Politically Speaking

Brandy Padilla — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:24:00 GMT

Politically Speaking

An Editorial By: Brandy Padilla

Politics infect everything we do, everything about the society we live in; gas prices, health care, education. It seems in some way, politics have some effect in our daily lives and I’ve come to find out, albeit the hard way, that politics even affect bowling.

The story I am going to share is not only true but very personal for me. Read on.

Over the past months, I’ve written several stories about some of my personal accomplishments, not to gloat or be boastful, but in hopes that I may affect someone else’s life. By sharing my experiences, if I help one person realize how great this sport is, then I have accomplished my goal; to touch a life through bowling.

If you’ve read any of my stuff in the past months, you know that a few months ago, I finally achieved one of my goals; a goal that seemed to have been dangling in front of me and thereby plaguing me for a very long time. On October 12, 2006, I finally shot my very first (ever) 700 series. For me, it was a much anticipated and long overdue reward for all of the hard work and dedication I had been putting in.

You see, I had been so close to that plateau on several occasions yet seemingly fell just shy each time. Before I actually hit 700, I shot a 696 in a tournament (which even helped me to a Handicap All Events title). A spare in the tenth of the last game would have given me my first 700, but as I released that first shot a little too far to the right, it did not recover and make it securely back to the pocket thus leaving me with the 6-7 to convert for “victory”. I actually tried to make the spare and was close sending the 6 just behind the 7 to shoot 696.

During my next “close” attempt, I shot 698 after being more than 110 over for the first two games having shot 250-something the first game and 260-something the second game. Going into the third game, I knew I only needed to be clean and have a decent game. Unfortunately, it is easy to succumb to the pressures, especially personal pressures when you put so much emphasis on a number. I fell short once more shooting 180-something for a 698 set. During this particular instance, I got down on myself because I miscalculated my scores in my head and actually thought I had my 700. When I added the score sheet and it hit me, I was disappointed.

My last “close” shot was during summer league. I had two pretty good games to start but still needed about 220 to clench a personal victory. I needed the first hit in the tenth frame of the last game. I stepped up on the approach sticking to my pre-shot routine in an effort to keep my nerves from becoming a factor. As I released the ball, I felt the disappointment start to wash over me because I threw what I thought was a terrible shot. I got lucky and it struck. I felt a huge weight lift but as I turned around, I see our opponents arguing with my team. Amidst a bit of controversy, I found myself lose what I had worked so hard to achieve. The anchor bowler for the opposing team claimed to have not bowled his frame. The scorer indicated that it was my turn so I had bowled. We argued for a few minutes and then reluctantly erased my score because none of us had really been paying attention. Their bowler made his shots and then I once again stepped up needing that first hit. I took a deep breath as I began my approach and I threw a great ball. The pins exploded (or at least that is how it seemed) as the ball pushed through the rack leaving me with a solid standing 10 pin. I was crushed. I shook it off as best as I could and made my spare. I threw my fill shot and left another 10 pin to shoot 692. I left the bowling center in tears that nigh; tears of disappointment and a feeling of failure as I once again fell short of the set I so desperately reached for. I was truly hurt and felt like I may never reach that plateau.

Now, fast forward a couple of months. I still want a 700 but I’ve been working on my mental game and trying not to put so much emphasis on one thing. Rather, I think about a routine and repeating that routine each time. I think about focusing on the things I can control; timing, arm swing, release; rather than fretting over the things I cannot control; ball reaction, pin action, and carry. I focus on the things I am doing well and don’t try to change my game during league.

Having put so much pressure on myself over the course of almost a year, when I actually reached my goal, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Because I had such high expectations, part of me was expecting the bowling center roof to open and there to be Disney-esque fireworks with a parade as my fellow bowlers lift me into the air and carry me around the center while chanting my name. But back to reality; we all know nothing of that sort happened. I did however expect some sort of congratulatory fanfare. In our center, things like that normally get announced over the PA system and a bowler gets a bit of personal glory in that recognition. I’d been there when it happened for other people so naturally I just figured it would be the same for me. When I did shoot my 700, things did not happen the way I had imagined them.

I knew I would be eligible for my USBC 700 award; a coaster or pin or some other commemorative award; and I would now be eligible to join the elusive association women’s 700 club. I also thought, given that I had received a plaque for 692, that I would receive one for me newly achieved 700; a 726 that I was extremely proud of and relieved to have obtained. To say I had high expectations for my achievement would be grossly understating reality; I seriously had a vision of grandeur regarding this particular accomplishment. Unfortunately, because I had put such high expectations upon this achievement, I was setting myself, albeit unknowingly, for big disappointment.

The night I shot my coveted 700, there was no announcement over the PA. The only people who even noticed were my teammates. The opposing team did not even realize that this was my first 700. There was very little congratulations; no handshakes or hugs, no celebration, obviously no fireworks or parade; it was as if nothing had even happened.

I shook it from my mind (at least I tried to) passing it off as an oversight; after all, I’m one of hundreds of people and it’s easy to be overlooked. But then it took over two months before I got my USBC award (a 700 pin). It took more than four months to get an application to the 700 club; another thing I tried to write off as oversight but could not given that I saw another person shoot 700 and immediately get an application for “the club”. And I guess 692 is better than 726 because that is the plaque; the lone plaque; that adorns the bare wall in my office.

This is where I think the politics of bowling come in to effect. Why is it that one person is ‘overlooked’ while another person gets ‘proper’ recognition? Bowling is as political as any other sport. Sometimes it isn’t about bowling at all; it’s about people or about “cliques” or “groups”; who you may or may not be friends with.

I’ve paid my dues as has any other member in good standing. As a paying and active member, I expect the associations; local, state, and national; to work for me. In this particular case, I must say, that I feel like they are working against me. I only want for each bowler to be treated equally; no bias based on skill or style, or who you happen to be friends with; simply one association that serves the bowlers efficiently and effectively.

Unfortunately, it is scenarios like this that I think push bowlers away. If the associations were run like businesses, scenarios like this may not occur. When bowlers get frustrated, they leave. If we could perhaps put the focus back on bowling and get away from a few of the ‘cliques’ and politics, perhaps bowling as a sport would once again flourish.

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