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Miscellaneous Q & A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] Ron April 8, 2006 Manhattan KS Hi Walter Ray, I know that you have at various times expressed your frustration at not having a ball contract. And with 41 titles, you would certainly seem to have every right to. I was looking through the PBA web site tonight. (I love talking about the PBA and the tour, as you have probably guessed by now.) In any event, I was looking through the exempt players and the companies they are with and through the web sites of the various big-name bowling ball companies. I was quite shocked to see that a number of top-ranked players (such as Patrick Allen, Norm Duke and yourself) currently have no ball contracts whatsoever. You know, it just seems like a no-brainer that such top players would have a ball contract. (I also know that these can be particularly crucial for some players as apparently the money is good enough that it almost compares to their tour winnings.) In any event, I was looking through there and I was very surprised to see that there are a lot of players who are on ball staffs who I've never even heard of and who haven't even come close to winning a national tournament title. See, I don't have a problem with somebody like, say, a Brad Angelo. Brad's a very good player who definitely is going to win. He's that good. But there are other people who I haven't even remotely heard of. And there are regional staffs, international staffs and stuff like that of people I have definitely never heard of. I mean, I just find this all so incredibly illogical and mind-boggling. I mean, who would I rather have promoting my products? Somebody who has won a bunch of times on the national tour which is supposed to be the best of the best or somebody who has never won and may well never win? I mean, what are the criteria that they are using? I mean, do they just find some 20-year-old hot shot and predict they will be the next great wonder? Is it a lot about who is perceived to have the most charisma and colorfulness? Is there a lot of politics involved? I mean, so much of it just stumps me beyond belief. I suppose some of it may be that some young players may be willing to sign on cheap where a Walter Ray or a Norm Duke might come with a (justifiably) higher price tag? To be honest, I was getting angry reading through this stuff and I'm not even involved. You know, it just seemed so unfair to you and the others who have proven themselves again and again and again. "Potential means you ain't done it yet." You have a right to be steamed. Hi Ron, Part of the problem is that I feel I have more worth than the bowling ball companies feel that I have. They can pay a 'non' name player less money and they feel that 4 or 5 of these players is worth more than a 'star' player. I am not willing to be paid what I consider a small amount of money to be on a staff promoting their equipment. The other problem is that I am getting older and I guess the ball companies feel that I am not going to produce any more. I can hardly blame them except that I have been producing and there are other players with decent contracts which I would have been willing to take. Hopefully some day soon that will change and I will have a nice ball contract. Ron April 2, 2006 Manhattan KS Hi Walter Ray, I'm a little unsure where to put this question. Now that you have tied Earl Anthony, I was wondering how you assess what you have just accomplished. I know there have been some "experts" who have said that since it took you something like 600 tournaments to get 41 where it only took Earl Anthony like 350, I think, then his feat is greater than yours. While I don't mean to in any way devalue Earl's accomplishments-which were considerable-I feel your accomplishments are right up there with his. I've always tended to believe that it was highly advantageous-particularly on TV-to be left-handed and have that side all to yourself. To me, that's easily worth a couple of titles. At least. I also feel that there is more parity out on tour now. Back in the 1970's, it seemed like it was Earl Anthony, Mark Roth and Marshall Holman every week on TV. I mean, now a guy can have a great year and only make the telecast a couple of times. That is to say, I think that it's a lot harder to dominate these days. I also think that Earl spent a lot of years where he didn't have to deal with all the power players that you do now. As I recall, his last couple of years, he was way down in the standings because it was hard for him to compete with the power players-which you seem adept at doing. I guess sometimes I don't believe that people quite give you a fair shake in your pursuit of breaking this record. I guess I was just wondering your take on all this. For example, whether it is a distinct advantage to be left-handed-particularly on TV-and whether you believe it's harder to dominate these days. I know this is all sort of a tough question as it's probably difficult to be candid as it might sound like you aren't giving Earl his fair due or something. I was also wondering what you think Earl would think about your breaking his record. (I'm sure you'll get 42 so I'm not bothering to say "tying".) I know when he was announcing, he always seemed to have a lot of respect for your game. Thanks. Ron Hi Ron, I appreciate your support. But Earl Anthony was the PBA Player of the Year his last 3 years on tour. He actually only bowled about 2/3's of his last year and was still voted Player of the Year by the players and Bowler of the Year by the writers. Earl bowled less than 400 events in 14 years on tour while I have over 600 in 24 years. I have no complaints about my career. Allen March 28, 2006 Fayetteville NC I have always been a big bowling fan and admired your abilities to adapt with the changes. I throw a similar ball as yourself and I too was getting a lot of taps that I otherwise thought was good shots. I switched back to a 16 pound and the first week shot another 800 and 300 on my local league which one of your fellow tour members was on till the season started (Chris Collins) I plan on bowling at least one of the majors next year and hope to see you there. I just wish NC still was one of your stops seeing several bowlers on tour are from our state. I just watched "A League of Ordinary Gentlemen" and gained even more respect for those out there on tour but I have one question. Do you think it is possible to really compete as someone like myself? A friend with equal talent as myself has went to the Masters several years in a row and he says that the first two days of qualifying he is always in the cut but then all of the pros have up to 10 or so new balls drilled for the condition and he is left to work with what he takes. He missed the cut by 10 and 24 pins the past two years. He tells me unless your equipment happens to match up with that tournament you are at a disadvantage. What is your take on that? Also have you played golf with Chris, he is pretty good too. Hi Allen, Having access to equipment is an advantage for some players. But most players don't drill 10 balls a week. I might drill 1 ball a week on average. Once I have balls that I like I might not drill for a week or two. If I were to drill 3 balls in one week, that is a lot for me. The main reason that I drill balls is that a lot of times the ball company will come out with new a ball and will want me to have a couple of them. I would say that if you have 6 bowling balls with you then that should be sufficient. But some players feel like they need to have a new ball for some reason. Bob March 15, 2006 West Hartford CT I'd like to know the definition of "playing territory". Rule #4a states that a legal delivery happens when the ball is released into the playing territory, but there is no definition of it. I released my ball onto the adjacent lane because my thumb got hung up. The ball never touched my lane...it dropped into the adjacent gutter. Is the playing territory only between my gutters or anything beyond all foul lines? Whatever the answer is, how is it backed up in the rules instead of just being someone's opinion, which could be taken to court. I say that it's a dead ball, or that the ball was rolled on the wrong lane (rule 8d). Hi Bob, I am not a member of the USBC rules committee, so my opinion doesn't really mean much. But I would say that if you let go of the ball and it passes the foul line, then you delivered the ball. I would suggest you try to contact the USBC and get an "official" ruling. Michael March 5, 2006 East Northport NY Hey Walter Ray. First, congragts on your outstanding career and on your chase for Earl Anthony's 41 titles. Now to my question. I'm 15 years old, and I'm on a bowling team with 4 of my friends. Our averages are: 180(me), 135, 130, 125, and 90. I was wondering, what do you think the best lineup for our team would be? Should the two or three highest averages bowl last, or should they be spread out? Should I bowl first, last, or neither? Which lineup do you think would give us the best chance of winning? Hi Michael, Normally the better bowler is put in the anchor position so that if a strike or spare is needed in the 10th frame for the last person, they are the best person for that job. But from a mathematical point of view it shouldn't really matter how you line up your players as your scores should still add up to the same. Ron February 18, 2006 Manhattan KS Hi Walter Ray, I'm not exactly sure which category to put this into: I often really enjoy watching other bowlers bowl and trying to analyze the strengths and weaknesses in their games. Often I wonder what makes it possible for some bowlers to improve their scores and others to toil for years at the same average. I know that there seem to be a multitude of bowlers who are able to get to about 170 or 180 in average, but then they "hit a wall" and never significantly improve after that the rest of their playing days. To be honest, I'm about a 170 player and I have the desire to be a 220 player. At least. What does it take? I mean, I know there are always things like "make more spares" and stuff like that. I guess I was hoping for a more involved answer. Good practice habits? Ability to throw strikes (I mean, if you throw only one or two strikes a game, you probably won't ever get good)? Mental game? Understanding of today's lane conditions and equipment? Natural god-given ability and hand-eye