Walter Ray Williams Jr championship match at the PBA50 Lehigh Lanes Open 5-18-24 on string pins

Рет қаралды 24,400

Ай бұрын

Walter Ray Williams Jr championship match vs Ryan Shafer at the PBA50 Lehigh Lanes Open at Lehigh Lanes in Lehigh Acres Florida on May 18 2024. This is a 1 game match and is the first PBA tournament using USBC certified string pins. The pattern for this tournament is the 46' Petraglia pattern. I used the DV8 Brutal Collision. www.WalterRay.com, #PBA50, #professionalbowling, #BrunswickBowling, #CompassSportswear, #ViseGrips

Пікірлер: 152

@johnburden9109 Ай бұрын

Walter still has the prettiest strikes to watch. As far as the string pins, I wonder if they're going to sanction the arcade bowling at Chuck E Cheese next.

@reconbbs360 Ай бұрын

Strings don't belong in competitive bowling. IMHO

@jorgeosterman5715 Ай бұрын

Not in your opinion simply PERIOD

@rickscott7350 Ай бұрын

Remove the word competitive and your statement is correct

@bowlnow824 Ай бұрын

Unfortunately it is going to happen. It is getting harder and harder for centers to afford mechanics on the normal machines. I don't blame anyone for having to do this. In the long run it will be better for the bowling center money wise. Bowlers going to always complain. That is nothing new

@mpup54 Ай бұрын

@@bowlnow824 Where is this argument coming from? The tour has been around for decades with mechanisms and mechanics. If this is only for the centers bottom then in the best interest of bowling is not genuine. Strike pct will drop, split conversions will really drop, and ithe movements of these pins are not the same on the deck either. Some of these strikes they literally just fall over and instantly lay still. That is not a bowling pin at that point. They should be able to freely roll around and fly and not ahve a string hinder either.

@bowlnow824 Ай бұрын

@@mpup54 talk to any Center manager or owner and you can ask them how hard it is to find a mechanic at a decent price. And for them to do all the work that they need to do to keep the center running. I know about four to five centers that are going to string pins very soon because of how less it cost to maintain them. It is a smart business move by the center to go to string pins. It is a change we will have to deal with

@HUFF-N-PUFF-2024 Ай бұрын

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Wow way to bounce back after the open. You the man

@yournightmareracing1754 Ай бұрын

Congrats but the string pins robbed Shaffer of a strike in the 11th which would have changed the outcome to him winning.

@augiedb Ай бұрын

Also arguably gave him a makeable spare in the first frame from a suspiciously late fall on what would have otherwise been a big split.

@essbe7158 Ай бұрын

Thanks for posting this. it's really great to be able to follow you this way. It's cool to see someone from the good ol days still getting it done. best of luck.

@danp9977 Ай бұрын

Congrats on the win Walter, thanks for the vids!

@robertcuratolo5339 Ай бұрын

🤠👍 This was old school match up back in the day you did it.

@powerwagon1897 Ай бұрын

Congrats Champ! Glad to see you still competing and showing everyone who is the GOAT

@roberthamilton5861 Ай бұрын

Congrats Walter. Another check and title for the GOAT. U DA MAN!!!!

@mr.aerial1885 Ай бұрын

I thought the two handed crap was bad until I saw these "string pins". This just "sealed the death" of ten pin bowling.

@mpup54 Ай бұрын

I have seen pins with rubber rings and strings on them called Quille in Canada. This is one step away from becoming that game, which we all laughed at when we played on it. Back then Quille had issues liked tangled strings and spotting spare pins in th wrong spot, like a 7 pin would become a 10 pin to shoot. I dont know if that last part happens anymore, but im almost sure you tangled strings somehow still occur. Then you need someone back there to fix that...but dor what reason? Why not just improve the current mechanical system instead of replacing it entirely with this garbage? Its not an arcade game, its a s full blown sport and deserves the respect and history that has preceded it.

@nn0673 Ай бұрын

very accurate comment. first the 2 handers, then this. unbelievable

@mr.aerial1885 Ай бұрын

@@nn0673 I hate the two handed thing - but I can take it - BUT THESE string pins - that is the end of bowling for me and for many. Totally ridiculous.

