ASK BOB  #12

ASK BOB 12/15/04

Q. I am a PBA regional member but I would like to bowl in a High Roller event sometime. I have heard that the High Roller has allowed in PBA members to bowl in some events in the past. Do you know if they have any open events planned for the future?

A. Your in luck, There is an upcoming High Roller tournament that is open to all players including PBA members with one exception. The PBA exempt players and any player who has won a PBA national title in the last year cannot bowl. Everyone else, man or women can bowl. This tournament is called the "A" game and will be held at Sam's Town in Las Vegas from January 31 to February 4th 2005. This is just before the famous Super Bowl High Roller begins. The "A" game has an estimated 1st place prize of $60,000 and $ 40,000 for 2nd. All bowlers will bowl at least 10 games in the tournament. The entry fee is $1000.00 this includes a qualifying round plus one qualifying re-entry if needed and an entry into a $50,000 sweeper. Qualifying will be split into 3 age divisions to give all ages a chance. The age groups are 39 and under, 40 to 49, & 50 and over. For all of the details call toll free 1-800-257-6179 or visit the High Roller web site you can print the entry forms directly from the site at www.high-roller.com. Be sure and put the dash between high and roller or you will get a different site. So come on Pros, if you have felt left out your, not any more. Come see how you stack up against the country's best amateurs.

Q. I bowl in a house this season that has what I call an extreme over-wall. The straight players are shooting lights out numbers but any of us who turn the ball have almost no chance in comparison. Get the ball out past 12 and the ball hooks thru the nose immediately. Set the ball in the oil and it goes 60 feet. This shot is driving me nuts; do you have any ideas about what I can do?

A. We had a house here last year with almost that exact shot. I drilled up a Thing Returns from Dyno-Thane. This ball has a pearl reactive cover the ball had a 1-inch pin or pin in. I left it polished the box finish. I put the pin under the ring finger the cg was directly under the pin. This ball worked very well on the over blocked shot. This ball with this drilling is very mellow and has to have back-ends to carry. With this ball you can move into the dry boards and it won't overreact. If you pull it hits the oil wall and turns over once at the pocket. Finding a pin in ball these days is the hard part. This was the only luck I had in shooting the over blocked shot. Another ball that may work would be Roto Grip Ultra Sonic. Remember the key is to find a pin in ball. You will have to ask for it, they don't make many pin in balls these days.

Q. I am a right-handed bowler but I am using a ball that was drilled for a friend of mine who is left-handed. Is this ok or should I have the ball plugged and drilled for me, or should I get a new ball?

A. Using a ball drilled for the wrong hand is not a good idea. It makes the middle finger span too long and the ring finger span too short. There could also be a problem with the pitches of the thumb that can cause you problems with release. I would get the ball plugged and drilled to fit your hand, you can get a new one if you want but that's not necessary.

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