NORTH CANTON — As Dustin Dingler was entering Park Centre Lanes for the first night of play in the Saturday Night Fever bi-weekly mixed league, he ran into Ten Pin Pro Shop operator Frank Testa, who was leaving for the day.
“Put up a number for me tonight,” Testa remarked to Dingler.
Dingler remembers chuckling a bit and firing back, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Less than a year after shooting his career-high series in the same league — and opening the season against that same opponent — the 45-year-old North Canton right-hander hit the 800 milestone for the fifth time.
The Kenan Advantage employee had games of 274, 269 and 279 for 822. He also owns 11 career 300 games.
“You don’t expect much on your first league night,” Dingler said. “But it’s kind of funny we were bowling Justin Barth’s team that night, and that’s the team I shot the 845 against last year.”
In Game 1, Dingler left only a 2-4-5-7-8 in the third frame.
“I kind of slipped a little at the line,” Dingler said. “It was the only time I didn’t hit the pocket all night.”
Only 4-pin and 10-pin spares halted his strike runs in Game 2, along with a 10-pin in Game 3 after having the first two strikes.
“That should have been down,” Dingler said of Game 3. “I sent a 4-pin across the deck like a missile and it went right in front of it. That could have been another 300.”
Dingler used a Roto Grip Idol Helios that he almost gave up on after last season.
“I used it on and off last year, but it was chewing more than I would like it. So I went up to see Les Mann (Bowlers Sanctuary pro shop) and told him I thought it was about the last stop on that ball before I move down the road,” Dingler said.
“He recommended we try polishing it. I’m one of those guys that doesn’t like to change ball surfaces too much. I have different drillings on balls and like to cycle through different balls and pick the right one based off of that. But this was a unique situation. I didn’t want to give up on the ball because I really like the Idol line.”
So Dingler took Mann’s advance.
“It might be the right ball finally,” Dingler said. “I used that ball all night, which really is unusual for me.”
But besides the equipment, Dingler, who bowls in three leagues, including the Northeast Ohio Traveling League, also attributed his solid start to better fitness this season.
“I started going into the gym with my son (Jasper) in April to give him a head start for football,” Dingler said. “But now that he’s playing, I’m still going to the gym, trying to stay in shape.
“I’ve been working hard on my total core, doing cross-fit types of things several times a week. I’ve noticed this season that I’m much more solid at the line, and have more strength and endurance throughout the night. Sitting at a desk all day is not conducive to our health. I’m putting the time in. After all, we’re not getting smaller or younger.”
The mixed league is a bi-weekly date night for Dingler and his lady, Melodie.
“We’re just out there to have fun, and enjoy a nice light atmosphere. You tend to not worry about your game too much,” Dingler said. “I’m actually working with her a little bit on her game, and she’s taking to it pretty well.
“But that was not something I expected at all.”