December 16, 2004 Report on the Orange County Classic held at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, California. We bowled on the 'A' pattern this week. I am usually able to play around the 1st arrow on this pattern while a majority of the players play between the 2nd and 3rd arrows. My round of 64 match was against Leonard Ruiz Jr. I played up 5 with a dull ball going pretty firm and straight. Leonard was playing a bit right of the 2nd arrow going out to around 4-6. Leonard threw a couple of bad shots in each of the first 3 games. I did a lot of striking in game one to win 279-202. I started the 2nd game with 5 strikes and that was the end of my carry. I only missed the pocket 1 time in the last 4 games yet never shot over 238. Leonard put together a 7 bagger in game 2 to win 258-238. In game 3 he gave me a chance when he chopped the 3 pin off of the 3-6-10 in the 9th frame after a 6 bagger. After I struck out he threw a strike and left a 4 pin to win the game 230-228. The last 2 games were pretty frustrating for me as I only managed 2 doubles in each game despite only missing the pocket once while Leonard shot 265 and 269 to beat me 4 games to 1. It was the best I had done all season as far as hitting the pocket and I kind of got wiped out. The last 4 weeks have been very frustrating for me despite the fact that I made the show the week before. I have been able to hit the pocket, but I haven't been able to knock down all 10 pins with 1 ball often enough. A couple of weeks off should give me time to 'cool down'. WRW vs Leonard Ruiz Jr. Strike % = 65 (37 of 57) Pocket % = 98 (56 of 57) Pocket strike % = 66 (37 of 56) I had no strikes while missing the pocket. Spares made: 14 10's, 2 7's, 6-10 Split made: 4-9 Leonard Ruiz Jr. vs WRW Strike % = 70 (40 of 57) Pocket % = 88 (50 of 57) Pocket strike % = 80 (40 of 50) Leonard had no strikes while missing the pocket. Spares made: 6 10's, 2 4's, 8, 6, 3-6-10, 1-2, 1-2-4-8 Spares missed: 3-6-10 Splits missed: 2-4-10 Splits made: 4-9, 2-4-10 Walter Ray