HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: v051r9bf@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (When will Mergle EVER shut up?)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Ball Release
Date: 14 Apr 92 20:20:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <2146@cypress.UUCP>, skb@ute-cmi.ctcpc.cypress.com writes...
>I watched a little PBA on tv and I think I spotted 2 of the bowlers
>tucking their bent pinky finger under the ball.  It was hard to tell
>because the network thought I was more interested in the bowlers
>faces or the score constantly super-imposed over the bowlers as they
>bowled.
> 
>Anyway I tried this next chance I got, and it seemed to work well with
>me.  I had to put a bandaid over the last knuckle of my pinky for 
>padding because it hurt at first.  Know that I have done it for more that
>a couple of weeks, my pinky seems to be adjusting and the padding is
>optional.
> 
>I find that my hook is a little more consistant with this release.  I throw
>an outside shot (usually) with a pretty pronounced hook.  Using this release
>I seem to throw less wild shots that miss way to the left.
> 
>Does anyone else use this technique?  Does anyone use it for an inside shot?
>Did I really see some pros doing it, or was it my imagination?  
> 
>If anyone knows of this technique and can offer advice as to what to watch out
>for or how to adjust it, I would greatly appreciat hearing from you.
>                    !
>    _              !  !
>   (*)           !  !  !
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Scott Butler			 	Telephone : (612) 851-5036   
>Cypress Semiconductor Inc.	 	Fax       : (612) 851-5199
>2401 E. 86th Street		 	E-Mail    : skb@cypress.com   
>Bloomington,MN 55425, USA
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I somehow got into this 'habit' at an early age--tucking my pinky under
the ball.  I play a slight hook--an AMF angle lefty that starts at the
2nd arrow and gently curves to the 1-2 pocket, and have a 173 average.

I heard on a PBA bowling show  (either Bo Burton {your favorite!  ;^) or
Mike Durbin, ESPN}  that this phenomenon does increase stability and accuracy.
I heard you can get better 'turn' if you do this.

Oh, and I've never experienced any discomfort or injury from it.  It almost
seems foriegn to bowl any other way!  :^)

.........................................................................

--Mergle                                William L. Priester Jr.
                                        V051R9BF@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu

Against the grain 4-6's, 7-9's, and 7-10's
are the way to go!  

...........................................................................
From: pgleason@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM (Pat Gleason)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Team Names
Date: 15 Apr 92 12:44:17 GMT
Organization: NCR Engineering and Manufacturing Atlanta -- Atlanta, GA

<92105.151700MAX@psuvm.psu.edu>
Our Thursday night mixed scratch league (2 men/2 women) is named 2 Dogs and
2 buns.  On Wednesday night, the league is called *Wednesday Mixed Nuts*
and most teams have *Nuts* references in their names.  Therefore, we selected
*Numb Nuts*...
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: mwplau@trillium.waterloo.edu (Michael Lau)
Subject: New ball prices...
Keywords: Prices...
Organization: University of Waterloo
Distribution: alt
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 02:09:27 GMT

   Can anyone tell me what is the current market price for the following
   bowling balls.

   Sumo -
   Blue Hammer -
   Purple Hammer -
   Black Hammer -

   I am thinking of getting a new ball, but just curious how much should
   I paid. So your help will be much appreciated. Thanks is advance.:-)

   Michael
From: perry_b@verifone.com (Perry J. Bird - JAYBIRD )
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Why do people hook the ball?
Date: 14 Apr 92 04:57:27 HST
Organization: VeriFone (UK) Ltd

In article <ualxn.702975525@mcl>, ualxn@mcl.mcl.ucsb.edu (Alex) writes:
> In <1992Apr10.135939.7552@sequent.com> schalene@sequent.com writes:
> 
>>In article <1992Mar26.145531.2628@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu> xtap@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (Tony Peacock) writes:
[stuff deleted]
> 
> 
> I bowl a straight ball and I've done so for years, with a 165 or better avg.
> On the first game of the new season here, I bowled a 221 thanks to a string
> of six strikes through the middle of the game.  I think that it just boils
> down to practice, concentration, and consistency.
> 
> And don't forget to have fun.
> 

What it all boils down to is making the difference between being able to
hit 10, 11 or 12 strikes in a game, as opposed to six or so.  If you are
happy with what scores you are achieving, there's no problem.  If you have
any aspiration to averaging 200 plus, you will change to hook.  I challenge
anyone to find me a straight bowler with a 200 or higher average!  I'll
also bet that all you 200+ average players out there can testify that you
ALL throw a hook, or I'll eat my net.hat!		:-)

FYI, I throw a hook, but am averaging only 156 currently in League play; 
this also shows that even hookers still won't hit hi averages without 
paractice, concentration and accuracy!

