Jackson Township right-hander Tony “TJ” Charles Jr. has rolled a pair of 800 series during the past three months.
But both have come under different circumstances.
Although both came in the Monday Night Men’s league at Spins Bowl Akron, one came pre-COVID-19. The other, just a few weeks ago, came after.
“When I came back from it, I was like a big ball of sweat and I couldn’t do too much. It really hit me hard, and I’m still feeling the effects,” said the 37-year-old right-hander who is employed as a delivery technician by Xerox. “I used to throw 18.5-to 19 miles per hour, but now I’m struggling to get to 17.
“When you drop a half-a-mile per hour it can make a big difference. I’m finally starting to get my speed and timing back.”
Charles, who also bowls in the Northeast Ohio Traveling league, shot 804 in January. His most recent 800 came on games of 300, 268 and 258 for 826. He now has 16 career 800 series and 46 300 games.
Admittedly, the shots during his opening 300 were not perfect.
“I had some mixers in there that carried so there was some luck involved,” Charles said.
From there, his next two games could have been even better.
“I started Game 2 with a strike, and then left a pocket 7-10 (split). Then I struck out for the 268,” Charles added. “In Game 3, I started with four strikes, left an 8-pin, struck and then left a 9-pin before going into the 10th. I really wasn’t out of the pocket.”
Charles also decided to make a ball change this year. Always a Track-Ebonite player, he chose to go with the Storm Phaze 4.
“It’s the first time I went to Storm. I had about a game and a half on it when I first got it before that night,” said Charles, who bowls in just two leagues averaging 228 at Spins Bowl and 225 in the travel league.
“I had that ball for about three weeks before I decided to throw it. That was the first set I threw with it. It just seemed like the right ball to go with. I needed something that would go clean through the front of the lane and mid-lane in travel league.”
Charles made just a one board move during his 800, going from the 20th board to 12 at his peak. “I don’t swing it much,” he added.
Bowling in the travel league was a late decision for Charles, who is in his first year in the league.
“I think it has kind of messed with me a bit, going from travel league to Spins Bowl,” Charles said. “It feels like I adjusted my swing a hair and my timing. My average is down about 10 pins at Spins Bowl. But COVID probably has something to do with that.
“Eric Randazzo told me I needed to come bowl this league. I put my application in, but I didn’t think I would get drafted because I’m not a Canton bowler and I didn’t think anyone knew me. I thought I would be one of the later picks, but I went earlier than I expected.”
Now, it’s just a matter of getting back to full strength.
“It still wears on me a bit,” Charles said. “But it is improving, and I’m starting to get my speed and timing back.”
DRAFT UPCOMING
The Northeast Ohio Travel league will hold its annual draft at 7 p.m. May 21 at Eastbury Bowling Center.
Th league bowls Thursdays with starting times between 8 and 9:30 p.m. with a 30-week season beginning Sept. 8. There are 16 teams with three bowlers per team, but that could change based on a vote of captains. League fees are $25 per week.
An application fee of $10 is required, and the league is open to male and female bowlers.
Applications can be found here: