Twas the day of the tournament and all through the center,
Everyone was sure that they would be the winner.
The reactive balls were set on the rack with great care
and the plastic ones below to help make a spare. 

The bowlers were excited and ready play
Each one believing this would be their day.
Practice was over it was time to begin,
good luck everyone and may the high score win. 

When I stepped on the approach I heard such I clatter,
I turned to see what was the matter.
Louis had thrown the ball and hit the pocket thin,
Everyone was laughing he left the 5-7-10. 

The condition of the lanes were dry with no oil,
This made me angry and my blood started to boil.
When what to my wondering eyes did I see,
a strike by McClantoc, on the lane next to me. 

With a fairly straight ball that just barley hooked
He was going to beat me soundly, my goose was really cooked.
More rapid than eagles five games were gone,
I stared at the standings and started to go home.
First there was Ron Ware, then Pirani, and Johnny Atkinson,
Chuck Maher, and Michael Webber, and my teammate Alan Bearden. 

The top two are lefties, it must be a wall,
Then why in the world can’t I, make the pins fall.
The lanes are so dry should I change my line?
There are only 3 games left, I am not sure there is time. 

So to the next pair of lanes did I go,
I’ll make a big move and the ball harder I will throw.
And then in amazement I began hearing the crack.
For 11 straight shots I was blowing the rack. 

The house was all quiet as I stepped on the lane,
No one could believe I was shooting a 300 game.
I focused my eyes and prepared for my shot,
There was just one little thing, that I somehow forgot. 

Everyone was shocked and I could not turn around.
That’s when I heard it, that awful buzzing sound.
I stood there so still not a move did I make,
I could not have fouled, this was all a mistake. 

My bright shining moment turned to sorrow and shame,
Then I remembered the Nassau was worth $40.00 a game.
The more I agonized the more it became funny,
Suddenly I perked up, when Lynne brought me my money. 

I went to the next pair still feeling the sting,
But Dad reminded me this tournament is unsanctioned, and I could not get a ring.
I watched the scores dropping, which was very good for me,
everyone’s score that is except, Tony Churchey. 

He was lined up and his scores were starting to rise,
Oh Great, I have him in the finals of 30 brackets, now there is a surprise.
And I laughed when I saw him, start stringing out of the gate.
In my first frame, I had just left a solid 8. 

Soon did I realize, the thought of winning today was dead,
I left a 7-10 split when I went high on the head.
I finished out strong but not enough to win.
But I will be back next tournament and again and again. 

I saw Tony leaving and he said "Better Luck Next Time,
Oh and one more thing Chappelear, keep your foot behind the line".
He sprang to his M3 and sped out of sight.
Merry Christmas from the entire AlabamaBowling.Com family, and to all a blessed Night.