Bright side: I think I finally have each ball fitted properly and pretty consistent.

Down side: I still am inconsistent in my shotmaking and I'm paying for it big time.

Last night's Cheetah was the first time I went into a brand new pattern without having practiced on it ever.  So at least I now have all five under my belt.

I started off very well, and found a comfortable line, though it was more inside than I thought would have worked. Standing 25 and a fairly slow roll over 10. I was in the pocket the first five shots, 3 strikes, two 10-pins, which naturally I missed! Inexplicably, I started to lose my consistency from there on out, and struggled to a 157, which ended up as my HIGH game of the night!

I did some playing around with lines, trying going straight up 5 for a while, and for some reason the ball wouldn't come up.  Huh? Isn't the Cheetah supposed to DEMAND you go outside? I had plenty of hand in the ball, and an aggressive ball, and the ball wouldn't come up.  I'm lost.

I went in between, and moved back to standing about 18, and throwing it about 12-13, and that seemed better, but it was an extremely tight line that required precise timing and speed, and I couldn't get it consistently. Threw a few strikes, but also paid dearly with a 4-9, and a couple of greek churches.

At the end of the day: 451.   Man, not what I expected on this pattern.    I'm still not convinced the pattern was laid down correctly, but I have nothing to compare it to.

More issues last night. Had the usual fingertip swelling that made throwing consistent shots nearly impossible, but hung in there most of the night, until a 100% disastrous ending that turned what could have been a good night, into a bad one.

First game out of the gate was a 162. Pretty nondescript. Came up light a few times, but I wasn't far off.  Second game I was much better, but nothing to show for it. Had a 165 due to chopping the 10-pin, and leaving the 6-pin on two 6-10's!

Third game I'm cruising right along with X / / X X in the first five. I'm thinking finally I'm gonna get that first deuce, or at least a high 180-90 game.  Then the bottom falls out.  Missed 5-pin, Missed 9-pin, Missed 4-pin, split, and last ball the ball hangs on my thumb and I pull it past another 5-pin for a whopping 153. ARGH!

Now I firmly believe 80% of my issues are shotmaking, but I've never ever ever had problems with my ball fit like I've had.  I guess it's a summer thing.  I've never bowled a summer league before. I think I would have a lot more confidence and consistency, if I felt like the ball was going to come off my hand correctly.  I don't like this, and every week I keep adjusting the feel to improve it, and by mid-set, it's off again, and I'm struggling against the shot, and the feel.

I should be averaging more than a measly 159, PBA shot or not.  Aggravating.