-- 
Perry J. Bird - Support Services Manager,  VeriFone (UK) Limited.
                via VeriFone Inc, Mililani, Hawaii, U.S.A.
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: bkg@ssd.kodak.com (Ben K Gibson)
Subject: This is a test
Originator: bkg@earth
Organization: Eastman Kodak
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 11:55:48 GMT

Greatings,

I would like to say that I'm glad that there is a bowling news group. It's
about time. I'm curious about something... Please respondif you have an opinion.
Over the last decase, Bowling has become less and less popular. Membership in the
ABC is approaching its lowest level in years. I believe that one reason for this
is because the ABC and the BPAA (Bowling Proprietor's Assn of America) have been
involved in a P___ing contest over power to control the game. I think the BPAA
wants to build bowling up by giving the bowler a better product (i.e. better,
easier conditions, etc.) The ABC wants to control all aspects of the game and
rules. As a result, membership has dropped, sanction fees go up. and You and I
are the big losers. I do see the ABCs point of view, and there are many valid
arguments on both sides. I  just see the ABCs as a "good-old-boy network" that
needs change. They even want to control the women (WIBC). The bottom line is that all of this is bad for all of us bowlers. I'm interested in hearing from others on this matter.

-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KKKK   KKKK Ben K. Gibson
KKK  KKKKKK Eastman Kodak Company
KK KodakKKK Rochester, NY
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: cherkaue@ee.rochester.edu (Brian Cherkauer)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Hand Injuries (was: Games per week)
Date: 8 Apr 92 16:26:31 GMT
Organization: Univ of Rochester, College of Engineering and Applied Science

In article <1992Apr8.134040.3100@alf.uib.no> s332@brems.ii.uib.no (Gard Samsonsen) writes:
>
>   In my local bowling alley you can either play with a private
>   ball, or use the balls available there.
>   Since there must be at least 100 different balls there,
>   I am sure that one of them fits me.

Actually, I'd say there's a much much higer probability (very close to certain) that
none of the balls will fit you.  There are many variables which go into drilling
a ball for a particular person.  For instance, there is the size of each hole,
the span from thumb to each hole, and the distance between the finger holes, just
to name a few that directly relate to "fit".  

There are two major problems with house balls.  First, they drill the holes
extremely large so that a wide variety of finger sizes will fit in them.  Having
a hole too large is the most common cause of skinned fingers/thumbs.  A properly
fit ball will be snug on the fingers.  This means that the fingers are not 
sliding around ever so slightly in the holes, and the wear on them is greatly 
reduced.  To use an analogoy, if your shoes are too loose, that is when you
scrape the skin off your heel.  Not when they're too tight.  Same goes for
bowling balls.

Second, the span for the ring finger should be different than the span for the
middle finger.  One is shorter than the other.  Therefore, lefthanders and
righthanders need the spans reversed.  However, alley balls are drilled for
(n)either by making both spans equal.  That means at best only one of the
two spans will be correct for you, and you'll be clenching with the other finger.

So unless you have gigantic fingers with equal spans to middle and ring
fingers, there is little or no chance of you finding a house ball which will
fit you, and you will be annoyed by premature finger fatigue, aching knuckles,
and skinned fingers.

-Brian
   cherkaue@ee.rochester.edu
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: schalene@sequent.com
Subject: Re: Hand Injuries (was: Games per week)
Organization:  Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 19:18:51 GMT

In article <1992Apr8.162631.22981@ee.rochester.edu> cherkaue@ee.rochester.edu (Brian Cherkauer) writes:
>
>Second, the span for the ring finger should be different than the span for the
>middle finger.  One is shorter than the other.  Therefore, lefthanders and
>righthanders need the spans reversed.  However, alley balls are drilled for
>(n)either by making both spans equal.  That means at best only one of the
>two spans will be correct for you, and you'll be clenching with the other finger.
>
Another thing to consider is the pitch of the holes.  They are not
drilled straight down.  There is an angle.  The angle is different for
right-handers and left-handers.  I found this out the hard way.  I had
a ball drilled at the pro shop where I bought the ball.  When I
practiced with it I could only bowl 2 games and my middle finger would
be swollen and bruised the next day.  I took it to the pro shop at the
house where I bowled.  He measured my hand and the holes and the pitch
and discovered that the other shop had drilled a righty pitch instead
of a lefty pitch.
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tuesday, 14 Apr 1992 14:55:28 EDT
From: Mark K. Miller <MAX@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Ball Release

