Worth a repost. Not sure who originally wrote this, but it's spot on.
Two Bowling Stories, 40 Years Apart.
April 18, 1964 - Lawrence, NY: A scratch bowler steps onto the approach at Falcaro's Lanes. Currently averaging 198, he is one of the best players in the New York area. Last weekend, he won the Eastern Long Island All-Events title with a phenomenal score of 1962 for nine games, a 218 average, the second highest total in the history of the event.
He has the first 9, and every other bowler in the building steps and walks over to watch him bowl the 10th frame. The building is dead silent. He picks up his Manhattan Rubber, the same ball he's thrown for 4 years, drilled with 1/2 ounce of finger weight. A bead of nervous sweat runs down his neck and into the collar of his starched white bowling shirt, the name "Frederickson's Plumbing" sewn across the back. He's only been in the position once before, and he desperately wants his first perfect game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The crowd roars. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move a half-board left. The next shot goes dead flush. Eleven in a tow and the crowd is really into it now, inching closer and closer to the lanes. Then the crowd swells as first shift bowlers stream out of the bar to watch the action. The people in the back are standing on chairs and benches, straining to get a good view. His teammates don't know what to say or do, afraid of saying the wrong thing or breaking his concentration.
He steps onto the approach one more time, his knees knocking and his hands trembling. He delivers the shot - a little too fast, it comes in light - and for an instant, the 4-5-7 is standing, but the headpin comes off the wall and carries the strike for a 300! He leaps in the air and the crowd explodes. The proprietor call the ABC and the local paper, which has a reporter in the building in 15 minutes. While the hero of the night is interviewed, his teammates buy him a beer and the proprietor ropes off lanes 9 and 10, making sure no one disturbs them before the ABC inspector arrives. He can't wait for the interview to end so he can call his wife.
April 18, 2004 - Plainview, NY: A scratch bowler steps onto the approach at AMF Plainview Lanes. Currently averaging 228, he has the 11th highest average in his league. Two weeks ago, he traveled to the ABC Nationals in Reno, where he shot an all-events total of 1562 for nine games, a 173 average, perplexed by the tough lane conditions he encountered. He is comforted by the fact that he recorded the second highest total on his team, none of whom average less than 220.
He has the first 9. No one in the league, except those bowling with him on lanes 35 and 36, realize that he has a chance to shoot 300. A bowler two pairs to his left kicks the ball return and carries on loudly about the third stoned 9 pin he has left tonight. A bead of sweat runs down his neck and into his Sean John T-shirt, not because he's nervous, but because the air conditioner isn't working. He's attempting to shoot his 21st 300 game.
His first shot goes a little high and trips the 4. Ten in a row. The pressure is now off, because that strike locked up his match point. Should he make an adjustment? He decides to move 4 boards left. The next shot misses 3 boards right but hits the dry track and goes dead flush. The young woman at the desk is now mildly interested. His teammates are joking with him, asking if at least one of this shots in the 10th could hit his target.
He steps onto the approach one more time. He delivers the shot - a little too fast and 5 boards left of his target, it comes in light - and for an instant the 10 pin stands, but a messenger flies across the pin deck and clubs the 10 out for a 300 game! He sheepishly walks back from the foul line, and fully understands when his teammates get on him for gagging and yanking the ball 5 boards. The young lady behind the desk puts a group of open play bowlers on lanes 35 and 36. They give the 300 shooter a dirty look, wondering why he and his buddies are still sitting in the settee area.
He goes up to the league secretary to find out how he did in brackets. Expecting a big payday, he gets pissed when he finds out another bowler shot 300 the last game and tied him. His $400.00 turns out to be only $200.00. The secretary complains that he doesn't need any more paperwork, but our hero tells him not to worry, it's his 3rd 300 of the season and therefore no need to send a form to the local association. He buys a Diet Pepsi from the vending machine, packs up his 6 ball roller and heads home.
