NORTH CANTON — Justin Barth hadn’t really done the math.
But after throwing 237 and 277 during his first two games in the Hannon Electric league at Park Centre Lanes, he also knew what a 300 in Game 3 would mean.
“I’ve been trying to get back to 800 for the last couple of years,” the 30-year-old Canton right-hander said. “I threw one when I first came back from college when Colonial was still open. I had 299 in the first game in that one, so having a 300 to get there would have meant something.”
But four bowlers, who were pre-bowling for another league, interrupted his plans.
Barth, who had the first 10 strikes in Game 3, was bowling on Lanes 3 and 4, and the foursome was preparing to pre-bowl on Lanes 1-2.
“They had stayed back for about two or three frames. But I got up on the left lane and was literally getting ready to take my first step when they all decided to put their balls on the rack at the same time,” said Barth, a manager for Verizon’s story in Cuyahoga Falls.
“I turned around and gave them a few choice words. I felt a little bad about it later … guess it was a little liquid courage as they say.”
Anyway, Barth’s shot resulted in a 3-7 split. With the 300 opportunity gone, he didn’t add up what he needed for the 800.
“The ball went right through the face, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that split before. I tried to pick it up and I think I could have, but I missed it by about a board,” said Barth, whose previous high was 817 to go along with four career 300 games. “I really hadn’t done the math.”
Despite missing both pins, he finished with 286 to hit 800 on the nose.
Barth’s 237 in Game 1 came with three 10-pin spares and one 7-pin spare. He then left a 10-pin in the seventh frame of Game 2 before finishing with an eight-count.
“I really didn’t move all night,” said Barth, who used the Roto Grip Idol Cosmos he got two months ago from Dustin Dingler. “I was all the way to the left throwing the ball 15 (board) to eight.
“I really like the reaction I get with that ball. It’s got enough games on it now with the lane shine so it’s more consistent and walks into the pocket. It carries everything and doesn’t overreact.”
Barth has recovered from right wrist problems that dogged his game for nearly 2 1/2 years.
“I was bowling four leagues at the time and hurt my wrist. I was throwing with one of those bionic wrist braces on, but none of my stuff was drilled properly and I had a different pitch in the fingers and some other things,” Barth said. “It was really hard during that period, but I finally took off the brace and started throwing normal again and it’s been fine ever since.
“I never did get it checked out, which was probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever one.”
Barth, who calls himself a “Storm, Roto Grip guy,” carries six balls, but added the Storm IQ Ruby to his Idol Cosmos this season. He also still carries the Storm Fight, which he used during his first 800.
“This season has been good. My Tuesday league we came down to the last week and finished second overall in points,” said Barth, who bowls with his father, Brian, in the league and also bowls with family in an every-other-week Saturday mixed league at Park Centre. Barth’s father, Brian, also has an 800 to his credit.
“Normally, my average on Saturday is higher. It’s just a fun league for me, but I want to score well,” Barth said. “This year, I’m averaging 223 on Tuesday and 218 on Saturdays so it’s flip-flopped. I don’t know why … It might be the new balls.”
Despite the Game 3 distraction, Barth still secured his second career 800.
“I was just upset because I haven’t had both a 300 and 800 in the same night,” Barth said. “But it still feels good to get one again after the injury.”