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: Bought a new Storm Virtual Energy and after 5 games developed a blood blister on the inside of my thumb tip, (next to my index finger). Went back to the pro shop and he flared out he thumb hole slightly and said to try it. Bowled last night and still felt discomfort. The ball has thumb inserts and finger inserts. At times the finger inserts feel tight. Have not bowled in a long time, maybe need to adjust. Any ideas on the thumb blistering would be appreciated.
Thanks
ANSWER: Al,
Span could be too short or you have too much reverse pitch (not enough forward??). Too much gripping.
The tight fingers could be a little swelling, since you haven't bowled in a while.
What kind of thumb insert? Oval? Tapered? Slug? Is it tight or loose? Let me know. Thanks for the questions.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for previous advice. Today I was practicing and had a difficult time with my approach. After a couple of good balls, I seem to cross my arm in front of myself and the result is a Brooklyn shot. Is there a method that I can practice that will help me stay off of the Brooklyn side. I usually stand about 2-3 boards left of center and aim for the second arrow from the right. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks
Answer Al,
Tugging the ball in front of your body is a symptom of gripping too much, too.
Keep the elbow back under your shoulder and place the ball in front of your armpit. Tucking your arm back will help (your body will help force your push away straighter forward). If you continue to wrap the ball around your body, fix the fit issue.
