Just got back from bowling in the USBC Nationals. I wasn't planning to go but was asked as a last minute replacement. I have been two times before, once in the late-70's and the other time in the early-80's - the Oklahoma City Myriad and the Reno Convention Center. I have no justification for why I haven't been to another one in almost 30 years.

I did have a game plan but didn't execute well averaging 186 for the nine games. Like thousands of bowlers, if we get to bowl on those conditions often enough, we would average what we normally do at our home houses. My one difficult transition was with my arm swing. I am used to bowling with a "down-and-in" swing (shooting around the 5 board) as opposed to an "in-and-out" swing (shooting the 15 to the 20 board).

In any event, here's the "Choc-List" I was using and plan to use when I go again next year (many thanks to my good friend, Hank, Wichita Falls, Texas, who gave me some tips based on his 32 years of going to the nationals):

1) The lanes are oiled before each Team Event in a 3-to-1 ratio which dictates that you have to be in around the 10-12 board to start, going straight up the boards rather than swinging the ball. There were many gutter balls thrown by people trying to throw outside the ten board.

2) Get your team together and have them all play the same line so that the shot will set up for the 2nd and 3rd games. The object is to set up a breakpoint where everyone can play to get to the pocket as strongly as possible.

3) The doubles and singles events are bowled between each team event with no new dressing of the lanes. This means moving deeper inside like around the 15 to the 20 boards. There were some bowlers playing around the 8 - 10 boards but you had to be accurate and many splits and washouts were left by missing their target by only one or two boards.

4) A duller ball would be good for at least the first game of teams and a shinier ball is much better for the doubles and singles events. Strong back ends down the lane says that you don't need a ball with a radical layout or "flip-type" cores.

5) As always spares will make a big difference. Bring your plastic spare ball that you have learned to throw straight.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)