@nn0673 Ай бұрын

@mr.aerial1885 and the craziest part is watching these pros, instead of speaking out against it, they try to justify it and defend it! Lmao

@perryjbird Ай бұрын

Congratulations, one of your best outings for a little while! You bowled great (and all with one hand, yay!!!)

@mpup54 Ай бұрын

String pins are the equivalent to the NFL removing kickoff returns. Its watering down all the fascinating pin action of the game, period. Why change the game, just because some centers want to save a few dollars? That is not a good enough reason. The sport comes first. Whats next,m are they going to want softer balls so that they dont damage the lanes or the pits or the pins? You cant just let centers dictate what they want the sport to change to. Its bad enough they did away with wood lanes, which were so awesome to bowl on.

@mintythebowler5113 Ай бұрын

Save a few dollars? As much as I wish I could agree. Mechanic wise, (for a competent one) it can cost a cool 50-60k for a moderately skilled mechanic. As well as thousands in parts a year depending how big the center is

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

You don't think bowling balls have changed over the years ?

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

@@mintythebowler5113it's easily 100k a year in maintenance for this small 12 lane center

@DennisWesley-sw6bp 29 күн бұрын

sport comes first, centers are closing left and right, buy a center pay the bills and get back to me,

@wintonmoy5560 Ай бұрын

Congrats Walter Ray!

@KritonelectronicsNet Ай бұрын

String pins have no place in competetive bowling

@ripvanrevs Ай бұрын

I'm kind of getting attached to them.

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

@@ripvanrevs This was good man :)

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

Neither do you obviously. Must average a 180

@KritonelectronicsNet Ай бұрын

Scott You probably play softball, and bowl with the bumpers up.

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

@@KritonelectronicsNet good comeback, your mommy help you with that one.

@ThomasMason-go1eq Ай бұрын

Good win. But strings obviously played a factor. Sad to see

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

Did they not both bowl on the same lanes under the same condition on the same machines?

@ThomasMason-go1eq Ай бұрын

@@scottmacdonald6277 In the final game frame 10, Ryan Shafer would have doubled for the win but string pins stopped the messenger from carrying. Just watch

@DennisWesley-sw6bp 29 күн бұрын

@@ThomasMason-go1eq ask simonson about 10 pins on free fall machines, cost him 2 titles this year, it happens everywhere you think strings are different.

@ThomasMason-go1eq 29 күн бұрын

@@DennisWesley-sw6bp stings stopped the pin from rolling into the 10. What are you saying. Free fall would have changed literally everything.

@DennisWesley-sw6bp 29 күн бұрын

@@ThomasMason-go1eq if he had thrown a better shot he wouldn't need a headpin messenger and as slow as it was rolling no guaranree it knocks it over, you're just looking for something to complain about because it's strings

@MsEeyore14 Ай бұрын

The fact you pros even remotely allowed this garbage is mindboggling to me.

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

Then pony up and call em out on it, or whatever you deem "legit".

@kevinrussell5099 Ай бұрын

This is like watching a freaking arcade game! Ridiculous!

@edb3877 28 күн бұрын

There are many challenges in bowling and string pins are just the latest of them. A GOOD shot will strike regardless of whether string or free fall pins are used. I bowl in 2 leagues that use string pins and don't have an issue with them. I spoke to the owner of our local house and he said that string pin machines are far more reliable and don't requiring finding a decent mechanic to keep them running. String pin machines have about 1/3 the parts of a free fall pin machine, so there are fewer parts to go bad and in need of replacement. After two years of bowling with string pins, I can verify that there are a lot fewer problems that stop games in progress than with free fall pins. Is it the same? No, it's not. But what IS the same is that everyone bowling on string pins has an equal chance of bowling well and winning their matches. I'd rather see string pins in bowling alleys than bowling alleys closing due to the higher cost of maintenance of free fall pin machines and the difficulty in finding decent mechanics to keep them running. The choice here is simple: bowl where you want. I can bowl on strings or on free fall pins. I have a 195 average, which is about what I used to bowl with free fall pins, so it doesn't matter all that much to me. But I get it that all sports have their purists, so feel free to disagree... *after* you've bowled on string pins and can compare that experience to regular free fall pins.

