reflections on Rock n Bowl

Those of you who read this know this to be true. Once I get into a bowling center, I have pretty hard time refraining from getting excited and an even more difficult time shutting up. Okay, I have the latter problem most anywhere I go. However, yesterday was an extraordinary day...and I still can't shut up about it.

Yes, I went nuts when I bowled that strike! I was pumped up from being introduced, having all those guys high five me and tell me it's was good to see me...get placed next to PETER FLYNN...and then put ten pins in the pit. I got chest bumps from the guys on my end and then we really started to get it goin'.

I bet one of the guys 5 bucks that 10-year old Maddie couldn't beat me in the string I bowled vs. the kids. Well, I damn near lost that fiver when I needed a mark in the 10th to pull it out. So, I pick up my ball, get ready...and then I hear it..."you need a mark! You need a mark!" Serenaded by at least 50 kids, parents and friends, I had to get a smudge. Well, I pulled off the spare and won the game, but talk about pressure! Wow! Maddie is a great young lady, and I expect to see her bowling on the shows very, very soon. She throws a great ball, and is an up and coming bowler in the ICYBA.

The grudge match between Frank and Mike was great. Sitting with Mary Lynn and heckling the guys with the, "you need a mark!" chant was fun.

The vibe and energy from the kids was fantastic. Many of them wanted to chat and hear about the site, beat me in the 1 ball/3 ball competition, razz me just for the heck of it. The future of candlepin bowling looks very, very bright on both the men's and women's sides of the coin. I expect several of these fine kids to be bowling on the WCBC, TV shows, etc. in the future.

The energy that comes out of Pilgrim Lanes is so much different from that of Springfield. I see so much more positivity and comraderie, encouragement and happiness. It's a different game. Many of my teammates/competition in Springfield tend to be miserable and angry all the time. That's one of the big reasons why the game completely changes as you move further toward Boston. I see the fun and excitement in Ware and Monson (that Thursday night league in Monson looks like it would be a great time) and wish it were in Springfield, too. I see the white hot vibe that comes from Pilgrim Lanes, and I know it wouldn't be possible to rekindle it there...even the house manager doesn't like candlepin (it must be too hard for him). It's disappointing, at best.

Thanks to my good friends, the Maderios family, for having me, my son and my future bride (or is that candlepin widow?) up for the day. My son felt like a king (thank you, Bart), and considers the day the highlight of his February vacation. In fact, he had to keep a little journal of the whole week for homework, and he made sure to write all the way home. The entry was so cute; I can't wait to hear what his teacher has to say about it. And my new ICYBA shirt quickly became my new favorite bowling shirt! I finally get to wear ICYBA and Pilgrim Lanes on my back...that's cool.

Good luck to the kids in Canada! I'll be watching and waiting for reports!