AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 20 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator (Manager/General Manager), Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Certified, IBPSIA "On Lanes" Certified, 2 Time Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors and Past Secretary/Treasurer, Small Shop columnist "Pro Shop Operator" Magazine, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" magazine, editor of IBPSIA NET NEWS weekly e-newsletter, editor of "The Bowling Tree" blog and webmaster of www.revbowl.com.
Experience 20 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst. Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member (18 years), 2 time member of IBPSIA Board of Directors, former Secretary/Treasurer.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Technically Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance (YABA) and the National Bowling Council (NBC) as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
Question My husband & I just started bowling back in February. We go two to three times a week. My normal way to bowl is to through the ball down the lane with my palm down instead of up. I have tried it with my palm up and tried the hand shake method but it causes pain in my arm. I had Rotator Cuff Surgery in the past and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I use a regular straight ball and my average is between 100 to 140 per night throughing it this way. I wanted to get a Hammer Black Widow Pearl Ball but a friend of mine said because I don't bowl normal that it would probably be a waste of money to get a curving ball because I wouldn't be able to put a spin on it. Do you agree?
Answer Rose,
I agree. Not knowing how to drive doesn't change when you buy a Corvette. Performance equipment will often complicate and compound your problems.
You may have a fit issue. Your shoulder issue shouldn't have your arm hurt, unless you are using muscles you shouldn't need to use.
Fit properly, a ball should let go of you. The strain you're feeling should not happen with a properly fit ball. The angles of the holes dictate some of what your hand can do. If it's more comfortable (NO Pain) to have your hand palm down, there is a problem.
Have your ball driller fix the problem. (Hand flat on the ball, hole angles should have pads of the fingers/thumb control the ball, not the edges of the holes.) The ball should just hang in your hand, when hand is relaxed and hanging down at your side.
Thanks for the questions. If the driller doesn't know what to do, please have him contact me at: revbowl@revbowl.com. I will be glad to help, without charge.
Training in our industry is woefully inadequate. Many store owners learn by doing. The Pro Shop Association (IBPSIA) is a source of tremendous experience and training but many hobby pro shops can't afford to take time from their jobs, close the store and attend (what amounts to) a pro shop university.