coordination? I guess my question is how to raise my game to the next level. I guess my greatest fear is that twenty years from now, my 170 average will not only not be 220, but will still be 170. Thanks. Ron Hi Ron, It takes practice to get good at anything. It also helps to have really good technique. Experience will help on how to play lane conditions which comes from playing in lots of different tournaments and league conditions. Take a lesson to see how your form is and then go practice a lot. John February 13, 2006 Burbank CA I really want to see the movie about the PBA tour, "A League of Ordinary Gentlemen". It was in one theatre in my area and then disappeared. Do you have any information about where I can get it? Hi John, I believe that "A League of Ordinary Gentlemen" was just released to video. Hopefully it will be easy to find. Mark February 10, 2006 Collierville TN You have been the best in the world at two sports, quite a feat. Yet -- I understand you make a reasonable living -- bowling does not pay like golf or other sports. Does that bother you? It seems like bowling is a very tough way to make a living. Hi Mark, I do make a pretty good living bowling. It would be nice if I made more money, but that's the way things are. Unfortunately for other pro bowlers who aren't as successful as I am it is a bit of a struggle. The players outside of the top 20 money earners aren't making much money. Hopefully the PBA can make things better for the bowlers in the future. Jeremy February 7, 2006 Hewitt MN Hi Walter Ray, My name is Jeremy Freitag and I was wondering about how to get or start to look for a sponser I average a 220 for 7 years, but I bowl in a small town. I really want to persue my bowling into the pros but that wall that i have to get through is hard. Thanx Hi Jeremy, I have Dexter shoes sponsoring me, but no ball companies as of right now. Getting a sponsor is never easy. It helps to know the right people and offer them a deal that they will be happy with. It is mainly a matter of a 'sponsor' seeing a return on their investment. I would bowl as much competition as possible. If you are really good, you should be able to make more money than you spend which would allow you to travel more. Chris January 31, 2006 Albufeira Algarve Hi Walter Ray, I have read some of the questions posed to you and some are a bit lame ( for lack of a better word! ) so i dont want to waste your time with some tecnical question! What i would appreciate is some advise from you if you can spare some.Before i do, let me tell you a bit about me.I am 26 have bowled for 13 and recieved my schooling ( bowling ) in South Africa and now reside in Portugal.After having bowled for just 6 months i was on a sturdy 195 avg. and gradualy moved up to 205-215 avg. over the next 6 years and turning into a high powered cranker ( physical spec : 6´2" 225 lb.)but i felt i was not ready mentaly for such an aggresive game ( Robert Smith´s power with Pete´s attitude).I let it go and just carried on steaming down the lanes and have had a good run ( not able to enter the euro tour due to economic restraints, some have all the luck ).Now in my 13th year i have started to change from a full blooded cranker to a Chris Barnes type cranker ( not on purpose ) and my game is weird! some days 215-225 and then some days 180-190 and i can´t seem to zone in anymore.One thing i know is important and thats getting a coach but for the last 5 years i have had no coach because there are no coaches qualified for my game in portugal.Bare with me im almost done.And to make things worse im in top rank for the AMF world cup and looks like its my turn this year to go but i scared of making ball´s up of things in the final leg of the cup qualifiers ( 22 games to go ).Now that you´ve been dragged through my "soap opera" her is what i would like from you! Is this a transition from wreckless to a mature bowler or is my time up or am i just going through a physical change ( getting older!).What great words of wisdom can the great Jedi of Ten pin Bowling give me, a mere mortal? Thank for reading this and just a few personal remarks; Keep that eye straight,good hunting on the lanes and your wife is looking stunning. All the best to you and your wife. Hi Chris, Without having seen you bowl it is difficult to give you a good answer on where you game is going. Most people have an image of how they bowl and it is usually quite different than reality. I would see about getting some video of you bowling and watching it. If you are at all interested in being the best that you can be I would do everything I could to go to your World Cup. Good luck and thanks. Phil January 30, 2006 Louisville KY Hi Walter Ray, I've read and heard recently, many people say that they believe that bowling , leauge bowling in particular, is loseing some of it's popularity lately, I have even heard this from the man who runs the bowling center I bowl a leauge at once a week. However, I like to practice at other centers for the challenge of different conditions and just for a change of scenery. Sometimes I find it difficult to find a lane to bowl on because the centers are so busy with open bowling and birthday parties, wich I think is great, but I know that the