585 for men’s high series. Amanda Gunnels took both parts of honors scores for the ladies, shooting a 189 game and 512 series.

Cletus’s High Rollers kept their hot streak alive, taking all four points to stand alone atop the Tuesday Mixed League with a 25-11 reset tally. Irish Pride, Thompson’s Tornado and Bowling Beavers are within hailing distance. David Strain crashed a 263 game to lead the men, and Tarry Davison scored 695 for men’s high series. Carrie Shields rolled a 213 to lead ladies’ game scores and Kyra Jenkins had a fine 583 for ladies’ high series.

The second half reset of the Wednesday afternoon Senior League remained very competitive up to the end of its regular season. Mine’s In The Gutter gutted out a 3 -1 victory over Livin’ On A Spare to win the reset by ½ point. S&P and Mine’s In The Gutter will roll off next week to determine the league winner. Nine of the 13 teams had reset records of .500 or better. Lori Guffey blasted a 233 game and 592 series to lead the ladies and put the lights out for the number two squad. Jim Beard had the hot hand for the men, rolling a 245 game. Jim Brinkley was the series leader, bowling a 604.

Until next week, good luck and good bowling