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 QUESTION: I'm trying to figure out how to keep my thumb from getting calluses. I've soaked it and scraped it with a calluse remover and it still gets bigger every time i bowl. My question is, Would that have something to do with the pitch? the pitch of the thumb hole is at 0. the owner of the pro shop in my area said that it wasn't the problem
ANSWER: Ken,
You asked:"Would that have something to do with the pitch?"
Yes. And size of the hole, and span.
Is your grip finger tip or conventional? small flexible hand? thumb hole a little loose? Does the pro shop guy use 0 pitch? What is the lateral pitch (side to side, left or right?) What size are the holes? Do you have a copy of the fit? Can you (or the shop guy) send it to me?
What weight ball do you use? How hard do you throw the ball (harder than most)? Newer bowler? What do you average? What kind of ball is it?
Thanks for the questions. Let me know more please.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Its finger tip. the pro shop uses 0 lateral, and 1/4 back pitch. the fingers have grips in them and the thumb was ovaled to match the shape of my thumb. i use a 15.5 lb ball. i throw harder then most. Been bowling for over 20 years. i average 195-200. I use 2 different balls, a Roto grip grand illusion and a morich levRG
Answer Ken,
Small or large hand (long fingers?), flexible hand (when you stretch the index finger and thumb apart, is there more than a 90 degree angle, lots more? or less)? thumb hole a little loose? Does the pro shop guy use 0 pitch? Do you weight 160 plus?
Do you have a copy of the fit? Can you (or the shop guy) send it to me?
Please communicate with them that we are just trying to identify the problem. I'd like your local guy to know more (IBPSIA Training is great) so others don't have the same problem (and just quit the game).
Span and pitch make up 80% of the fit. If one or both is off just a little you have to grip to hold on to the ball. With greater than average ball speed it sounds like you may be gripping (even if only a little). When you mess up do you pull the ball into your target (miss in)?
Thanks for the follow-up. We're wading through all the various elements that impact a good fit. A few more and I should know what I need to.
All things being normal/average your spans can be from 4 3/8 to 4 7/8. Span info and the few other things above and I'll have a couple recommendations for you. Please copy and answer the above questions. Thanks again for hanging in.
