NORTH CANTON — Brian Best’s high career series heading into this season was 786.
And, he admitted, that was a rare performance.
“I’ve been around the 750 mark and below several times,” said Best, a 49-year-old Navarre right-hander who also owns just one 300 game, shot four seasons ago at Park Centre Lanes.
But recently, the tool and die maker at ArtiFlex Manufacturing put it all together for one evening.
In the Tozzi’s on 12th Mixed league at Park Centre, Best had games of 279, 278 and 254 for an 811 series — his first career 800.
“It just felt really good to finally get there,” Best said. “I had no indication at all that I was going to have that kind of night.”
Best had a run at his second career 300 in both Games 1 and 2, leaving a 4-pin in the 10th frame of the opener and a 7-pin in the 10th in the second game.
“I really don’t know what it was. It just seemed nice and clear all night,” said Best, who used a Motiv Blue Tank for his career milestone, a ball he just purchased this season.
“My form felt good, my balance was good … everything was working.”
Best thought disaster struck in the third frame of Game 3 when he left a 6-7-10 split.
“After the split, I thought my chance at 800 was over. I hadn’t done the math to know what I needed,” said Best, who stayed with his normal line up the fifth board all night.
“I felt a little pressure going into the third game after the first two, but I thought it was over.”
Instead, Best kept running strikes. He didn’t know what he had done until league president Bill Wagner came up to him after a strike on his first ball in the 10th frame.
“Bill came up and said, ‘congratulations on the 800.’ I had no idea I was still in the running for it,” Best said.
Best bowls in two Park Centre leagues, averaging 205 in the Hannon Electric on Tuesday and 223 during the mixed league.
“This just feels great,” Best added, “and it was a surprise.”