leauge is the bread and butter for most bowling centers. I read in one of your replies that you think bowling centers should be responsible for promoting bowling in their areas. Could you talk about what things you think a bowling center might do in order to promote greater participation in leauge bowling ? Hi Philndawn (Phil), To be a better bowler, I think you are doing the right thing in bowling in different places. I think part of the problem is that there is so much more to do these days. TV is a big distraction as are computers and the internet. Most people don't want to commit to 8-9 months of one night a week for a certain activity. Over the years, the bowling center managers have found out that there are many occasional bowlers who don't want to be involved in any leagues. Hopefully someday those bowlers will become more than recreational bowlers. Having better access to good instruction might help bowlers want to take the sport a bit more seriously. It used to be that all the people who worked in a bowling center really liked to bowl, now it has become just another job for a lot of people. They don't have the passion for the game like the 'old' employees used to. Nick January 30, 2006 Centralia WA Walter Ray, My name is Nick. I am 13 and have a 185 average. My high game is 290 and i have a question. I have a wrist bowling problem where it sometimes cups in an akward fashion causing my arm to chicken wing. I just began to strighten my armswing because it used to tuck behind my back. Any advice? I always get nervous at every bowling event i go to, even league. i dont want to but i always do. i end up being easy with my ball ntill the 2nd game. the first game the ball takes off and goes high. i try not to ease up but im nervous. Any advice? P.S: there is a guy at my local pro shop who always tells me it is wrong to suitcase the ball. I see Steve Jaros do it and even you sometimes. Who do i listen to? Nick Olsen, Thank you!! Hi Nick, Without seeing you bowl, it is impossible to give any advice on what to do about your bowling style. Being nervous is actually natural. The thing is to make the nervousness work for you instead of against you. If you really want to bowl you should want to bowl in competition which includes league. Make it more of an excitement feeling and have fun. Larry January 25, 2006 Longmont CO Hi Walter Ray, I am 28 years old and you have been my idle for years. I was wondering what kind of golf clubs do you use. when is the next time your bowling in colorado.I have never got to see you bowl in person, i was going to watch you this year when you were here but i have a 4 year old daughter who has cancer and was very sick the dates you were here. one last thing tell paige she looks great Hi Larry, I hope your daughter is doing much better. You are the first to ask about my golf clubs. But like my bowling balls, I don't get any endorsements from those companies, so I am not giving them any. I hope you understand. As with my bowling equipment, I have always felt it was more about the operator than the equipment! Ron January 6, 2006 Manhattan KS Hi Walter Ray, I have read at various points that you fully intend to continue to bowl on the national tour until you're fifty and then move to the Senior Tour. I know this pleases me as it always has disturbed me to see how many former tour pros leave the tour, never bowl on the senior tour and seem to distance themselves completely from the tour and bowling altogether. I had a couple of questions about your future plans: 1. Do you think there will come a day where you decide to become an announcer? On ESPN Classic, they brought you in to comment during the Greater Harrisburg Open. You seemed to be pretty good. 2. Do you think that you will ever become an ambassador for bowling on the same scale as a Dick Weber, for example? You know, travel around the country and world promoting bowling... Do you feel you really owe anything to the sport or do you sort of have more of a Frank Sinatra "all I owe anybody is a good show (bowling performance)"? 3. Do you think there will come a day where you suddenly just leave bowling altogether, never bowl another frame and you and Paige just raise sheep in Montana or whatever (apparently, that's where all the former national tour pros are)? Thanks. Ron Hi Ron, Part of the reason that many of the retired pros don't bowl on the Senior tour is that there isn't very much money out there. It is difficult to make a living bowling on the Senior tour. After bowling on tour for 10, 20 or even 30 years it has become a job to a lot of bowlers and the fun isn't there any more. I like competition so I will probably continue to bowl and bowl Senior events. I wouldn't mind being an announcer, but the people in charge of those things don't seem to want me for the job as they have never asked me. I wouldn't mind being some sort of ambassador for bowling, but I am not going to do it for free. Dick Weber didn't do everything for free and should have got paid a lot more by the bowling industry in my opinion. I only know of one retire pro bowler who lives in Montana, but he was from there. Tom January 3, 2006 Philadelphia PA First thing, Thanks to Paige and You, for The Holiday Wishes. My Holiday