Week #5, with one exception, was a week of sweeps. Three powerhouse teams handed out perfect 4-0 beatdowns while two other teams engaged in a brutal battle of back and forth Tuesday night on the lanes of North Kansas City Pro Bowl. In the end, five of the eight teams exchanged places in the league standings and two bowlers rolled big series as the season marches toward its halfway point.After their collapse in Week #3, the men of FTOP have been on a mission to win, win, win. And win they did against their opponents for the night – Pocket Pounders. For the second week in a row, FTOP has gone 4-0 to maintain and extend their lead in first place. Led this week by David Codding and his 647 series, the acronymed-named rollers improved to 16-4 on the season. The Pounders' anchor Ryan Doll led his team with a 554 series but it simply wasn't enough to earn a single victory. The losses drop the Pocket Pounders two spots down into 5th place with a record of 9-11.With all four bowlers together for the first time this season, the men of Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends had planned to block Sexual Chocolate from any wins but the night did not go exactly as planned. With this week's Most Valuable Bowler leading the way, Teresa Deterding and her 451 series took Game #1 to start the matchup. The Belt struck back behind anchor Bill Krejci's 574 series to easily take Game #2 by a margin of 101 pins. Game #3 went to Sexual Chocolate in a 10th frame showdown but the gigantic Belt win in the second contest helped secure total pins for a 2-2 split. Bobby Belt slip a spot into 3rd place with a 12-8 record while Sexual Chocolate stays put in 6th at 8-12.After a surprisingly lackluster start, the Mayan Apocalypse finally found their stride against the streaking Split It and Hit It. With Carl Goetz shooting the highest series to date this season – a 652 – as well as earning #1 Power Ranked bowler honors this week, the Mayans swept their competition and rocketed three spots in the league standings to take over 4th place with their 9-11 record. Rumor has it that the Mayan calendar foresaw this team in the Finals vying for first place. Perhaps now the beginnings of this prophecy are starting to come true. Split It, led by anchor Dennis Blake and his 454 series, drop two spots back down into 7th place with a record of 8-12 after suffering their first winless week of the season. Down on Lanes 47 & 48, the reigning champion Turkey Hunters decided to take out their frustrations from last week's four losses by handily adding four victories at the expense of opponents Ballz Out (and unlocked the "Big Bully" achievement in the process, check your "Achievements" tab on your player profile page to see what you have unlocked this season). Led by anchor Aubrey Moren and his 548 series, the Hunters rebounded nicely with their 13-7 record to regain 2nd place. Ballz Out, led once again by Cliff Barendsen – this week with a 400 series – take their lumps – and a 6-game losing streak – to remain in 8th place with a record of 5-15.Bowlers rocking their Gangnam Style inside The 200 Club this week include: Bill Krejci (202, 202), Carl Goetz (237, 227), David Codding (247, 201), Jonathan Vigliaturo (201), Ryan Doll (201), Seth Gunderson (222), and Steve Kiernan (200).The leaders in the four Tournament of Champions divisions switched around quite a bit with Carl Goetz (7 points) now leading Division #1 with John Boren and Ryan Doll each trailing with 3 points apiece. Division #2 saw Aubrey Moren (9 points) piggy back over last week's leaders, Phil Schroeder and Seth Gunderson (6 points each). Andy McLeod (9 points) takes over the top spot in Division #3 with the absent Matt Bunyard sitting in 2nd place with 6 points. Division #4 continues to be dominated by Teresa Deterding who has a perfect 12 points over the past two weeks with Michael Smith holding the second spot in the division with four points. There is still plenty of time for all of this to switch as the season progresses.The mighty and mystical ScooterMath™ has the predictions claiming all kinds of interesting things for next week: the Mayan Apocalypse is slated to continue their winning ways against opponents Ballz Out, Split It and Hit It is predicted to win three against the Turkey Hunters, Sexual Chocolate is apparently going to end FTOP's win streak with a lone Game #2 victory, while the Pocket Pounders are to return with a 3-1 beatdown over Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends. Will any of this come true? We'll just have to wait until next week to find out.See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Teresa Deterding Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Carl Goetz Runner Up: Anita Osthoff	#1 H2H BOWLER Carl Goetz Runner Up: Andy McLeod
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "F&#k your Game #1! " Carl Goetz, snapping at David Codding as the two did battle in the Tournament of Champions.

