D’Errico named Alberta E. Crowe Award Winner (source: New York Times)

In her application essay for the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award, Heather D’Errico wrote… Read (source: New York Times) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

View original here:
D’Errico named Alberta E. Crowe Award Winner (source: New York Times)

Bowling Foundation Provides 15 Grants to Schools, Organizations For Mobile Bowling Equipment (source: New York Times)

In its continuing effort to help enhance peoples’ lives through bowling, The Bowling Foundation has… Read (source: New York Times) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Originally posted here:
Bowling Foundation Provides 15 Grants to Schools, Organizations For Mobile Bowling Equipment (source: New York Times)

Pondering Pin Placement in a Bowling Game

Pondering pin placement in a bowling game is usually left to those who have transcended the rental of bowling balls, who have left behind the rental of bowling shoes, and who are seriously considering the purchase of a number of cleaners and polishes with the goal of improving their games. Whenever bowlers speak of pin placement, they are actually referring to the idea of drilling pins into their bowling balls with the specific goal of counteracting several unfavorable lane conditions. Usually, the first course of attack when dealing with a bowling lane that simply seems to swallow up your best rolls is to change the ball you are using. Perhaps a dull ball will do better than a highly polished one or vice versa. Yet when all else fails, and if you find yourself playing this lane consistently, then it is time to take more serious steps to counteract the problems you are encountering.

The pin is nothing more than the little notch on the ball that points toward the top of the actual core that is located within the ball. This core is suspended inside the mold that is used to craft the ball. In order to keep it perfectly centered, it is held in place by a pin, which is removed after the material has entered a solid state and can now support the core on its own. The result is a thin hole that needs to be filled; yet even if this is done perfectly, you can still tell the location of the pin.

It has long been held that the placement of the pin with respect to the positive axis point the finger holes - will permit you to overcome certain unfavorable lane conditions. For example, if the pin is located about three inches from the right finger hole, you may be able to favorably influence your backend play. If the pin is drilled to be between the finger holes, you will further increase the backend action that your ball will experience. Be careful! If you already have a strong backend play, this may actually negatively influence your play to such an extent that the added speed will keep your ball from properly hooking, thus quite possibly affecting your ability to roll a strike.

Bowling pro shops will actually have several drilling patterns on file and will be able to explain to you in detail how each pattern will affect a certain ball. Pin placement most certainly deserves pondering, and with the proper technique you will be able to see significant changes in your game. At the same time, improper placement, or the usage of a bowling ball that has been modified for certain kinds of action in conditions for which is was not specifically modified, will not result in favorable game action. Once again, the best source of information is the local pro shop. Do not hesitate to ask some questions, and even encourage the friendly customer service rep to share all of his or her knowledge with you. No matter how experienced you are about the game, the odds are pretty good that the rep will have some nuggets of knowledge that you have not yet heard. As a matter of fact, since it is these professional who will quite often do the drilling, you will be able to heavily capitalize on their knowledge. Add to this the fact that the busier the pro shop the more likely you are to get a skilled driller working on your bowling ball, and you can easily determine just how valuable a resource that pro shop really is!

Your Options on Finding a Great Bowling Ball

If you want to get serious about bowling, owning your own bowling ball is an important step to take. Making use of the standard balls at the bowling alley is fine for occasional recreational play, but even if you plan on taking part in an amateur bowling league, getting your own ball can make all the difference in the world. There are plenty of bowling balls out there to choose from, so youre sure to find the perfect ball for you.

If this is your first bowling ball, especially if youre a relatively new bowler, you shouldnt just blindly buy the first ball you come across. Your ball is going to be your most important bowling investment, so you should take a more seasoned player along with your when you are shopping, or take your business to a dedicated bowling pro shop, where the knowledgeable staff can help your find the right fit.

The first thing to consider when buying a bowling ball is what kind of ball you should get. There are four main kinds; plastic/polyester, urethane, reactive resin, and particle. If youre new to bowling, or will be bowling strictly as a hobby, plastic/polyester balls are the best choice for you. These balls are the one you encounter most often in bowling alleys; they are very durable, and their texture helps you toss a straighter shot. Urethane balls are what the pros turn to when they want to throw a hook shot. Reactive resin balls are a favorite with experience bowlers; they roll faster and harder than normal balls. Particle balls are the professional ball of choice for most bowling situations; they combine the increased hook potential of urethane balls with the speed you get in reactive resin balls. When youre deciding what kind of ball to get, consider your skill level, how often you will be using the ball, and what kind of shots you want to throw. Avid bowlers often have a few balls they can choose from based on conditions; but again, this probably isnt necessary for new bowlers, unless you plan to play competitively.

Once you have settled on the kind of ball you want, the second most important thing you have to consider is the weight of the ball. One general rule of thumb experts recommend is calculating 10% of your body weight and looking for a ball close to that. The ball you buy should always be heavier than the community ball you usually go for at the bowling alley by at least a pound or two. Because the bowling ball you buy will be custom fit to your fingers, it will feel lighter than the balls at the bowling alley.

After you make these decision, you can move on to the fun part; what color do you want, do you want a design on the ball, do you want your name or initials engraved, and so on. There are many options out there, so your choices are limited only by your imagination. If you dont see what you want, you can get your ball custom designed.

Once you have your ball, make sure you understand how to care for it and store it properly so it always performs its best. Youll want to invest in a case for your ball, and some finger tape to make holding the ball more comfortable. The first time you take your ball out for spin, youll be amazed at how much having the right equipment improves your game. Youll never play with the house ball again!