wish is to see you on TV many times the second half. Second thing, I remember someone giving a horseshoe pitching demonstration on the Johnny Carson Show, over twenty years ago, was that you? Hi Tom, The person who pitched horseshoes on the Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson was Dan Kuchchinski who was the world horseshoe pitching champion in 1967, 69, & 70. He was only 21 in 1970. I was on the Dick Cavett show when I was 11 in 1971. Cory December 29, 2005 Veradale WA How many career 300's do you have? How many bowling balls do you use? Hi Cory, I think I have 66 PBA 300's. I would guess that I have about half a dozen not in PBA competitions. I have a total of about 50 bowling balls, but take about 25-30 with me on the road. But I will normally only use 2 or 3 different balls in a tournament unless I am not bowling well. Stephanie December 9, 2005 Factoryville PA Hi! I've written to you before so no rush on writing back! I am probably your biggest fan in the world! I love watching you bowl but it's hard for me to watch it every week. I bowl on Saturdays and Sundays. Sundays at 1:00pm EDT and that's what time bowling starts! Anyway, My average is up to a 150 and it's sort of hard to keep it because if I have a game even 3 or 4 pins below my average I get mad. I calm down and then go out and have a 170 or 180! And I get nervous if I know I'm going to hit a 200(call me weird!). I've only had 3 200 games. 211, 205, 207. How can I calm my self and how can I make it easier for me to hold my average??? Thanks for helping! Your Biggest Fan, Stephanie Sheridan, 11 PS: I got the Gold medal in the Keystone Games and a couple of years ago I was ranked in the top 10 bowlers for 8 and under in THE WORLD! Hi Stephanie, It sounds like you are doing great. Getting nervous is natural. What you need is to be confident when you do get nervous so that you can make the good shots. Getting mad is also natural. But you need to realize that when you are mad it is difficult to make good shots, so it is better to control your temper. Butch aka Gary December 8, 2005 Griffin GA Dear Walter Ray, I'm about 6 ft and bowled for many years now about 17 so every since i was 2. i was wondering i shot my first 300 in febuary of 2005 during high school reginols and now im having trouble just gettin a bird dog to come across and knock out a 10 pin. i think it is mostly because of my speed and angle to the pocket but i dont no also i think it might be because of my release my nickname is velvet becuse my approach and everything i soft but if you could give me some advice i would greatly appreciate it thank you Hi Butch, Getting a 'bird-dog' strike is impressive, but if that was the standard to being a pro then I wouldn't be one. The name of the game is knocking down as many pins as possible, not how fast they go across the deck. You need to try to figure out what is different. It may be your speed, angle of entry or whatever. It could also be a function of lane conditions or equipment choices. There are so many variables it is really hard to figure out what causes carry. Hang in there and keep working on it. Sounds like you are on the right track! Good luck. Austin December 5, 2005 Indianapolis IN Dear Walter Ray, i read on the site that you said you started bowling when you where 17. That is similar to me except i was 15 when i started bowling in my first league league this summer and i am 16 now and am in 2 leagues. I have always been a competitive person so i joined adult leagues right away. One thing I noticed is many adults in Adult leagues act more immature than I am "supposed" to when it comes to bowling. I am a 181 average and have noticed much huffing and puffing from "adults" who think they should be on the pro tour, but only average in the 150s. My first question would be: How do you overcome a immature or disrespectful opponent? My next question is I plan on bowling in the Pro-Ams for the Indianapolis Open here at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis. People always tell me it is a waste to do it because they think I will be destroyed by greater bowlers, but i tell them i have only been bowling for 5 months and over that time my average has increased 50 pins at the same bowling center from July till now, In December, but my question is: How do you prepare mentally for an opponent or opponents in which you know they have higher averages or are better on that pattern? Thank you for your time and I am an lane attendant at Woodland so if you need something while you are practicing for the Indy Open ask for Austin Hi Austin, Many people will be jealous of somebody who is doing better than they are doing. Just remember that they are jealous. Bowling in a Pro-Am is supposed to be a fun event. If people are worried about their competition, then they are missing the point. However, if you in competition and feel like your opponents may be much better than you are then you need to look at is a learning experience and try to enjoy it. See you in Indianapolis. Randy December 3, 2005 Land O Lakes FL Want to know how many 300 games you have thrown. Thanks Hi Randy, I think I have 66 PBA 300's. Miscellaneous Q & A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] | ||