Hello everyone!
This is what Major championships are made of. Your top tour bowlers consisted of one of the greatest bowlers of all time Pete Weber, probably the most underrated player on tour Ryan Shafer, one of the most consistent top players Chris Barnes and a player who is finally coming into his career, Michael Haugen. The first match was what you will see during a Major in that the players will keep the ball in the pocket. While they may not carry, they will try not to give up the pocket. Ryan came through with applying pressure to Pete. But in usual Pete form, he stepped up to the plate and made two great shots. One carried, the other didn't. I find it amazing that no matter what the situation for Pete, when a shot is needed, more times than not, he puts it in the pocket. The amazing thing about Ryan is when you think he is defeated, he isn't. The guy never gives up focus and is always trying till the bitter end. The second match Ryan ran into the same problems with carry and didn't have time to get ahead as Barnes came out confident and lined up. The only thing Ryan might have tried to do is either move even more left and slow it up a bit to change his angle of entry or switch balls. Chris obviously liked his reaction and was playing a part of the lane that he likes a lot, not hooking it too much and being able to just go up the back of it and let the ball do all the work. The championship: Did I say, Oh my God. Have to say it again, Oh my God. That is what professional bowling is all about. When you think it's over, it's not. Being in that position, I have seen this scenario many times. That's why you should never count yourself out because you just never know what might happen. Barnes had a great look and was making really good shots. Yes, he is having some tough TV games, but today he looked really relaxed and comfortable. Haugen on the other hand, looked lost the first few frames and didn't seem as if he was sure he was in the right part of the lane. After the second split, I looked at Del and said, Michael should move a little left and slow it up a bit. He seemed to be right on the edge of the mistake area. Every time he missed a little left, the ball went high. Barnes was a little left and the only thing he battled was when he got firm, the ball never read the lane and he left a 2 pin. After 6 frames or so, Haugen made a bold move in changing balls. This ball seemed to be a little cleaner thru the front which gave him a little different angle into the pocket and it really looked good and slapped out the 10. I give him tons of credit in doing this. Michael is a relative new player to TV with not much TV experience, but he showed how much confidence he has in himself, his equipment and his game. That superior finish applied the pressure to Barnes who missed the 10 pin in the ninth frame. Needing a double to shut him out and a mark and 10 to tie, Barnes made the move on the right lane. The previous shot he left the 4 pin. I would say it looked as if he moved a little left, but just got really firm with it in the 10th and the ball never read the lane. Making the 2 pin, his next thought is what to do after a 4 pin and then a 2 pin. I believe he made the right adjustment and slowed up his ball speed just a little and of course, left the 4 pin to lose. Great shot on the fill shot, just didn't get the break. Having been is this scenario a few times, no matter what spare you are shooting out, it seems like the toughest spare in the building. There are so many things that can go through your mind if you let it happen. It's those thoughts that either keep you from winning, or get you to the next level. We will see all of these players back on the telecast again, and I'm sure there will be a different scenario for each one of them. We will have to see how each of them decides to learn from this telecast and step up to the plate the next time. Each show, each tournament is a learning experience, and although it may be good for some and bad for others, this is what sports is all about. Until next time, keep on striking!
Yours truly,
CDB
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