In article <2146@cypress.UUCP>, skb@ute-cmi.ctcpc.cypress.com (Scott Butler, MN,
x5036, (612) 894-6562) says:
>
>I watched a little PBA on tv and I think I spotted 2 of the bowlers
>tucking their bent pinky finger under the ball.
>
> [most of the story deleted...]
>
>Does anyone else use this technique?  Does anyone use it for an inside shot?
>Did I really see some pros doing it, or was it my imagination?

No, you're not imagining anything.  I haven't noticed any touring pros do
this in over 15 years; I don't watch much PBA anymore (I didn't even see
Dale Ballard throw two gutter balls.) ;-(  As a junior bowler I watched PBA
religiously (John Petraglia, Earl 'the pearl' Anthony, Mark Roth, ahhhh now
*those* are bowlers.)  I remember seeing a pro tuck his pinky and I decided
to try it myself.  I do remember it seemed to help, but I don't have the
faintest idea why!

>If anyone knows of this technique and can offer advice as to what to watch out
>for or how to adjust it, I would greatly appreciat hearing from you.

Practice, practice, practice!!!  You, too, can bowl in Carnegie Hall.
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: simpson@moonchild.rtp.dg.com (Guy Simpson)
Subject: Re: This is a test
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 92 15:41:53 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC

In article <1992Apr6.115548.8586@ssd.kodak.com>, bkg@ssd.kodak.com (Ben K Gibson) writes:
|> Greatings,
|> 
|> I would like to say that I'm glad that there is a bowling news group. It's
|> about time. I'm curious about something... Please respondif you have an opinion.
|> Over the last decase, Bowling has become less and less popular. Membership in the
|> ABC is approaching its lowest level in years. I believe that one reason for this
|> is because the ABC and the BPAA (Bowling Proprietor's Assn of America) have been
|> involved in a P___ing contest over power to control the game. I think the BPAA
|> wants to build bowling up by giving the bowler a better product (i.e. better,
|> easier conditions, etc.) 

Sure I have opinions.  IMHO I think the BPAA is hurting bowling by putting
across the philosphy that "easier conditions" is good for the game.  There are
too many high average, high ego, spoiled bowlers created in houses where
the proprietor WANTS high scores (good for publicity, attracts bowlers, etc.).
If these bowlers don't get their good shot, they will simply pack up their ball 
and go bowl elsewhere (don't get me wrong, I am not saying houses should put 
up lousy shots, just fair ones).

I have seen where an entire league has threated a bowling alley to put down
a better shot, or else the league will move elsewhere.  Business is tough, the
proprieter gives in, and everybody is happy......... except people that are
turned off by high ego spoiled bowlers.

Now we have a war going on between the BPAA and the ABC, and one of the main
points of the war is that the proprieters are just sick and tired of the ABC
coming in and turning down their scores.  This is bad for business.  You don't
want your house to get the reputation of having an illegal shot, and you
certainly cannot afford your house to not be sanctioned by the ABC.  BUT, now
the BPAA is stuck.  They have created the high average monster that they are
prey to.  So, what's the BPAA to do?  Simple, convince bowlers that the ABC
is nothing but a bunch of "good old boys" that don't know what best for today's
bowlers, and power should really be passed on to the BPAA....  NOT.


*************************************************************************
*     	Guy Simpson                            			       	*
*     	Data General Corporation					*
*	62 T.W. Alexander Drive	   	...rti!dg.rtp.com!simpson	*
* 	RTP, N.C.   27709	        simpson@dg-rtp.dg.com		*
*									*
*************************************************************************
From: dengland@moritz.intel.Com (David England~)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Team Names
Date: 3 Apr 92 16:24:08 GMT
Reply-To: dengland@moritz.intel.com
Organization: Intel Corporation
Originator: dengland@moritz


Ours is IITYWIMWYBMAP.  (You don't understand it you say?  If I tell you what
it means, will you buy me a pitcher?).

