By BILL SNIER
CANTON — There was a time when Chase Barstow felt stepping away from the lanes for a short period was the best decision for him.
But the former OHSAA Division I state runner-up and Walsh University player has made several adjustments over the past few months:
- The 21-year-old Louisville two-handed righty will start a new job (Novogradac & Co. public accountants) this week;
- Made a switch to the Brunswick brands of equipment after previously throwing both Motiv and Storm; and
- Feeling the need to “begin taking bowling more seriously.”
Barstow now has plans for his immediate bowling future, which include participating in more tournament play, including a couple of Professional Bowlers Association regional events.
“It’s all about that competitive edge. I’m starting to get a little bit of it back,” said Barstow, who also serves as an assistant coach for Louisville High School’s bowling team.
“The drive is starting to fill back up again and I’m trying to become competitive at a higher level.”
Barstow has rolled three 800 series during summer leagues the past two seasons at Eastbury Bowling Center. He went one better recently, rolling his all-time high of 828 in a Sunday mixed league at Eastbury.
He had games of 279, 249 and his sixth career 300 to reach the milestone. This time, it was with a Hammer NU Blue that he had for two weeks.
“I’ve been switching to the brands of Brunswick,” Barstow said. “I heard some staff positions are opening up in May and I’m trying to make a push to get one. I plan on bowling a couple of regionals this season.”
Barstow left just a 10-pin spare in the seventh frame of Game 1. In Game 2 he had a “blower” 7-pin followed by two solid 10-pins, both on the left lane, before finishing with his 300.
“I bumped a board right to stay firmer with the ball the last game,” Barstow said. “It’s really weird, but I feel like I’m playing up five (board) when I’m actually going 15 to 10. It just seems like that’s how my body lines up. But I felt I was going up five.”
His play in leagues, including the Northeast Ohio Travel League, convinced Barstow changes needed to be made.
“I feel like I need to begin taking it more seriously,” Barstow said. “Subpar performances in league have driven me to better myself a lot.
“I’ve been doing fairly well in tournaments recently and with more coming up, I’m looking forward to competing more. There are still a couple of things I need to iron out. But I have a lot of the basics back and the tricks I used to have.”
Barstow says his biggest concern is keeping his foot speed on the approach in check.
“That’s really the only problem I’ve been having,” Barstow said. “When my feet get fast, I start pushing the ball forward too much and it never gets up enough so it doesn’t kick enough.”
That’s what happened in Game 2 of the milestone series. But he was able to correct the problem for Game 3.
“As long as I keep my feet under control, it’s fine,” Barstow added.
He will participate in the Youngstown Masters in Struthers this weekend.
“I have a tournament schedule worked out,” he added, “and we will take it from there.”
TRAVEL LEAGUE’S BIG NIGHT
The Northeast Ohio Travel League returned from its two-week break Jan. 9 at Wabash Lanes in New Philadelphia, with a lot of fireworks.
Three bowlers — right-handers Josh Haddad and Brett McCourry and lefty Jeff Mowls — had 300 games to highlight the night, with Mike Emerick Sr. turning in the high series of 782.
The league is scheduled to return to action at 9 p.m. Thursday at Apollo 3 Lanes in Green.