In 1986, The Rolling Stones released a single called "Harlem Shuffle". Well, on Tuesday night, the GutterAlley bowling league released their own shuffle single as all but two teams shifted around in the standings. To top it off, the fourth 250+ game has been rolled this season – and it's only Week #4! Ready to get the lowdown? So are we...After missing the first three weeks of the season, Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends' very own Seth Gunderson finally made his debut this season in a big way. Leading his team with a 568 series, Gunderson – along with this week's Most Valuable Bowler performance by teammate Andy McLeod – The Belt pulled off a 3-1 matchup against opponents Mayan Apocalypse. Pat Searcy put up the best series for the Mayans with his 566 which was just in time to pull off an upset in Game #3...by a mere three pins. With the wins, The Belt moved up one spot into 2nd while the Apocalypse remain in 7th place. No doubt about it, Steve Kiernan had a big night. With the highest series of the night across the entire league – a 597 – Steve gave his Pocket Pounders a 3-1 matchup win over opponents Ballz Out. After a 3-pin victory by the Ballz in Game #2, compliments of a 439 series out of sub Bryan Mohr, Kiernan caught fire. Putting up a new season high game with his 259, Kiernan's heroics pushed the Pounders up one spot into 3rd while Ballz Out remains in 8th place.Long-time rivals FTOP met up with reigning champs Turkey Hunters for the first time this season down on Lanes 45 & 46. Earlier in the day, FTOP's lead off roller John Boren predicted that his team would come away with a clean sweep. Boren's call was spot on as he lead his team with a 590 series to a 4-0 win to reclaim first place. The Hunters, led by anchor Aubrey Moren and his 521 series, plummet three spots down into 4th place.Something is in the water with Split It and Hit It. In a repeat of their outcome of last week, Split It dropped Game #1 – this time to opponents Sexual Chocolate – before coming to life and taking every game after that. With anchor Dennis Blake's 499 series leading the charge and this week's #1 Power Ranked bowler Matt Bunyard adding to the damage, the men of Split It came back in a big way to end the night with a 3-1 matchup win. Teresa Deterding led Sexual Chocolate with her 440 series but it was only enough to secure a single victory. With the wins, Split It & Hit It climb one spot into 5th while Sexual Chocolate drops the mic and exits the stage in 6th place.Only four bowlers graced the halls of The 200 Club this week: John Boren (210, 202), Pat Search (210), Seth Gunderson (203, 203), and Steve Kiernan (259).The first week's results for this season's Tournament of Champions are in. Division #1 starts off being led by John Boren with 3 points with Carl Goetz just behind him with 1 point. Division #2 was handily won by Seth Gunderson (6 points) while Phil Schroeder and Jonathan Vigliaturo both start out with a point apiece. Matt Bunyard dominated Division #3 to win all 6 points while Andy McLeod trails him with 3 points. Division #4 finds teammates Teresa Deterding (6 points) and Jake Parrott (3 points) sharing first and second, respectively.Nominations for this season's induction into the GutterAlley Hall of Fame are now open. Get in there and make your picks now!See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Andy McLeod Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Matt Bunyard Runner Up: Andy McLeod	#1 H2H BOWLER Matt Bunyard Runner Up: John Boren
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Kiernan shot a 259? Huh. Did you know that the iPhone 5 still doesn't have global LTE or NFC?!?" Jason Carpio, while staying at home on Facebook rather than bowling.

Week #3 is now in the books and with it came some surprises across the league: the last place team upset the first place team; two bowlers shot over 250+ while another shot over 240; several seemingly-impossible splits were picked up; and, in the end, several games were settled by the slimmest of margins. Ahh, GutterAlley...bring me the scoop!The reigning champions Turkey Hunters started the night off by dropping Game #1 to Sexual Chocolate, who was led by anchor Jason Carpio and his 535 series. Battling back in a big way, the Turkeys' lead-off bowler Phil Schroeder brought a 571 series (including a 241!) to reverse their fortunes and take Game #2 by over 100 pins. Game #3 came down to the 10th frame with Sexual Chocolate holding on for the win only to end up losing total pins. The teams split their matchup 2-2 and both move up one spot each in the standings. The Turkey Hunters take over 1st while Sexual Chocolate hop up into 5th place.Things looked pretty damn good for the men of FTOP, who started out with a trouncing of opponents Split It and Hit It in Game #1 behind anchor – and this week's #1 Power Ranked bowler – Ken M. Wilson's 638 series...but that was the last time they would taste victory Tuesday night. Split It's lead-off bowler Michael Smith poured it on with this week's Most Valuable Bowler performance while anchor Dennis Blake's 441 team-leading series kicked in to take Games #2 and #3 including a total pins victory by a single pin to knock the league leaders off their perch and down into 2nd place. Split It & Hit It climbed up two spots into 6th place with their 3-1 matchup victory.Last week, two of the league's powerhouse teams – Pocket Pounders and Mayan Apocalypse – took it on the chin and both walked away the victims of being swept. This week, the two duked it out down on Lanes 45 & 46. With a 3-pin victory in Game #1, the Pocket Pounders set the pace of the night. They scored another victory in Game #2, with anchor Ryan Doll's 601 series leading the way. The Mayans' anchor Carl Goetz fought back with a 625 series to avoid getting blanked, handily winning Game #3 but dropping total pins by only 10 pins. The Pocket Pounders took it 3-1 and remain in 4th place. The Mayan Apocalypse experience more doom as they fall two spots into 7th place.Still having not yet fielded a full team at all this season, the men of Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends finally broke the .500 mark at the expense of opponents Ballz Out. With anchor Bill Krejci bringing the biggest numbers – a 563 series – The Belt took Games #1 and #2 before letting Game #3 slip away from them. Ballz Out's Cliff Barendsen's 407 series was what the team needed to come away with the win in Game #3 but not by enough to swing a total pins victory. The Belt's 3-1 matchup win keeps them in 3rd while Ballz Out slip one spot down into 8th place.Bowlers wondering when all the sandbaggers will finally show up in The 200 Club this week include: Bill Krejci (219), Carl Goetz (201, 232), David Codding (206), Ken M. Wilson (255, 235), Phil Schroeder (241), and Ryan Doll (256).The divisions for the Tournament of Champions are now set and, thanks to a couple of secret donations, every single person in the league has paid to join into the tournament. First place will find an additional $42 in his or her prize envelope at the end of the season while the runner-up will find $22 after all is said and done. Beginning next week, scoresheets to track your progress will be available around the lanes so get ready to have some fun.See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Michael Smith Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Ken Wilson Runner Up: Freda Schroeder	#1 H2H BOWLER Freda Schroeder Runner Up: Carl Goetz
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Jeez, my Game #2 score went down like I'd been hit by a terrorist's airplane." Ken, after bowling a score 107 pins below his previous game.