@herbertfisher855 Ай бұрын

Walter, any way you can capture the scores throughout the games? Not knowing how close the bowlers are we cannot predict if you need to strike out or if the match is even close.

@patersongalupe5099 Ай бұрын

both string and free fall pins have ups and downs. we as athletes should be aware of the change and adapt to it.

@davegriffith6409 Ай бұрын

Walter Ray still the man

@LUVEMDPOWER Ай бұрын

Ryan's 2nd ball in the 10th is why I won't bowl league in a house that has those.

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 Ай бұрын

So, if Ryan had tripped a 2 pin on free fall pins that would have been better?

@MsEeyore14 Ай бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964you know that isn’t the point Walter come on now lol you won fair and square but let’s be real now you pros should never ever even entertained this

@ripvanrevs Ай бұрын

@@MsEeyore14 Why do you hate everything about bowling but watch every bowling video?

@LUVEMDPOWER Ай бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964 I would just rather see the ball & the pins do what they do 'without any strings attached'. Just my preference. I've practiced in a house that has these and saw stuff like this happen to my shots; didn't care for it.

@SgtPhroste Ай бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964 light hit or not, that would have been a messenger strike

@chadbrewer9252 Ай бұрын

The physics is so different. Just like different turf in football or different fields in baseball.

@jjrobbins19 13 күн бұрын

WRWJR...still the best at rollin' the rock!

@in4win 29 күн бұрын

Awesome game, Walter Ray! What is your opinion of string pins? Do they screw up the pin action?

@maxpower2511 29 күн бұрын

String pins will make anyone look like a pro now

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 29 күн бұрын

So when do you go on tour?

@maxpower2511 26 күн бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964 When I see Packy with a video making 7-10's like they are nothing, it worries me.

@billngold6 Ай бұрын

Whether it is Bowling string pins or horseshoes king of the world Walter Ray Williams❤🎉❤ kingpin champion

@JerryS-ls8ne Ай бұрын

Strings beat Ryan. They do not belong.

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

Perhaps, but Ryan isn't crying like you sir.

@jefferydaniels6717 Ай бұрын

going to be real interesting to see how well the pin action stays "close" to freefall since these pins see twice the use (freefall has 2 complete sets usually).

@augiedb Ай бұрын

USBC Guidelines call for rotation of pins on at least a weekly basis,. That’ll help keep the 1 and 3 pins from getting unevenly battered around, in particular, as well as extending the lifespan of the pins.

@jefferydaniels6717 Ай бұрын

@@augiedb Are they enforcing that though (and will proprietors listen)? I know USBC inspections in my area are a joke

@MsEeyore14 Ай бұрын

The da t it came down to that is exactly the point wow

@teejay6063 Ай бұрын

SHAYF! Big fan. Quirky style, but what does Shayf do well? He works the inner half or back of the ball, and does it very well, like Chris Barnes or Sean Rash.

@truthmatters8407 Ай бұрын

By the way, congratulations on your victory over Ryan!

@DS-qz2gu Ай бұрын

Walter, I’d love to hear your thoughts on string pins being used in competitive bowling.

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 Ай бұрын

I thought that the solid hits carried a bit better than free fall, light hits not quite as well. There are breaks in both types of play both ways.

@bobbellow5502 Ай бұрын

String pins are for arcades.

@MsEeyore14 Ай бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964come on don’t play both sides yall pro should never ever have allowed this disgrace your the goat come on your word carries weight

@jesse75 Ай бұрын

@@MsEeyore14he also has to please sponsors and advertisers. To be a pro in any sport, you have to make a compromise and be a part sellout.

@boonswa1120 Ай бұрын

F F F F String pins!

