Several local bowlers took time out of their busy holiday schedule on Thursday, December 22, to schedule a one-on-one lesson with bowling coach to the PBA Stars, Mark Baker at Regency Lanes. This was the second time Baker came to Bakersfield and this stop was made possible thanks to Diz Francisco.
The six that took part were Kent Gray, Bette Addington, Carlie Medina III, Aris C. Anadilla, and Barb and Keri Francisco. (The Francisco’s have had previous lessons from Baker at his famous Camp Bakes which is a four-day bowling lesson extravaganza.)
Most of the participants have bowled for many years with the exception of Keri Francisco. Gray, Medina and Anadilla have all competed in PBA Regionals and have had their share of many bowling honor scores over the years. The Francisco’s and myself bowl State and National tournaments and are league bowlers. Baker had his share of variety of styles and level of bowlers with this group!
When I arrived, Kent Gray was nearing the end of his hour-long lesson. Baker had him bowling strike after strike with a very smooth motion. You could see the confidence was there as well as a very relaxed, natural motion.
I got all my equipment out and ready to go plus a list of questions to ask Mark as I was not really sure what to expect. Since I do not bowl like a conventional right hander (I throw a back-up ball) using only a conventional grip (no finger-tip), I wondered how he would attack my style.
Boy was I wrong! I learned right away that his style of coaching is to key right into your strong points and accentuate what you have! Being I have bowled for over thirty years with this style, he took my style and filmed my approach and release. Using his Ebonite BowlersMap computer software, he showed me releasing the ball from several different angles and what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. It was quite interesting as you don’t ever really see how you look when you are bowling and we think we are doing so many things wrong when, in fact, that is just our individual bowling style!
In no time we were back on the pair of lanes bowling strike after strike! I was totally amazed. He had converted my style to the best way for me to approach the lane!! My hour lesson was up before I knew it!
Next up was Carlie Medina III. Medina was mentally ready for this lesson and took in every bit of information he could from what Baker told him.
Interestingly, when Baker filmed Medina for his approach on the lane and showed it to him, Baker noticed that Medina had the exact starting first two steps as PBA great Tommy Jones! He was able to pull up Tommy Jones and mirror Medina’s approach to prove his point! Medina came away from the lesson thoroughly enthused.
Aris C. Anadilla also was so ready for the opportunity to take this lesson from Baker as he has been in a slight slump this season. Baker worked more with him on his release at the line more than with anyone else. In no time, he had him throwing strike after strike as well.
Baker sounded like he will probably come back to Bakersfield in the near future. If you’ve ever thought that maybe a lesson is what you need, I strongly suggest you take the time and have a lesson from him. It will be the best hour you ever spent to improve your bowling. Obviously he can work with any level of bowler and can show you how to improve YOUR game. Cost is $80 per person plus lineage (approx. $10).
