CANTON — When you’ve had success with one bowling ball — even if it is a 12-year-old brand — it’s tough to get away from it.
North Canton’s Don Sprout was in that situation with his Storm IQ Tour ball, which first came out about 12 years ago.
“I wanted to get another one, and Frank (Testa of Ten Back Pro Shop) was able to find one,” the 65-year-old right-hander said. “I told him I wanted this one to be a little more aggressive. So he got it in and drilled it up.”
The ball still had the magic for the retiree.
During the Eastbury Wednesday Night league at Eastbury Bowling Center, Sprout had games of 246, 257 and 298 for an 801 series, his 10th 800 series to go along with 23 300 games. His all-time high is 842.
During his opening game, he missed a 10-pin spare to go along with a pair of 7-pin spare makes. In Game 2, a 2-4 spare conversion with a 7-pin spare preceded Sprout finishing that game with the last seven strikes.
“It might have been the first time I’ve ever done the math,” Sprout said. “I was sitting with 503 and knew if I could get to 300 I could shoot 800. I usually don’t look at scores that way unless it’s for someone else.”
He then ran off 11 in.a row to the 10th frame in Game 3, giving him 18 in a row overall, before leaving a 4-7 on his final shot.
“It was really the only bad ball I threw all night. I just grabbed it,” Sprout said. “I’m not unhappy missing the 300 since I got the 800.”
Sprout describes his season as “consistent.”
“I’ve shot a lot of series in the 640s, 650s and then I get a nice 800. I haven’t been as high, but I’ve been consistent all season,” said Sprout, who also bowls in the Northeast Ohio Travel League.
His last 800 series came two years ago, also at Eastbury.. Has age become a factor in his scoring?
“Really, the only thing age has affected is my concentration,” Sprout said. “My focus can go away for two or three frames a night and then I leave a washout. I’m mainly trying to focus better.”
Sprout also returned to high school coaching this season, serving as the assistant on Perry High School’s girls team.
“It has made a difference in my game,” Sprout said. “I teach the girls to focus more on their arms swings and release. And I say to myself, hey,, dummy,, that’s what you should be doing.
“I’ve learned from the bowlers that if you do the same thing all the time, it does work. I love coaching.”