Your Guide to Picking the Best Bowling Ball for You

Your Guide to Picking the Best Bowling Ball for You

Choosing the perfect bowling ball can be tricky for many consumers. There are many types of bowling balls with varying weights, which can make choosing the best ball extremely difficult. However, there are certain things consumers can do to ease the pain of finding the perfect bowling ball, and all consumers may be able to benefit from a small bowling ball buying guide. The easiest way to find the right bowling ball is to visit a local bowling pro shop. A pro shop owner may be able to give strong recommendations on choosing the most suitable balls by watching a person bowl. Every bowling center does not have a pro shop, so the Internet may be the best alternative for many people.

Manufacturers of the bowling balls have Web Sites that provide consumers with information regarding bowling balls. The sites may provide an in depth analysis of reactions and characteristics of bowling balls, and there may be videos available that show the balls in action. Many consumers dont know that it is best to have two bowling balls instead of one. There should be one ball for dry lanes, and one for oily lanes. Consumers should also invest in a strike ball with a lot of hook potential and power, and a spare ball that is able to roll straight down the lane. Choosing a ball of the proper weight is important for many people. Balls range from 6 to 16 pounds, and its better to choose a ball that is heavier than any other house ball that may have been used before.

The right bowling ball also fits the fingers perfectly. Some individuals find it best to have their finger holes custom drilled to fit their hands. Generally, the most expensive bowling balls are the best. For example, a ball in the $100-$200 range will provide inferior performance compared to a ball in the $200+ price range. However, there are some balls that give high quality at lower prices, and are generally better deals than others. It is important to choose a ball based on its standard features, and not others such as, buying a ball that can glow in the dark. The material of the ball should also be a deciding factor when picking the best bowling ball. Polyester balls are generally the most inexpensive of all bowling balls. These balls are very durable, which can be attributed to the composition of the plastic and the hard, low friction nature of the polyester surface.

Polyester bowling balls are best for beginners and casual bowlers. These balls also tend to skid, and roll straight with little hook in them, and are best on dry lanes. Serious bowlers may find the urethane balls as an economical option. Urethane balls have softer coverstocks that gives them enhanced hook potential. The urethane bowling balls may also be polished are sanded to increase or decrease the balls hook potential. Reactive resin balls are best for advanced bowlers, and are capable of giving optimal performance on most lane conditions. Resin balls are sticky or tacky, which increases the balls grip on the bowling lane. These balls have the greatest hook potential, and skid on oily lanes, while hooking on dry ones.

Particle balls are best for advanced bowlers that want power in their bowling ball. The balls are simply resin balls enhanced with glass and ceramics. The texture of particle balls gives them incredible grip, sharper hooks, and greater power. Most professional bowlers use particle bowling balls, because they are the most controllable in terms of hook and spin. In general, the heavier the ball, the greater the pin reaction. Lighter balls will leave splits that are hard to pick up, but this should not deter shoppers from buying a lighter ball, which may be best. Consumers should always choose a bowling ball that they are comfortable with, and that fits their own skill and style.

Its All about Those Styling Bowling Shoes

If there is one thing about bowling that helps to sometimes give the game a bad rap, its the shoes. Bowling shoes are the epitome of awful to people for a few different reasons. First of all, many people are not overly keen on the style of the rental shoes available in most bowling alleys. Clunky, scruffy, and multi-colored, they are not most peoples idea of high fashion though it must be said that SOMEONE likes them; rental bowling shoes are stolen all the time. The other reason people give bowling shoes a big thumbs down is that they are indeed rental shoes. Youre never quite sure whose foot has been in them before yours, and most of the time, you really dont want to know. So, if bowling shoes are such a dreaded part of the game, why dont bowlers simply do away with them? Are the shoes really that important?

In a word, yes. Bowling shoes are a hugely important part of the game. First of all, the shoes help preserve the bowling lanes and keep them in working order. The soles on the shoes do not scuff up the lanes the way normal shoes would; if normal shoes were allowed, the lanes would eventually have grooves and digs in them that would disrupt the way the balls roll. Bowling shoes also help you as a player. Their sliding soles let you slide and move on the lanes like you need to without falling down. Without these sliding soles, your shoes would catch on the floor, and either mess up or shot or pitch you right over on your face.

For a casual bowler, rental shoes are entirely adequate, if a little unsettling to some. If you are a serious bowler, however, given the importance of the proper footwear to the game, you should consider investing in your own pair of bowling shoes. There are many styles and types on the market, and they are becoming more widely available in traditional sport shops. The kind you get depends on a combination of your skill factor and your personal preference.

If you are a new bowler, look for so-called athletic bowling shoes. These bowling shoes look more like traditional athletic shoes than other bowling shoes, but they have two sliding soles like the shoes you normally rent from a bowling alley. If you are a more experienced bowler, go for the shoes the professionals wear. Pro bowlers go for shoes know as performance bowling shoes. This variety of shoe has one sliding sole and one non-slip sole, to give players more maneuverability.

Once you have chosen the right kind of soles for your shoes, now you have to choose a style. You can find anything from monochrome black shoes to those multi-colored clunkers we all know so well, and anything else in between. If you cant find what youre looking for at one of the larger sport stores try visiting a dedicated bowling pro shop, or do your shopping online.

Even if you dont get your own pair of shoes, going rental doesnt have to be a traumatic experience. Bowling alleys give the shoes an antibacterial spray between each use, and to be on the safe side; giving them a spray of your own before you put them on is not such a bad idea. Above all else, remember to bring your athletic socks to the alley! If you forget your socks, most alleys have socks available to purchase. Dont go barefoot for your own sake, and for the sake of the person who has to wear them after you.