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 DAVID ENGLAND          | I do not represent Intel on this Newsnet          |
  INTEL CORPORATION     |---------------------------------------------------+
   CHANDLER, AZ         |  INTERNET: dengland@sedona.intel.com              |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: schalene@sequent.com
Subject: Re: Why do people hook the ball?
Organization:  Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 13:59:39 GMT

In article <1992Mar26.145531.2628@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu> xtap@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (Tony Peacock) writes:

>Be REAL about #2.  I know for a fact quite a few bowlers you bowl a straight
>ball and average over 150.  It is true they leave more splits than average
>bowler who hooks the ball.  Besides, go to a youth league sometimes and see
>how many kids are rolling/throwing a straight ball and average that!  Some
>people just refuse to think some things only work ONE WAY!  Yes I do hook
>the ball, but I can roll/throw a straight with the best of them!  
>
I agree that a hook does enable you to come at the pocket with an
angle, which is definitely preferrable.  AND I agree  that a "straight" 
bowler can bowl over a 150 average.  A lady in our league has  a 172 
average -- always in the 170s for the last 4 years we've been in the 
league.  She throws a straight ball, and doesn't even go cross alley 
for the 7 or 10 pins.  She lines up right in front of them and gets 
them every time.  She is a great spare maker.  I do realize that if she 
used "proper" technique she'd be a lot better than 170.
From: whall@cactus.org (J. Wayne Hall)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Why do people hook the ball?
Date: 15 Apr 92 05:47:43 GMT
Reply-To: whall@cactus.org (J. Wayne Hall)
Organization: The Capital Area Central Texas Unix Society


When it comes to hooking or throwing a straight ball, it boils down
to simply physics.

It has been known for quite some time that there is a proven advantage
to getting the ball to enter the 1-3 (or 1-2) pocket at an angle ranging
from 2 degrees to 45 degrees.

The main thing to consider in a "strike" or "carry" is to hit the headpin
at an angle enough to scatter pins and to have the 5 pin carry the 8

(turn it around for lefties)

Almost ALL straight-ball bowlers leave 5-8's, 5-9's, 5-10's, etc. on 
a seemingly good pocket hit.  This serves as a HUGE detriment to high
scoring, as a strike, when strategically placed (:), will add 20 pins
instead of 8.  Do this 3 times a game, and you've increased your
average by more than 30 pins!

I would recommend going to any good book store and buying any of the
bowling books available.  They all teach standard techniques to produce
a semi-roller, full-roller, and/or spinner types of hook/curve.  They
also will tell you to make sure you stay in your own style.  Use the
standards only as what they are - standards.  Everyone deviates.

For any beginners out there... Get used to a 15- or 16-pound ball swinging
by using conventional, then go to a semi or full-fingertip grip.  The
hook will come with time, patience, and determination.  Some help from
a local pro will help.  I get help locally from many serious bowlers,
including Robert Lawrence and Jimmy Thompson, in and around Austin.

All you can do is ask, try, and practice.  If you really want to get 
better and improve that game, you can't help but consider what EVERY
touring pro does while he's out there.  (hook the ball)

SO, anybody bowl with an Ex-caliber yet?????

Wayne
whall@cactus.org
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: dfo@csi.compuserve.com (Duane Ott)
Subject: Re: Hand Injuries (was: Games per week)
Organization: CompuServe Incorporated
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 17:28:19 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.233246.4040@verifone.com> perry_b@verifone.com (Perry J. Bird - JAYBIRD ) writes:
>One other thing: you can bowl maybe once a month or less with any old ball,
>however ill-fitting, and probably not come to any real harm - you don't
>hear of many casual bowlers getting hand injuries!  But if you become a
>serious bowler, and are bowling say 6 games per session or maybe 9 to 15
>games a week (and many people bowl that and more..) then even a relatively
>small problem can soon become a major one.  In this case, the sooner you
>put it right, the better, because once you get a sore spot, it tends to
>build up into a lump, or a permanent swelling and become self-perpetuating,
>even though you might have removed the original cause. 
>

Exactly correct. Around 1980 I had a poorly-drilled ball that tore up the
back of my thumb joint. Even though I switched to another pro shop and
got it fixed fairly quickly, and have been using well-drilled balls ever
since, I still have a rather healthy callous on my thumb as a legacy.
From: s332@brems.ii.uib.no (Gard Samsonsen)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Ball weight & velocity
Date: 8 Apr 92 13:21:22 GMT
Organization: Institute of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway

I was wondering:
If you throw a heavy ball and a light ball at the same speed, and             both balls have the same point of impact on the pins, would
both balls cause about the same number of pins downed?
I prefer bowling with a light ball, but I can't help feeling that
it creates less damage when it hits the pins.
Is this all a psychological thing?
If not: Should I change to a heavier ball, or increase the speed
of the lighter one?
The reason why I prefer a light ball is because I feel it is more
accurate and controllable.

