Last season was, without a doubt, the strongest season we've ever seen in league history. If the first week of this season is any indicator, the Spring 2013 season may give it a run for its money. Twelve different people shot a total of seventeen 200+ games to kick this season off while almost a third of the season debuted with averages of 180 or higher. Whew.Before we get started, GutterAlley wants to wish a special welcome to the newest recruit to the league – Kody Karnes, Stephan Miller, Will Pracht, and Bryan Mohr! Hopefully we didn't scare you guys away...yet.Only two of the four defending champions from last season – Ken M. Wilson and Cory Chorpenning – returned this season and are now members of the appropriately named Snakes on a Lane. With three of the four team members setting 200+ averages, led by this week's #1 Power Ranked bowler Ian Goetz and his league leading 682 series, the team coasted to a 3-1 matchup victory over opponents Split It and Hit It. Split It's Matt Bunyard led the team with a 405 series and kick their season off in 7th place. The Snakes slither their way into 2nd place.Down a pair of lanes, Will Strike if Provoked must have felt they were being harassed by opponents Brunk Enough to Dowl as they leapt out to a perfect 4-0 start. With anchor Aubrey Moren's 592 series leading the way – and help from this week's Most Valuable Bowler Phil Schroeder – the Provoked debut this season in 1st place. Brunk Enough, led by rookie sensation Kody Karnes and his 500 series, have no place to go but up as they start their season in 8th place after failing to secure their first victory.The two teams that will more than likely prove to be the most fun opponents to face all season started their title runs facing one another. Murder, He Wrote (last season's Bobby Belt and The Facebook Friends) laced up to beat down opponents Three Strikes and You're Out! 3-1 in their first week of league action. Murder, led by Seth Gunderson and his 585 series, nearly came away with a clean sweep but faltered in the 10th frame. Three Strikes' Bob Brunker showed up just in time with his 211 in Game #3 – and team leading 542 series – to stave off Murder and secure their lone win of the night. Murder, He Wrote starts the season in 4th while Three Strikes just behind them in 5th place.On lanes 47 & 48, last season's 2nd place finishers showed up retuned as Dragon Balls in the hopes of making another run at the top matchup in the Finals. With anchor Ryan Doll leading the way with his 619 series, the Balls bumped balls with Ballz Out en route to a 3-1 win and a start in 3rd place. The Ballz' anchor – and last season's Rookie of the Season winner – Cliff Barendsen came out firing with a 552 series to lead his team in their initial outing, winning Game #3, and starting the Spring session in 6th place. Bowlers jamming into the over-crowded 200 Club on the first night of the league include: Angela Bradford (204), Anita Osthoff (203), Aubrey Moren (213), Bill Krejci (254), Bob Brunker (211), Carl Goetz (258), Cliff Barendsen (202), Ian Goetz (244, 203, 235), Ken M. Wilson (203, 202, 259), Ryan Doll (215, 233), Scott Murdock (219), and Seth Gunderson (224).Even though it won't be until the end of Week #3 when the divisions are set, you can tentatively see how things would be set in the Tournament of Champions seeding if we only went with tonight's scores. The brackets will make their debut in Week #4.The infamous Predictions call for a crazy week in Week #2, with our very own soothsayer Murdock the Kinda Good At Times calling for Three Strikes and You're Out! to give up three to Ballz Out; the Dragon Balls will scorch Murder, He Wrote in a clean sweep; Will Strike if Provoked will split with Split It and Hit It; and Brunk Enough to Dowl will bounce back with a 4-0 victory over Snakes on a Lane. Will any or all of this come true? Well, we'll just have to wait until next week to find out.Last but certainly not least, nominations are now being accepted for this season's GutterAlley Hall of Fame enshrinee. Four new bowlers have been made eligible this season bringing the total to 59 past and present rollers, one of which will find their way into the Hall at the end of this season. Why not spend a few minutes and nominate someone today! There is no limit to the number of eligible bowlers you can nominate. The winner this season will be the 8th person inducted joining fellow Hall of Famers Angela Bradford, Freda Schroeder, Scott Murdock, Ken M. Wilson, Carl Goetz, Bob Brunker, and David Codding.See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Phil Schroeder Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Ian Goetz Runner Up: Ken Wilson	#1 H2H BOWLER Ian Goetz Runner Up: Aubrey Moren
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "In honor of good sportsmanship and all that, gentlemen, I say 'fuck you' and goodnight!" Mark DeVoe, after getting blown out by 413 pins scratch by Snakes on a Lane in Game #3.