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 Ай бұрын

There have been many comments, mostly negative about these string pins. Here is what Ryan Shafer had to say about the string pins regional tournament copied from his Facebook page: Well I had a very positive experience on the string pins at Lehigh lanes for the PBA 50 regional. First let me say like many things, there are a lot of misconceptions that are propagated by people who don’t recognize the inevitable. Here’s how I see it. First, the pins are always on spot. Huge plus. You aren’t getting a messenger to the 10 or 7… sorry. And if you do it’s a complete aberration. But that is a good thing. You want to strike, hit flush. You can get a light hit but it looks slightly different. Trip 4s are not that common. So for the most part it requires better shotmaking. Flat 10s are prevalent but that’s nothing different for me. The most annoying hit seems to be leaving the 4-10 on a slightly high pocket hit. Lane play will become more important because you can’t get away with the wrong angle into the pocket. You go high, the split % is high. Nothing coming off the walls to break them up. The misconception? That the strings are going to knock down pins that shouldn’t fall. My experience was the opposite.. especially in my last 10th frame. The strings laying on the deck can stop a pin from knocking over another one. There are 2 types of string pins… certified and recreational. The recreational ones are actually shorter and those are the ones that knock over pins they shouldn’t. All I can say is try them before you judge and don’t listen to all the naysayers. I can see where league bowlers might not like them as lucky strikes are less prevalent. I finished second to the great Walter Ray in a reversal of our title match from 2 years ago. I needed to double to force him to strike and the second one in the 10th was a potential messenger stopped short by a string on the deck. But that’s ok. I didn’t expect a messenger. Walter rang a 10 and spared it to beat me 236-234. It was a fun match. In the semis, I beat newly minted Hall of Famer and good friend Tom Hess. Anytime you beat him these last few years you accomplished something. It took 259 to get the job done. In the round of 8, I defeated good friend CK Moore 2-0. He bowled well but rang too many 7s. Thank you to bestie Troy Lint for sticking around to watch and keeping me hydrated and focused. I’m lucky he didn’t bowl because he would have won. And thanks to hosts Chris Keane and Dennis Bush for the added money and being so gracious. Was great to see Gary Alstott finish in the top 4 as he lost a one ball roll off to WRW. My Monopoly jersey designed by the incomparable Genie Cox Franklin of #Kameleon provided me with good fortune. And my #Hammer Envy Tour and Scorpion Low Flare did the job for me. Thank you to all my friends and fans for cheering me on…Sam Maccarone, Robin Cronk Bennett, Car Asselta, Nicole Walker, Mark Sullivan, Howard Ayres, Deke Handlowich, Michael Rennells, Robert W Eddy, and Gregory Warters.

@mca312 Ай бұрын

Thank you for posting this.

@TysBowlingRevolution Ай бұрын

Big fan, thanks for posting this

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

Because Ryan is a class act. The man knows more about bowling than 99% of people alive.

@scottmacdonald6277 Ай бұрын

Well put. People don't understand small centers like this really won't last unless they try to convert and save money. I live near Lehigh and originally from Syracuse, NY I know too many 12 lane family run centers that couldn't afford to stay open.

@in4win 29 күн бұрын

Adapt or fall by the way side.

@bowlnow824 Ай бұрын

Great bowling. I saw some highlights of the match and the string pins fell different but just like everything else in bowling we have to adjust to the change

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

Best comment so far, well said.

@truthmatters8407 Ай бұрын

Hello Walter. Could you please recommend a ball that goes pretty far down the lane before it starts to hook and still has some hitting power. I'm 72 years old and my ball speed is about 10 to 12 mph. When the lanes are dry, which is most of the time i have a hard time getting the ball down the lane. I have heard about the Axe and the Tropical Surge but i just don't know. I already made the mistake of listening to the wrong people and bought a Wine Pearl Hustle. It hooks like crazy on the back end where as i hardly use it. Please help! Thank you Sir.

@ripvanrevs Ай бұрын

Have you tried going down a couple pounds in weight to get more ball speed? I'm 59 and throw one hand no thumb so it is harder to generate ball speed. I just bought a 12 lb Track Cypher and have no trouble getting strikes. I normally throw 14 lb urethane and reactive and 15 lb plastic White dot.

@truthmatters8407 Ай бұрын

@@ripvanrevs Thanks for the suggestion. Anybody else? I'll try anything! I'm throwing the ball better now than i ever have in my life, just a lot slower.