    Gard Samsonsen, Institute of Informatics
    University of Bergen, Norway.
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: djredick@bluemoon.rn.com (Darrin J. Redick)
Subject: Re: Hand Injuries (was: Games per week)
Organization: Blue Moon BBS ((614) 868-998[024])
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 92 00:51:35 EDT

Well, my average before this year kept going up every year, by an average
of about 12-15 pins a year.  The balls that I use fit.  I made sure of 
that, as I have had a couple to my local pro for re-drilling.

I patch the thumb before I bowl with 'Nu-Skin', which are little patches
that act as buffers.  Without them, my hand feels like it's getting 
shocked, due to the pinched nerve.  The only way I can get rid of the 
pinched nerve, according to my pro, is to rest for a few months, which is
what I plan to do this summer.

My weight has been steady, varying 2-3 pounds each day.  My arm usually
wears out before my hand.  I should have mentioned that before.  The arm
can't take the punishment it used to.  Now, if I patch the thumb, the
ball doesn't take the skin off, and it'll last longer than the arm.

I suppose it's possible my thumb has changed, and it complaining when I
tax it.  I think I'll have to build it back up gradually next season.

djredick@bluemoon.rn.com

 This is from
     djredick@bluemoon.rn.com
who doesn't have their own obnoxious signature yet
From: s332@brems.ii.uib.no (Gard Samsonsen)
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
Subject: Re: Hand Injuries (was: Games per week)
Date: 8 Apr 92 13:40:40 GMT
Organization: Institute of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway


|> In article <0caoiB1w164w@bluemoon.rn.com>, djredick@bluemoon.rn.com (Darrin J. Redick) writes:
|> > chars@orinoco.engin.umich.edu (Christopher Michael Grulke) writes:

|> > [Stuff deleted]
|> Same advice goes to all 
|>  newcomers - correct ball fit is _vital_ if you are not to injure yourself, or
|>  worse-  cause permanent damage, _especially_ for youngsters whose bones are
|>  still growing.
|> 
|>  I felt I had to post this followup, lest any inexperienced readers of this 
|>  newsgroup might run away with the idea that such injuries to the thumb are 
|>  _normal_; they are _not_.  They are an indication that something is wrong 
|>  and should be corrected as soon as possible.

   I suppose there are some sort of guidelines for a correct ball fit,
   but what exactly are they? Is it good enough to feel that the
   ball is comfortable, it doesn't hurt when you play(or afterwards)?
   In my local bowling alley you can either play with a private
   ball, or use the balls available there.
   Since there must be at least 100 different balls there,
   I am sure that one of them fits me.
   I have played bowling for about 5 months, and have become a
   total addict. It's all fun to play, but I don't find the
   risc of a hand injury at all attractive.
   So please help me out on this one.

   Gard Samsonsen.
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling
From: labelle@intelhf.hf.intel.com (George La Belle)
Subject: Re: Ball Release
Organization: Development Tools Operation, Intel Corp., Hillsboro  OR
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 22:07:09 GMT

Mark K. Miller <MAX@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:

>In article <2146@cypress.UUCP>, skb@ute-cmi.ctcpc.cypress.com (Scott Butler, MN,
>>I watched a little PBA on tv and I think I spotted 2 of the bowlers
>>tucking their bent pinky finger under the ball.
>> [most of the story deleted...]
>>
>>Does anyone else use this technique?  Does anyone use it for an inside shot?
>>Did I really see some pros doing it, or was it my imagination?

>to try it myself.  I do remember it seemed to help, but I don't have the
>faintest idea why!

	I've used this off and on. It does increase revolutions but decreases
	ball control in the swing. Notice that when you tuck your pinky, your
	4th finger curls some. This finger is crucial to lift, and turn (if
	you go through the ball) since it is the last to leave the ball.
	Control is harder during the swing and I find that I can't feel the
	hand position as well, therefore I don't do this anymore. I also
	remember feeling strain in my 4th finger from this.

		George