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I finally did it. I got my own bowling ball! I know I said I was going to get the hot pink and black one, but after seeking the advice of the guys in the pro-shop, Mike and Jeremy, it turns out that color is actually less important than construction, weight and fit. Go figure!

Mike and Jeremy actually steered me toward a selection of balls that were less expensive than the hot pink and black ball I was coveting. They earned my trust with that move. So I ended up with this pretty red and blue swirly ball. It’s made of resin and capable of hooking if I ever learn to throw a hook. I rather like it in spite of the fact that it’s not hot pink. It’s a couple pounds heavier than the ball I’ve been throwing so I may soon be sporting some pipes  instead of these spaghetti arms.

Mike measured my hand and fingers and Jeremy drilled the holes while I waited. When it was done, we made sure it fit and Jeremy asked if I was going to bowl that night. I decided I would and he said he’d come out to the lanes and teach me how to throw a hook. And he did! (Of course, I need lots of practice yet.) He instructed me throughout an entire game for which I had paid. Then when my time ran out, he had more time added to the clock and helped me through about five more frames before my thumb started feeling numb and Jeremy said that was a good indication it was time to quit. He told me I was really starting to get it, but not to be afraid to continue throwing my straight ball during leagues the next night if I was having trouble. He said I could call him or Mike any time and if either of them are working, they’ll be happy to give me more lessons at no cost, simply because I bought my ball (and of course, a new bag) from their shop.

(Random thought. I just realized I’ve grown quite serious about this sport that until recently I considered to be sort of a joke among sports.)

I couldn’t wait to bring my new ball to the Wednesday leagues. Preacher Dave and Gina were impressed. After a couple of practice throws, I realized Jeremy was right. I needed to be ok with throwing my straight ball, at least until I can get a little more comfortable and competent with the hook. I threw a strike with a straight ball in my very first frame. My average is slowly climbing each week and has finally reached a not-embarrassing level.

We had an awesome night at leagues this week. Preacher Dave has really come out of his shell. When I think back to the first few weeks when Dave was so quiet and reserved, I never would have guessed he’d come so far. I literally had to tell him that if he was going to be able to put up with Gina, he was going to HAVE to learn to give her some sh*t, just like she does to him. He was hesitant at first, but he learned. He’s even begun to have fun at her expense when she’s not around.  Last week, Gina missed leagues as she had another commitment. Dave, wanting to keep things as normal as we were used to, asked me which of us was going to shout across the lanes to the other patrons all evening and hold up the game in the process and which of us was going to take a smoke break after each game. Neither of us was keen on either of those habits, so Dave said we could skip the shouting and we would split the smoke breaks between the two of us. Since neither of us smokes, that didn’t work out so hot.

Last night Gina was back and it was a true battle of sh*t giving in person! I’ve never been more proud of Preacher Dave.

And not only was the conversation among our team very lively, our opponents were right on board with the fun. They weren’t too serious or quiet like so many of the other teams are. In fact, last night’s opponents had their very own male version of Gina. I think it’s safe to say that we were the only group whose members regularly performed victory dances after a good frame.  There was so much conversation that one or the other of us would end up shouting, “No waiting on lane 23,” when someone was so preoccupied that they failed to realize it was their turn. We were the loudest bunch in the place. We had a blast and both sides wondered if we couldn’t fix things so that we only played each other every week. Not surprisingly, we were the very last teams to finish our games.

The scores? I have no idea. Is that important?

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