The ever-volatile Week #2 of any season is historically fraught with disasters. Many people who shot lights out in the the first week of this session are brought back down to reality while others who struggled or held back find themselves on the opposite side of the equation. This season's second week was no exception. In the end, two teams have started out with a near perfect 7-1 win record while the remainder of the league is batting .500 or less. In the lead off match of the evening, Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends looked to bounce back after their poor start last week. Making his first appearance on his new team this season, Bill Krejci lit up the lanes with a 563 series to lead The Belt to a 3-1 victory over opponents Split It and Hit It. Despite a great start to take Game #1, Dennis Blake's team-leading 482 series was just not enough to earn Split It more than their lone victory. With the wins, The Belt moves up two spots to 3rd while Split It and Hit It fall one place down to 8th place.On lanes 43 & 44, the Turkey Hunters' very own Freda Schroeder bowled over her 136 average all three games to earn not only Most Valuable Bowler honors but also came out as this week's #1 Power Ranked bowler in their matchup against the mighty Pocket Pounders. Dennis "Pops" Laube led the team once again, this week with a 524 series, as the team booked their first sweep of the season. The Pounders' anchor Ryan Doll shot a 567 series to lead his team in the losing effort. The Turkey Hunters gobble up two spots to find themselves in 2nd while the Pocket Pounders slide one spot down into 4th place.The third battle of the evening played out like a true roller coaster ride. Ballz Out, led by Cliff Barendsen and his 349 series, struck first to take Game #1 from opponents Sexual Chocolate. Anchor Jason Carpio rallied his Chocolate troops with his 550 series for a Game #2 victory to even the score. Game #3 came down to the 10th frame with Ballz Out taking it only to drop total pins to Sexual Chocolate, unable to overcome the margin of victory in Game #2 and splitting the series 2-2. The wins keep Sexual Chocolate in 6th while Ballz Out use their new notches to ascend one spot into 7th place.The last pair of lanes in the bowling alley witnessed a showdown between two powerhouse teams that did not play out like the predictions called for at all – FTOP absolutely demolished the Mayan Apocalypse in a 4-0 sweep. With David Codding's 625 series leading the way (including a season-leading 258 game in Game #1), FTOP taking each game by nearly a 100-pin margin. The Apocalypse's anchor Carl Goetz, despite an off night, led his team with a 511 series. The four victories keep FTOP atop the league standings in first place while the four losses force the Mayans to evacuate three spots, landing in 5th place.Bowlers anxiously awaiting Octoberfest beer showing up in The 200 Club this week include: Carl Goetz (213), David Codding (258), Jason Carpio (215), John Boren (205), Pat Searcy (201), and Ryan Doll (216). For those of you that bowled last season, you'll remember the Tournament of Champions. With 32 bowlers in this session, everyone will qualify into one of the four divisions to do battle with everyone else throughout the season. Initial seedings are currently up but, of course, nothing is set in stone until averages have been calculated following Week #3. If you would like to participate monetarily in the Tournament, just slip an additional $2 into the prize fund envelope next week and write your initials in the "TOC" column next to your name. See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Freda Schroeder Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Freda Schroeder Runner Up: David Codding	#1 H2H BOWLER Ken M. Wilson Runner Up: Freda Schroeder
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "At least he didn't get it in Ken's hair this time." Jason Carpio, after witnessing the floor becoming all wet (from a spilled beer) and overhead AJ ask if Scoot had become all excited.