@jesse75 Ай бұрын

I bowl in the morning with a senior league. Warren, who runs our pro shop could fix you up easy. Many in our league have been set up with a ball just right for them, even women. He set me up with two great balls. My average swings around 220. I'm 66 years old. Going to be bowling in the Super Senior Classic this May 29th in Las Vegas. This July I will have been bowling for my first year in two leagues.

@truthmatters8407 Ай бұрын

Thanks . Where is this pro shop?@@jesse75

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 29 күн бұрын

You are probably going to want a ball that doesn't hook very much like a 3 piece reactive ball, a polished urethane or plastic ball. It depends on how much they hook where you bowl.

@Osborne4Life Ай бұрын

That last shot by Shafer needs to be saved and used as the leading evidence for why stringpin bowling can not be supported by the PBA. If that was a regular roller pin, it would have obviously been knocked down and he would be the champion. Instead, the string tugged it away with obvious force and it cost him the tournament.

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 Ай бұрын

So, a light hit where the head pin would knock out the 10 pin is the main reason for string pins to never be used. Never mind that solid 8's, 9's are way less. You seem to forget that Ryan had several light strikes during the match. Those are okay but that last one shouldn't be the way it finished. Breaks happen in bowling good and bad with string pins as well as with free fall. Ask Randy about his solid 8. David Krol was the benefit of several errant shots in his first win as was Marshall Kent in his recent win at the Tournament of Champions. Not every flush shot strikes, and not all bad shots never strike. You might want to ask Ryan what he thought of his last shot that didn't strike. I believe that even Jason Belmonte says that a scout 10 isn't a great shot, but a slightly off hit that does strike.

@yournightmareracing1754 Ай бұрын

@@walterraywilliamsjr3964 But it would have struck. Power has been part of the modern game since Mark Roth in the late 70's. Do you believe string-hit pinfall, or string tension stopping pins is the future of the sport?

@HunterDillender Ай бұрын

By your logic of the 8s and 9s I am confused. If it's a perfect shot the ball will split the 8 9 ... so your saying it's better to have less solid 8s and 9s when your not splitting them ?

@bowlerjz5030 Ай бұрын

It didn’t take long for string pins to effect the outcome of a tournament. It took one tournament and that’s really all the evidence competitive bowlers need. Congrats on the *win.

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

The future is what it always has been, money. If a center can go out of business or change to string pin, which would you like? For the few who know me, I'd be horrible on string pins. That said, is this different than the balls and two handers now? I'm not against two handers, or the balls, just saying. There's a comment below about the "power game". Well, without resin two handers would have never existed. What's right...what's wrong? Epic rap battles of bowling? :)

@samroelke8097 Ай бұрын

So much hate for stringpins GG Walter, you the fkn MAN

@tongue_twista7557 Ай бұрын

Rightfully so.

@JoeBrrFan 24 күн бұрын

All the string pin haters: "How come you are not using wooden balls".. hahahah too funny.

@kevinscarborough9982 Ай бұрын

"Certified" strings? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@joesimao3645 Ай бұрын

Would avoid (like the plague) bowling in a house with string pins after seeing Shaffer get robbed of a strike. Surprised at the USBC sanctioning these pins.

@rb8999 Ай бұрын

Would you trade losing a messenger for carrying an 8 pin (9 pin for lefty)? I don't know about you, but I leave more stone 8 pins on free fall than I throw messengers taking out 10s. Walter said it seemed like solid hits carried better including not leaving 8 pins.

@joesimao3645 Ай бұрын

@@rb8999 That's if you are convinced 8,9, 7, and 10s are a product of a bad pin set. I would argue 7 for lefties and 10 for righties are mostly due to angle to the pocket or a ball rolling out not driving through the pins properly. 8 and 9s are just bad luck chopping the 5 straight back. I am not convinced string pins will fix it.

@rb8999 Ай бұрын

@@joesimao3645 you didn't answer the question and went off on a tangent. The average bowler is not throwing a bunch of messengers. Yes, obviously most corner pin leaves are due to angle. If you look at the 8th frame for Shafer, he left a weak 10 on the same left lane due to bad angle behind the head pin. The 2nd shot in the 10th was a little better, but still not a great shot.

@tweeter3081 Ай бұрын

Why WRJ,...just why.

@mpup54 Ай бұрын

what people dont realize is string pins will limit the range of the pins movement. So all those split conversions of the past will be much more rare and the 7-10 conversion will be non-existent because the pin wont be able to kick off the side or the back and make it all the way over. It was a crap system when I saw it in Canada decades ago and not a lot has changed. Why they decide to do this in the 2020s is really puzzling after all these years. If this ever makes it to the PBA I will stop watching because it should never be used in professional tournaments. If you want to puit them in kids leagues with bumper bowling, that is their best use. It is really just bowling centers wanting to do this for their best interest and not the players.

@bigd8812 Ай бұрын

Walter ray what happened to bowling 2 handed???

@michaeljamrozy4299 Ай бұрын

It's a tool he sometimes utilizes

@lockedonlaw Ай бұрын

Does Ryan Shafer hold the record for most 2nd place finishes or does it just seem that way? Congratulations on another championship, you ageless wonder, you.

@TraumaER Ай бұрын

He did a couple of decades ago. So many TV shows.

@richciruelas8336 Ай бұрын

Actually i think Walter Ray holds that record. Maybe he can answer this?

@robertcuratolo5339 Ай бұрын

😕 I don't understand it's not considered a PBA title because of strings ❓

@lockedonlaw Ай бұрын

@@richciruelas8336 I know Earl Anthony held it for a long time. I'm not sure who holds it now.

@walterraywilliamsjr3964 Ай бұрын

I have way more 2nd place finishes than Ryan

@dfwait14 Ай бұрын

So instead of rolling the ten pin for Ryan the string stopped it. Fair enough I guess.

@JCGoKingsGo Ай бұрын

Yep...Shafer got hosed by the string. I don't know how these things are actually USBC approved. It's a cost-saving feature for the center of course, but the mystery string carry (or lack of...) just dampens the sport in my opinion

@atlasachlys7912 Ай бұрын

@@JCGoKingsGo but centers closing because they cant afford to keep fixing auto-pinsetters kills the sports :(

@JCGoKingsGo Ай бұрын

@@atlasachlys7912 While a factual & legitimate issue, that's not THE issue that centers are closing. Centers are closing down for stores and housing to fill their places. Pinsetter maintenance is not the issue, and neither is the ability to afford new string-pin machines. Besides, the number of times I've read "if my center installs string-pins, I'm done" tells me string-pins is not the cure to keep centers as we know them open.

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

@@JCGoKingsGo Fair reply. So far out of the game I don't know either. It's my understanding the tension of the strings can be verified and/or certified for competitive use. So if the strings are setup for a certain tension they can be certified? Sure there's differences to "normal". But does that change when all are on the same playing field?

@mpup54 Ай бұрын

@@JCGoKingsGo its not the same sport at that point, it becomes an arcade-like version of bowling, not ten pin bowling. Canada had games like this when I visited with a rubber ring around the pins and the strings, it looked totally ridiculous and not normal. Just a way to cut costs, but it changes the from a sport to a gimmick game at that point.

@teejay6063 Ай бұрын

The GOAT is now also the string pin GOAT! Even though it's absolutely horribly atrocious to have to bowl on them. BRING BACK BOWLING!

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

I don't know anyone who would challenge either of them on any 60ft lane. You up for it?

@frankgriner2932 Ай бұрын

I don't get the animosity. Just create stats for string pins (certified) and regular, they are still competing on the same field, they are still the best in the world. String pins are more cost efficient and will be the future of bowling, what's the issue? The hit in the 10th by Ryan was a strike non string pin, I get it. Belmo changed bowling 2-handed, but nobody complained then. Would he be as dominate on string pins? The balls that are in use now eclipse the boundaries of reality, they are are probably 40 d-scale in the pit. So what if they can pickup the 7-10 4-6-7-10 now and airborne double messengers aren't a thing? Still a competitive game. Congrats to both Walter Ray and Ryan, was great to watch.